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    • Himachal Pradesh

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    • Trekking

    Days

    • 4
    • 5
    • 6

    Price range

    • ₹ 5500 - ₹ 14500

    Trips Done

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  • The Hampta Pass trek is one of the best treks in the Himalayas. At 14,100 feet, the pass connects the Kullu Valley to the Spiti Valley, winding across the Pir Panjal Range, in the foothills of the Himalayas. You’ll get to see the green valleys of Kullu and Manali before moving into the more arid, desolate landscape of Spiti. The showstopper; however, is the visit to the turquoise Chandratal Lake.

    There are many reasons that make this one of the best loved treks in the Himalayas. It is a moderately difficult trek that includes the thrill of being able to scale a pretty high mountain pass, but is easy enough that beginners are able to tackle the challenges of the trail. Find out more in our blog post Five Reasons You’ll Love the Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake trek.

    Explore Hampta Pass trek and visit Chandratal Lake

    The Hampta trek starts from Kullu, near Manali. You will trek through green valleys, tread through mixed forests of spruce, pine, maple and oak, with birds chirping. You will spot shaggy sheep dogs and goats dotting the lush meadows. You'll also see a colourful abundance of wildflowers depending on the season.

    As the Hampta trek progresses, the ground changes underfoot as you progress through the days. From lush green meadows, you will move into the strikingly bare landscape of the Lahaul region. Lahaul is known for its pristine beauty and if luck finds you, you'll be walking on snow on the Pass day.

    One of the highlights of the trek is Chandratal or moon lake - one of the finest high-altitude alpine lakes in the country. Your Chandratal lake trek will end on a high note at a gorgeous campsite that is a short trek away from the lake.

    Apart from the heavenly sight of the Chandratal lake, the trek offers incredible views of glacial valleys, thick pine forests, open meadows, adrenaline pumping waterways, the fjords at Balu ka Gera and an adventurous crossing of the high-altitude pass. When you come back home, you’re going to have a hard time deciding which part of this trek you loved best!

    Hampta Pass weather: When to visit Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake

    The Hampta Pass experiences cool weather throughout the year and the best season to visit is May to September. There are some campsites on the Hampta Pass trek that are cold and windy, but your operator will ensure that you are equipped with good quality tents and sleeping bags. Dress in warm layers and remember to keep your hands, head and feet warm, cover your ears and your neck.

    Want to know about more adventures in Himachal Pradesh. Read our blog about The Top Adventures in Himachal Pradesh.

    Hampta Pass Trek Summary

    • State: Himachal Pradesh
    • Nearest city: Manali
    • Total days: 5-6 days
    • Grade: Easy to moderate
    • Max altitude: 14,100 ftt
    • Total trekking distance: 24-26 km
    • Season: All year round
    • Avg temperature: 13 to 18 degrees Celsius in the day and can go below 0 degree Celsius in the night

  • Hampta Pass and Chandratal Trek – 5 days

    Sketch itinerary:

    Day 1: Manali to Chikha – Green meadows, nice breeze, hot chai and tents at 9,800 feet.

    • Start point: Manali
    • End point: Chikha
    • Day start time: 10:00 AM
    • Trekking distance: 4 km
    • Trekking time: 2 hrs

    Day 2: Chikha to Balu Ka Ghera – Breathtaking views of the valley and river.

    • Start point: Chikha
    • End point: Balu ka Ghera
    • Day start time: 07:00 AM
    • Trekking distance: 10 km
    • Trekking time: 6 hours

    Day 3: Hampta Pass Day – Reach Hampta pass and revel in its beauty.

    • Start point: Balu ka Ghera
    • End point: Balu ka Ghera
    • Day start time: 05:30 AM
    • Trekking distance: 10 km
    • Trekking time: 8 hrs

    Day 4: Trek to Chatru and visit Chandratal – Admire the river and glaciers.

    • Start point: Balu ka Ghera
    • End point: Chatru
    • Day start time: 05:30 AM
    • Trekking distance: 2 km
    • Trekking time: 4 hrs

    Day 5: Return to Manali – soothe your eyelids, take more pictures.

    • Start point: Chatru
    • End point: Manali
    • Day start time: 05:30 AM
    Detailed itinerary:

    Day 1: Manali to Chikha – Green meadows, nice breeze, hot chai and tents at 9,800 feet.

    You need to reach your pick up point at Manali before 10:00 hours where you will be driven to Jobra at 9800 ft, in private vehicles. You will begin your trek at this altitude and today will be a relatively trek. Shortly after your trek begins, you will be witness to beautiful views of sparkling streams against vast lush green meadows. You'll trek through this picturesque backdrop and reach to your first campsite at Chikha. Overnight in tents.

    Day 2: Chikha to Balu Ka Ghera – Breathtaking views of the valley and river.

    Today you start on the Jwara trail which goes through a lovely sheltered valley. The path trails alongside a river making it a surreal trek surrounded by scenic beauty. With a gradual descent and a relatively easy trek, you will reach an altitude of almost 11,000 ft. You will reach your next campsite at Balu ka Gera by afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring the beauty of the landscape. You will be camping here at Balu ka Gera in tents tonight.

    Day 3: Hampta Pass Day – Reach Hampta pass and revel in its beauty.

    Ensure you start early today with a hearty breakfast as you will be taking the challenging trail to reach the Hampta Pass today. You begin again walking beside the river and the trek gets steeper as you approach the pass. The final stretch is tough and challenging and more thrilling if there is snow as well. With some effort and navigation skills, you will finally make it to the pass.

    Spend some time here and relish this feeling of a small victory for reaching some of the most beautiful heights of the Himalayas. Make sure to capture the stunning views from here and spend a few moments absorbing the magic of the mountains. Soon you will begin your descent back to your campsite at Balu ka Gera. End your day sharing your experience of the Pass day and turn into your tents for the night. Rest well.

    Day 4: Trek to Chatru and visit Chandratal – Admire the river and glaciers.

    You will start your return journey today towards Chatru. It is a mix of easy and challenging sections that will take you past the Chandra river, few arduous glaciers that need a bit of manoeuvring, and of course, unending views of the pristine beauty. After an exciting 4 hour trek, you will reach Chatru.

    Depending on the weather and road conditions, you may board vehicles to be driven to Chandratal. Spend some time to relish this beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by barren hills. A beautiful sight to behold indeed. You will return to your campsite at Chatru for the night in tents.

    Day 5: Return to Manali – soothe your eyelids, take more pictures.

    Today you will take the scenic drive back to Manali. Keep your cameras loaded and ready as the drive itself is breathtaking. Once you reach Manali, your trip ends here. You are free to explore further on your own or return to your base city.

    Inclusions:

    You will be provided accommodation in triple or quadruple sharing tents during the trek. All camping equipment will be provided such as sleeping bags and mats, common dry toilet tents, cooking equipment etc. All meals during the trek will be provided to you. Experienced and professional guides, porters or mules for camping equipment will be provided.

    All camping fees, permits, forest entry as required are included. All necessary safety equipment will be provided. All applicable taxes are inclusive in the package costs.

    Exclusions:

    Porters for personal luggage will not be included but can be arranged at an extra cost. Meals during road journey are not included. Airfare or transportation to Manali from your base city and travel insurance are not included.

    Any expenses towards medical or other emergencies or unforeseen handling costs due to weather disturbances, landslides, political unrest etc. will be additional. Personal expenses towards tips, telephone calls, laundry, beverages etc. are not included. Anything not mentioned in the inclusions will be additional.

    Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake Trek – 6 days

  • Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake trek Photos

    • A high altitude campsite surrounded by tall green mountains

      Book the Hampta Pass trek

    • A green valley with a river gushing through it

      Sign up for the thirlling Hampta Pass trek

    • A snowy peak shrouded in clouds

      Explore the majestic mountains and the Chandratal Lake with the Hampta Pass trek

    • A blue-green lake surrounded by rocky hills

      Sign up now for the mesmerising Hampta Pass trek

    • A trekker sits in awe of the sweeping valleys and unending mountains ahead of him

      Book your Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake trek today

  • Best time to go/Weather

    The Hampta Pass experiences cool weather throughout the year and the best season to visit is between May to September. There are some campsites on the Hampta Pass trek that are cold and windy; however, your operator will ensure that you are equipped with good quality tents and sleeping bags. Dress in warm layers and remember to keep your hands, head and feet warm.

  • Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake trek - Route Map / Altitude Map

    • See the trekking route map for the Hampta Pass trek

      Check the trekking route map for the Hampta Pass trek in Himachal

    • See the altitude map for the Hampta Pass trek

      Check maximum and minimum altitudes for every day of the Hampta Pass trek in Himachal Pradesh

  • Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake trek - Frequently Asked Questions

    Is the Hampta Pass trek difficult?

    The Hampta Pass trek is suitable for fit beginners. It is not too hard, but there are some stretches that can be quite challenging, especially the steep slopes as you get to the Pass. However, if you’re fit and active, you’ll be able to manage this trek.

    When is the best time to go for the Hampta Pass trek? The best season for the Hampta Pass trek is from May to September, when the trail is green and lovely in Himachal, and stark and dramatic in Spiti.

    Can I camp next to Chandratal Lake?

    What should I carry for the Hampta Pass trek?

  • Reviews

    • Rated : 4

      27-03-2020

      First of all thanks to Venkat from the TGN team for helping me out in planning the Hampta pass trek. In the end I got a customized date, best price possible with GIO adventures. The entire trek was very well organized and also very good in terms of facilities. Was very impressed by the food too. Hopefully the TGN team would help me in my future travels too. Big thanks and cheers !

    • Rated : 5

      27-03-2020

      Been there in hampta pass and guess what these guys even briefed about the extra snack bar i had to carry...I called them up multiple times sometime even at midnight and always they were a helping hand trust me guys they have made my first experience of trekking the best one !

  • Getting There

    Manali is one of the most popular adventure and tourist destinations in India. Hence, it has grown to have excellent connectivity to the major cities of India. You can reach Manali either by flight or by road. However, since Manali does not have its own railway station due to the mountainous location, you cannot reach there by train.

    Of the two ways, flying to Manali is the most convenient if your base city is far away from Delhi. The closest airport to Manali is the Bhuntar Airport, located 50 km from Manali. The airport is connected to Delhi and Chandigarh by daily flights and to other major cities like Mumbai and Bangalore, etc. by regular flights. But due to erratic weather, there can be flight delays. From the airport, you can either take a cab or a local bus to reach Manali.

    Reaching Manali via road is thrilling and fun as you get to cross winding roads through mountains and lush forests. Manali is connected to most major cities and towns of North India by a rich network of highways. You can either take a private cab or a state/privately run buses. You can even drive your own car or motorbike if you enjoy driving. The Himachal State Transport buses are excellent and economical way to travel.

    What To Wear

    Trekking in the Himalayas calls for prudent choices in terms of apparel and gear. While we all itch for that selfie atop a snow-capped peak, it should not come in the way of basic safety guidelines. Here are some must-haves that you simply can’t ignore:

    T-shirts, trekking pants, windproof jacket (preferably with a hood), warm and thick fleece, full-sleeves woollen sweater, thermal inner wear (upper and lower), woollen cap, woollen gloves, woollen and regular socks, scarf/muffler (optional), comfortable trekking/hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole are recommended) or comfortable sports shoes with good grip, raincoat/poncho.

    For holidays in the hills, it’s best to avoid certain favourites that we use back home as part of our urban lifestyle, such as:Expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trek, heavy luggage, hard suitcases etc.

    What To Carry

    Other than your smartphone and your enthusiasm, there are certain things you need to carry without a shadow of doubt. These are basic essentials that can’t be skipped and are best not shared. So, here’s the list you need to cover:

    Carry a daypack or a small bag to keep your essentials, a small lightweight towel made of quick dry material, sustainable water bottle and a leak-proof lunch box along with a set of plate, spoon and a mug. Protect yourself and carry a sunscreen lotion, lip balm, sunglasses, cap, walking stick or trekking pole and a pair of lightweight sandals/floaters.

    Do carry a torch / flashlight (with extra batteries) and please do not forget to carry your personal medicines, toiletries and definitely ensure you carry your camera with fully charged batteries and a couple of extra ones as you will not get to recharge any electronics during the trek in the mountains.

    Preparation/Fitness

    This is an easy to moderate trek with some stretches that have steep climbs and challenging terrain. In case of snow, the difficulty increases. However, even beginners can do this trek with a decent level of fitness regime prior to the trek.

    You must be able to walk at least 7 to 8 km at a stretch and carry 15kg on your back. You should be able to climb over gradual terrain for long distances and steep inclines for at least 15 min. You must have a decent level of agility to navigate some tricky downhill portions over rocky and slippery terrain.

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