Himachal, with all its daunting trails covering the exciting nature around, has been a trekker’s first love! The life and terrain beyond the mountains are exciting, raw, and lures every traveler into a momentous journey. Those, driven by the will to conquer the fear and vertigo, walk those beaten pathways and live to tell the tales of an incredible journey. Hampta Pass located in Himachal is one such destination that makes for a perfect trekking paradise for every adventurer.
The trekking route of Hampta Pass meanders over the mountains passes in the Manali region and ends at Chatru near Chandratal. Walk past the incredible views of snow clad mountains decorated with rippling ridges and infinite stretch of green shrouded in mist.
You really can’t do much other than considering yourself as lucky to have lived the moment and express gratitude to nature for creating such wonderful outdoors. Let’s see what this glorious trek located in excess of 10000 feet in the Pir Panjal Range has for us.
Best Time For Hampta Pass Trek
Mid-June to mid-October is the best time to take the Hampta Pass Trek. It is during this duration that Hampta Pass weather is pleasant during the period and the temperature stays between 12 – 20 degrees Celsius.
About Hampta Pass
Hampta Pass Chandratal Trek is also what many trekkers address it as. The reason for calling it so is because of the fact that after letting you on an incredible journey, the beautiful trek ends at Chandratal Lake – the crescent moon. Chandratal is one of the most sought-after attractions in Spiti region and most sought after by the adventurers for camping. The lake is a popular attraction in the Lahaul Spiti district and it’s indeed a pleasant gift for the travelers who brave the extreme conditions and negotiate those dangerous curves to complete the trek.
Hampta Pass gets its name from the Hamta Village located in the Pir Panjal region. At 14000 feet, this place is mostly ventured by shepherds and a handful of trekkers. Glaciers, rivulets, jagged mountains, and meadows, Hampta Pass trek is an elusive beauty that not many are aware of.
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4-Days Itinerary For The Hampta Pass Trek
Venturing amidst the wild, and marveling at the imposing mountains, it so strange how these pretty experiences feed the wanderlust and make for moments of a lifetime. The trek begins on an easy note and as you walk across the lush green meadows, pastures, glacial valleys, and exciting landscapes, you finally end the journey on a high.
Yes, the Hampta Pass trek ends at Chatru but an extra day is reserved for an excursion and camping at Chandratal Lake – the picture-postcard lake in the Lahaul and Spiti district located at 4300 meters.
Ideal duration: 4 days
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
Maximum altitude: 14100 feet
Trekking length: 26 km approximately
Route: Manali – Chika – Balu Ka Ghera – Siagoru – Chatru – Chandratal – Manali
Suggested Read: River Rafting In Himachal Pradesh: Navigate Himalayan Waters On Your Mountain Getaway
Arrival In Hampta Pass
Hampta Pass Trek, located between the Manali and Spiti Valley, has pretty surprises for adventurers. The hairpin bends and testing routes take you to Chika through Jorba. Chika can be done the same day or the alternate day. Because Manali at 6000 feet is perfect for acclimatization, and the climb from 9800 feet (Jobra) to 10400 feet (Chika) shouldn’t be much of an issue.
The 3-hour trek from Jorba to Chika makes for the perfect start for a wonderful journey. Jobra being the wonderful campsite has campsites and a few lodges for trekkers. But if you are booking your trek with an operator, you need not be worried about food and stay!
Base Camp For Hampta Pass Trek: Jobra has road connectivity with Manali as can be easily reached by a private vehicle.
Day 1: Chika – Balu Ka Ghera
Balu Ka Gera is the next halt located after so many turns and twists and covering a lot of boulders and rough terrain. Rhododendron trees are one of the prime attractions of this route. But the limelight of this stretch is stolen by the snow-clad Dhauladhar peaks that loom right over you during the course of the trek. Jwara valley comes en route when you are already halfway through. River and rivulets constantly run by your side during the course of the trek. At 11000 plus feet, the wonderful campsite in Balu Ka Gera is covered in flowers and lush greenery.
Jwara valley comes en route when you are already halfway through. River and rivulets constantly run by your side during the course of the trek. At 11000 plus feet, the wonderful campsite in Balu Ka Gera is covered in flowers and lush greenery.
Maximum altitude: 11,900 feet
Time taken: 8 hours approximately
Tip: Fill your water bottles near Jwara. There are a few waterfalls near
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Day 2: Balu Ka Ghera – Siagoru
The 6.5 km stretch is rather an exciting one. With moderate climb and followed by steep uphill trek accounts for the most incredible journey during the 4-day trek. Streams can be found during the course of the journey and the trekker has to traverse Hampta Pass, at 14000 feet, during the course of the journey. Further, a refreshing 3-hour trek from Jwara to Balu Ka Ghera will send across another dose of awesomeness packed with nature views. Immediately after the Hampta Pass be prepared for a steep walk followed by a flat trek thereafter.
Further, a refreshing 3-hour trek from Jwara to Balu Ka Ghera will send across another dose of awesomeness packed with nature views. Immediately after the Hampta Pass be prepared for a steep walk followed by a flat trek thereafter.
Maximum altitude: 12,250 feet
Time taken: 9 hours
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Day 3: Siagoru – Chatru
It’s a completely downhill journey from Sia Goru to Chatru. Overall a trekker has to descend close to 1900 feet during the journey that encompasses some of the most memorable spectacles en route. The trek, in its final lap, takes almost 5 hours to complete. Mountains with sharp edges, a river flowing by, and deep ridges make this wonderful stretch of the Hampta Pass Trek. Chatru is all about barren mountains and lesser vegetations. The wonderful campsite falls in the middle of Hampta Pass, Rohtang Pass, and Spiti.
Chatru is all about barren mountains and lesser vegetations. The wonderful campsite falls in the middle of Hampta Pass, Rohtang Pass, and Spiti.
Maximum altitude: 11000 feet
Time taken: 5 hours
Suggested read: 26 Spellbinding Places To Visit In Spiti Valley For A Surreal Holiday
Day 4: Chatru – Chandratal
Chandratal Lake is 70 km from Chatru, the end point of Hampta Pass Trek, and can be traveled by a reserved vehicle. The moon lake enveloped in exciting surroundings is a few hours away from the campsite and you can’t miss it after getting so close to it. An ideal place with wonderful campsite beside, Chandratal is the perfect place to plan camping and bonfire. Your journey to Chandratal completely depends upon the weather conditions. Head back to Manali on the same reserved vehicle for onward journey.
Your journey to Chandratal completely depends upon the weather conditions. Head back to Manali on the same reserved vehicle for onward journey.
Maximum altitude: 14,100 feet
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Popular Attractions Around Hampta Pass
Hampta Trek has some more of the thrill-inducing and adventure exuding places located in its vicinity. These places have innumerable experiences just waiting to get unfold. Here are the top 4 places that you can cover either while going for the trek or after you are done with the most thrilling part of your excursion.
- Solang Valley
- Rohtang Pass
- Beas Kund
- Hadimba Temple
Mountains and pathways cutting through them have a lot of stories to tell. Lest you walk across them, they aren’t letting you on any secrets.
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What To Pack For Hampta Pass Trek
When trekking, there are a few essential items that one should definitely pack in order to avoid any sort of hindrances and be prepared for the worst. Here we have a list of all the essentials that should be on your packing check list when planning the Hampta Pass trek.
- Clothes: Fleece jacket, Full sleeves thick jacket, Synthetic track pants, Full sleeves tees, Thermals, Woolen monkey cap/balaclava, Woolen hand gloves/ Synthetic Glove, Woolen head-scarf/ muffler, Towel
- Shoes & socks: Proper trekking shoes, Sports socks, Woolen socks, Gumboots
- Skin care essentials: Sunglasses with 100% UV protection, Lip balm, Cold cream, Sunscreen lotion
- Medicines: Crocin, Avomine, Avil, Combiflam, Disprin, Norflox, Crepe bandage, Band-aid, Digene, Gauze cloth, Leukoplast, Cotton, ORS, Betadine or any antiseptic cream, Volini or Moov spray
- Other accessories: LED Torch/ headlamps, Hot water bottle/bag, Backpack (preferably 55 – 65 L), Daypack, Trekking Pole
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How To Reach Hampta Pass
By air: Bhuntar airport, located at a distance of 52 km from Manali is the nearest airport to Hampta Pass. Bhuntar is well connected with Delhi and a lot of airports across the country. Private taxis are available from Bhuntar to Manali, which costs somewhere around INR 1000-1500 m. The Jobra base camp can be easily reached by hiring a private vehicle.
By road: Manali and further the Jobra base camp is well connected with Delhi by road. Overnight buses from Delhi to Manali runs in tandem. Tickets can be obtained from HRTC official website. Overall, reaching base camp from Delhi shouldn’t take you more than 15 hours.
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Tips For Trekking
Image Credits: OrnaW for Pixabay
Trekking can get very tricky very easily. The mountains have a hint of unpredictability that can get overwhelming quickly. Here are some tips that one should keep in mind when going for the Hampta Pass Trek.
- It is better to avoid trekking after the sun sets as the hills are full of wild species. You never know which creature you encounter in the jungles of the mountains.
- Start early for your trek so that you can cover the maximum distance with ease.
- Make use of the walking poles as you trek. It might not make you look cool but walking poles are a huge support for long treks. They just feel like you got two extra legs.
- Make sure you have a bottle of water in your hands. It is of utmost importance that you keep your body hydrated throughout the journey.
- It is important that you wear comfortable footwear. Trekking shoes are the best to go for as they have the ideal weight and cushioning.
- Practice walking for longer hours with a backpack before you set for your journey. Trekking can get really tiring very soon and since you won’t really find any civilization for most of your way, it is better to have acceptable estimations.
- Avoid any sort of noise pollution up in the mountains. It is better to keep your volumes at bay as mountains are famed for their calmness.
Further read: 28 Best Himalayan Treks Under 10K That You Must Include In Your Bucket List
So plan your trip to India and have a great vacation. We promise you’ll have the time of your life. Hampta Pass Trek is one of the most thrilling and exciting treks of the country and we are sure that you don’t want to miss on something this fun-filled!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hampta Pass Trek
How do you get to Hampta pass?
Hampta Pass is lies on the Himalayan range, Pir Panjal. This trail is like a mini corridor between Chandra Valley and Kullu Valley. In order to reach the Hampta Pass trek, you are supposed to reach Jobri through Prini and from there the Hampta trek begins.
When is Hampta Pass open?
Hampta Pass is always open at all times, regardless of the season or time. For trekking however, the pass is open for a certain period of time in the year – the number of months for which it is opened is more than that of other treks’.
Is Hampta pass open in December?
Hampta Pass is closed during the month of December. However, you can plan going for other options that are available for trekking in Manali.
How long is Hampta Pass Trek?
Hampta Pass lies at an altitude of 14,100 feet. It will take you around 19 hours to complete this trek. For a comprehensively fulfilling experience, you can halve this trek by planning a trek to Sia Goru.
How can I reach Hampta from Manali?
Hampta and Manali are well linked to each other via road. From Manali, you’ll reach the basecamp of the amazing Hampta Pass trek, Jobra.
Is Hampta Pass safe?
Yes, it is completely safe as well as fun to go trekking in Hampta Pass. This region experiences light showers of rain sometimes but they are simply bearable and would not cause any hindrance during your trekking experience.
Where do you find Pir Panjal range?
The range of Pir Panjal can be found in the interiors of the Himalayan region, lying in the midst of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. You’ll get the chance to visit some of the best treks in this range, including Hampta Pass trek, Darati Pass trek, and more.
Is it advisable to do Hampta Pass Trek solo?
It is perfectly fine to travel solo for the Hampta Pass Trek provided you have all your arrangements in place. You must carry all the camping essentials and also have temporary food options that can keep you going for the 4 days during the trek. Though the trekking routes are defined, you must be aware of the trail after consulting some experienced campaigners.
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