Overview
Nestled in the enchanting highlands of Himachal Pradesh's Kullu region lies the captivating secret of Hampta Pass. This five-day expedition spanning 22 kilometers unveils the mystical beauty of two contrasting valleys. On one side, the Kullu valley presents a rich tapestry of flowers, cascading waterfalls, babbling streams, and lush woods, while on the other, the Lahaul valley stretches with its vast, arid, and solitary mountainscape.
The journey meanders with few steep inclines or declines, promising a continuously shifting landscape that keeps you enthralled. For the initial two days, the enchanting Rani Nallah accompanies our path. On the third day, after some thrilling river crossings, we begin our ascent towards the pass, nestled at a lofty altitude of 4,200 meters.
The adventure culminates at the picturesque Chandra Tal Lake, perched at an even higher elevation of 4,250 meters. This emerald-green gem is celebrated for its serenity and sheer magnificence. Optimal trekking months span from June to October, when the monsoon showers breathe life into the terrain, painting it with a vibrant spectrum of flowers and colors. Hampta Pass is also renowned for its frequent whiteouts caused by the soft, billowing clouds that grace the landscape.
Highlights of this journey include traversing through ethereal clouds, setting up camp beside gentle river flows, indulging in lunches amidst meadows adorned with vivid flowers, crossing charming bridges, conquering the snow-covered pass, resting near petite waterfalls, and savoring the soothing embrace of refreshing showers. Don't miss the opportunity to explore these wonders on the Hampta Pass Trek. Further insights into this remarkable adventure can be found in the article "Highlights of the Hampta Pass Trek."
06 Days / 05 Nights
6-15 persons
Highest Point 14,000 ft
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Manali arrival
Day 02: From Manali to Jobri drive and Chhika trek
Day 03: Trek from Chhika to Balu Ka Gera
Day 04: Trek from Balu Ka Gera to Shiagoru via Hampta pass
Day 05: Trek from Shiagoru to Chhatru and drive to chandratal
Day 06: Drive back to Manali
Itinerary
Day 01: Manali arrival
Following your departure from Delhi, you can expect to reach Manali by around noon the following day. Our guest house is nestled in the charming locality of Vashisht, located approximately 2050 meters or 6725 feet away from the heart of Manali. You can easily reach Vashisht from Manali's center via an auto-rickshaw ride, costing around Rs 150 to Rs 200.
Vashisht is renowned for its temple, celebrated for the natural hot spring it houses, offering a unique and rejuvenating experience. For an enjoyable day out, consider taking a stroll to Jogini Falls, a mere couple of hours away. During your stay, guests have the option of choosing either a lodge or a guest house to accommodate their preferences and needs.
Day 02: From Manali to Jobri drive and Chhika trek
Our journey commences today as we depart from the serene hamlet of Preni, embarking on a roughly 30-kilometer expedition to reach the Jobri roadhead. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2850 meters (9350 feet), this roadhead presents a challenging terrain characterized by sharp turns and steep inclines. Notably, Jobri isn't a village, but rather hosts a few temporary structures for the local workforce engaged in the hydro power plant.
Our trail commences from this point, leading us past a sturdy concrete bridge before taking a left turn. To our left, access to the Aleo Nallah remains open. Following the Aleo Nallah crossing, the path meanders through a dense coniferous forest, eventually opening up into a picturesque meadow. Covering a relatively easy 5-kilometer stretch, this segment of the journey typically takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.
Our camp for the day will be set up in Chhika, situated at an elevation of 3020 meters (9905 feet). The designated camping area awaits on the left bank of a tranquil stream. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to a captivating view of a splendid waterfall, enhancing the beauty of our campsite.
Day 03: Trek from Chhika to Balu Ka Gera
Following a hearty breakfast, our path unfolds towards Bhalu-Ka-Gera, aptly named "Bear's Circle," nestled at an elevation of 3,600 meters or approximately 11,800 feet. This mountain pass is renowned as a winter hibernation spot for brown bears, adding an element of wildlife intrigue to our journey.
Leaving our campground behind, our adventure commences as we cross a quaint brook via a wooden bridge. Staying on the left side of the valley, we begin our gradual ascent along the slopes of Aleo Nallah. The valley's canvas is painted with a riot of wildflowers, transforming today's trek into a visually enchanting experience.
Our next challenge awaits in the form of a spirited side stream, which feeds into the main Aleo Nallah. This crossing is best tackled early in the morning, as water levels tend to rise throughout the day. Once we've safely navigated this watercourse, we persist on the left-hand trail, steadily ascending until we reach our designated campsite.
The journey spans approximately 8 kilometers and can take anywhere from four to five hours to complete, depending on our pace and the path's conditions.
Day 04: Trek from Balu Ka Gera to Shiagoru via Hampta pass
We kick off our day bright and early, tracing the left ridge of the valley as we forge ahead. Depending on the season, the river may unveil numerous snow bridges, one of which we serendipitously encountered. Our path continues leftward, leading us to the Lahaul side, where we'll embark on the crossing of Hampta Pass, a lofty elevation standing at 4,270 meters or 14,005 feet.
Beneath the pass lies an ice field that remarkably maintains its original form throughout the year. The ascent towards the pass is relatively gentle, though the final crest presents a somewhat steeper challenge. Upon conquering the pass's summit, we descend precipitously into a flat expanse adorned with scattered stones.
Our journey proceeds by sticking to the left, following yet another stream originating from the high mountain reaches. After a pleasantly level traverse, we eventually arrive at Shiagoru, positioned at an elevation of 3,800 meters or 12,470 feet, significantly lower than our starting point by the river. This journey spans approximately 9 kilometers and may require anywhere from 8 to 10 hours to complete.
Day 05: Trek from Shiagoru to Chhatru and drive to chandratal
Our morning commences with a river crossing, hugging the left bank. Initially, our descent runs smoothly as we trace the river's course. However, as we encounter the boulder-strewn terrain, the path becomes more challenging. Descending further, we enter a vast valley carved by the Chandra River, where the connecting road between Spiti and Kaza becomes visible.
Our journey continues as we cross a log bridge over a tributary stream, always keeping to the right of the Chandra River. We establish our campsite at an elevation of 3350 meters (11000 feet) on the left bank of the Chandra River. This location, situated along the route from Kaza to Manali, showcases the stark, yet captivating, beauty of the Trans-Himalayas. On the opposite bank, you'll find a few seasonal Dhabas, accessible via a steel bridge on the Kaza road. This leg of the trek, spanning approximately seven kilometers, usually takes around three to four hours to complete.
Here, beneath the towering presence of the Trans Himalayas, we set up our tents for the night. The path to Chandra Tal is typically accessible from late June until mid-October. In case it's inaccessible, our alternative destination is Kunzum La, a high pass dividing Lahaul and Spiti. We then embark on a vehicle journey to Batal, passing through Chhota Dhara and the road leading to Kaza. From Batal, we have the choice to continue to either Chandra Tal (4300 m/14100 ft) or Kunzum La (4300 m/14100 ft), both located at nearly the same elevation.
Chandra Tal, resembling a crescent and renowned for its crystal-clear waters, is encircled by some of the world's most magnificent mountains. Kunzum offers splendid views of the Chandra Bhaga (CB) range. This location houses a monastic community and a Chorten adorned with vibrant prayer flags, adding a spiritual touch to this awe-inspiring landscape.
Day 06: Drive back to Manali
Following a hearty breakfast this morning, our expedition kicks off towards the picturesque destination of Manali, traversing the scenic Rohtang Pass. Our arrival in Manali is scheduled for around 2:00 in the afternoon, marking the culmination of our remarkable adventure.
Here, at this very juncture, our journey draws to a close. You have the option to spend the night in Delhi or opt for an afternoon or evening bus ride back to the capital.
Inclusion
From Day 1 through Day 6 of your walk, you will be sleeping in various hotels and tents.
All meals are provided, beginning with the first night’s dinner and ending with breakfast on day sixth. On all days of the walk, we provide simple, healthy vegetarian meals.
We will provide for round-trip transportation from Manali to Manali
Trekking permits and camping expenses in the woods are all accounted for.
Tents and sleeping bags of the highest quality will be provided at each camp. Fortunately, we have high-altitude sleeping bags that are good down to ten degrees Celsius.
Gaiters, microspikes, and ropes are available.
Exclusion
Costs associated with carrying personal items, such as luggage, on the hike.
The term “emergency costs” refers to any and all costs that crop up as a direct consequence of a crisis.
There will be no access to bottled water at any point throughout the walk.
