Did You Know These Things About Hampta Pass Trek?
Let’s talk about a trekking route related to one of the most popular youth films of Bollywood. It’s Hampta Pass Trek, and the film shot there was Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani.
Do you want to be the next Naina or Bunny? Or are the mountains calling you in your dreams? Let your summer this year be dedicated to the most dramatic Himalayan trekking route.
Between the lush Kull Valley and the arid Lahaul Valley, the Hampta Pass trekking will present all the colors in the spectrum before you. Also, you will be in awe of the mountains, streams, fountains, flowers, and the entrancing Chandra Tal Lake! The deeper you go into the trek, the greater the rewards are up for grabs!
So, pack your bag, and let’s go!
Know The Hampa Pass Trek Route
■ Altitude: 4287 meters
■ Difficulty Grade: Moderate
■ Trekking Duration: 5-6 Days
■ Mountain Range: Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas
■ Best Time To Visit: June to October
■ Starting Point: Jobra Village
■ Where Is Hampta Pass Trek? Hampta Pass Trek is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
Before you gear up for the Hampta Pass Route Trek, you must have an idea about the itinerary and the rewards awaiting.
In the first half of this section, I will discuss the highlights of this route. Further, in the next section, I will present a table with a detailed travel route.
Highlights Of Hampta Pass Trek Route
As you start your journey from Manali and Jobra Village and reach the tranquil Chandra Tal Lake, many rewards wait for you.
Manali
Manali itself is a chosen summer vacation destination in India. The apple orchards, green meadows, and rivers make this place nothing short of paradise on Earth.
Your journey begins when you take a private or shared cab to Jobra Village.
Lahaul Valley
Lahaul Valley, situated in the rain-shadow region of the mountains, has mountains with rocky terrain. It almost looks gothic in contrast to the lush greenery of the Kullu Valley.
Hampta Pass
As you reach the Hampta Pass, here comes your moment to pause and be present in the moment. Behold the panoramic view of the mountains and feel the magnificence of nature.
Chandra Tal Lake
As you reach the Chandra Tal Lake on the final day of your trek, you will feel as light as feathers. A completely rejuvenating experience there will take all your fatigue away.
Chandra Tal Lake is a wonder and sits at a 4,250 m height. The dark blue shade of the water defines tranquility, and it reflects the snow-capped mountain peaks.
Further, as the Sun starts setting, pouring all its red hue across the mountains and the valley, Chandra Tal Lake gets ready for the magical night hours. You can gaze at the stars for hours sitting by the lake and immerse in deep contemplation.
Shea Goru Campsite
The Shea Goru campsite is the complete opposite of the lush green valley of Kullu you have been seeing so far. You must set up your camps here in a narrow valley.
Further, mountains, with their snow-capped peaks, rise sharply on both sides of this camping valley. The experience is humbling.
Know Your Route Well
Here are the tentative details of your Hampta Pass Trek itinerary (5 days).
| Day | Travel Plan | Distance | Duration | Things To See |
| Day 1 | Manali – Jobra Village – Chika | 3 Kilometers | 2 Hours | 1.Kullu Valley 2.Rani Nallah 3.Snow-clad Peaks |
| Day 2 | Chika to Balu Ka Ghera | 8 Kilometers | 5-6 Hours | 1.Rivers 2.Lush Green 3.Meadows Alpine flowers |
| Day 3 | Balu Ka Ghera to Shea Goru through Hampta Pass | 7 Kilometers | 10 Hours | 1.Lahaul Valley 2.Spiti Valley |
| Day 4 | Shea Goru to Chatru; A Drive to Chandra Tal Lake | 7 Kilometers | 4-5 Hours | 1.Chandra Bhaga 2.Mountain Range 3.Chandra Tal Lake |
| Day 5 | Returning Drive from Chandra Tal Lake to Manali | 140 Kilometers | 7-8 Hours | 1.Rohtang Pass 2.Batal Trail |
Throughout these five days, you will experience the majestic and dramatic views of the Himalayas. Cliche, it may sound, but the journey is incredible.
Is The Hampta Pass Trek Route Difficult?
The Hampta pass trekking route is moderately difficult based on the assessment of its gradient, exit points, and type of terrain.
However, like every trekking route, Hampta Pass also throws certain challenges at us. The river crossings, which become furious with a few hours of rainfall, often delay the start of the journey from Jobra Village.
Further, the altitude gets high suddenly, making acclimatization a little difficult for the trekkers. In addition, the rate of acute mountain sickness is quite high on the Hampta trek route due to a lack of emergency exits.
So, despite being a moderate trekking route, Hampta is not suitable for solo trekking, especially if you are a beginner. Let’s learn more about the challenges on the route.
Numerous Tricky Sections In The Trekking Route
In some sections of the Hampta Pass route, especially as the trekking route proceeds toward Lahual, the terrain gets uneven. So, navigating the route can be a little challenging.
■ Dangerous River Crossings
You will have to cross some river crossings and overhangs through the trekking route. These streams are usually passed using ropes and by creating human chains.
■ Sudden Altitude Gain
As you reach Manali to Jobra, you are only at a height of 3000 ft. Remember that you have already made a journey from Chandigarh to Manali or Delhi to Manali. The former takes you around 15 hours by bus, and the latter one will take around 12 hours. So, you are already tired of taking a long route on the bus in the Himalayas.
Now, from Jobra, the real challenge begins, and in the upcoming few days (2 days), you are going to reach around 14000 feet. This sudden altitude gain causes altitude sickness, and in many cases, only medication fails to get rid of the discomfort.
■ Lack Of Emergency Exits
As you go deep into the trek, you will come across places like Balu ka Ghera.
From Balu Ka Ghera to Shea Goru, the only escape route is through trekking to the Chhatru campsite, as there is no road.
So, as you struggle to return, you may experience acute mountain sickness or AMS, making an escape very difficult for you. Therefore, an experienced team or being part of a guided group helps in these situations.
Final Words: Work On Your Physical And Mental Endurance
Despite moderate difficulty level, Hampta Pass Trek is a little demanding. So, you will have to bring your A-game in physical and mental endurance. If you have plans to explore the Hampta trek route, you will have to start making preparations at least one month in advance.
Work on your running skills and ensure that you consistently cover at least 5-7 kms in 30 minutes before you hit the mountains. You also need to take part in boosting your upper body strength, core muscle strength, and leg muscles.
Get in touch with seasoned trekkers or mountaineering training institutes near you to achieve the desired mental and physical endurance.
Having said that, the effort you put into trekking the Hampta Pass is worth it! The enigmatic hills, dramatic landscapes, touch of colors, and interesting terrain ensure the most fulfilling experience. In addition, visiting the Chandra Tal Lake is like connecting to the supreme consciousness, and encouraging introspection.
So, as you say goodbye to the Hampta Pass and take your route back home, you will be an evolved and humble person for sure. Happy trekking!
Hampta Pass Trek FAQs
One of the most popular trekking routes in India, Hampta Pass of Himachal Pradesh, has a moderate difficulty level. So, it is passable for beginners and seasoned trekkers.
The highlight of this trek is the mesmerizing and contrasting scenic views of the Kullu-Manali and Lahaul Valleys. Further, the Chandra Taal Lake across the Lahual and Spiti Valleys promises the most immersive experience to the visitors.
The Hampta Pass trekking route is also known for its wide range of flowers and its unique wildlife.
Hampta Pass Trek is 26 km long. Through the trekking route, you can experience a contrasting view. The green Kullu Valley on one side and the stark Lahaul Valley on the other side make the view more dramatic.
The Hampta Pass Trek package will cost something between INR 8000 and 15000. The cost of your Hampta Pass Trek package will depend on the duration of your stay and from where you are traveling. Also, different travel management companies will have varying tariffs for Indian and foreign travelers.
Your expenses will cover transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, licenses, permits, and guides.
June to October is the best time for the Hampta Pass Trek. During this season, the local shepherds or Gaddis will guide you in exploring the green meadows.
Further, the horse chestnut, deodar, oak, and birch trees will welcome you with their quaint beauty. And you cannot just miss the Alpine flowers spreading across the valley.
Yes, you will get to see snow during the Hampta Pass Trek till July. However, the snow starts melting at the end of July.
For trekking in the Hampa Pass with snow covering, you will need Gators and microspikes to attach to your shoes.
Yes, it rains in Hampta Pass in July and August. The local Rani River becomes furious on those days, making crossing the Jobri Village (the starting point) difficult. However, rain is quite less in the rain-shadow region of Hampta Trek as you proceed toward the Lahaul Valley.
Nevertheless, it’s always unpredictable in the mountains. So, as my dad, a seasoned trekker, used to say, keeping a buffer day and rain gear ready is essential for trekking in Hampta Pass or the Himalayas.
During and immediately after the rainy season (August and September), the meadows become lush green. Further, with flowers covering the valley, you can observe the most dramatic combination of colors.
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