A handy guide to trek in the famous Hampta Pass

The Hampta Pass is a scenic corridor in Himachal Pradesh between the Lahaul’s Chandra Valley and Kullu Valley. As every passionate trekker would know, the Himachal is the queen of India’s trekking destinations. The terrain is excitingly raw, daunting, and can entice every tourist into its lush green scenery. One such trekking paradise is the Hampta pass, twisting and turning over the sublime Manali Mountains. Find towering snow-capped mountains with a touch of verdant greenery that will make you feel like Bob Ross painting!

The grandeur of the serene mountains will make you fall in love with life and Mother Nature. While drenching in the heavenly beauty of Mother Nature’s creation, find yourself mesmerized and thanking life for the divine experience! Here is a handy guide to trek in the famous Hampta Pass exclusively for you.

Hampta Pass Trek – An Overview

The Hampta Pass trek or the Hampta Chandratal trek, as trekkers call it, is one of the best trekking destinations. The Hampta Pass gets its name from the Hampta valley located in the Pir Panjal region of Himachal Pradesh. A trek across the Hampta pass will lead you to the most tranquil and pristine lakes you have ever seen. The word Chandratal means crescent moon and denotes the form of the lake. Both the locals and trekkers consider the Chandratal Lake to be a gift that nature had bestowed upon them. Trekkers, after their long adventure, usually pick this location to camp and relish the serene landscape.

The Trekking Trip

A trek along the Hampta Pass is very refreshing and healing in many ways. It is a perfect way to tune out from your stressful everyday life, forget your mobile phone and social media and embark on a blissful journey to find beauty in nature and happiness in little things. The tranquillity and stillness of the snow-clad mountains in the landscape will give you an ineffable feeling that you will know only by experience. Are you now intrigued by the Hampta pass? Are you ready to go on a trekking trip? We are now going to take a four-day trekking trip across the Hampta Pass, along with our fellow readers!

Reaching the Hampta Pass

You can reach the Hampta Pass by landing at the nearest Bhuntar airport that is at a distance of 52 km from Manali. And then take a private cab from Bhuntar to Manali to reach the Jobra base camp. You can also find many overnight buses from Delhi to Manali if you wish to travel by road. Your journey begins once you arrive at the Jobra base camp, which is at an altitude of 9800 feet. Then you can trek along the hairpin bends and rugged roads to reach Chika at an altitude of 10400 feet. The trek usually takes around 3 hours, but you can barely feel it as the lush green landscape and the snow-clad mountains will keep you mesmerized. Also, note that the Jobra Base camp has many campsites and lodges, so you won’t face any trouble when it comes to food and shelter.

Day 1 – Chika to Balu Ka Ghera

Once you reach Chika, you can halt at Balu ka Ghera, a campsite at an altitude of 11,900 feet. The trek from Chika is astounding and dumbfounding. You will find yourself surrounded by lush greenery, especially  Rhododendron trees, that are endemic to this region. You will also come across the Jwara Valley and several rivers and rivulets during your trek. The snow-capped Dhauladhar peak ties up the entire landscape, enchanting the trekkers. You will find many furry friends along the trekking route, who will both lead the way and follow you diligently, hoping to bring a smile on your face.

Also Read: Harmonious Himachal Pradesh Tour Itinerary – 4 Nights and 5 Days

Day 2 – Balu ka Ghera to Siagoru

After enjoying your time at the Balu ka Ghera campsite, you can proceed with your trekking trip. A steep uphill trek, followed by a flat trek, will take you to the Siagoru valley against the majestic snow-clad mountains. The picture-perfect landscape will remind you of a ’90s’ postcard and you will find yourself captivated by the valley’s beauty. The trek from Balu ka Ghera to Siagoru is about  6 to 7 km long and will only take less time.

Day 3 – Saigoru to Chatru

Chatru is another campsite, in the middle of the Hampta Pass, Rohtang Pass, and Spiti. It has lesser vegetation and bare rocky mountains, making it quite different from the previous campsites. During your trek, you will be enthralled by the landscape’s aesthetic, having soaring snow-clad mountains, tranquil rivers, and deep ridges along the way. You will have to descend to a distance of 1900 feet from the Siagoru to reach the Chatru campsite.

Day 4 – Chatru to Chandratal Lake

The challenging trek comes to an end with the brilliantly blue Chandratal lake. The crescent-shaped lake is at a distance of 70 km from the Chatru campsite. There also are reserved vehicles to take you from Chatru to the Chandratal lake, because no one wants to miss out on this tranquil and serene campsite after taking such an adventurous trek. Trekkers usually find it very hard to say goodbye to this picturesque campsite and prefer to drench in Mother Nature’s beauty as long as possible. That is the end of the trekking route, and there are both private and reserved vehicles to take you from Chandratal back to the Manali base camp.

Also Read: 10 Best Trekking Routes In Himachal Pradesh In 2024!

Attractions near Hampta Pass

If you have an extra day after your trekking trip, do take some time to visit these equally beautiful places in and around the Hampta Pass, that take only a few minutes to drive from the Base camp.

1. The Solang Valley

The Solang Valley is practically a side valley at the peak of the Kulu Valley and is about 14 km from Manali. This place is the one for adventure enthusiasts as you can do paragliding, parachuting, skating, zorbing, horseriding, and many other fun sports here.

2. Rohtang Pass

The Rohtang Pass is about 51 km from Manali and connects the Kulu valley with the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is another trekking route loved by adventure seekers.

3. Beas Kund

This is another tranquil lake near the Kulu valley surrounded by lush green grasslands set against a landscape of snow-clad mountains. You can reach here from the Solang Valley which is at a distance of 12 km from Manali.

4. Hadimba temple

The Hadimba temple at Kulu district is a famous Durga Devi temple, dedicated to Hidimbi, the wife of Bhima. The Hadimba temple is a cave temple and is believed by the locals to be over 500 years old.

What to pack for a trekking trip?

When going on a trekking trip it is always best to be prepared for the worst as you wouldn’t know what you may run into. So here are is a list of few necessary things that you need to take along with you on your trekking trip:

• Warm woollen clothes
• Trekking shoes with strong soles and woollen socks
• Sunglasses and essential skincare
• Basic medicine and proper first-aid kit
• LED torches and headlamps
• Thermal flasks
• Trekking poles

You might feel like you want to pack your entire house with you, but remember to pack light as you are going to be the one carrying the bag on your back while you ascend the trekking path!

Trekking tips from experts

• Try to avoid trekking after the sun-sets, as you will encounter many wild animals later in the day.
• Start your trek as early as possible.
• Remember to pack and use your trekking poles and shoes as much as possible.
• Remember to stay hydrated during the trek.
• Make it a point to wear comfortable trekking shoes during the trek.
• Try not to make noises during the trek, as it might scare wild animals and disturb the tranquillity of the landscape.

Also Read: Top 10 Treks In Himachal Pradesh You Must Visit

How excited are you to trek in the famous Hampta Pass? Get packing for your trekking trip right away. Travel to Himachal with Pickyourtrail and trek your way to happiness. Visit our website and check out the packages to Himachal Pradesh available online.