Hampta Pass TREK
Hampta Pass in Himachal Pradesh falls under those rare, dramatic pass crossings in the Himalayas. On one side is the lush green valley of Kullu — with forests, grasslands, and flowers blooming on the side of your trail. On the other is the almost arid, stark landscape of Lahaul, with barren mountains and almost no vegetation. Standing on the top of the pass, what’s ahead and behind are two different worlds. It changes in a matter of minutes.
Simply put, the Hampta Pass is Himachal’s Valley of Flowers. The landscape is strikingly similar to that of Valley of Flowers – a green narrow valley protected by snow-covered mountains – but there’s a bonus here. When you get onto the other side of the Hampta Pass, you’ll be in awe looking at the stark contrast from what you just left behind. The landscape that stretches in front of you is Spiti Valley, known for its barren stretches, rugged terrain and forget-me-not blue skies.
TREK highlights
Region
Uttarakhand
Difficulty Level
Easy-Moderate
Altitude
11,700 Ft.
Time Duration
9 Days
Trekking Distance
52 kms
why you should choose Hampta Pass Trek
Elevation of the Trek
Hampta Pass is one of those heavenly treks that take you to a staggering altitude of 14,010 feet. For a relatively short trek that can be completed in just 5 days, gaining such an astounding height is quite an achievement.
Dynamic landscapes
Hampta Valley has a funnel-like narrow terrain enriched with a diverse ecosystem, which is a visual treat to your senses. The most incredible twists in the scenery leave you spellbound. The trek journeys over cascading waterfalls, fast-flowing rivers, hanging glaciers and interesting terrain. From dense forests at Chika giving way to wildflower meadows to desert oasis and lush green valleys of Kullu leading to perpendicular overhang featuring the deserts of Lahaul below and the surrounding mountains at a distance; the rapidly changing landscapes make Hampta Pass one of the most dramatic crossover treks.
Exquisite flora and fauna
You are treated to a unique variety of exotic mountain flowers and wildflowers all through the trek. Myriad hues of wildflowers in red, white, blue, yellow, pink, orange and lavender scattered across the expansive terrain make for a picture straight out of a storybook. These beautiful flowers embellish the landscape, the mighty rocks standing against the backdrop of delicate flowers make for a unique sight. Dwarf rhododendrons lining the meandering forest trails cast a pretty reddish-pink hue on the landscape.
A beautiful crossover trek
Crossing the Hampta Pass is a hair raising experience. You trek on loose rocks known as scree and on glacier deposits, also known as moraines. As you move ahead, moraines gradually disappear and everything gets covered in a white blanket of snow. The trek to Hampta Pass traverses through steady ascents of moderate and steep slopes, a trekking trail along the mountain stream brings you across two plateaus and two ridges. Just as you cross the second ridge, the climb to Hampta pass goes through a vertical trail and is a bit challenging. As you are nearing the Hampta Pass, a thick sheath of snow forms a bridge over the mountain stream. Crossing this snow bridge requires careful negotiation to avoid falling into the stream flowing underneath. This adrenaline-packed experience is the most electrifying element of the whole trek. The beauty of Hampta Pass beats away all the en-route fatigue. Grandiose Indrasen (The Throne of Rain God), Deo Tibba (The God’s Abode) and several sky-high snow-clad peaks stare at you from a distance.
Rohtang Valley
One of the radiant gems of the Hampta Pass Trek is the visit to Rohtang Valley. It is the grand finale of this splendid trek. This high altitude pass connects Kullu Valley to Lahaul and Spiti Valley. One of the hotspots with Bollywood directors, Rohtang Pass has witnessed shootings of “Jab We Met”, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” and many more Bollywood blockbusters. The sheer magnitude of Rohtang’s raw charm, big gigantic mountains standing tall against the azure blue skies, massive Himalayan peaks rising into the horizon and magnificence of the sprawling landscapes, leaves you spellbound.
Who Can GO For Hampta pass TREK
- First timer can apply, should have some interest in trekking and mountaineering.
- The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 45 minutes without a stress.
- The climber should be able to carry a 10 kg backpack.
- Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have the conditions mentioned above.
How to reach
The Dehradun Railway station is one of the main stations in the City and it is an old station. It has good connectivity to many places and these include Lucknow, Delhi, and Howrah. Tickets from Delhi to Dehradun by train cost around Rs.350 for a second class sleeper ticket and Rs.890 for a third A/C sleeper ticket. It is essential to book the tickets at least one month in advance as this route is always in demand.
By Train:-
From Delhi take the DDN SHTABDI SPL (02017) Dep. New Delhi at 06:45am. Arrival Dehradun at 12:55pm. or the Uttar KOTA DDN SPL (02401) Dep. NZM at 11:45pm arrival Dehradun at 05:40 am (Overnight Journey).
By Bus:-
Regular buses fly from ISBT Delhi Anand Vihar/Kashmiri Gate station to Dehradun. Buses drop you at ISBT bus station.Tata Sumo or similar vehicles will pick-up you from Dehradun Isbt and Railway
Brief Itenary
Day 1: Manali drive to Jobara and trek to Chikka | 10,100 Ft| trek 30 Kms approx 2.5 Hrs.
Day 2: Chikka to Balu ka Ghera | 11,900 feet | by trek 7 Kms approx 5 Hrs.
Day 3: Balu ka Ghera – Sheagoru (12,900ft) via Hampta Pass (14,100ft) (7kms/ 8hrs).
Day 4: Sheagoru to Chatru and Drive to Chandratal and back to Chatru.
Day 5: Jeep Ride Chatru to Manali.
Detailed Itenary
Manali drive to Jobara and trek to Chikka | 10,100 Ft| trek 30 Kms approx 2.5 Hrs.
Get to Shuru Homestay by 10.30 AM. Start for Jobra immediately after lunch (2 hours drive). The cab fare is Rs 3,000 per vehicle. This is not included in the trek fee. It is to be shared by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Trek to Jobra campsite (30-minute trek).
Chikka to Balu ka Ghera | 11,900 feet | by trek 7 Kms approx 5 Hrs.
Easy-moderate. Easy walk to Chika for about an hour followed by 2 hours of ascent through a boulder section. Descent for 1-1.15 hours easing off into a level walk.
Balu ka Ghera – Sheagoru (12,900ft) via Hampta Pass (14,100ft) (7kms/ 8hrs).
Moderate. Short meadow walk followed by boulder section for a couple of hours, leading to a trail on loose rocks all the way. Very gradual incline through the day. Moderate. An hour of gradual ascent after which the trail becomes steep uphill till the pass, interspersed with short descents 2 hours of steep descent from the pass, easing off into a flat walk.
Sheagoru to Chatru and Drive to Chandratal and back to Chatru.
Moderate. 2-2.5 hours of walking on moraine and lose rocks on gentle inclines, followed by a descent to Chhatru across a couple of glacial flows.
Jeep Ride Chatru to Manali.
5 hours drive. The transport cost from Chattru to Manali will be Rs 6,500 per vehicle.
Optional: Visit Chandratal and then return to Manali. 9-10 hour drive. If you choose to visit Chandratal Lake, the transport cost would be Rs 9,500 per vehicle.
Important things to carry for trekking
Basic Essentials
An identity card – Original and Photocopies (MANDATORY)
Back Pack & Rain Cover (50-60 liter)
Day Pack & Rain Cover (20-30 liter, If you hire mule or porter)
1 ltr of pet water bottle or hydration pack
Floaters or Sandals, Trekking Shoes (waterproof are better during snow and rain)
LED Torch/Headlamp (With extra batteries)
Poncho, Rain Coat or Umbrella any one is must (Poncho are lightweight, easy to carry/fit)
Torch with pair of batteries
Clothing & other Essentials
2 Pairs of Quick Dry Tees and Track Pants (Denim are not recommended for treks.)
1 pair of T-shirts (half and full sleeve)
3 Pair of Cotton Socks, 2 pairs of woolen socks
2 Full Sleeve Sweater or Fleece Jacket
Thermal Wear – 1 pair (you can keep two if going on the long trek)
Gore Tex type similar hard shell for rain or snow & to be worn over mid layers like fleece or down jackets.
One down feather Jacket
Sun Cap, One Scarf, Light towel, Gloves (1 woolen, 1 waterproof)
Woolen cap or Balaclava that covers the ear (protection from cold waves), Dark UV Sunglasses
Carry a few plastic bags in case your clothes get wet.
Eatables – Quick Energy During Trek
Glucose, Chocolates, biscuits, Energy bars, Toffees and Dry fruits & nuts.
INCLUSIONS
1.Accommodation. (Guest house, Camping)
2.Meals while on trek (Veg)
3.Trek equipment (Sleeping bag, mattress, Kitchen & dinning tent, crampon, utensils, tent)
4.All necessary permits and entry fees.
5.First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.
6.Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.
EXCLUSIONS
1.Any kind of personal expenses.
2. Food during the transit.
3. Insurance.
4. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
5. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head
F.A.Q.
For Hampta Pass Trek
Simply select “Contact Us” offered by us from navigation menu and mail us about your Trek Details according to your preferences and make online payment by Debit Card/ Credit Card or Net Banking.
You have to provide a photo identification, medical health certificate and a scan copy of confirmation of payment made.
Yes, you can cancel the booking due to any reason. But you have to give us a written declaration for cancelling the package.