Chandrakhani Pass
Difficult Alpine Trail in Kullu & Manali • Summit 3,660 m • 4 Days
Alpine Field Dossier • Route Metrics
About Chandrakhani Pass Trek
Chandrakhani Pass is a high-altitude crossing connecting the Kullu Valley to the secluded Malana village — home to one of the most unique and ancient tribal communities in the world. The route traverses stunning oak and rhododendron forests, high alpine meadows, and the dramatic pass itself at 3,660m, before descending to the legendary Malana village perched above the Malana gorge.
Trailhead Approach
Commences from Naggar Castle, Naggar, following established mountain corridors through valley topography.
Alpine Progression
Rises steadily into open mountain zones with panoramic vantages across Kullu & Manali.
High Vantage & Crest
Reaches high elevation vantage points where disciplined alpine pacing and weather awareness ensure a safe journey.
The Trail
Photographic plates and visual observations along the Chandrakhani Pass Trek route in Kullu & Manali.
Plate 01 • Trail Observation
Field observation on the Chandrakhani Pass Trek route through Kullu & Manali.
The Route
Trailhead coordinates, navigation milestones, and geospatial profile connecting Naggar Castle, Naggar to the summit crest.
Naggar Castle, Naggar
Kullu & Manali, Himachal Pradesh • Trailhead Access
Chandrakhani Pass Trek (3,660 m)
Panoramic vistas from Chandrakhani Pass Trek across Kullu & Manali
32.1030° N, 77.1510° E
Mapped trail route
Download GPX for Chandrakhani Pass Trek
Download the verified high-resolution GPS trail trace for Chandrakhani Pass Trek, recorded and validated directly on the mountain trail. Compatible with all handheld GPS units and smartphone navigation apps for offline route-finding.
Verified on 16 July 2020 • Recorded with Strava GPS / Phone by Ashish. All personal biometric timestamps and heart-rate telemetry have been completely stripped for clean, lightweight offline navigation.
- • Garmin & Suunto: Transfer file directly via Garmin Connect or Suunto App.
- • Gaia GPS & AllTrails: Select “Import GPX” to sync offline topo route.
- • Organic Maps & OsmAnd: Tap file on mobile to open in 100% offline maps.
Elevation Profile
Continuous vertical gradient from Naggar Castle, Naggar to the 3,660 m summit crest with live slope & oxygen estimates.
Elevation & Slope Profile
Elevation Milestones • 3,660 m Apex
- Base Trailhead
- Naggar Castle, Naggar
- Mid-Trail Stage
- 3660 m • Cross Chandrakhani Pass, descend to Malana
- Apex Summit Marker
- Chandrakhani Pass Trek • 3,660 m
Itinerary
Recommended day-by-day progression from Solang Village to the high meadows and summit ridge.
Naggar to Rumsu Village Camp
Begin the trek from Naggar Castle (1,760m). Climb through terraced fields and oak forest to reach Rumsu village (2,400m). Camp here or at nearby meadows.
Rumsu to Chandrakhani Meadows Base Camp
Ascend through rhododendron forest as the trail opens onto vast alpine meadows. Panoramic views of the Kullu Valley and Deo Tibba. Camp below the pass at 3,300m.
Cross Chandrakhani Pass, descend to Malana
Early morning crossing of Chandrakhani Pass (3,660m) with expansive views. Steep descent into the Malana valley. Arrive in Malana village — a place with strict customs and rules for visitors. Camp outside the village.
Malana to Manali (via Jari)
Descend from Malana village to the trailhead above Malana dam. Drive by jeep via Jari to Bhuntar, then onwards to Manali.
Information
Everything you need for a safe and prepared journey — real-time weather, seasonal cycles, practical field tips, medical directives, and gear checklist.
Best Time & Live Mountain Weather
Summer & Spring (May – June)
Clear morning skies, blooming alpine meadows across Kullu & Manali, and comfortable daytime trekking conditions with residual high pass snow.
Monsoon (July – August)
Lush green valley trails and vibrant mountain ecology. Afternoon showers require early morning departures and waterproof shells.
Post-Monsoon / Autumn (Sept – Oct)
Unparalleled long-range visibility, stable atmospheric pressure, and crisp dry conditions across the Himalayan summits.
Winter & Early Spring (Nov – April)
High elevation terrain covered in heavy seasonal snow. Lower valley trails accessible; high cols demand specialized cold-weather preparation.
Trail Tips & Practical Advice
Standard alpine precautions apply. Maintain early morning departures (before 6:00 AM) to clear high passes and summit ridges ahead of afternoon convective cloud cover and wind shifts.
No general permits required for trekkers. Vehicles driving beyond Kasol toward Malana require the Malana valley vehicle permit from the Kullu DFO office.
Altitude Safety & Emergency Protocols
The Three Golden Rules of Altitude Safety
- 1Rule 1: Any headache or illness above 2,500m is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) until proven otherwise.
- 2Rule 2: Never ascend to sleep at a higher campsite with symptoms of altitude sickness.
- 3Rule 3: If symptoms worsen, or if ataxia (loss of balance) or breathlessness at rest appears, descend immediately.
What to Pack
Recommended alpine gear and equipment essentials required for the Chandrakhani Pass Trek route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers regarding distance, altitude, how to reach, opening hours, winter conditions, and permits for Chandrakhani Pass Trek.
More Trails in Kullu & Manali
Continue your journey through neighboring valleys, glacier basins, and trails across Kullu & Manali.
Beas Kund Trek
Beas Kund (also revered as Vyas Kund) is the sacred high-altitude glacial tarn (3,700m / 12,139 ft) from which the River Beas (ancient Vipasha) originates. Nestled directly beneath the colossal amphitheater of Friendship Peak (5,289m), Shitidhar (5,290m), Ladakhi Peak (5,345m), and the jagged pyramid of Hanuman Tibba (5,982m), it represents one of the most scenic and rewarding alpine treks in the Upper Solang Valley of Manali. The 15.5 km round-trip trail begins at the Dhundi Bridge checkpoint (2,840m) on the roaring headwaters of the Beas, climbing through ancient silver birch (Bhojpatra) and deodar woodlands to the broad glacial floodplain of Bakarthach (3,300m). Beyond the shepherd meadows, the trail ascends steeply over rugged terminal moraines, granite boulder fields, and hanging glacier ridges to reveal the serene, turquoise tarn cradled at 3,700 meters.
Lamadugh Meadow
Lamadugh is a serene meadow nestled in the dense deodar and oak forests above Manali. The trail offers a gentle ascent through shaded woodland paths, opening up to a vast alpine clearing at around 3,300 meters.
Jogni Falls Trek
Jogni Falls (Jogini Waterfall) is a sacred 150-foot cascading cataract plunging down sheer granite cliffs in the Kullu Valley above Vashisht village, approximately 4 km from Manali. Revered by local villagers as the sacred dwelling of the village Joginis (protective female deities), the trail departs from Vashisht temple square and ascends gently through fragrant deodar woods, ancient pine forests, and terraced apple orchards. The trail features two distinct stages: the lower tiered cascades and boulder streams where glacial waters rush violently over smooth rocks, followed by a steeper dirt trail winding through tree roots and crags up to the grand upper amphitheater. Here, the full vertical plunge crashes into a crystalline plunge pool, drenching hikers in invigorating glacial spray while framing sweeping vistas of the Beas Valley and snow-draped Pir Panjal crests.