About the Trek
Hampta pass lies at the altitude of 4270mtr (14,010 ft) on the Pir Panjal Range of Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh. The trek starts from Jobdi Nala and ends at Chhatru, offering unobstructed views of the Hanging Glacier, vertical rock wall, tiny lakes, waterfalls, & streams. The treks begin from lush green Kullu Valley and end in the beautiful desert of Spiti Valley. This thrilling crossover makes this trek a special one. You can see two totally different worlds while standing on the top of the pass. Best Season - This Trek runs from June to September, but the best season to go for Hampta pass trek is from mid-June to September barring monsoon time. In the starting month of June, it may happen that the roads to Chandrataal Lake might not be open. Getting to visit the crescent moon shaped lake, shining the sky across its surface is an unforgettable experience and should not be missed. Otherwise, you can do the Hampta pass trek anyways during this period.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 5-day journey from Manali.
- Pickup from Manali by 10 AM
- 2 hours drive from Manali to Jobra (9,800 ft)
- 2 hours trek from Jobra to Chika (10,800ft)
- Meals – Lunch & Dinner
- Stay – Camping at Jobra
- While driving from Manali to Jobra, treat your eyes to the lush green beauty of Kullu Valley & Chandra Valley
- Trek from Jobra to Chika takes you through rich Pine & Maple forests to stunning meadows. Enjoy the panoramic view of Dhuladhar range in the background with Rhododendrons coloring the landscape in front
- Trails runs alongside the Rani river with snow-capped mountain peaks hovering over
- Trek is moderate with gradual incline but the last stretch is covered with big rocks, take caution here to avoid injury
- Balu Ka Gera literally means bed of sand, it is formed by the sand and dust brought by the river. We will camp here
- Take rest and enjoy the Sunset behind Hanuman Tibba Peak
- Important Day as we will be crossing the Hampta Pass today
- Start early as the weather can be unpredictable and it’s good to have advantage of the time while crossing the pass
- Water stream are rare in today’s trail, so it’s advisable to carry two filled water bottles
- Today’s trek is a steep ascent till Hampta Pass followed by a steep descent to Shea Goru with last stretch easing off into a flat walk
- Trek uphill at a steady pace and take short breaks to avoid fatigue. Be more careful while making a descent
- As you cross the Hampta Pass, you will land in Lahul Region with very contrasting scenery
- Shea Goru means Cold Street and it is the coldest campsite of the trek
- Trek – 7 Km for 4-5 hours
- Drive - 70 Kms for 3 hours
- Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Stay – Camping at Chhatru
- Today’s trek is a difficult descent as most of it is on the moraine, be extra cautious of slippery soil and follow the instructions of your trek leader & guide
- Reach Chhatru by afternoon
- If roads are open, we will take a short drive to visit Chandartal Lake, the iconic Moon Lake of Spiti Valley. The drive is rugged, bumpy and uncomfortable. Keep yourself hydrated to avoid AMS
- Meals – Breakfast
- Stay – Not included
- Last & the most exciting day of the trek
- Leaving behind the beautiful desert of Spiti Valley, we will start driving back to Manali via Rohtang Pass
- Start early to avoid the traffic jam at Rohtang Pass as it’s a busy route
- We will reach Manali by 6 PM and you can plan your further departure from thereon
What's Included
- Transportation as mentioned in the itinerary above.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary above.
- Accommodation - Hotel/Homestay/Tents on triple sharing.
- All necessary entry fees and permits.
- Professional trek Leader, guide, cook and Support staff
- Camping Equipment - Sleeping bags / Blankets / Mats etc (accessories required inside tents), Toilet Tents.
- Safety Equipment - Medical kit, Oximeter, Crampons & Gaiters (as & when required)
- A Life-Changing Experience
What's Not Included
- Meals during Road Journey
- Any kind of insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage. However can be arranged at the extra cost.
- Any expense towards medical emergencies, evacuation charges etc. However, best possible assistance will be provided in case of exigencies.
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense of personal nature
Things to Carry
Essentials
- Backpack (50–60 L) with rain cover
- Day pack (20 L)
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Headlamp / torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles (2 L)
- Personal medication
Clothing
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom)
- Fleece / down jacket
- Waterproof outer shell
- Woollen cap, gloves, neck gaiter
- Trekking pants × 2
- Quick-dry t-shirts × 3
Documents
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / DL)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Medical fitness certificate
Optional
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Power bank
- Energy bars / dry fruits
How to Prepare
This is an Easy grade trek. If you can walk 5 km comfortably and have a basic level of fitness, you're good to go. A little preparation will make the experience much more enjoyable.
Fitness — Start 2–3 Weeks Before
- Walk daily: 3–4 km brisk walk, gradually increasing to 5 km
- Jog: Aim to jog 2–3 km without stopping by departure week
- Stairs: Climb 5–6 floors daily — builds the legs you'll need on inclines
- Stretching: 10 minutes post-walk — calves, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors
Strength (3x per week)
- Bodyweight squats — 3 sets of 15
- Lunges — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Planks — hold 45 seconds, 3 sets
- Calf raises — 3 sets of 20
Diet & Hydration
- Drink 3–4 litres of water daily starting 2 weeks before the trek
- Increase carbs and protein in the final week — your body needs fuel reserves
- Avoid alcohol for at least 3 days before departure
- Carry electrolyte sachets (ORS) for the trail
Good to Know
- Most easy treks stay below 3,500 m — altitude sickness is rare but stay hydrated
- Rental trekking shoes and jackets are usually available — but own shoes are always better
- Break in your shoes at least a week before the trek if they're new
- Your trek leader will brief you on Day 1 — ask every question you have
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Difficulty depends on the trek — please check the difficulty rating above. Our trek leaders brief you in detail before departure and help you build up gradually on the trail.
Refer to the upcoming departure dates on the right — those are the months we operate this trek. Weather is most stable in the listed batch dates.
You should be able to walk 5 km comfortably and jog 4 km in under 30 minutes. Start preparing at least a month before your trek with cardio and basic leg strength work.
Network is patchy beyond the base village. Embrace the digital detox — we provide walkie-talkies and emergency comms with the trek leader.