Himalaya only · Saver trips from ₹7,500
Try "Spiti", "snow leopard", "Char Dham", "homestay", "Tiger's Nest"
Route · Spiti & Lahaul
West from Kaza up the Spiti valley through Kiato and Losar, over Kunzum La at about 4,590 m, then down to Batal and up the side road to the Chandratal camps. About 95 km and 4–5 hours on a mix of good road and rough track.
Photo: Adarsh Patel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsEvery way to go
| How | Time | Cost, indicative 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Private car | 4–5 h | ₹6,000–8,000 drop |
| HRTC bus plus walk or lift | 4–5 h to Batal | ₹250–400 to Batal |
| Shared taxi | 4–5 h | ₹800–1,200 a seat to the Batal turn-off |
The practical way. Taxi union rates from Kaza cover a drop at the Chandratal camps; you then continue to Manali the next day by another arranged car or the same one on a two-day hire. Stop at Kunzum La's shrine and for lunch at Batal.
The Kaza–Manali bus passes Batal, about 2.9 km from the Chandratal turn-off and roughly 15 km from the lake. From there you need a lift or a pre-arranged camp pick-up; walking the side road is long and only for the fit and acclimatised. Arrange it with your camp before leaving Kaza.
Shared taxis from Kaza to Manali can drop you at the turn-off, and some drivers will go to the camps for an extra fee. Agree everything in Kaza. Seats fill early, so book the evening before.
At each end
Photo: Rodmantyler · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Spiti's only town, base camp for every village loop
Photo: Adarsh Patel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
The crescent moon lake, open June to early October
Questions
About 95 km via Losar, Kunzum La and Batal, roughly 4–5 hours by car depending on the road beyond Losar.
Not directly. The Kaza–Manali HRTC bus passes Batal, near the turn-off, and you need a lift or a camp pick-up for the last stretch.
Usually from about mid-June to October, once Kunzum La is cleared, until the first heavy snow. Check current status before you travel.
From Kaza, after acclimatising in Spiti. Going from Manali to Chandratal in a day takes you from about 2,050 m to 4,250 m, which raises the risk of altitude sickness.
More in Spiti & Lahaul
Plan with a local planner
We reply within one working day with a route, a sleeping-altitude profile and an itemised price in your tier. Change anything. Pay nothing until you are sure.