Manali to Chandratal Cycling Expedition

Region:- Manali & Spiti
 

 Total Duration – 4 Nights / 5 Days

 Style Of Trip – Cycling

 Maximum Altitude – 4200m/13750ft.

 Grade – Moderate to strenuous

 Best Season – June  to November

 Accommodation – Hotel/Guesthouse; Organized Campsite

 Food – On ride – All meals included

 Distance – 250 Km

Manali to Chandratal Cycling Expedition

A cycling expedition from Manali to Chandratal is great experience through lush green valleys to the arid Spiti valley. The beautiful Chandratal lake is the destination for this ultimate route. The chandertal is named after two words chandra, meaning Moon and the tal is the lake. So it is called moon lake as its crescent shape. The lake is about 4km. long in distance and half a km. wide, creating a mesmerizing landscape located below the bald brown mountains at the height of 4,300m.The blue water of chandratal lake will take your breath away and reaching here on bycycles gives you another level of feel. It is one of india's best cycling route in terms of natural beauty. So one must do cycling trip on this route, anyone who is not into cycling.

The route starts from manali. As on the first day we cycle about 40 km. on the manali leh highway. The route passes by the wild forests of oak, coniferous, birch trees till gulaba. The incline on this days trip is gradual but with numerous curves on the way. One has to cycle his side because turns are blind at some point and have to be alert as vehicles arrive. The forest range is left behind as we reach near to the first camp at Marhi. Marhi (3.300m.) is located few km. below the Rohtang pass. On can see the  road and the pass clearly from marhi. Next day we will ride about 45 km., pass the Rohtang top (13000ft.) and further downhill till Gramphoo. After Gramphoo the trail is moderate but unmetalled road along the river Chandra. Our destination is Chhatru (3,200m.), a desolate stop yet beautiful as its broad valley location. Chhatru is popular camping site among trekkers coming from Hampta pass or going forward to the lake or to Spiti valley. . It is a colder spot as the chilling winds come by the river. The place has both sides the mountains with the scree. There are some shops who prepare local food and rent shelters to the travelers passing by. As the sun rises next morning and the light on the bald mountains on one side and the other with darker shade creates a spectacular contrast. The route from Chhatru to Chandratal is moderate to steep at some points about 45km.  After hours of riding we reach at the road end, from where we walk a little to the lake and the emerald lake starts to emerge in front of us. The surroundings of the lake offers a great landscape that is unforgettable. If the weather is sunny one can see the reflections of the blue sky, mountains which is picturesque. Spending some time and exploration we ride back to Chhatru. Following day we wind up the camp and leave by the taxi to Manali.