HAMPTA PASS TREK
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The Hampta Pass trek in Himachal Pradesh embodies different shades of nature to provide a contrasting landscape that consists of green canopied valleys on one side and barren earthly mountains on the other hand. A grassland with spring flowers blooming mirrored by a stark scenery consisting of jagged terrains is something that you only get to see on the Hampta Pass trek.
The Hampta pass acts as a vantage point, from where you can witness two equally beautiful parts of Himachal’s topography. If you were to look in the northern direction, you’d witness the majestic Lahaul valley stretching up to a vast expanse of land, deprived of vegetation while if you were to look on the other side of the trail, you’d witness jade green forests that adorn the valley of Kullu
Although the distance that we cover in the Hampta Pass trek is merely 26 km, the entire trail with its ever-changing landscape seems like one long walk into the four seasons itself where you get to experience the warmth of golden sun rays, see spring flowers blooming in the meadows, and feel the cold that seeps through the deserts of Lahaul - Spiti.
The Hampta Pass trek trail takes you through alpine forests where Maple, Birch, Oak, and Deodar trees rustle their leaves in sync with the cool breeze. As you walk further, meadows with waving stalks of green beckon you closer, enticing you to keep walking until you reach the silver streams of water gurgling through the same paths that you are walking upon.
The snowline commences after walking for a few miles where a steep ascend leads you to the Hampta pass where majestic mountains stand tall, overlooking the narrow valleys which are speckled with wildflowers.
The contrast of the tenderness of the flower petals against the rugged mountains takes your breath away, as you realize that mother nature truly never fails to surprise and you get to experience this phenomenon firsthand in the dramatic shades that the Hampta Pass trek shows you. From cliffs, slanting slopes, glaciers that seem like icy carpets, rhododendron forests, and alpine lakes, every step that you take on the Hampta pass trail unravels a new side to the trekkers
In this Hampta pass trek itinerary, the starting point is the town of Manali. We drive from Manali to Jobra which is the base for the Hampta Pass trek. The entire drive seems like a road trip straight out of the movies where you are traversing through almost 42 hairpin bends in the road and witnessing the glory of mountains with each turn of your vehicle with the picturesque Kullu valley in the backdrop. The heat of Manali dissipates to give way to a cool breeze as you drive further away from the city roads and towards Jobra with the Rani Nallah River, flowing right alongside you. Upon reaching Jobra, a brief trekking session conducted by the trek leader where all the necessary details about what the Hampta Pass trek entails, we make our way to Chika, the first campsite of our trek.
Nestled in the Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas, the difficulty level for the Hampta pass trek is of easy to moderate level with the maximum altitude attained in five days being 14100 Ft. The trek has a few high-altitude campsites and Chika nestled at an altitude of 10,000ft is the first one of them. However since it’s approx 2 kilometers from Jobra, it doesn’t test your endurance as much. The trail has enough resources for water and is speckled with pine trees, green maple, and sparkling silver birch trees making the topography diverse and extremely rich. All along the streams of the Rani Nallah river pass through the meadow where we set up camp for the night.
After having an early morning breakfast in the mountains, we start our ascent towards our next campsite Balu ka Ghera as we traverse through green pastures for the first half of our trail which is then followed by boulders and loose rocks as you move forward. All the while the stream of the Jwara river runs through the water with its silver cascading streams giving the green landscape a pearly glow. As you gradually incline towards Balu ka Ghera, the mighty Dhauladhar ranges in the backdrop peak from behind, adding all the more glory to the scenery.
The stretch is almost 9 km and the meadows make it easier for trekkers to pass through without exhausting themselves but as you move towards the rugged terrains made of boulders, it starts to put a strain on you which is why the ascend from Jobra to Balu ka Ghera is considered to be of moderate category. Balu itself means sand and the trail towards this campsite lives up to its name with its coarse sand topography. On the other side of the river, wildflowers grow along with birch and rhododendrons trees on the foothills, providing a stark contrast to the bare ground where we set camp for the night
The trek from Balu ka Ghera to Sia Goru encompasses a steep uphill trail that is both challenging and rewarding at the same time. In a matter of approx six hours, you gain a considerable amount of altitude. The trek starts with slanting slopes and then as you cross a shallow lake you will stumble upon it afterward, the trail turns uphill with traces of snow stretching in front of you, and after crossing three steep ridges, you get the first glimpse of Hampta pass.
The Hampa Pass acts as a wide passageway between the Lahaul valley and the Kullu valley making it the only trek with such a striking crossover. The pass itself looks like a narrow valley, one that blooms with flowers and is overlooked by mountains with silver streams flowing through the meadows. You’d probably expect the pass to open up as soon as you take your first step towards it but you have to walk a bit before it drops you off into the lap of the Himalayas with the Deo Tibet peak beckoning you closer. The trek from Balu ka Ghera to Hampta stretches up to a distance of almost three kilometers and is of moderate category since the pass has a gradual steep ascent and the trail only, later on, turns into a flat walk as you descend towards Sia Goru which would be our next campsite.
Nestled at an altitude of 12,900 feet, Sia Goru with its Eden-like landscape, and river streams are one of the best high-altitude campsites in this Hampta pass trek itinerary. The next day as you bid goodbye to this campsite and start your descent towards Chhatru, you’d be traversing on sedimentation of rocks that transform into ridges as they keep getting carried down from the glaciers and deposit on the trail over the years.
The trail to Chhatru consists of inclines and loose rocks making this part of the trek moderate. After being so mesmerized by the green canopies that you previously witnessed, the lack of vegetation might astonish you but the beauty of the Hampta pass trek lies in its ability to keep surprising you with its ever-changing landscape. The barrenness of Chhatru would feel rewarding because once we’ve reached Chhatru, we would drive towards Chandratal which is one of the highlights of the Hampta pass trek. The crescent moon-shaped lake is one of the best places to visit in the Lahaul Spiti region and many people spend a lot of money to be able to see this pristine lake but on this Hampta pass trek, you get to experience the beauty of Chandrataal itself since the lake is located only 45 kilometers away from Chhatru and a visit to Chandratal is a must when on the Hampta Pass trek. After a visit to the Chandratal lake, we will head back to Chhatru where we will spend the night before driving back to Manali the next day
Although the Hampta pass retains its pristine beauty throughout the year, the best time to do the Hampta Pass trek is from June to September simply because the chances of witnessing patches of snow on the high passes are more in the early days of the season as it later melts down completely by the time August arrives. As the monsoon arrives, the Kullu valley gets prone to rains but on the other hand, Spiti gets summery bright days as usual.
A beautiful view of blooming flowers accompanies you through a substantial part of the trail. Their fresh smell keeps you energized throughout. A narrow green valley protected by snow-covered mountains is a bonus.
When it comes to the difficulty level, Hampta Pass Trek is moderate. The difficulty level ranges because along with the contrasting landscape, there is a stark difference in the terrain which ranges from steep uphills to almost flat grasslands. For the most part, it’s just a simple hike through the valley, but the terrain becomes difficult as you approach the pass
The pass crossing day is a long walk and may take up to 9 hours. Hampta Pass Trek is an ideal trek for fit first-timers, owing to its varied difficulty level
Hampta Pass does not pose much of a safety challenge. It is considered to be a pretty safe trek as compared to the other high-altitude treks but at the same time although the Hampta pass trek is considered safe, one must be careful around the stream crossings and the descent from the pass down to Sia Goru campsite
The total time taken to complete this trek is usually around five days, covering a 26 Kilometers stretch of land where you gain an altitude of 14,100ft.
Highlights
Manali Arrival | Drive to Jobri | Trek t
Chik
Chika to Balu Ka Gera Tre
Balu Ka Gera to Sheagoru Trek vi
Hampta Pas
Sia goru to Chatru Trek | Chatru t
Chandratal Drive and Bac
Drive from Chattru to Manali | Tour Ends
Who should attend?
Hampta Pass Trek is a moderate trek. Its difficulty level ranges from easy to difficult. For most of the part, it’s just a simple hike through the valley, but the terrain becomes difficult as you approach the pass. The pass crossing day is a long walk and may take up to 9 hours. Hampta Pass Trek is an ideal trek for fit first-timers, owing to its varied difficulty level.
Day 1 - Manali Arrival | Drive to Jobra (45 mins drive) | Trek to Chika (2 Kilometers Trek)
Trek to Chika
Private Vehicle (Sumo/Qualis)
Tents
Lunch, Dinner
The group will assemble at the pick-up point by 11:00 AM where a briefing session by the trek leader sharing all the necessary details about the trek would be provided.
After which, we’ll head towards Jobra which is the basecamp for the Hampta Pass trek and is located at an altitude of 9,379 ft
The drive from Manali though has many hairpins bends in the road making up for a scenic drive due to the panoramic view of Kullu Valley that you get to glimpse
Traversing through thick forests consisting of pine, maple, and silver birch trees, we will reach Jobra. After relaxing for a while, we'll start our trek towards Chika
The sight that you get to witness while trekking is serene and refreshing. From lush green forests consisting of maple, oak, and deodar trees to the stream of Rani Nallah flowing through meadows, the landscape that the trekking trail provides is breathtaking, to say the least
We will set up camp in Chika. With its vast tapestry of greenery and open skies above, it is perfect for spending peaceful moments
Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Chika
*The pick-up point would be Manali Mall Road (tentative). If you arrive in Manali, one day before, it would help your body adapt better to the altitude and weather.
Day 2 - Chika to Balu Ka Ghera Trek (8.5 Kilometers, 6 hours)
Trek
Tents
All Meals
After early morning breakfast, we will head towards Balu Ka Ghera.
Balu translates to sand and the trail lives up to the name as the short meadow walk soon gives way to boulders and loose rocks making this part of the trek fall into the moderate category
The beauty of this trek is that you get to witness the magic of nature in the form of beautiful landscapes. On one hand, you get the flowing Jwara river seemingly following your footsteps, while the mighty Dhauladhar ranges beckon you closer. A stream of a waterfall would be waiting amidst the green canopies
The terrain starts to flatten as you reach the initial region of Balu ka Ghera which is known as Chota Balu ka Ghera. As you keep walking, the terrain will start to get rugged again with the rocks being far apart making it tricky to traverse through
We will reach Balu Ka Ghera soon where we will set camp among the mountains beyond which the Hampta pass awaits us. In the evening, we will have dinner and spend a night under the starry skies.
Day 3 - Balu Ka Ghera to Siagoru Trek via Hampta Pass (7 Kilometers, 9 hours)
Hampta Pass
Trek
Tents
All Meals
After breakfast, we will head towards our next campsite which is Sia you. The entire trail is made up of boulders and hence the descent is trickier which is why we need to be careful
En route, we will be traversing through Hampta Pass which is a beautiful trail with a river flowing through it. Blooming flowers of different colors rainbow are perched at the bank making it a sight to behold. You will also get to see the Deo Tibba peak beckoning you closer
After enjoying the view at Hampta Pass, we will start our descent. The downhill trail consists of slippery soil and loose stones.
A trail with twists and turns will lead you to the valley below and after walking for a while, you will finally reach the base. The opening that reveals itself leads you to Sia Goru where we will set camp for the night and spend the rest of the day at leisure
Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Sia Goru.
Day 4 - Siagoru to Chatru Trek (7 Kilometers, 5 hours) | Chatru to Chandratal Drive and Back
Chandratal lake
Private Vehicle (Sumo/Qualis)
Tents
All Meals
After early morning breakfast we will start our downhill trek towards Chatru.
The vast land lacks vegetation but the tricky slopes give you the adrenaline rush that you might be craving. The descent is tricky so you might have to stay extra vigilant
Once we reach Chatru, we'll drive towards Chandratal which is a beautiful lake located 45 kilometers away from the campsite.
However, the drive would only be possible if the weather permits as the harsh weather conditions could be a hindrance
After relishing in the beauty of nature and a short sightseeing tour, we'll head back to Chatru where we will set up base camp
Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Chatru
Day 5 - Drive from Chatru to Manali | Tour Ends
Private Vehicle (Sumo/Qualis)
Stay Not Applicable
Breakfast
After early morning tea and breakfast, we will start our return journey and drive from Chatru to Manali.
The drive will allow you to get a glimpse of the Rohtang Pass as it falls on this route. The stunning landscape makes this drive extremely rewarding
Upon reaching Manali, the group will dissemble and part ways with fond memories
End of Tour.
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Just Wravel
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“Main akela hi chala tha janib-e-manzil magar, log judte gaye aur karwaan banta gaya.” - Majrooh Sultanpuri Every brand starts off with a dream and as you walk the path of turning your vision into a reality, overcoming every hurdle and road block the journey has to offer you, you grow in irrevocable ways. Back when we first started JustWravel in 2015, we knew that no matter how high we might fly, we will never forget our roots and today, even after becoming a family of more than 25k people, our core values remain the same and we will make sure they will stay the same for years to come. The reason behind starting this venture was simple, to give people a chance to explore all the wonders this beautiful country has to offer and that meant unraveling hidden nooks and corners that are not as mainstream as other travel destinations. To make sure that passionate adventurers of our country could have a reliable platform that provided them the best traveling experience, be it fixed departure group tours, road trips to Ladakh, or the best treks in India.
See Just Wravel's other listings6 Reviews
Aman Goyal
Organising treks is not an easy task given such geographic and weather conditions. I had an awesome trip to Hamta Pass on 23 June 2018 with JustWravel where everything was well conducted.Group leader(Nishant) was great in connecting strangers as a team. Every day, we had lots of fun in evenings after finishing trek when we met in our dining hall camp for supper and dinner.
Karan Kashyap
So it was my 2nd trek with them and the experience was same as earlier " Ek dum Jhakaas ".God bless JustWravel team many more to come with you people...
Sandeep Jakhar
I must say the best trek of my life so far and thats all because of JustWravel team, special thanks to Manu who made this trek very beautiful.
Khushboo Kansal
Had been to Hampta pass trek and Chandratal lake (ex-Manali) with JustWravel during the long weekend of Dusshera. The overall experience, right from picking us up from Manali bus stop till our journey ended, was commendable. I, along my friend, were supposed to manage to reach from private to government bus stop on our own but as soon as we reached manali, we got a call that a cab had been arranged for our pick up from private bus stop itself. That was just the beginning and one such example of "customer delight" experience. Throughout the trek, our group coordinator as well as the trek guide kept extending their support to us. The hospitality, I experienced there, has indeed set a benchmark. I will highly recommend the travel enthusiasts to go with JustWravel atleast once in future.
Sujit Sharma
Had great experience on hampta pass trek with justwravel group. Food was beyond expectations and the whole trek was full of fun and awesome moment even while facing bad weather ,local guides and our trek leader( Chandan sharma) well experience , full of fun and met our expectations.
Anubhooti Sahajpal
were excelent and the team members were pleasant and earnestly commited towards their jobs.. Already looking forward to more travels with Justwravel.. Thanks guys:)
Inclusions
Accommodation: 4 Nights Tented Accommodation on a triple sharing basis.
Transportation: Surface transfer from Manali - Jobra - Manali by Sumo / Bolero.
Meals: All veg meals from day 1st lunch to day 5th breakfast.
Snacks: Morning / Evening Tea / Coffee with light snacks.
Camping logistics: Tent, Sleeping bags, Mattresses, Dining tent, Toilet tent, Sitting Stools.
Trek Leader: Qualified and Experienced Trek leader and support staff.
Permits: All necessary fees and permits.
Trekking Equipment: Gaiters, Micro Spikes, and Rope if required.
Safety Equipment: Basic First Aid kit with Oximeter and Oxygen Cylinder and stretcher.
Guide ratio: 1:10
Exclusions
Any expenses of personal nature.
Meals during transit.
Insurance of any kind.
Any fees and permits (For Foreigners).
Unscheduled delay due to a landslide.
Cost Escalation due to “Force Majeure and Evacuation charges”.
Anything not mentioned explicitly in the above program.
Things to carry
Backpack (Min 55 Ltrs with rain cover): It is important that you pick a good quality backpack with a comfortable fit and straps that won’t give you shoulder pain. You can check out your nearest Decathlon store for a good trekking backpack.
Day backpack (20 – 30 Ltrs): When you head towards the summit, you are required to carry only a few necessary items and for that you need a day backpack as you will leave your bigger one on the campsite.
Floaters or Sandals: Although the entire trek requires a good quality shoe, you still need to let your feet breathe to avoid chafing and blisters. When you are at the camp, a good pair of sandals and floaters will help you to move freely.
Trekking Shoes: A good trekking shoe is one that is comfortable, provides ankle support and has a good grip as well. They shouldn’t be chunky, instead they should be lightweight and sturdy.
3 Quick Dry Tees: It’s important that you keep at least three pairs of quick dry tees so that you can wash them in between stops for proper hygiene.
2 Track Pants: A good pair of track pants made of polyester will let your skin breathe. They’re lightweight, dry easily and are comfortable to walk around in. You can easily avoid chafing and rashes by investing in a good pair of track pants.
3 Pair of Cotton Socks: Cotton socks are extremely comfortable to move around in and are lightweight as well which is why you can always count on a good pair of cotton socks while trekking. However, keep in mind to change them and avoid wearing them when they are wet.
1 Pair of Woolen Socks: A good pair of woolen socks, especially merino, are comfortable, limit odors and provide adequate insulation from the cold so you can wear them at night.
1 Poncho: A poncho is basically an evolved form of a rain coat that provides coverage to your body as well as your bag and ensures total water protection from rains.
1 Heavy Jacket: It’s emphasized that you need to carry proper layers so you can avoid getting cold which is why you need to carry a heavy jacket that you can put on over your other clothes.
1 Pair of Thermal: Thermal is a piece of garment that helps in keeping your body warm in cold temperatures. It is a necessary item that you need when going on a high altitude trek.
Quick-dry towel: A quick dry towel will help in maintaining proper hygiene. It’s necessary that it dries quickly because wet fabric will only increase the chance of bacterial growth.
Windproof Jacket: As you ascend towards high altitude, you get hit by chilly winds and a windbreaker jacket is designed to resist them. They are lightweight and are made of synthetic fibers.
Woolen Cap: A woolen cap will help prevent cold when you ascend to high altitude. You can also cover your ears to avoid any pain and discomfort you might face in them when going on high altitudes.
Gloves: Insulated gloves help in maintaining proper body heat in your hands and also provide better grasp on trekking poles.
Sun Cap: A lightweight sun cap with side flaps is perfect to keep your head cool and avoid sunburns on a sunny day.
1 Scarf or Balaclava: Along with sun rays and chilly winds, you also get hit by dirt and grime during treks which is why it's important to carry a scarf or balaclava so you can cover your face when needed.
Lip Balm: Your lips can become chapped due to the harsh cold winds so it's important to keep them moisturized.
Cold Cream & SunScreen (SPF 40+): In order to avoid sunburns and chafing, you need to put on sunscreen as well as cold cream.
Antibacterial powder: To avoid rashes that develop from bacterial infestation in your armpits and other parts of your body.
Water Bottle 1 Lt.: Hydration is extremely important when it comes to trekking. To carry a water bottle that you can refill with Himalayan water is a must.
Headlamp or torch: You can’t rely on moonlight when you are in the mountains. A torch or even a headlamp with a fresh pair of batteries is always a good idea to bring along.
Bag for all your Toiletries: A bag with all your essentials including napkins, toothpaste, sanitizers, paper soap etc should be carried in a ziplock bag.
Personal Basic Medical Kit: A few cuts and bruises are almost inevitable when you are on a trek so carrying a medical kit with bandages, dettol etc is necessary.
Dark Sunglasses / People who use spectacles (Use Photochromic glasses instead of contact lenses): Photochromatic glasses are specs that are designed to transform into anti glare shades depending upon the exposure of the sun. They are good when it comes to eye protection but one can also opt for clip on glasses etc.
Trekking Pole: Trekking pole assists in more than one way. It saves energy while also providing stability and helps you to maintain proper balance.
Extra Polythene: In case your clothes get wet or your garments don’t dry, you can carry them in a polythene. However, make sure that all the plastic that you are carrying into the woods leaves with you. Don’t litter in the mountains.
Camera: This should be obvious. To make sure that you get to capture all great moments from your trek.. Make sure that you have enough storage and some extra batteries as well.
View M
PICKUP LOCATIONS
Manali Mall Road
HOW TO REACH
Guests can reach Manali by Volvo or personal transport
We arrange the entire transport from Manali.
Policy and more
No cancellations will be taken over the call or WhatsApp message. Please
reply to the email of the payment receipt that you have received at the time of
booking.
Free Cancellation up to 45 days before the departure date.
44 Days to 30 days of Departure date. 10% of the total trip cost. (Booking amount
is non-refundable)
29 Days to 20 Days of Departure date. 25% of the total trip cost.
19 Days to 10 Days of Departure date. 50% of the total trip cost.
09 Days to 6 Days of Departure date. 75% of the total trip cost.
05 Days to Trip Departure date. 100% of the total trip cost.
No Show. No refund.
In case of government orders, harsh weather conditions, protests, landslides,
or any other unforeseen circumstances, we work out the best possible alternate
plans or trips/treks. At times even certain activities can get canceled, the
organization provides the best alternative but no refunds are provided.
If a trek is called off at the last moment due to a natural calamity/unforeseen
circumstances (like rain, snowfall, earthquake, landslides, strike, etc.), JustWravel
will issue a trek voucher for the full amount and if possible will provide an
alternate trek.
The voucher can be redeemed up to the same amount for the same trek or
another trek in the next 365 days from the trek departure date. But no refund
would be provided.
Any extra expense due to any natural calamity/unforeseen circumstances (like
rain, snowfall, earthquake, landslides, strike, bandh, etc.), will be borne by the
customer. The company will not be liable.
Cancellations policy will differ during the peak season and for the popular
destinations.
Terms and Conditions
Vouchers are non-transferable and valid only for the services mentioned herein.
Any services not specifically requested, confirmed and noted on vouchers will not
be rendered.
All extras are to be paid directly to the hotels/the service providers.
Please stick to itinerary, anything extra shall be chargeable (at the location itself.)
Any service unused is non-refundable.
The company shall not be liable for damages/charges incurred by travelers if any
of the following reasons apply:
Natural disaster, war, civil unrest, and alteration or cancellation of tour itinerary
due to such causes.
Accidents during transportation or accommodations, damage by fire.
Orders of either Indian governments or immigration regulations, isolation resulting
from infectious diseases, and tour itinerary alteration or cancellation owing to such
causes.
Accidents occurring during the travelers free activities.
Food poisoning.
Theft
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