Duration: 4N/5D
Season: Jun-Oct
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Location: Manali
Trek Highlights
- Drive through one of the most beautiful roads in the world, well-accompanied by extended landscapes and high mountainous pass
- Flora and fauna
- Camping, photography and stargazing at Chandra Taal
Hampta Pass is a link that connects Kullu Valley with the Lahaul Valley. This trek is famous for being one of the best and most versatile in terms of landscapes and terrains it takes you through. Vivid colors of Himalayas this narrow trail introduces you to are far more beautiful than you might have imagined. The trek starts at a lush green and fertile valley of Kullu where there are beautiful flowers and meadows extended as far as you can see, where you can watch unbridled horses running across all length and breadth of high grasslands.
A desolate land starts to reveal itself as soon as you hit the top. Chandra Valley of Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh awaits and welcomes you as you start your descent on the other side of the slope to ultimately reach Chattru and give your aching legs some rest. Chattru in Lahaul Valley is the small place situated on Manali-Kaza road that offers you a chance to explore the lake of the moon, i.e., Chandra Tall, which is just 50 km from here.
Embarking on the journey to Hampta Pass – that stands unaltered for centuries at an altitude of about 14,000 ft – is a way to be part of Indian heritage as this route was the only channel that connected Kullu with Lahaul before the Rohtang Pass was opened. Not just that, you get a chance to get a closer look at a couple of 6 thousanders including Mt. Indrasan and Deo Tibba once you reach the top.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Manali to Jobri Nala & trek to Chhika from Jobri Nala
Day 2: Trek from Chhika to Balu Ka Ghera
Day 3: Trek from Balu Ka Ghera to Sia Goru via Hampta Pass
Day 4: Trek from Sia Goru to Chattru & drive from Chattru to Chandra Taal
Day5: Drive from Chandra Taal to Manali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Manali to Jobri Nala to Chhika (6 hrs)
After a short briefing session, we drive from Manali to Prini and take a left on a jeepable road to reach Jobri Nala. Jobri Nala is the starting point of our trek. We start an ascent on a narrow trail for about 5-6 hours through multiple small glacial streams and wooden bridges and a narrow gauge to finally bring ourselves to a place called Chhika – some 3150 m (10335 ft) above sea level – for an overnight stay in tents.
Day 3: Chhika to Balu Ka Ghera (6 hrs)
Next morning we start off a bit early through lovely meadows and wonderful landscapes. We cross a number of snow bridges over the Hampta stream. We reach Balu ka Gera (3660 m, 12,000 ft) before the sun sets behind mountainous peaks, and stay in camps. Balu Ka Ghera is located in the middle of an open meadow, offering the glimpses of the snow-covered Hampta Pass.
Day 4: Balu Ka Ghera to Sai Goru (8 hrs)
Next morning we hit the trails early to cross the snow-covered pass in order to get on to the other side of the peak. The ascent isn’t very challenging, though, but walking on snowy and slippery slopes gaining gradient gradually pose some real world difficulties when we have to tread last few hundred feet. After three hours of trekking, we reach the top of Hampta Pass (4,268 m, 14,000 ft). You can have a clear view of Mt. Indrasan and Deo Tibba and two valleys on either side once you stand at top. After having a beautiful 360-degree view of surroundings, we start descending on snow-free slopes and reach Sai Goru and camp for the night here.
Day 4: Sai Goru to Chattru to Chandra Taal (8 hrs)
We walk for about four hours to reach Chattru. Initially the descent is gradual which eventually starts getting steeper and steeper until we reach Chattru, situated on the left bank Chandra River in Lahaul. On a clear day, the snow peaks of the Mulkila and Chandrabhaga Ranges are visible.
We are back on the road once we reach Chattru. From here we drive upstream of Chandra River through Batal to reach Chandra Taal. We camp here for the night on the bank of Moon Lake to watch the star-studded sky as we lie down to recollect some beautiful memories before catching good night’s sleep.
Day 5: Chandra Taal to Manali (150 km, 8 hrs)
After breakfast, we leave for Manali via Rohtang Pass and reach Manali in the evening.
Cost: On Request
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this trek for me?
A: If you are crazily in love with the Himalayas, then this trek is meant for you. If you have never felt how standing at an altitude of 14,000 ft feels like, then this trek is for you.
Q: How is weather out there?
A: Temperatures might be as low as -2 °C or even lower while crossing Hampta Pass and Rohtang Pass. And, the only mantra to enjoy this trek is to be well equipped. It’s perfectly fine if an extra pair of woolen socks, cap, warm jacket and thermals occupy maximum space of your bag.
Q: Can I bring my spouse/friend with me?
A: Of course, you can. We will be visiting beautiful lush green meadows and lake during the course of our journey; which implies, we will be having a good time during the trek.
Q: What is the maximum altitude we will hit?
A: 4,268 m (14,000 ft) at Hampta Pass
Q: What about the level of physical fitness?
A: A person with reasonable fitness can join the group because the ascent during the trek is moderate. If you can walk 3-4 hours a day, then this trek is perfectly suited for you.
Q: Does physical fitness prevent altitude sickness?
A: As suggested it’s always good to be physically fit when it comes to going in high altitudes. But there is no evidence that people with high physical fitness level don’t fall prey to AMS (acute mountain sickness or altitude sickness). Rather they might challenge themselves to exert more, hence increasing the probability of becoming AMS victim.
Q: Can I drink alcohol at high altitude?
A: Drinking alcohol at high altitudes is a practice you should avoid in all possibilities, because alcohol can obstruct your breathing, directly hampering acclimatization process of your body. Furthermore, alcohol may cause dehydration.
Q: Should I take Diamox when going to high altitude?
A: There is no need to take Diamox until or unless your body has enough time for acclimatization. We have planned the trek in stages to offer your body sufficient time for acclimatization during the ascent. Hence taking drugs in the mountains need to be avoided. You should consider taking Diamox only if you are gaining altitude very quickly (flying to high altitude locations), that too only if you have no history of allergy to the drug.
Tour cost includes
- Accommodation/Camping
- Transportation
- All meals (Veg.)
- Qualified trek leader
- Entry fees
Tour cost does not include
- Additional food or beverages ordered, porter
- Insurance
- Costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances
- Anything not mentioned in inclusion list