Sissu to Chandratal is roughly 110–130 km one way and takes 5–6+ hours — not a quick hop, but a long, rough drive over mostly unpaved roads via Gramphu, Chhatru, Batal and the Kunzum Pass area. The route and the lake open only around June to October; the rest of the year it is snow-bound and closed. Plan it as a full day or with an overnight, in a sturdy high-clearance vehicle.
Quick answer
Chandratal — the “Moon Lake” at roughly 4,300 m — sits deep in the Chandra valley on the Lahaul–Spiti boundary. From Sissu you reach it by heading east toward Gramphu and then along the rough Chandra-river road via Chhatru, Chhota Dhara and Batal, towards the Kunzum Pass area, before the final diversion to the lake. It is a genuinely long, slow journey on bad roads — budget a full day out and back, and do not expect a smart-tarred highway most of the way.
If you are still working out how to get to the valley in the first place, start with how to reach Sissu from Manali, then use this guide for the onward leg to Chandratal.
The route from Sissu
From Sissu you first drive back towards Gramphu (near the Manali–Sissu–Keylong road), where the route to Chandratal branches off east into the Chandra valley. From here the character of the drive changes completely:
- Gramphu → Chhatru: the tar largely ends and you are on a rough, broken track along the river, with loose gravel, rock and stream crossings.
- Chhatru → Chhota Dhara → Batal: more of the same — slow, bumpy, dusty driving with no proper villages, only a few dhabas (notably at Batal).
- Batal → Chandratal: the final diversion is a narrow, rough stretch of roughly 14 km that is the slowest and last part of the route to be cleared each season. The road ends at a parking area, from where it is a short walk of a few hundred metres to the lake itself.
The waypoints below show roughly how the distance stacks up. Treat every figure as approximate — road work, weather and diversions change things season to season.
| Waypoint | Approx. distance from Sissu | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sissu | 0 km | Start — valley floor, ~3,100 m |
| Gramphu | ~15–20 km | Route branches east into Chandra valley |
| Chhatru | ~40–50 km | Rough river-road section begins |
| Batal | ~85–95 km | Dhabas; Chandratal diversion starts here |
| Kunzum Pass area | ~95–105 km | ~4,550 m — high pass on the Spiti side |
| Chandratal | ~110–130 km | Park, then short walk to the lake (~4,300 m) |
Distance & drive time
The short version: Sissu to Chandratal is roughly 110–130 km one way, and despite the modest-sounding distance it usually takes 5–6+ hours in one direction. The reason is the road, not the kilometres — the long unpaved stretch from Gramphu through Chhatru to Batal can crawl along at well under 20 km/h, with stream crossings and rough patches forcing you to slow right down.
If you are doing it and returning the same day, that means 10–12+ hours of driving plus time at the lake. Leave at first light, and be honest with yourself about whether you (and your vehicle) are up for it.
When is Chandratal open?
This is the single most important thing to get right. The Gramphu–Batal–Kunzum route and Chandratal itself are seasonal: they open roughly mid-June to early October and are closed and snow-bound through winter and spring. Kunzum Pass and the Batal–Chandratal diversion stay buried under snow from around October to May, and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) clears them only once the worst of the snow has gone — the final Batal–Chandratal stretch is usually the last to open, often a week or two after the pass.
Because exact dates shift every year with the previous winter’s snowfall, always verify the current road status before planning — especially in June and again from late September, when the season is opening or about to close. Our best time to visit Sissu guide also tracks when the high routes around the valley typically open and close.
How to plan the trip (vehicle, fuel, overnight)
Treat this as a small expedition, not a casual outing:
- Vehicle: a sturdy high-clearance SUV or 4x4 is strongly recommended. Low-slung cars struggle badly on the rocks and water crossings beyond Gramphu. If you do not have the right vehicle, hire a local taxi or driver who knows the road — we can help arrange this from the hotel.
- Fuel: there are no fuel pumps on the Chandra-valley route. Fill up before you leave (the nearest reliable fuel is back towards Tandi/Keylong or Manali side) and carry enough for the full round trip.
- Food & water: carry your own snacks and water. Beyond the odd dhaba at Batal there is very little, and connectivity is minimal to non-existent for long stretches — tell someone your plan before you go.
- Overnight option: many travellers break the trip by camping near Chandratal or staying at Batal, which also helps with acclimatisation. If you prefer a comfortable base, do the lake as a long day trip from Sissu and sleep at lower altitude.
- Timing: start at dawn, aim to be heading back well before dark — you do not want to be on that road at night.
For other day-trip ideas around the valley that don’t involve such a hard drive, see our list of things to do in Sissu.
Altitude & safety
Chandratal sits at roughly 4,300 m, and you cross the Kunzum area at around 4,550 m to get near it. That is high enough for altitude sickness to be a genuine risk, even for fit travellers. Sissu itself is around 3,100 m, so spending a night or two in the valley first helps your body adjust before you push higher.
Go slowly, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol the night before, and watch for headache, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness. If symptoms get worse, the only reliable fix is to descend. The combination of high altitude, a rough remote road and almost no mobile signal means a small problem can become serious — build in margin and don’t push a tired driver or an unwell traveller.
If anything about road or weather status is unclear, contact us before you set out — we’d rather you ask than gamble on a closed pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Chandratal from Sissu?
Chandratal is roughly 110–130 km one way from Sissu, via Gramphu, Chhatru and Batal towards the Kunzum Pass area. Despite the distance it usually takes about 5–6+ hours one way because most of the road is rough and unpaved.
Can you do Sissu to Chandratal in a day?
Yes, but it is a long, full day — roughly 10–12+ hours of driving plus time at the lake. Start at first light and aim to be back before dark. Many travellers prefer to break it with an overnight near Chandratal or at Batal.
Is the road to Chandratal good?
No. The Manali–Sissu road is tarred and good, but the route onward from Gramphu through Chhatru to Batal and the final Batal–Chandratal diversion is rough and unpaved in long stretches, with loose rock, gravel and stream crossings. It is slow going.
When is Chandratal open?
Roughly mid-June to early October. The Gramphu–Batal–Kunzum route and Chandratal are snow-bound and closed in winter. Exact dates shift each year with snowfall, so always verify the current road status before planning.
Do you need a 4x4?
A high-clearance SUV or 4x4 is strongly recommended; ordinary low cars struggle badly beyond Gramphu. If you don’t have the right vehicle, hire a local taxi or driver familiar with the route — we can help arrange one.
Is there altitude sickness risk?
Yes. Chandratal is at about 4,300 m and you cross the Kunzum area at ~4,550 m, so AMS is a real risk. Acclimatise in Sissu first, ascend slowly, stay hydrated, and descend if symptoms worsen.
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