Also known as the silk route for shepherds of lower himalayas. it is a favourite pass to reach high altitude grasslands in summer. Named after Maha Rishi Hampta who meditated here, Hampta pass is a moderate trek. Distance of 26 km consisting of some completely different terrains is simply amazing. From lush green valleys of kullu manali to barren lands of lahaul it is completely a different world.

The pass includes vertical rock walls, waterfalls, pinewoods, rhododendron forests, open meadows, and small lakes,the route also includes glaciers and fast-flowing rivers, making it challenging and adventurous. But along with a trained guide it is doable for beginners also.

What makes hampta pass special is the lush green mountains, meadows and small streams in the beginning, leading to rock walls, waterfalls and small lakes. After crossing hampta pass you can witness hanging glaciers and some snow. Crossing fast flowing rivers adds to some excitement and adventure. With no mobile networks, electricity and no permanent accommodation,drinking water from natural streams and eating with limited supplies, it adds more thrill, and you feel like experiencing nature at a different level. 

The Hampta pass trek starts from Sethan village Manali and ends in Chatru, total distance of the Hampta pass trek is 26 km comprising some difficult trails. hikers also prefer to visit chandratal from chattru to complete the whole circuit.

We reached Manali a day before the start of this moderate trek, so that we can relax, do some shopping in preparation for the hampta pass and get acclimated for high altitudes. On day 1 you have to travel by road to reach Jobra via sethan. Trek starts from Jobra which is at an elevation of 9800 Ft, from now onward you will have to carry your luggage unless you pay some extra money to hire a porter. If you are not a frequent trekker I suggest you should pay extra to your travel company to transport your luggage by porters. As at some points this trek seems very challenging and with heavy luggage it becomes difficult to climb.

After Sethan you will be out of mobile network for next five days so make sure you make all important calls. First day is not that tiring as you only trek for a few kilometers and you don’t hike much. Camping for day1 is at Chika at altitude 10,500 Ft. a beautiful lush green view will energies you. After taking some rest I advise you to explore the river stream and picturesque surroundings. 

Day starts with a beautiful sunny morning and day two’s Seven kilometre will be more challenging. Real hike starts today. After early breakfast we started the trek all along the river banks. Today’s hike will involve some climbing on rocks and boulders, crossing ice cold water streams and a few small waterfalls. After trekking for four to five hours you will reach balu ka gera, a beautiful landscape all along the river. Lush green fields covered by mountains from two sides, it’s simply peaceful and mesmerizing. In June to September these green fields are also covered with different colours of flowers creating some picturesque views of this paradise. 

Weather will simply refresh you. At an altitude of 11,900 Ft without any mobile network or electricity it’s time to recharge your soul. Do some stretching after trek and relax your muscles as it’s just the beginning, After lunch roam around or just sit and meditate its your choice. Balu ka gera is named after the brown bears found in this area. In winters bears come here to hibernate. After dinner you can do stargazing or if you are carrying a DSLR it’s time to capture some awesome night sky time lapse or pictures.

Toughest day of this trek, the nine kilometre is real testing including hike to 14,100 ft hampta pass and then steep descent to 12,900 ft shea goru.it is advised to start the trek early in the morning and get your lunch and snacks packed as journey is on of 7 to 8 hours and it’s the hard part of this trek. Weather throughout the summer remains pleasant and cold. In the summer, pink, yellow and purple flowers on green mountains will amaze you. During the trek you will also see a small lake and a water fall before you start to climb for hampta pass. After a very sharp ascent you will reach Hampta pass, the place where Maharishi Hampta meditated. You can feel the positive vibe of the place. Take your time and relax and click some memories.

Now another tough part of the trek begins. A steep descent to shea goru. During the rainy season it is the most dangerous part of the trek. Descent on a high altitude trek is always tough. As all the pressure is on your toes and trekking shoes start hurting. If you are doing this trek till july you may witness snow during your descent. Take some rest, have some tea and relax. You have conquered Hampta Pass. when you cross hampta pass and enter Lahaul Spiti and its completely different terrain. You are now in the cold desert of India at an altitude of 12,900 Ft.

After breakfast, start your journey early towards chatru. All the hard part of the trek is over as today most of the trek is descent and it will take around 5 hours. Now is the time to enjoy, relax and admire the beauty of nature. Today the trail is around five kilometers including crossing some ice cold water streams and some slippery trails., as you progress slowly vegetation will disappear and you will now enter the cold desert of lahaul spiti. Once you reach chatru the perfect camping site at an altitude of 11,000 Ft on the banks of Chandra river. Chatru is Confluence of three high passes, hampta pass, rohtang pass and Kunzum pass of spiti. After settling in Chatru.

Now the journey to Chandratal begins, for many this is the best part of the trek although the route is a bit dangerous and challenging. Pagal nala and few other water crossing tests your driving skills as there is no paved road. Chandra taal Tso Chigma or moon lake gets its name from its moon-like shape and it is near the origin source of Chandra river. At an altitude of 14,100 ft it is one of the top most places to visit for most trekkers, campers and travellers.

There are vast meadows on the banks of the lake. During summer, these meadows are carpeted with hundreds of varieties of wild flowers and plants. Remember chandra taal is a holy lake and is believed to be linked to Lord Shiva. So help to keep it clean and respect the sentiments. After spending some time at this majestic lake it’s time to head back to chatru. It is advised to reach before sunset. Enjoy the evening with a bonfire under the beautiful sky and stars.

Last day of this lifetime memorable experience, it’s time to say adieu to chatru and head back to manali. Along the river Chandra you have to travel for around 63 Km, it will take around two hours if going through Atal Tunnel, but I will advise you to take the Rohtang pass route. Via rohtang pass you can add some more memories to this trek. Rohtang is always one of the  favorites for many travellers. But if you haven’t seen the man made marvel Atal Tunnel, you can Take that route also.

One of the easy to moderate treks for beginners and pros also. Hampta pass is a perfect trek to enjoy different kinds of terrains in mountains. All along the water streams trekking From lush green meadows to complete cold desert and barren landscapes it is simply mesmerizing. Pleasant weather energies you to climb the steep mountains and enjoy nature at its best. No Mobile network, No electricity and no human settlements. It feels like you are living in some other world.

Perfect season for Hampta pass trek starts from June To September. But according to my experience June is the Best month for this Trek. In June you can experience Lush green Mountains along with some snow on the peak of Hampta pass and while trekking down to shea goru. In monsoons it is a bit difficult to trek due to slippery terrain especially on the sharp descent from Hampta pass. And landslides in mountains are quite frequent during monsoon.

Weather at Hampta pass is always pleasant throughout the season suitable for trekking from June To September. Days are cool and pleasant and nights are a bit more cold. Temperature ranges between 0  to 13 degree Celsius in these months. Furthermore, if it rains for a long time, the temperature at night can go below 0 Degree also. So be prepared and carry enough warm clothes.

The Hampta pass trek starts from jobra. But the base camp for this trek is manali. You can reach Manali by road and by air. By road, Manali is around 535 Km from Delhi and you can travel by Volvo bus or taxi. I advise taking Himachal Roadways Bus as during any emergency they can provide backup vehicles easily, and the drivers are well versed to the roads and conditions. Air travel is not recommended as nearest airport is at Bhuntar which is around 48 km from manali and due to unpredictable weather flights might get delayed or cancelled. Flights are also a bit expensive and only small planes can land at Bhuntar airport.

Most important thing to enjoy the trek without any worries here are a few tips which will help you.

Most important thing for every trek. Buy a 50 To 60 litre backpack along with rain cover. Make sure it is easy to carry. Decathlon is recommended for this kind of shopping. If you are a first timer I recommend to hire a porter or a mule for your main backpack and carry a day pack with capacity of 20 to 30 litres to carry food and daily essentials. You have to pay a little amount to your service provider for luggage but it will be worth it.

Carry enough warm clothes, both top and bottom, gloves, socks and caps. Carry three to four dry fit T Shirts preferably full sleeves, as it will protect you from sunburn and tanning. A padded jacket is also recommended as the weather is very unpredictable. A good quality water resistance trekking pant can be helpful. Most importantly carry a poncho according to your body size. Poncho is better than a regular raincoat as it covers your whole body along with a backpack, it also provides freedom of movement.

Buy good quality trekking shoes preferably water resistant or water waterproof depending on your budget. Shoes with a good grip and ankle support can make your trek easy. Along with trekking socks these shoes can do wonders.

Must carry a walking stick on these kinds of slippery treks. It also supports and helps in making hiking easy. A hydra pack of minimum two litres and two water bottles of 1 litre each. Sunglasses with UV protection will be helpful to counter high altitude sun glares.

As you will be trekking  to some high altitudes it is advised that you carry a good quality sunscreen preferably 50 SPF. as long exposure to sun on high altitudes can cause severe sun burns to damage your skin. Lip guard or lip balm will be helpful, other mandatory time to carry are wet wipes, good sanitizer, antibacterial talcum powder, good quality moisturizer and quick dry towels can be a blessing. As you will not be able to bathe for 4 to 5 days carry your stuff accordingly including your undergarments.

After leaving manali you will be totally cut off from the rest of the world, no mobile network and no electricity. So it is advised to charge all your equipment and  carry one or two power banks of minimum 20000 MAH. otherwise you won’t be able to capture the memories. Make sure you carry all your gadgets in a water proof bag or pack.

If you are on any kind of medication please consult your doctor before you plan any kind of trek. Essential medicines include tablets for vomiting, loose motion, mild pain killers, band aid, dettol, betadine for minor cuts and injuries, antacids like Eno. carry some medicines for AMS after consulting your doctor. A good Deodorant is highly recommended as you will not bathe for a few days. 

Now the most important part for some foodies. Carry energy bars, chocolates and dry fruits to energise yourself and enjoy during the meals. Protein bars and glucose rich drinks are most recommended

For Complete Guide For How To Plan Your Next Backpacking Trip- Click Here

Do comment Your Thoughts about The Article .

This Page might contain affiliate or paid advertisement to help in maintaining the website.