If you’re looking for your first Himalayan trek that balances beauty, challenge, and a gentle learning curve, the Chandrakhani Pass Trek near Manali is a strong contender. At altitudes around 3,600–3,700 m, it stitches together forest trails, bright meadows, and a breezy high‑altitude pass, all without steep technical climbing.
Chandrakhani Pass lies in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, just a short drive from Manali. The trek is known for its gradual ascent, well‑marked trails, and non‑technical terrain, which makes it ideal for beginners who want a “real” Himalayan experience without rock‑climbing or ropes.
Over 3–4 days, you walk from small villages through chir pine and oak forests, then open meadows, and finally cross the pass at about 3,600–3,700 m with views of snow‑peaked ranges like Malana and Deo Tibba.
Where Chandrakhani Pass Trek Is Located
The usual starting point is Rumsu village, about 5–6 km from Naggar on the road towards Manali. From there the trail climbs up to Naya Tapru, Chaklani, and then on to Chandrakhani Pass, before descending toward Nagruni or looping back to the starting roadhead.
This trek sits in the western Himalayas, framed by peaks of the Kullu Valley, and is close enough to Manali for easy access yet far enough up to feel like a proper mountain escape.
Trek Difficulty and Fitness Level
Most operators rate Chandrakhani Pass as easy‑moderate. On a typical itinerary you cover about 20–26 km with a total ascent of roughly 1,500–2,000 m, spread over days of 4–6 hours of walking.
For a beginner, it helps to be able to:
Walk 4–6 km per hour on rolling terrain for 4–5 hours.
Climb a few flights of stairs without getting too breathless.
If you’re sedentary, start with 2–3 weeks of brisk walking, stair‑climbing, and light cardio before the trek.
Best Time to Do the Trek
The classic window for Chandrakhani Pass is:
Mid‑June to mid‑September for green meadows and clear skies (monsoon can bring rain and mud).
October to early November for crisp air, clear mountain views, and fewer crowds.
Some operators also run early‑June or late‑May trips, but be prepared for lingering snow patches near the pass, which can make the last stretch slightly trickier.
Avoid the trek in deep winter unless you are on a specialized snow‑season expedition with proper gear.
Day‑by‑Day Trek Itinerary
Here’s a standard 9‑day beginner‑friendly itinerary used by many operators (adjust days/driving as per your group):
Day 1: Srinagar → Sitkari
Assemble at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) Srinagar and transfer to Sonmarg (2800m, 87kms). It is a scenic drive from Srinagar to Sonmarg having a wonderful mix of grasslands, scattered forests and snow covered mountains. Overnight stay in tents at Sitkari, a small village of few habitants, 3 kms short of Sonmarg.
Day 2: Sitkari → Nichnai
Trek Day - Trek from Sitkari village to Nichnai (3505m, 13kms) - The trek begins with an ascend towards the Shokdhari campsite on a route lined with Maple and Pine trees. The highlight of the days trek is the enchanting view of Sonmarg and the sprawling glaciers surrounding Sonmarg. The day ends after we descend into the Nichnai grazing ground (Shepherd)
Day 3: Nichnai → Vishansar Lake
Trek Day - Trek from Nichnai to the Vishansar lake(3657m,15kms) Today
Day 4: Vishansar lake → Gadsar lake
Trek Day - Trek from Vishansar lake to Gadsar lake(4191m,13kms) The day begins with a steep 250m climb to the Krishansar lake which is about 1/2km from the Vishansar lake. Despite being close in distance, the twin lakes can be seen together only from the top at Gadsar Pass. Getting to the Gadsar pass at 4191m is no easy task and is going to take a toll on your legs and back. However, the scintillating views at the top of the pass are more than compensation for all the efforts. From the pass, we descent into flat meadows covered with brightly colored wildflowers to reach the Gadsar Lake. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 5: Gadsar lake → Mengandob/Satsar lake
Trek Day - Trek from Gadsar lake to Mengandob/Satsar Lake(3600m, 12km) - Yet another two-hour steep climb up welcomes us early morning, as we enter into flatlands known as Mengandob. We continue the trek, cross an army camp and get close to the Satsar lakes. The Satsar lakes are a collection of 7 lakes in a cascade formation. Fed by melting snow, a couple of these lakes dry up in summer and autumn. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 6: Satsar lakes → Gangbal twin lakes
Trek Day - Trek from Satsar lakes to Gangbal twin lakes (3505m, 10kms) - Today, you will be physically and mentally challenged as you cross rocky and boulder ridden terrain, cross few ridges and climb mountains to arrive for a break on a ridge at 3570m. Thereon, we proceed further up to reach the final ridge at 3000m. From here, you can view the twin lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol. What follows is a steep rocky descent, few ups and downs, and entry into green meadows which leads to the majestic duo of the Nundkol lake and Gangbal lake. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 7: Gangbal twin lakes → Gangbal twin lakes
Rest day. Today you get to relax by the lakes, explore surrounding meadows, soak in the magnificent mountain scapes, uncover a few local legends about the lakes, share travel stories, meditate, exercise your photography skills and do anything that soothes your soul. This day can alternatively be also used as an adjustment day in case if the weather plays foul and the group is required to spend an additional night at any of the previous campsites. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 8: Gangbal twin lakes → Naranag
Trek Day - Trek from Gangbal twin lakes to Naranag (11kms) - Srinagar - On the final day of the trek, we trek past a vast tree line patch and some grassy lands towards a thick blanket of pine forest cover. We follow the forest line for about 6-7kms and then take the final descent into the Naranag village. Upon arrival at Naranag, we proceed to Srinagar for nighthalt at a hotel.
Day 9: Srinagar → Srinagar
It's time to bid a good bye to the fellow trekkers and proceed for the return journey home.
How to Reach the Starting Point
Most itineraries start from Manali, which is well connected by road from Delhi and Chandigarh. From there you are driven about 1–1.5 hours to Rumsu village near the Naggar–Manali road.
By road to Manali: Overnight buses or taxis from Delhi (about 10–12 hours); self‑drive via NH44 and NH505.
By air: Nearest airports are Kullu–Manali Airport (Bhuntar) and Dharamshala, followed by road transfers to Manali.
Once you join a trekking group or operator, they usually arrange the Manali–Rumsu transfer as part of the package.
What to Pack for the Trek
A light, layered approach works best for Chandrakhani’s changing temperatures.
Clothing: Quick‑dry trek trousers, 2–3 t‑shirts, light fleece / insulated jacket, rain jacket or poncho.
Footwear: Good trekking shoes (preferably with ankle support) and spare socks.
Sleeping gear: Sleeping bag (comfort range ~0–10°C); often included in packages.
Other: Headlamp, water bottle / hydration pack, sunscreen, cap, sunglasses, basic first‑aid kit, personal medicines.
Most operators provide tents, cooking, and group gear, so you mainly carry your personal clothes, sleeping bag, and small backpack (15–30 L).
Permits, Safety, and Essential Tips
Permits and rules
There are no special permits like Inner‑Line or Protected Area permits for Chandrakhani; usual camping and forest‑entry permissions are handled by trek organizers.
Many groups also include trek insurance covering altitude‑related issues and basic medical evacuation.
Safety and altitude
The pass sits around 3,600–3,700 m, so altitude‑sickness awareness is important, even though the trek is “easy.”
Scenic Highlights Along the Route
