Route library · Outstation · Mountains
Delhi to Chandratal Lake
Chandratal — the "moon lake" — sits at about 4,300 m near the Kunzum Pass, a crescent of impossibly clear water ringed by scree and glacier. It is one of the highest lakes reachable by motorcycle in India, reached via the Manali–Kaza road, and one of the most rewarding, weather-dependent rides in this library.
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At a glance
- Round trip
- About 1,280–1,380 km
- Riding time
- 14–15 hours to Manali, then a further 6–7 hours to the Chandratal turn-off
- Nights
- Three to four days minimum, given the distance and the altitude
- Start point
- Delhi (via Chandigarh and Manali)
- Highest point
- About 4,300 m at Chandratal itself
- Difficulty
- Expedition-grade. High altitude, a rough and partly unsealed final stretch, and genuine remoteness with almost no services.
- Surface
- Sealed to Manali; beyond Rohtang and especially past Batal the road is rough, partly unsealed, and river-crossing sections are common
- Best season
- Only July to September, once the Rohtang and Kunzum passes are open and the road is clear of snow.
The ride
Delhi → Chandigarh → Mandi → Manali gets you to the last real town; from there the ride climbs over Rohtang Pass and follows the Chandra river toward Batal, where a rough side track climbs to the lake. This last stretch is genuinely demanding — loose surface, occasional stream crossings, and thin air.
Chandratal itself has no permanent settlement — just a handful of seasonal camps near the lake, and the walk around the water's edge for the crescent view it's named for. Camp overnight if you can arrange it; the sunrise and sunset light on the water is the whole reason to make this trip.
Day by day
Delhi to Manali
Delhi → Chandigarh → Mandi → Manali (14–15 hours, best split into two days). Rest and check the Rohtang/Kunzum road status locally before continuing.
Manali to Batal
Manali → Rohtang Pass → Chhatru → Batal (6–7 hours) on a progressively rougher road. Basic camp or dhaba stay at Batal.
Batal to Chandratal and back
The side track to the lake (2–3 hours each way on a rough surface), a walk around the water, and back to Batal or Chandratal's seasonal camps.
Return to Delhi
Retrace via Manali and Chandigarh over two days, road conditions permitting.
Fuel & services
- Fuel is reliable to Manali — Chandigarh, Mandi and Manali all have pumps.
- There is no fuel at all beyond Manali on this route — fill up completely and carry spare fuel for the Rohtang–Batal–Chandratal round trip.
- Batal has only the most basic dhaba-style stays; Chandratal itself has seasonal tented camps only, and no fixed infrastructure.
Road & conditions
Sealed to Manali, then progressively rougher — the Rohtang Pass climb is well travelled but can be congested and slow; beyond it toward Batal the surface turns loose and gravelly with occasional stream crossings, and the final track up to Chandratal is rough enough to need a confident rider and a capable bike. This is not a route for a first high-altitude trip.
Bike, fuel & getting help
- Suggested bike
- A torquey, dirt-capable bike is strongly recommended — the Batal–Chandratal stretch is not comfortable on a plain commuter.
- Fuel gap
- A genuinely long stretch with no fuel at all beyond Manali — carry spare fuel and plan the round trip on a single full tank plus reserve.
- Spare fuel
- Carry at least 5 litres of spare fuel.
- Emergency & logistics
- The nearest well-equipped hospital is a full day back at Manali; there is no reliable signal beyond Rohtang; carry the group lead's number, a printed emergency card, and travel with an experienced group — this is not a solo-rider route.
Best time to ride
Strictly July to September — the Rohtang and Kunzum passes are snow-closed the rest of the year, and even within season the road can close temporarily after rain. Check pass status locally before committing to a departure day; conditions change fast at this altitude.
What to add to your kit
Beyond the standard ride kit: proper cold-weather gear even in July (nights near the lake are close to freezing), a tent and sleeping bag if you plan to camp, and a bike in genuinely good mechanical condition. Altitude sickness is a real risk — ascend at a sensible pace and know the symptoms.
Ride this with a group
We run Chandratal as a genuine high-altitude expedition — experienced riders only, with a full rest day built in at Manali before the final push.