Trekking in Himachal is all about the big mountain passes. From Pin Bhaba, Rupin, Buran, Borasu to Kugti and Hampta, the list is endless. But most of them are arduous treks, demanding prior experience. Hampta is easier but comes with tricky sections and multiple river crossings.
This is where the Chandrakhani Pass Trek stands out. It is a classic high-altitude pass in Himachal. In fact, it is the only navigable pass linking the Beas and Parvati Valleys—a historic route traveled by shepherds and traders for ages. Chandrakhani even finds mention in travelogues dating back to the 1800s. It was, then, called the Malana Pass. Yet, it is the easiest of the lot we just talked about.
In itself, Chandrakhani Pass is a fantastic trek to do. Immediately as you start your trek from Rumsu, you enter an incredible forest section. From towering pine trees to maples, oaks and eventually rhododendrons, the variety is striking. As you climb higher, the tree line gives way to vast grasslands of the upper Kullu Valley. You begin to see the snow-capped peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Camping on clearings amidst these forests and on the meadows of Chaklani is an experience of a lifetime. And then, ahead of Chaklani, a thrilling 2 km ridge walk from Chaklani takes you to the pass. From the ridge, on your left, you see Dhauladhar range. On your right, lies the Pir Panjal range. You see Mt Hanuman Tibba, Friendship Peak, Shikar Beh and Indrasan Peak– the iconic summits of Himachal.
The 20 km trek to Chandrakhani Pass is spread across 4 days, allowing for a gradual gain in altitude. It climbs almost immediately out of Manali, which means that accessing it is much easier than any other pass trek in Himachal. There are no difficult bouldery sections to navigate either. This is rare for a high-altitude pass in the Himalayas. Most Himalayan passes climb very high and feature long, strenuous boulder sections.
This makes Chandrakhani Pass unique. It is not only an iconic Himachali Pass with deep historical and cultural significance, but also offers all the thrills of trekking to a high-altitude Himalayan pass without throwing any technical challenge in terms of either altitude or terrain. It is no surprise that Chandrakhani has become Himachal’s most loved pass climb for beginners.
1. Easy Access from Manali The Chandrakhani Pass trek stands out for how effortlessly accessible it is from Manali. Starting at Rumsu, just an hour’s drive away, it skips the long travel days and complex logistics common to most Himachal pass treks. This easy approach makes Chandrakhani especially welcoming, particularly for those stepping into high-altitude trekking for the first time.
2. The Magical Forest Trail The trek opens inside a dense, magical forest. From the moment you leave Rumsu village, towering pines, deodar, and maple trees surround you. Cool shade, birdsong, and the earthy scent of wood create a deeply calming atmosphere. As you gain altitude, the forest slowly transforms. Bright rhododendron trees begin to dominate the trail. Between Naya Tapru and Chaklani, they splash the landscape with colour. The final descent through lush woodland on the other side of the pass offers a gentle, satisfying close to the trek.
3. Spectacular Mountain Views The trek is known for its breathtaking views of snow-clad peaks. From Naya Tapru itself, grand summits like Mt Hanuman Tibba, Friendship Peak, and Indrasan Peak come into view. On summit day, as you walk the narrow ridge leading to Chandrakhani Pass, the scenery turns truly spectacular. The Dhauladhar range towers on one side, while the Pir Panjal and Parvati ranges unfold on the other. Standing at the pass, with mountains rising in every direction, feels nothing short of magical.
4. Wide Clearings and Meadows The Chandrakhani Pass Trek is a delight for lovers of wide, open landscapes. The trail is dotted with expansive clearings, ideal for camping and absorbing the surrounding beauty. The largest of these, Naya Tapru, stretches over 1.5 km and rewards trekkers with sweeping views of snow-clad peaks and villages far below. In July and August, the trek transforms into a burst of colour as wildflowers blanket the meadows and hillsides. The sheer diversity and abundance of blooms give it the feel of Himachal’s own Valley of Flowers. Even when clouds hide the mountains, the vibrant meadows hold your attention. To witness this floral spectacle, plan your trek during the monsoon—gentle afternoon showers only enhance the experience.
5. The Thrill of the Ridge Walk The final 2-km ridge walk to Chandrakhani Pass is both thrilling and unforgettable. Walking along the narrow trail, with dramatic views dropping away on either side, fills you with a strong sense of adventure. The gusting wind heightens the excitement as you move closer to the pass, where a sweeping 180° panorama of mountains and valleys awaits as your reward.
At Himachal Tripper, we believe trekkers should be well-informed before setting out on a Himalayan journey. The right knowledge is what separates a safe trek from a risky one. It also shapes the difference between a deeply enriching experience and a surface-level adventure.
Use this section to understand the Chandrakhani Pass trek in detail. It offers day-by-day insights, what to expect on the trail, and how to prepare for the journey. Years of trekking experience have shaped this information, making it highly practical and valuable for trekkers.
The process of registration, health screening, and document verification will take place alongside the collection of your rental gear.
You will stay overnight at our Manali Campus. The next day, the team will depart at 7 AM and drive to Rumsu, a journey of approximately one hour.
Drive Distance: 9 km | Trek Distance: 3 km | Drive Duration: 25 minutes | Trek Duration: 3 hrs | Altitude Gain: 6,745 ft to 8,930 ft
The trek begins from Rumsu village. You’ll start early from the Himachal Tripper Manali Campus to reach this village, located about 9 km away—a drive of roughly half an hour. The houses here reflect the traditional Kathkuni architecture, similar to what you see in Jiskun on the Rupin Pass trek. Rumsu is well connected to Nagar and Malana, and the villagers worship the same deity as in Malana. The local culture and practices are closely intertwined, giving a glimpse of the region’s unique traditions.
Leave Rumsu village and enter the forest trail, a mixed woodland of deodar, pine, and walnut trees. The forest is dense, and the trail gradually ascends through it. After roughly an hour and a half of climbing, you reach a small clearing called Stiling—your first rest point. A small stream flows nearby, so this is a good spot to refill your water bottles.
After about 20 minutes of gradual ascent along the forest trail, you reach another clearing called Ghan Kuradi. This scenic spot, surrounded by pine, deodar, rai, maple, chestnut, and green and yellow oaks, offers stunning views of the Kullu Valley. This is where you’ll set up camp for the day. With a water source nearby, it’s also an ideal camping spot for DIY trekkers.
On a clear day, the surrounding peaks—Hanuman Tibba, Shikar Beh, and Mukar Beh—come into full view, adding to the beauty of the campsite.
Trek Distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 4 hrs | Altitude Gain: 8,930 ft to 11,368 ft
From Ghan Kuradi, a series of three short climbs takes you to Naya Tapru. This used to be an older campsite, but due to a shortage of water, it is no longer used for overnight stays.
As you continue your gradual ascent along the mixed forest trail, the valley begins to unfold behind you. In about an hour, you reach Naya Tapru, a vast clearing that offers sweeping views of the surrounding villages and majestic snow-clad peaks.
The trail goes in the South-East direction from Naya Tapru.
From Naya Tapru to Chaklani, ascend in the zig zag trail. The trail is not very steep. As the treeline gets sparse, you start getting a wider view of the surroundings. This trail is dominated by rhododendron trees.
You see a mountain ridge in the South-East direction behind which is the Chandrakhani Pass. In about 2.5 hours from Naya Tapru, you reach the second campsite, Chaklani.
Chaklani is a small clearing located at an altitude of 11,368 ft. Next to the campsite, there is a small water stream. Explore around a bit. Rest well as tomorrow will be a long day.
Trek Distance: 9.5 km | Trek Duration: 10 hrs | Altitude Gain/Loss: 11,368 ft to 10,430 ft via 12,185 ft
Today is the most adventurous day of the trek, as you make your way to the highest point of Chandrakhani Pass!
Note: Refill your water bottles before starting the trek, as there are no water sources until you return to the campsite.
From Chaklani, the trail heads diagonally southeast, gradually gaining altitude as you climb to the highest point of the trek: Chandrakhani Pass. The ascent from Chaklani takes about an hour and a half. Once at the pass, there’s nearly a kilometre of ridge walking to reach the absolute highest point. This ridge walk is what sets Chandrakhani apart from many other Himalayan pass treks.
From the ridge, the Dhauladhar range rises majestically on your left, while the Pir Panjal range stretches on your right, merging into the Parvati range. Peaks like Mt Hanuman Tibba, Friendship Peak, Shikar Beh, and Indrasan Peak come into view, along with many others. Beyond the snow-capped mountains, the rolling, forested hills of the Kullu Valley unfold in a sweeping panorama. You can also spot the villages of Kullu and Manali in the distance, adding to the breathtaking beauty of this spot.
After soaking in the views from the highest point, you begin your descent back to Naya Tapru.
From here, it’s a long descent of about 6 km to reach Naya Tapru Campsite. You pass through Chaklani, where you can refill your water bottles. Along the way, you get to enjoy the open grasslands again and spend some more time wandering through the rhododendron forests. Rest well at Naya Tapru for the night.
Trek Distance: 4.8 km | Drive Duration: 5 hrs | Altitude Loss: 10,430 ft to 6,745 ft
On the return, you follow the same route as Day 2. After refilling your water bottles, begin by descending the three steep sections near Naya Tapru campsite. Soon, you’ll enter the forested stretch of Ghan Kuradi, and later reach Stiling clearing for a short rest. Continue through the dense forests of deodar, pine, and walnut trees until you finally arrive at Rumsu.
Drive back to our campus, enjoy lunch, return your rental gear, and collect your cloakroom luggage.
Drive back to Manali on the same day.
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