Hampta Pass Trek

Trek: From Chilka to Balu ka Ghera

Trek Distance: 6 kms

Duration: 5 hours

Elevation: 11,900 ft

1. After a delicious breakfast, depart from the Chika campground towards Balu ka Ghera.The Dhauladhar ranges start to emerge, and you get the first look of the Himalayan chain of mountains, as you feel awed by the Himalayan region.

2. You'll see the massive towers, also known as The White Range, dominate the entire frame, with a few meadows and valleys sprinkled with flowers.

3. Arrive at Balu ka Ghera, make it your base for the day, have lunch there, and spend your day at the campsite.

4. Admire the fantastical beauty as you lose yourself in the breath-taking atmosphere.

5. Dinner is served, and you can rest in the camps at Balu ka Ghera.

Trek: From Balu ka Ghera to Sheagoru crossing Hampta Pass

Trek Distance: 7 kms

Duration: 8 hours

Elevation: 14,100 ft

1. The morning, as you wake up surrounded by mountains, you will have the opportunity to see the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys' desolate Himalayan environment.

2. The Hampta Pass Trekking is particularly popular among novices due to the wide variety offered in a small area.

3. Start your day by ascending steeply to the Pass. From there, you may take in the stunning panoramic view before descending to the next campground.

4. At this high altitude pass, you can run into shepherds who visit the valley to feed their sheep the unique grass that only grows there. As you explore the beautiful stillness that surrounds the valley, you might also run into other travelers who are exploring it.

5. You will start your descent to Sheagoru's base camp after a quick break in Hampta hamlet, which is where the pass gets its name.

6. Spent the night in Sheagoru after returning there.

Trek: Sheagoru to Chatru

Drive: Chatru to Chantra Tal and return Chatru

Trek Distance: 3 kms

Duration: 4 hours

Elevation: 11000 ft

1. After breakfast, start a gentle descent through the Hampta Valley while enjoying the beautiful vista of the Himalayas.

2. Find the inner Himalayan circle's Pir Panjal ranges that you can see in the distance.

3. Until you reach the base camp in Chatru, the beautiful scenery follows you throughout Spiti.

4. After your brief encounter, proceed to Chatru, a junction of the three routes Hampta Pass, Spiti, and Rohtang Pass. This lush haven in the arid, chilly dessert is very refreshing.

5. You'll drive to Chandratal, one of this area's most alluring moon-shaped alpine lakes at a height of 4250 meters. The beauty of this place will make you fall in love with the Himalayas.

6. As the calm waters of the lake reveal a panorama of reflections of the encompassing Himalayan peaks, you will find yourself in awe with the breathtaking natural beauty.

7. Dinner is served; stay the night at Chatru.

Drive from Chatru to Manali via Atal Tunnel

1. Your Hampta pass trekking trip comes to an end in the morning as you wake-up to the sound of the beautiful moon shaped lake.

2. After breakfast, you will reach Manali via Atal Tunnel, the longest single-tube highway tunnel above ten thousand feet.

3. With a backpack full of memories, arrive in Manali and part ways.

Personal Medical Kit: A personal medical kit must include general medicines as well your regular medicine if you have any health issues. Also include bandaids, pain relief sprays, ice packs and other items in your kit.

Toilet kit: Carry a toilet kit including toothbrush, tooth paste, soap, tissues, toilet paper roll, moisturizers, lotions and try to carry all these items in small sized packaging.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses are a must during your journey because exposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness. Make sure your glasses are UV protected. If you wear spectacles or contact lenses you should also wear UV protected sunglasses on them.

Suncap: You should keep your head covered while on the mountains, try wearing a sun cap which has a flap on it.

Synthetic Hand Gloves: As you may encounter snow on your journey you should alway carry Synthetic hand gloves which are waterproof to save your hands from chilly winds.

Rainwear and Raincover: Carry rainwear for yourself as you can experience downpour at any time during your trekking journey. You should also carry a raincover for your backpacks to keep your belongings safe from adverse weather conditions like snow or rain.

Headlamp and torch: A headlamp is a must during your journey as it leaves your hands free, you should choose a headlamp that helps aids in both forward and side vision. You should always carry a torch with you as it will help you to see clearly after sun down.

Trekking Pole: Carrying a trekking pole with you while on your trek will make your journey easier as it provides you with support and balance.

The starting point of the Hampta Pass trek is Manali, from Manali you can start your trekking journey and explore the challenging terrain of the Hampta Pass trek. There are different options available to reach Manali from various cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bangalore, Dehradun, and many more.

By Air: If you are planning to travel from cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai you can book your air tickets to the nearest airport and then reach Manali from bus or cab. You can book your tickets to the Bhuntar airport which is just one and a half hours drive from Manali. But not many flights are available at this airport so you can also fly to the chandigarh or Delhi Airport.

By Bus: Manali is connected to various parts of the country and you can reach by Bus also. You can board a bus from various places like to Manali, if you board a bus from Delhi it will take you around 14 to 16 hours. If you are traveling from Chandigarh to Manali it can take around 8 to 9 hours. The hill station is connected to other areas of the state by a number of private buses as well.

By Car: Manali is connected to a number of locations via roads, including Delhi (540 km), Chandigarh (305 km), Dehradun (227 km), and Ambala (370km). You can embark your journey to Manali in your own car or a rented vehicle whichever option you deem fit.

Although the Hampta Pass Trek is a difficult hike at a high altitude it is accessible for about half the year. You can visit the trek anytime between May to October but the months of June through September are considered to be the best time to visit the Hampta Pass trek.

The trek is a bit difficult during the month of May as there is deep snowfall and there is no secure pass crossing. Every month the hikers get a whole different experience because of the changing scenery, sloppy terrain, snowfall and the changing weather conditions in every single month even in the ideal months between June and September.

How will Hampta Pass trek look in June:

The temperature in the day remains somewhere between 12 °C to 22 °C which falls at night to 1 °C. When you reach from Ballu ka Ghera to the end of your trek and even on your journey down you can expect some snowfall making your trek experience even better.

How will Hampta Pass trek look in July to September:

This is the time when the valley receives its monsoon showers and the flowers start to bloom turning the valley in vibrant hues. This is the time when the snow starts to melt and the melting of snow and blossoming flowers unfolds the magic this beautiful terrain holds, making it the best time for trekkers. The temperature remains between 15 to 20 degrees in the daytime dropping between 1 to 5 degrees at night.

• 1 pair of High top water-proof hiking boots
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 5 to 6 pair of cotton socks
• 2 to 3 pairs of woolen socks

• 1 Pair of Woolen Gloves
• 1 Pair of Waterproof insulated Gloves

• Head lamp
• Sun cap
• Woolen Cap
• Sunglasses

• Water bottle
• Lunch box
• Raincover
• Trekking stick