Introduction
Are you seeking an adventurous trek? You can embark on an exhilarating trip to the Hampta Pass in Himachal Pradesh from Manali. The Hampta Pass, which separates the strikingly different and stunning valleys of Kullu and Spiti, is situated at a height of 14,039 feet upon the Pir Panjal range in the Himalayas.
The Hampta Pass is nestled in the Pir Panjal Himalayan Mountains, at an elevation of 4370 meters above sea level. The pass is named after the quaint tiny settlement of “Hampta,” which is located immediately below Sethan Village in Manali. The Hampta Pass Trek ranks among the most exciting journeys you will ever undertake. It’s one of those uncommon journeys when the scenery varies with every turn. To help you prepare, here is a comprehensive Hampta Pass Trek Handbook.
How to get to the Hampta Pass Trek Basecamp?
The Hampta Pass Trek starts in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. Jobra, at an elevation of 9,379 feet, serves as the Hampta Pass basecamp. After an almost an hour drive from Manali to Jobra, you may begin your Hampta Pass Trek. Manali is a famous tourist destination with excellent transportation options by train, car, and air.
About the Trek Route
The Hampta pass trip is classified as easy to intermediate in difficulty, making it ideal for beginners, and it takes 3-4 days to complete. One more day is added to the itinerary to explore the well-known and beautiful Chandrataal, a high-altitude alpine lake located a few kilometers from Chatru. If you’re prepared and have all of the necessary hiking equipment, the journey will be a safe and once-in-a-lifetime experience for you.
Itinerary of the Trek
Day 1: Manali to Chikka
A 19-kilometer drive from Manali takes one hour and travels via Prini, Sethan, and Jobra. The Chika campground on Rani Nallah is a short 2km hike through a forest of mixed fir, green maple, and willow trees. The trek concludes in Chikka, where you’ll find a beautiful waterfall adjacent to the campgrounds.
Day 2: Chikka to Balu ka Ghera
Following 3 hours of a gentle ascent, you arrive at Juara Nala, a fun section of the walk where you can enjoy the thrill of a river crossing as well as amazing views of Indrasan Summit and the plain below. Finally, go to Balu ka Ghera for lunch and spend some time there. Balu translates to sand, and the trail lives true to its name, with pebbles and loose rocks making up the majority of the track, classifying it as intermediate.
Day 3: Balu ka Ghera to Hampta via Siagoru
Begin early in the morning and travel for an hour to upper Balu ka Ghera, when the trek to Hampta Pass Summit begins. You will see the stark terrain of the Himalayas at Lahul and Spiti Valley once you cross the border. The full trek to Hampta Pass Summit takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Day 4: Siagoru to Chhatru
It is a downhill trip from Siagoru down the river valley’s bank in between the Pir Panjal mountain ridges. The routes lead you through spectacular scenery and glaciers before arriving at Chatru’s base camp, the following camping zone. The Chandra River flows downstream, and a road runs alongside it.
Day 5: Chhatru to Chandratal
The Chatru campground is 45 kilometers from Chandratal Lake. Only during the summer months, if road and weather allow, may you climb up to the magnificent Chandratal Lake. If the lake is blocked during the time you are there, you will have to return to Manali.
Best time to visit
Hampta Pass is an enticingly lovely cross-over journey in the Himalayan high mountain ranges. The monsoon is the finest time to visit Hampta. From June through September, the weather is ideal for high-altitude hiking, with milder days and tolerable nights.
From ‘Balu ka Ghera forward, expect a lot of snow in June. This is because the valley leading up to the pass is narrow and receives little sunshine. In mid-July, the snow begins to melt, and the monsoon season begins with heavy rain in Manali. This is the month to go trekking in rainy weather. The region appears to be fresh with vegetation and blooms, while the water bodies and woodlands appear to be fresh, misty, and dense! The walk is ideal now, as the snow begins to melt and unique wildflowers blossom throughout the valley. The river’s flow rises, and the first monsoon rains appear.As winter approaches, the weather turns quiet, serene, and frigid, with no rain. Trekkers will see a unique Hampta Pass with the first snowfall of the season during the first week of October. During mid-October, the weather starts to change, the snow starts to fall heavily, and the climate gets erratic.
Conclusion
Hampta Pass is a moderate-level hike that leans somewhat toward the difficult. This is due to the different altitude fluctuations that trekkers face on a daily basis. The hike route begins in Manali at an elevation of 6730 feet and ascends to a maximum elevation of 14,100 feet before rapidly descending to the last campground. Although the paths are rather straightforward for lengthy stretches, the terrain progressively becomes more difficult as you progress. Every day, a total range of 6.5 kilometers is covered.
