Accomodation
camping
Meals
Breakfast Dinner
Transportation
Trek, Car
Tour type
Treking
Best season
June, July & August
Destinations
Himachal

Overview

The Hampta Pass Trek in Himachal Pradesh embodies different shades of nature, offering a rare contrast of landscapes — green, forested valleys on one side and barren, rugged mountains on the other.

This dramatic crossover is what makes the Hampta pass trekking one of the most visually rewarding treks in the Indian Himalayas. Vast grasslands dotted with spring flowers gradually give way to jagged terrains and stark mountain views, a transition you experience uniquely on this trail.

Hampta pass acts as a vantage point from where you can witness two equally beautiful parts of Himachal’s topography. To the north lies the majestic Lahaul Valley, stretching endlessly with its dry, vegetation-free terrain, while on the other side, the lush forests and meadows of Kullu Valley create a sharp yet beautiful contrast.

Although the Hampta Pass trek distance of 26 km, constantly changing scenery makes the journey feel immersive, almost like walking through multiple seasons in a single trek.

The Hampta Pass trek trail takes you through alpine forests where Maple, Birch, Oak, and Deodar trees sway gently with the mountain breeze. As you move ahead, meadows and glacier-fed streams accompany you until the snowline begins near the pass.

The final ascent to Hampta Pass (14,100 ft) reveals towering mountains overlooking narrow valleys sprinkled with wildflowers. The contrast between delicate alpine blooms and rugged Himalayan terrain is one of the defining highlights of this trek.

From sloping cliffs and icy glaciers to rhododendron forests and high-altitude campsites, every section of the Hampta Pass trek itinerary introduces trekkers to a new landscape. This continuous shift in terrain keeps the journey engaging and rewarding from start to finish.

Trip Highlights

Dramatic Crossover: Transition from green Kullu to the barren Lahaul desert. Stunning Altitude: Reaching the Hampta Pass height of 14,100 ft. Campsites: Chika, Balu Ka Ghera, Shea Goru. Chandratal Lake: A bonus visit to one of India’s most beautiful high-altitude lakes. Flora & Fauna: Trails lined with Oak, Maple, and Birch trees. Perfect for Beginners: A moderate challenge with unmatched rewards. Every day feels like turning a new page in nature’s storybook.

Itinerary

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Hampta Pass Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Manali to Jobra (Drive) & Trek to Chika:

Drive through 42 hairpin bends to Jobra. A short 2 km walk takes you to Chika campsite (10,100 ft), nestled by the Rani Nallah river.

Day 2: Chika to Balu ka Ghera:

A 9 km trek through green pastures and boulders. As you approach the Balu ka Ghera altitude, the Dhauladhar ranges emerge in the backdrop.

Day 3: Balu ka Ghera to Shea Goru via Hampta Pass:

The most challenging yet rewarding day. You cross the Hampta Pass height (14,100 ft), witnessing the stark contrast between the two valleys, before descending to the serene Shea Goru riverside camp.

Day 4: Shea Goru to Chhatru & Chandratal Lake:

Descend through rocky ridges to Chhatru. From here, a drive to the crescent-shaped Chandratal Lake is the highlight of the trip.

Day 5: Chhatru to Manali:

Drive back to Manali via the Rohtang Pass or Atal Tunnel, marking the end of your Hampta Pass trekking adventure.

Day 01 :

Manali Arrival | Drive to Jobra (45 mins drive) | Trek to Chika (2 Kms Trek)

• The group will assemble at the pick-up point by 11:00 AM, where a briefing session by the trek leader sharing all the necessary details about the trek will be provided. After which, we’ll head towards Jobra, which is the base camp for the Hampta Pass trek and is located at an altitude of 9,379 ft.

• The drive from Manali, though, has many hairpin bends in the road, making up for a scenic drive due to the panoramic view of the Kullu Valley that you get to glimpse.

• Traversing through thick forests consisting of pine, maple, and silver birch trees, we will reach Jobra. After relaxing for a while, we'll start our trek toward Chika. The sights that you get to witness while trekking is serene and refreshing. From lush green forests consisting of maple, oak, and deodar trees to the stream of Rani Nallah flowing through meadows, the landscape that the trekking trail provides is breathtaking, to say the least.

• We will set up camp in Chika. With its vast tapestry of greenery and open skies above, it is perfect for spending peaceful moments.

• Dinner will be served in the evening, followed by an overnight stay in Chika.

Day 02 :

Chika to Balu Ka Ghera Trek (8.5 Kms | 6 hrs)

After an early morning breakfast, we will head towards Balu Ka Ghera. Balu translates to sand, and the trail lives up to the name as the short meadow walk soon gives way to boulders and loose rocks, making this part of the trek fall into the moderate category.

• The beauty of this trek is that you get to witness the magic of nature in the form of beautiful landscapes. On one hand, you get the flowing Jwara river seemingly following your footsteps, while the mighty Dhauladhar ranges beckon you closer. A stream of water would be waiting amidst the green canopies.

• The terrain starts to flatten as you reach the initial region of Balu ka Ghera, which is known as Chota Balu ka Ghera. As you keep walking, the terrain will start to get rugged again, with the rocks being far apart, making it tricky to traverse through.

• We will reach Balu Ka Ghera soon, where we will set camp among the mountains beyond which the Hampta pass awaits us. In the evening, we will have dinner and spend a night under the starry skies.

Day 03 :

Balu Ka Ghera to Shea Goru Trek via Hampta Pass (7 Kms | 9 hrs)

• After breakfast, we will head towards our next campsite, which is Shea Goru. The entire trail is made up of boulders, and hence the descent is trickier, which is why we need to be careful.

• En route, we will be traversing through Hampta Pass, which is a beautiful trail with a river flowing through it. Blooming flowers of different colors and a rainbow are perched at the bank, making it a sight to behold. You will also get to see the Deo Tibba peak beckoning you closer.

• After enjoying the view at Hampta Pass, we will start our descent. The downhill trail consists of slippery soil and loose stones. A trail with twists and turns will lead you to the valley below, and after walking for a while, you will finally reach the base. The opening that reveals itself leads you to Shea Goru, where we will set camp for the night and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

• Dinner will be served in the evening, followed by an overnight stay in Shea Goru.

Day 04 :

Shea Goru to Chatru Trek (7 Kms | 5 hrs) | Chatru to Chandratal Drive (48 Kms | 3 Hrs) | Back to Chatru

After early morning breakfast we will start our downhill trek towards Chatru. The vast land lacks vegetation but the tricky slopes give you the adrenaline rush that you might be craving. The descent is tricky so you might have to stay extra vigilant.

• Once we reach Chatru, we'll drive towards Chandratal which is a beautiful lake located 45 kilometers away from the campsite. However, the drive would only be possible if the weather permits as the harsh weather conditions could be a hindrance.

• After relishing in the beauty of nature and a short sightseeing tour, we'll head back to Chatru where we will set up base camp.

• Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Chatru.

Day 05 :

Drive from Chatru to Manali (63 Kms | 2.5 Hrs) | Tour Ends

• After early morning tea and breakfast, we will start our return journey and drive from Chatru to Manali. The scenic drive consists of mesmerizing views of majestic mountains with the Chandra River flowing by. You also get to traverse through the Iconic Atal Tunnel, which itself makes the drive extremely rewarding.

• Upon reaching Manali, the group will disassemble and part ways with fond memories.

• End of Tour.

Note: Drop off Timing- 6:00-7.00 PM (Approx.) It is recommended to book your return bus after 9.00 PM.