Hampta Pass Trek
Trek Difficulty
Moderate-Difficult
Trek Duration
5 days
Highest Altitude
14,100 ft
Suitable For
12-62 years
Hampta Pass Trek
Hampta Pass Trek is arguably the best summer trek of Himachal Pradesh. It has a stark similarity with the Valley of Flowers Trek. It offers gorgeous contrast of varied Himalayan landscape. Its landscape holds the lush grasslands, forests, and flower bloom on the side to Kullu; to the Lahaul side, it has a rough and arid landscape. While on the trek you will see a lovely Chandratal Lake as well.
The gradient of the trek is moderate and it reaches the highest altitude of 4200 while you are at Hampta Pass. It winds over a total distance of 35 km making it quite doable to the amateur and seasoned trekkers alike. It takes 5 days to finish this trek.
Once you have crossed the pass, you will be going into an eternal beautiful Spiti Valley which is popular for its rugged and barren landscape with blue sky above.
Trek Fee
Original price was: ₹10,000.00.₹8,500.00Current price is: ₹8,500.00.
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Highlights of the Hampta Pass Trek
- Chandratal lake: Chandratal lake forms the perfect spot for camping on Hampta pass trek and is one of the prime highlights. It is a calm and serene lake and you can relax here and soak in all the beauty. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains creating the perfect scenery.
- Rich Biodiversity: as you move further along the trek, you will come across different types of flora and fauna. The higher you go, the fewer trees you see. But the view from the top is still stunning. The top of Hampta pass is a home to a variety of animals like mountain goats, bighorn sheep, snow leopards etc.
- Change of Landscapes: You see the most dramatic change of landscapes when you undertake the Hampta pass trek. The most mind-boggling yet beautiful contrast of barren land and lush meadows found here is the main feature of this trek.
- Thrilling Experience: The trek requires a set of skills to conclude it. Hoping over boulders, trekking in rocky terrains, crossing streams are challenging but rewards you with the much needed pump of adrenaline.
- Solang Valley: on your way back from Hampta Pass, you see the gorgeous widespread Solang valley with snowy peaks in the backdrop. You also witness the Atal tunnel connecting Lahaul and Kullu valleys.
Short Itinerary
- Altitude: 9,800 ft (Jobra) to 10,100ft (Chika)
- Drive Time: 2 hours (Manali to Jobra)
- Trek Distance: 2km
The first day of this trekking is a mix of drive and trek. You will be driving from Manali to Jobra. And then trek from Jobra to Chika.
The drive from Manali to Jobra, which is the base camp of the trek, is quite breathtaking. The route has many hairpin bends that give you breathtaking panoramas. Just sit preferably at the left side of your cab. The drive changes and glues dramatically into Apple orchard then to deodar forest and then to oak forest. You will be transported from the crowdy hustle-bustle and heat of Manali to the serene and pleasant Jobra.
From Jobra the trek starts right from the forest of pine trees. The forest has oak, maple, deodar trees, etc. The ascend is quite mild, and after trekking for around 15 minutes you will reach a bend with a beautiful look of lush meadows down. This sight is rejuvenating. As you will be walking through the meadow, you will see Rani Nallah. The meadow is full of grazing animals like sheep and cows. This sight is perfect like that of the wallpaper you see in the pictures.
Towards the end of this meadow, you will reach the campsite which is at Chika. The campsite is placed beside the famous Rani River.
- Altitude: 10,100 ft to 11,900 ft
- Time Taken:6 hours
- Trek Distance: 8.5 Km.
Today you will be trekking all day. The gradient of the day is easy with some boulders and a rough trail. You will be heading to Balu ka Ghera by following the left bank of the Rani River.
As you will be walking, the trail will give way to an amazing patch of Rhododendron trees. This patch is in the lower region and as you go higher you will see the land filled with silver birch trees. The best sight of the day is when you look back from the silver birch trees and see the magnificent mountain range of Dhauladhar peaks covered in snow. Within a short distance from there, you will see a waterfall from where you can refill your water bottles.
The next destination is Jwara. This you will reach after getting closer to the river and crossing the small rivulet. Jwara comes almost halfway to your campsite. This is a gorgeous valley with deep gorges on one side and snow-covered mountains on the other.
As you will gaining altitude, you will see a tree line disappearing behind you. The trail and its surroundings are strewn with many fascinating colorful flowers.
The Jwara, the trail has a mild ascend that is filled with snow and rocks. After crossing this you will reach your campsite. The campsite is flat in the middle of the mountains.
- Altitude: 11,900 ft to 12,900 via Hampta Pass (14,100 ft)
- Time Taken:10 hours
- Trek Distance: 7 Km.
This is the day you will be crossing over to Hampta Pass. The trail starts with an ascent to the pass and then a descend into Siagoru.
The day starts with the trek heading towards the mountains. The trail goes beside the river which makes the walk and view quite amazing and rewarding. After walking further, you will see the ascend going to the pass. The landscape is decorated with patches of snow here and there or complete snow in the upper reaches. You will be beholding the Deo Tibet peak right before you.
The ascend has a few plateaus and ridges that you will have to walk through. Take plenty of pictures and videos from this vantage point to cherish the memory later. The few meters to the Hampta Pass has a vertical ascend which makes it quite difficult and tiring to reach. However, it takes only 15 minutes to cross the sharp ascend. Although you will be tired, the scenic beauty and the serenity will refresh you. This is the best spot to have your lunch, relax, and get immersed in the beauty surrounding you.
From the pass is the tricker and steep descend. Most of the trekkers descend either by sliding or maneuvering the rope. The descend takes around one and a half hours to finish before you reach the valley below connecting to the campsite Siagoru. The campsite again is beside the river.
- Altitude: 12,900 ft to 11,000 ft
- Time Taken: 5 hours
- Trek Distance: 7 Km.
This is mostly an easy descend day from Siagoru to Chatry and takes around five hours. The trail winds down amid surrounding mountains and beside the river stream.
The landscape is in contrast to the previous ones you have been trekking through. This has no vegetation and the mountains are rough and barren. The trail gets through tricky mountain ridges and edges with slippery parts too. Be careful and mindful in placing your feet. However, the gradient of this day is easy. You will be seeing Chatru right from a distance and see the Chandra River dancing below beside the road.
The day also has glacier traverse which makes this trek quite full of variety in trekking. Your campsite at Chatru is just after the glacier walk.
- Drive Time: 6 hours
- Drive Distance: 85 Km.
This is the drive day and takes you over the famous Rohtang Pass – the traditional mountain pass. Start your drive early morning to avoid being stuck in a traffic jam. The drive is long and takes around 7 hours to reach Manali where the trekking journey ends.
Chandratal Lake: This fascinating attraction of the Hampta Pass trek will have the flexibility of either visiting on Day 4 or Day 5. Chandratal Lake is famously known as Moon Lake. The lovely blue clean water of this lake is otherworldly. However to see this lake, one should be lucky enough to get good weather and it can be seen only in the summer months. The visit to this lake is skipped if the weather is rough and the road is closed down. The Chandratal is reached by drive only.
What are the Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- All meals. Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner. We provide nutritious veg food and try not to repeat the dishes.
- Camp stay on all nights in high-quality tents on a double-sharing basis. Sleeping bags, sleeping mattresses, and dining tents.
- Mountaineering experienced trek leaders, guides, and experienced cooks.
- All the mountain medicine includes first aid, oxygen cylinder, etc.
- Passes and permits.
Exclusions
- Lunch on the first day.
- Personal expenses.
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusion list.
Best Time For Hampta Pass Trek
Hampta Pass is open to do for 6 months. However, it is done mostly from June to September. It is done even in May and October also, but those are not the best months to do this trek.
However, each month is different even from June to September. Here is how the trek looks in each of these months.
Hampta Pass Trek in May
In May Hampta Pass is still covered in snow. The trail is snowy, and it becomes difficult to finish the trek in May. However, many seasoned trekkers attempt this trek in May.
Hampta Pass Trek in June
Since June is the start of the summer, the snow is still quite thick and high and covers most of the higher altitudes. One of the reasons that June has still snow in this trek is because the valley that goes up to Hampta Pass is not wide and doesn’t get much sunlight. This is the reason that the trek becomes slightly difficult and tiring this month.
Hampta Pass Trek in July
July month is the start of the melting of snow. However, you will still see patches of snow here and there on this trek. From this month onwards, you start seeing the flocks of flowers like marigolds, blue poppies. This is the month wildflowers begin to come out. The trek follows, at times, a patch going through these beds of wildflowers.
Hampta Pass Trek in August
If we narrow down the best time for this trek, then it definitely will be from mid-July to the end of August. As august comes, there you will see vibrant grasslands, flowers nodding their head and sky above with clouds mostly. The rain begins to fall and continues so until September. The temperature isn’t cold or unbearable this month. This is the month that sees most of the trekkers flocking the Hampta Pass trail.
Hampta Pass Trek in September
In September month expect rain while you are trekking here. Get your raincoats and umbrellas along with you. However, the cloudy overcast begins to clear by the end of September and gives way to the autumn colors and clear sky. The views of sunrise and sunset are breathtaking at this time of the year.
Hampta Pass Trek in October
Hampta Pass trek is colder and nippier this month. If you are someone whose skin is thick for the cold, then you will enjoy this trek this month. The nights are colder and the temperature falls below zero degrees. The river streams that dance and are full during summer months, start to dry and get scanty of water. While it is possible to do the trek in October it is not as much fun.
Hampta Pass Trek in November
November isn’t the ideal month for this trek. The night temperature is extremely cold. The trail has snow all along and it is much riskier and trickier to attempt this trek in November.
Hampta Pass Trek in December
December is the most riskier and quite difficult month to go for this trek. Our recommendation is not to go for this trek in December as the snowfall makes reaching the pass near to impossible.
Is Hampta Pass Trek Safe?
Terrain Safety of Hampta Pass Trek
The terrain of this trek isn’t technical or poses fatal risks like there are no sharp cliffs that you have to climb. This trek is safer than most of the famous high-altitude treks. However, there are some river stream crossings, descends, and ascends that you have to maneuver carefully.
While you are descending from Hampta Pass, the trail is tricky and can become challenging. You will have to make sure to put your feet firmly and carefully until the descend merges with the flat valley down. Particularly, you will have to be careful if it still has snow on the trail which mostly happens in June.
In June, you better use microspikes.
While crossing the rivulets or streams, it is always advisable to follow the instructions of your trek leader and better form the human chain which gives you the strength to hold the flowing water firmly. Another tip will be to never get stuck in the middle of the stream, even if you feel too cold. The cold water might get unbearable, but continue fording the stream till you reach the other side of its bank.
Altitude Safety of Hampta Pass Trek
The highest altitude of Hampta Pass is 4200m which you will be reaching on your 3rd day of the trek. This means you will be quite acclimatized by that time. The altitude gain is gradual. The trek starts from Jobra which is at an altitude of around 3000m.
In case you feel nausea, headache, or any other symptoms related to mountain sickness, you must be vocal about it and speak to your trek leader. Your trek leader has all the knowledge related to any mountain sickness, he will guide you accordingly. To make yourself safe from mountain sickness, do take plenty of fluids and trek at a gradual pace.
Weather Safety at Hampta Pass Trek
In June, there is still snow in the upper reaches. The trail gets tricky and slippery. The tricker is the descend from Hampta Pass. You will have to be careful of walking on snow this month. Take use of microspikes, gaiters, etc.
In the next months of July and August, it rains. This makes the trail muddy and slippery. Also, the water level in the streams rises, and crossing these streams becomes difficult. The force of the water in these streams gets high during rain.
In all these situations you will have to be extra careful with your walk and make sure you choose your steps carefully and don’t be rash in trekking.
Emergency Exits on Hampta Pass Trek
If you are not feeling well, and have developed symptoms of some disease then better to take a call before you climb to Hampta and get back to Manali via Jobra. Once you have crossed the pass, the better exit point is moving ahead and reaching Chatru and Manali. Via Rohtang Pass.
Nearest Hospitals:
The nearest hospital to Hampta Pass is the Mission Hospital in Manali.
Before you exit the trek at any point, always seek the advice of your trek leader. He/She will guide you through and make sure you are headed back safely to the nearest hospital or healthcare system.
How to Reach Hampta Pass Trek
The journey of this trek starts from Manali. There are a few options you can use to reach Manali.
- Option 1. Via Bus
Bus Service from Delhi to Manali or from Chandigarh to Manali. Both of these bus journeys will take more than 10 hours. This is the best way to reach Manali.
- Option 2. Via Air
The nearest airport is in Kullu. From Kullu airport take a cab to Manali.
- Option 3. Via Train
You can take a train from your place to Chandigarh and from there book a private cab or share a cab to Manali.
FAQ's
Is Hampta Pass a difficult Trek?
How many days is Hampta Pass Trek?
Is Hampta Pass Trek for beginners?
Yes. Hampta Pass trek is definitely for beginners and it is recommended to beginners. However one has to prepare for this in advance to make it quite rewarding. If you are somebody who is a couch surfer and rarely do any activity, you need to hit the gym and do some squats and cardio training so that your trek doesn’t become extremely tiring and kills the delight it provides.
What is the distance of Hampta Pass Trek?
If you follow the 5-day itinerary in which the last day is the drive only and the first day is the mix of drive and trek, then the trek becomes 25 km around. This is the most followed Hampta Pass Trek itinerary.
Hampta Pass Trek starting point?
The trek journey starts from Manali. However, the proper trek starts from Jobra which is a 2-hour drive from Manali
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