Suspended between the earth and the sky in the remote Himalayas of northern India, Chandra Taal is an iconically beautiful lake that’s woven in the mythological fabric of the region. Chandra Taal translates to mean ‘Lake of the Moon’, and is a large crescent shaped lake situated close to the source of the mighty Chandra River in the Samudra Tapu plateau. Surrounded by seasonal alpine meadows, vast mountain ranges with snow-capped peaks, and small towns and villages where life hasn’t changed in hundreds of years, it’s fast becoming a popular trekking destination for visitors from all over the world.
According to local legends, Chandra Taal is the place where Yudhishthira, the eldest of five brothers in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, ascended to heaven in the chariot of the storm god Indra. And as you survey the scenery of Chandra Taal, it’s easy to see why the Himalayas have played such a central role in the foundational mythos of the Indian nation.
Famous for awe-inspiring hiking trails and striking mountain scenery, Chandra Taal is only one of the many wonders to discover in the Himachal Pradesh region of northern India. The nearby town Manali – where most visitors chose to stay during their time in the area – is also a fascinating cultural melting pot where Hindu and Buddhist traditions live side by side.
Ancient temples, such as the Manu Temple and the Habimba Devi Temple stand alongside Buddhist monasteries, providing visitors with a whole array of cultural curiosities to explore. What’s more, there’s also lively local markets selling arts, crafts, textiles and food, numerous restaurants, and the Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art to explore.
Chandra Taal, and the town of Manali, is the perfect destination for outdoors enthusiasts and adventurous travelers, couples, and families with children. There’s a good selection of hotels in Manali to suit every budget, and considering how remote the area is, the transport infrastructure makes it surprisingly easy to reach.
How to Get To Chandra Taal and Manali, India
For international travelers, the most convenient way to reach Chandra Taal is to first fly into the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi. Once you land in Delhi, you can catch an onward domestic flight to the Himachal Pradesh region.
Delhi is a major international travel hub, and the airport services frequent flights from all over the world. Flight times to Delhi from London are about 9 to 10 hours, around 12 to 14 from Sydney, 16 to 20 hours from New York, and just 3 to 4 hours from Dubai.
After landing in Delhi, you have a couple of different options to reach Manali, the nearest main town to Chandra Taal. You can catch a domestic flight from Delhi to Bhuntar Airport (KUU), near Kullu. Once you land, you’ll need to hire a taxi to drive up through the winding Himalayan roads to reach Manali – which should take 2 to 3 hours, depending on the weather and traffic.
Alternatively, you can take a private car or taxi straight from Delhi to Manali. However, this will take 12 to 14 hours, or more; and it can be quite pricey to hire a taxi for an entire day! So overall, your best option is probably to catch a domestic flight to Bhuntar Airport, and then hire a taxi to take you on the last leg of the journey.
An ideal place to base yourself during your time in the remote Himalayas of northern India is the bustling town of Manali, where there’s lots of hotels, cafes, restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions to explore. From Manali, you can join a private tour to take you up into the mountains to visit Chandra Taal, go trekking in the surrounding mountains, and generally access all the top attractions in the region.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Chandra Taal and Manali, India?
Chandra Taal has a cold, high altitude Himalayan climate, with conditions that are extremely influenced by the seasons. In fact, for much of the year it’s not safe or possible to visit Chandra Taal due to the heavy winter snowfalls that often close roads and high mountain passes and hiking trails.
As a result, if you want to visit Chandra Taal you’ll have to plan your trip between May and October, during the warmer summer months. Daytime temperatures in the summer range from about 10 to 20 Degrees Celsius but frequently drop to freezing at night. So don’t forget to pack warm clothes, as well as a good wind and waterproof jacket and trousers.
The best months to visit Chandra Taal are between June and September, when temperatures are at their warmest and the vast alpine meadows explode into colour as the wildflowers bloom. July and August have the clearest skies and the finest weather conditions for trekking in the mountains; although if you want to avoid the crowds, such as they are, then you could delay your visit until September or October.
The winter months in the remote Himalayas are not a great time to visit. Not only are roads often closed, but the higher altitude trekking routes are too dangerous to traverse. Temperatures are also extremely cold and only made more gruelling by the strong winds and stormy weather in the mountains.
Things to Do At Chandra Taal and Manali, Northern India
Stay at the Treebo Premium Sattva Hotel, Manali
Stylish, elegantly furnished, and refined, the Treebo Premium Sattva is an excellent hotel in central Manali. Just a short walk from numerous local attractions, including the Siyali Mahadev Temple and Vashist Hot Water Springs, as well as the bustling market, it offers visitors a convenient base in the heart of town. And for those planning further excursions, the hotel’s in-house travel desk makes it easy to arrange guided tours and treks.
Treebo Premium Sattva has a nice range of basic facilities, including free WiFi throughout, an on-site restaurant, laundry services, a private car hire service, and a 24 hour front desk. There’s also a spacious lobby lounge area, luggage storage area, and an elevator.
Meanwhile, there’s a good choice of rooms, all of which have private en suite bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, luxurious king size beds, a flat screen TV with a DTH connection, and many have spectacular mountain views and a private balcony.
Treebo Premium Sattva is a top choice for your base during your time in the area, and with friendly staff always on hand to help out, your stay will be one to remember. Ideal for couples, families with children, solo travelers, and small groups, you can enjoy all the modern conveniences without spending a fortune on your room.
You can find out more about the Treebo Premium Sattva, and reserve your room, at the official website, here.
Join the 3 Day 2 Night Chandra Taal Lake Safari Road Trip from Manali
The first day of this action packed tour begins in Manali, with explorations of some of the local attractions, including Manu Temple, Habimba Devi Temple, and the peaceful nature park of Van Vihar. The following day, after spending the night in Manali, you’ll depart early in a jeep to begin your trip up into the high mountain passes of the Spiti region.
Your guide will drive you through the stunning Kullu Valley, a route that gradually transitions from the lush green valleys and forests into the rugged landscapes that characterise the high-altitude plateaus of the Himalayas. As you travel by jeep, you’ll bounce along the rough roads, climbing up over the spectacular Rohtang Pass where you’ll be greeted by panoramic mountain views of snow-capped peaks beneath the enormous open sky. At night, you’ll camp under the stars while your guides will handle all the preparations of food for the group so you can relax and enjoy the views!
On the third day, you’ll arrive at the highlight of the trip, Chandra Taal, located around 4,300 meters above sea level. The lake is surrounded by towering mountains and a vast pristine wilderness, and will leave you with a genuine sense of awe at the sheer scale of the environment around you. There will be plenty of time at Chandra Taal to walk around, snap some unforgettable photos, and take in the magnificence of the scenery.
Finally, you’ll be driven back to Manali, and dropped off at a convenient location for you. This is the perfect way to experience the magic of Chandra Taal without the grueling multi-day trek through the tough rocky hiking paths. An amazing multi-day tour for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants to visit the semi-mythological Chandra Taal.
You can find out more about the jeep safari tour to Chandra Taal, and book your places on this popular tour, here.
Take a Relaxed Full Day Guided Tour of Manali
Manali is an ancient mountain town that is steeped in generations of unique culture and traditions, and this full day guided tour is a great way to dive into its heritage. Your English speaking guide will tell you all about the history and highlights you see along the way, and answer any questions you may have.
The tour starts with a hotel pickup, and then heads on to Habimba Devi Temple, an ancient wooden shrine that was built among the beautiful deodar forests. Next up, you’ll walk to the Manu Temple in the Old Quarters of the town, dedicated to the Hindu Sage Manu and set in peaceful gardens with scenic hill views.
The tour continues to Vashisht Village, best known for its hot springs and a temple dedicated to the Sage Vashisht, before visiting the Tibetan Monastery where you can browse beautiful hand made arts and crafts. And then, after having a tasty traditional Himachali lunch, you’ll visit the Club House in the town park where you can walk through the Van Vihar National Park, sit by the river, or take a ride on a small boat in the lake.
The tour finishes back in central Manali, where you can explore the cafes, souvenir shops, and relax in the evening atmosphere before returning to your hotel.
You can find out more about the full day tour of Manali, and book your places on the tour, here.
Put on Your Hiking Boots for a 4 Day Hamta Pass Private Trek, from Manali
No trip to the Himalayas would be complete without taking a few days out of your itinerary to experience the joys of trekking along the spectacular mountain trails. This 4 day trek is led by experienced local guides who handle all the cooking, and also carry all of your heavy equipment on pack horses – so you’ll only need to carry a small day rucksack with water, snacks, and a few additional layers of clothing in case you get cold.
As one of the most dramatically picturesque trekking routes in the region, you’ll ascend up through the famous Hamta Pass, reaching altitudes of more than 4,200 meters. The route also takes you past the enormous peaks of Deo Tibba and Indrasan, both of which exceed 6,000 meters at their peaks! Along the route, you’ll have the chance to spot the Himalayan wildlife, including vultures, snow leopards, and even the occasional bear.
At night your guides will set up the camp, cook the food, and allow you to rest and refresh after the day’s hike. Some of the main highlights of the trek include the Hamta Pass, the Pir Panjal range, the walk through the lush green Kullu Valley, and the high-altitude landscapes of Spiti and Lahaul.
Historically, these passes used to be a vital trade route from northern India into China, although since the Rohtang Pass road was built these routes are mainly used by tourists and locals. Nonetheless, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of thousands of years of history, some of which your guides will regale you with in the evening as you sit around the camp fire under the vast canopy of the stars overhead.
The trek returns to Manali on the fourth day, where you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel – and then you can enjoy some well earned R&R and a hot shower! You can find out more about the 4 day guided trek through the Hampta Pass, and reserve your places on the trip, here.
Eat at Johnson’s Restaurant and Bar in Manali
This long-established, well-loved restaurant in a mountain lodge is consistently recommended by travelers, and is definitely worth a visit during your time in Manali. Situated within the Johnson Lodge & Spa, the restaurant serves classic local dishes as well as a whole range of international favourites in a relaxed European cafe atmosphere.
Some of the notable dishes on the seasonal menu include the restaurant’s signature rainbow trout, a speciality which Johnson’s Cafe has become somewhat famous for, as well as wood fired thin-crust pizzas, lamb dishes, and pork stews. There’s also Indian cuisine, vegetarian options, and breakfast selections if you’re stopping by in the morning.
So if you’re looking for a friendly local restaurant with a broad ranging menu that includes the best of Indian and European cuisine, then look no further than Johnson’s Cafe!
Open daily from 8 am to 11 pm, you can find out more about the menu, and reserve your table, here.
