Chandratal in October – The White Wonder

by Vargis.Khan

The recent and unexpected spell of snow all across Himalayas certainly created a havoc everywhere. People were not expecting snow so soon and so much anywhere. All the major passes across Ladakh, Spiti and Kashmir were shut down for a few days. Chandratal specially was one of the areas that was worst hit. There were a lot of people traveling on the Spiti route, camping at Chandratal when it suddenly started to rain and snow. Tourists were stuck in Kaza, Batal and Chandratal for several days before they were rescued by Indian Air force. I am sharing below a few pictures of Chandratal in October this year after the heavy snowfall.

Chandratal Lake in October

Planning a trip now to Chandratal is of course out of question. All the camp sites have wrapped up for the season and even the Manali Kaza route is closed. People stuck there made it out with great difficulties so heading to the lake now is anyways is not the best of the ideas. However, visiting Chandratal in October is not something that is impossible. What happened this year was certainly unexpected and unusual otherwise a lot of people visit this magical lake in October too. However there are a few things that you should keep in mind while visiting Chandratal Lake in October.

Plan in first 10 Days of the Month

Camp sites at Chandratal usually wrap up for the season by October 10th. They actually start to pack as soon as October starts but you can still hope to get a place to stay in first 10 days of the month. After 10th, even if the road was open, it would be best to not plan a night stay there.

It Can Snow Anytime at Chandratal

Once October starts, it can snow at Chandratal and Kunzum Pass anytime. This year was just an example of how unpredictable the weather here can be. So when you are packing for the trip, be sure to prepare keeping in mind that you may have to encounter snow on the way.

Keep Buffer Days

This is very important. What happened to people this year is something that can happen to you as well. So keep at least 2-3 days as buffer in your travel plan. That way, if you got stuck somewhere, you will at least be able to afford to do so.

It is going to be extremely Cold

Temperature at night and even during day will remain either below or close to zero so make sure that you are bringing in thermals, woolens, gloves and a heavy windproof jacket with a hood.

Plan for Next Year

Even in first 10 days of October, visiting Chandratal is not really the wisest choice. It usually snows at the lake and Kunzum Pass after 15th October; but there is no way that you can be certain of it. This year’s incident stands witness to this fact. By visiting Chandratal in October, you are running an unnecessary risk. It anyways is not a good time to be visiting Spiti so if possible, better plan your trip for next year.

Chandratal In October

And below are a few pictures that were recently clicked in last few days. Jamaica is a friend of mine who runs a camp site at Chandratal and was stuck there for 6 days before the authorities were finally able to clear the road. Tourists were already picked up by IAF in Helicopters but camp site owners had no choice other than to stay back and wait for the road to open so they could leave with all their camps and other belongings.

chandratal in october

The pictures below are a few that were sent to my by a friend of mine. I am not claiming ownership of these pics. Credit goes to the person who clicked these. The first two are an aerial view of the camp sites at Chandratal after it was all snowed out. The third one is of Batal.

Conclusion

If you have any other images of Chandratal in October; or any tips that can be of help to others; then please feel free to share either in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum. For now, Chandratal is off limits for tourists until May or June next year.

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20 comments

Vivek September 9, 2020 - 4:48 am

Hello Vargis, first of all thanks for maintaining this blog and keeping us up to date about the land of high passes. Previously also I had planned my trips to Leh and Spiti with your blog’s and this time also I need a lil bit of insight about the situation we are heading into.

I am planning a trip to Chandratal Lake in the first week of October with 3-4 of my friends.

I went there two years back in the month of july so know about the road but is the road going to be the same during first week of october?

Delhi number car hai so will the local authorities create any problem due to Covid?

I went to leh this January so will the weather going to be as challenging as in Leh at Chandratal during that period of time?

What will be the situation of camping there and roadside small hotels aur dhabas?

Will really appreciate your help this time also and keep up the good work

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 9, 2020 - 5:51 pm

Vive Bhai you will have to plan for next year. Spiti and Chandratal are closed for tourism this year.

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Arka Prava Ray October 20, 2019 - 6:35 pm

Respected, vargis. First of all thank u for depth information. We are planning to go manali from kaza via kunjum pass on 2nd november in car. What will be the overall condition of the road that time ? Your kind info highly solicited….urgent response is also solicited

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Vargis.Khan October 21, 2019 - 7:12 am

Hello Arka – Manali Kaza road will probably be closed by then. You will have to return via Shimla only.

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Partha December 12, 2019 - 7:49 am

Mr.vargis
What is the best time to visit sangla, chitkul,kalpa and other spot of spiti? I don’t want snow and rain.i will go with my mother ( 63). will any problem for altitude

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Abhishek Dash October 4, 2019 - 1:29 pm

Hello vargis. First of all thanq so much for this in depth information, it’s hard to find somewhere else. We are planning to go manali from kaza via chandratal on 12th of October in mahindra marazzo. What will be the overall condition of the road ???

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Vargis.Khan October 4, 2019 - 9:39 pm

Thanks Abhishek. Condition of the road between Manali and Kaza is always a nightmare so keep your hopes as low as possible in that aspect.

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Alpa Goel September 23, 2019 - 12:41 pm

Hi Vargis,

This year we are planning to visit Chandratal on 3rd OCtober. Would campsites be open at that time? Who could be contacted for the same

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Vargis.Khan September 23, 2019 - 11:13 pm

Hi Alpa – Yes the camps will be open till October 10th.

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Sonu September 6, 2019 - 7:37 am

Hi Everyone
M planning to visit in sept last week
Is there any hotel near by Batal
And what is the avg cost of tent accomodation ?

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 7, 2019 - 3:14 am

There is no hotel in Batal, just camp sites. Assume a minimum of Rs. 1000 – Rs 1500 per person.

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Trotting Souls September 23, 2019 - 11:51 pm

Hi vargis,
We are planning to go to kaza via manli on 14th October. Will Rohtang and kunzum be open?

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Vargis.Khan September 24, 2019 - 5:50 pm

It depends on the weather but chances are that it will be.

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Suman Dey September 5, 2019 - 8:30 am

i am planning to visit chandratal via manali in the month of oct (26th to 29th) will rhotang pass remain open?

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Vargis.Khan September 5, 2019 - 8:42 am

Rohtang will but Chandratal will not be. Plan before 15th

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Anurag July 31, 2019 - 4:55 pm

Hi Vargis. I am planning a trip to Spiti and also want to camp at Chandratal. The dates I am planning would be between 28th Sept to 8th Oct. Do you think we would be able to camp at Chandratal?

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Sandeep Verma October 8, 2018 - 6:20 pm

Hello Vargis,

First of all Thank you very much… Your blogs are so informative. I have planned a spiti circuit trip from Manali side starting from 12th October 2018. As off now road from Manali to Kaza is closed but road from Manali to Leh is open.

Can we expect kaza road to be open in next few days? It is hard to believe that Manali-Kaza raod has been closed because it snowed only one day.

Thanks,
Sandeep

Reply
Vargis.Khan October 8, 2018 - 11:51 pm

Hi Sandeep – No, Manali Kaza road is closed for good now. Won’t reopen until next year. Kunzum Pass is completely snowed out.

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Sanjoy Chowdhury October 6, 2018 - 7:22 pm

Hello Vargis…we have our plan scheduled from 13th Oct to 23rd Oct for Spiti. Our journey will be started from Chandigarh and will be ended up at Chandigarh. We will go via Shimla. We are not sure if we can come back via Manali or not and that’s why we kept the option open for coming back to Chandigarh via Shimla again. Our last destination to stay in that case will be Losar. We are in continues touch with our driver and he confirmed that till Losar things are absolutely fine. But Kunzum pass is under thick snow. Chandratal we will not keep in our list in this time accordingly.
What is your overall option on this plan?
Looking forward to your response.

Sanjoy

Reply
Vargis.Khan October 6, 2018 - 9:40 pm

Hi Sanjoy – Yes you can go via Shimla till Losar but will also have to come back the same day. Chandratal and Manali – Kaza road are closed for good until next season.

Reply

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