Hampta Pass Trek
Period of Operation : 15th June to September/ October.
Rating : Moderate.
Duration : 06 Days .
This is one of the most delightful treks in the Manali region, affording views of lush green valleys, towering snow-clad mountains and barren hills with surrealistic forms and shapes. It's an excellent option for the trekker who is reasonably fit. Leaving the Manali valley, the trek proceeds through forests of walnut, oak and the occasional alder. Once atop the Hampta Pass (4270m), another spectacular panorama of peaks appears.
Hamta Pass Trek takes us over the majestic foothills of the Himalaya, the Pir Pangal Range, crossing at Hamta Pass (4,268 m) to reach remote Lahaul. An isolated district of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul lies amongst the Himalaya peaks. This was traditional alternative route between Lahaul and Kullu Valley before the road was made over Rohtang Pass.
This is a moderate trek of five days that begins from close to Manali in the Kullu Valley and ends in Lahaul and the Chandra Valley. The trek is also possible in the Monsoons when the wild flowers are in bloom and can be best appreciated. The inhabitants of Lahaul are Buddhists and follow the Dalai Lama. The language spoken is a dialect of Tibetan. This beautiful trek can be combined with other treks that finish in Ladakh or Spiti or be combined with a Rafting trip on the Chandra River..
Day 01 : MANALI / PRINI / BHUJDHAR Trek time : 6 hours
Transfer by road from Manali to Prini. The trek starts from Prini roadhead (6400 ft.) passing enroute the village of Prini and the temple of Lord Jumla (regarded as the most powerful God in this valley of 200 Gods). Beyond the temple, the trek climbs steeply up to the summer village of Satan. Leaving the village, the trek leads through a thick fir & spruce forest and ends at the alpine meadow of Bhujdhar (11000 ft.). Night halt in camp.
Day 02 : BHUJDHAR / JUARA Trek time : 6 hours
The initial trek follows the river valley leading to the Hampta pass. The route is level. A little beyond the camp, the Jobri Nala stream which starts from the famous Deo Tibba peak is encountered. Afterwards the valley opens into the wide meadow of Chikkha (10,000 ft.). From Chikkha the valley narrows and climbs to the higher valley of the Hampta stream. From here one reached the Juara campsite (11,800 ft.) after a gradual ascent.
Day 03 : JUARIA / BASE OF HAMPTA PASS Trek time : 5 hours
The trek ascends gradually along the Hampta stream and leads to the base of the pass (13,200 ft.) with breathtaking hanging glaciers are enjoyed. Night halt in Hampta pass base.
Day 04 : BASE OF HAMPTA PASS / GARU Trek time : 5 hours
An early starts brings us to the Hampta pass is steep. However, we are rewarded with fantastic views of the Mulkila Range of a clear day. Peaks well over (20,000 ft.) and the beautiful peaks of Indrasan (21,000 ft.) and Deo Tibba (20,100 ft.) can be seen. Crossing the pass, we leave the green valley of the Gods and enter the moonscape valley of Lahaul. The descent from the pass steep and tricky. Along the northern Hampta stream, we cross screw and glacial boulders before reaching our camp site at (12,200 ft.).
Day 05 : GARU / CHHATRU Trek time : 2.30
A short descent takes takes us to the confluence of the Hampta stream and the River Chandra. Following the river down stream, one reaches the roadhead of Chatru (10,900 ft.). hours. The transfer by road back to Manali takes 7 hours crossing the Rohtang Pass. (13,600 ft.).
Day 06 : CHHATRU / MANALI
Drive by Jeep to Manali, a drive of 7 hours over Rohtang pass (4200 Mts.).
