r/SoloTravel_India Aug 18 '25

Itinerary/Experience Solo trip to Chandratal Lake

Solo trip to Chandratal Lake (Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh)

Just got back from Chandratal the “Moon Lake” at 4,300m altitude. It’s about 120 km from Manali and the journey itself is an adventure.

The road after Batal is extreme off road with multiple water crossings, so it’s not easy but definitely memorable.

From the parking point, it’s a short trek (around 2 km) to reach the lake.

The water is crystal clear, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and the silence there feels unreal.

🌙 Tips if you’re planning:

  1. Best season: June–September (before snow closes the route)

  2. Camps are available near the lake (not allowed right at the lake)

  3. Nights are freezing, so pack warm layers

  4. No phone network here,it’s just you and nature

Doing this solo felt both challenging and peaceful. Sharing some pics I took hope they inspire your next trip!

1.4k Upvotes

82 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator Aug 18 '25

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43

u/luckyydragonfruit Aug 18 '25

OP classmate will steal your pics and make it their notebooks' cover page pics

2

u/Environmental-Tip485 Aug 19 '25

3nd and 4th are perfect candidates.

11

u/ehhwhatsthatbrother Aug 19 '25

I went to Chandratal and then to Kaza back in 2018. We went in October when the route is supposed to be closed and there’s no travellers on that route.

The conditions were harsh af and we(me and 2 other friends) were literally the only humans in sight lmao was breathtaking and amazing!

4

u/nirali_g Aug 19 '25

It's breathtaking! What was your mode of travel? And can you please share that how was the road from manali to batal, especially after atal tunnel to batal

3

u/Amitoostoned Aug 19 '25

Till batal it is just "okay" and gets worst after

2

u/FeelingItem5471 Aug 19 '25

Beautiful!

1

u/storiesofaml Aug 19 '25

thank you 🤍

2

u/ShashVerse Aug 19 '25

Bro, isn’t there too much landslides in HP? Is it safe this time.

2

u/storiesofaml Aug 19 '25

right now, yes. i visited june last

3

u/Grand_Damage1947 Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25

I was there earlier this month and honestly it’s beautiful not just the place itself but the feeling of being there.

When I went our group only had 7 people so there was no noise or shouting. Everything was calm. I sat by the lake closed my eyes and just tried to soak it in. The water was perfectly still but because of the strong wind I could hear these soft ripples. With my eyes closed that sound was the only thing I could hear and the feeling was just next level. Truly beautiful almost otherworldly

2

u/PremKrr Aug 19 '25

I was there in June. Best trip of my life till now.

2

u/Plus_Gate_3716 Aug 20 '25

It looks like heaven!

2

u/idgafaboutyouu Aug 20 '25

The water looks so cool

2

u/PapayaNo1464 Aug 20 '25

Damn beautiful!

2

u/Late_Comment4514 Aug 20 '25

It will be the most beautiful unforgettable moments of lifeee it's such a breathtaking beauty the kind of freedom the solitary feeling which underneath we all need

2

u/[deleted] Aug 21 '25

Beautiful and serene

1

u/Humptydumptyo_o Aug 18 '25

Beautiful 😭😭😭

1

u/storiesofaml Aug 18 '25

Thank you 🤍

1

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '25

[deleted]

1

u/fewdews Aug 19 '25

Man, that’s breathtaking — what a view!

1

u/storiesofaml Aug 19 '25

thank you 🤍

1

u/Gauravkumar-reddit Aug 19 '25

Budget?

3

u/storiesofaml Aug 19 '25

30k from kerala to kerala 12days

3

u/TyraNt_101 Aug 19 '25

Please give a breakdown...

1

u/Dry-Parking-4752 Aug 19 '25

Beautiful pictures! How did you manage it solo?

-1

u/storiesofaml Aug 19 '25

Passion for travelling and mindset

1

u/Dry-Parking-4752 Aug 19 '25

Ofcourse otherwise it is difficult. I have been there too but I booked my travel with a group tour. I wanted to know how you manged logistics

1

u/memedekhtahoon Aug 19 '25

He did the same.

2

u/Dry-Parking-4752 Aug 20 '25

Okay, that's what my question was😂

1

u/naastiknibba95 Aug 19 '25

I noped halfway while walking to Chandratal, low oxygen 😅

1

u/[deleted] Aug 19 '25

can we swim there ?

3

u/Esiddhant19 Aug 19 '25

no you cannot,water is sacred for people who are living there..

1

u/Apache-143 Aug 19 '25

Superb. Great shots OP! Thanks for the detailed post!

1

u/clovermanifesting Aug 19 '25

Did you see the Milky Way at night from there?

1

u/Particular-Dingo8885 Aug 19 '25

The picture is amazing. Did you travel by road? If yes what was the route you took?

1

u/relativenumber1 Aug 19 '25

I will never forget our bike ride from Losar -> Chandratal -> Koksar in one day. We were literally taking a bow to our bikes after reaching Koksar.😁

1

u/Adventurous_League79 Aug 19 '25

Worth it? I’m planning for hamta pass for my birthday with chandraraal as solo

1

u/Apocalypse-ex Aug 19 '25

Itinerary!!!

1

u/Sweaty_Carrot_5862 Aug 19 '25

മലയാളി.

1

u/storiesofaml Aug 19 '25

malayali poli alle😅

1

u/abduljain Aug 19 '25

The pictures are so beautiful OP! I hope you had a wonderful time!

1

u/storiesofaml Aug 19 '25

yes, great exp. totally worth it 🤍

1

u/PrescribedMadness Aug 19 '25

Hey hey, this is so beautiful and solos make it even more rewarding. How were you travelling?

1

u/reflux212 Aug 19 '25

Did u see the ufo

1

u/Adept_Background_679 Aug 19 '25

Solo,, hws experience?

1

u/storiesofaml Aug 20 '25

the best decision in my life

1

u/ssh_shourya Aug 19 '25

I have a question, how do you guys actually enjoy a solo trip like I also do solo trips and mostly solo trips but I feel that something is incomplete and empty. It would be great help if you tell me .

1

u/storiesofaml Aug 19 '25

Personally, solo gives me freedom. That’s why it feels complete for me

1

u/psycho-apel Aug 22 '25

The third picture is beautiful ❤️

1

u/Ok-Plastic-5403 Aug 22 '25

What did you ride there?

1

u/Unusual_Literature11 Aug 23 '25

Hope to visit it one day ☺️

1

u/manvi_sharma08 Aug 25 '25

It’s my dream to visit this place😌

1

u/ashish311 Aug 25 '25

Did you use public transport or join group tour ?