Hampta Pass - Chandratal Lake Trek

Region – Kullu and Spiti Valley

  Total Duration – 4 Nights / 5 Days

  Grade – Moderately difficult

  Maximum Altitude – 4227 m/ 14600 ft

  Best Season – Mid June to October

  Accommodation – Hotel/Guesthouse; Organized Campsite

  Food – On trek – All meals included

  Distance – 50 KM

Hampta Pass Chandratal Lake Trek

Hampta is the eastern – most pass on the Pir Panjal range which divides the valleys of Lahoul, Spiti and Kullu. This trek route is the shortest line between the Chandra and Beas rivers and was the favored route before the road over the Rohtang Pass was constructed. Hampta Chandra Taal trek is surrounded by magnificent Himalayan peaks, Deo Tibba, Indra Asan, and Indra Kila. Hampta pass is a popular destination for trekkers & campers accessible on foot from Sethan about 5 days. This is one of the most beautiful and feasible trek for all trekkers, Leads through the meadow of flowers, pine forest, oak and Rhodo, Over the Hampta pass 4200 mtrs to arid and dry Chandra valley as Compare to Kullu Valley. First reach Manali, drive to Prini. Trek starts through Prini village, ascending to Jobdi nala via taxi offers extensive view of the Kullu valley. Easy walk of two hour to the campsite just after the road head. The trail begins by flat from Jobri nala to Chhika walking through the forest of Mapple, Silver Fir, Pine and Oak, paved by the grass and stone and fields of the wild flowers. One can have à cup of tea in a small teahouse on the way, which will refresh you. a gentle ascending walk of an hour ends at the first days camp site- Chikka(3500m.). A pleasant meadow between high bluffs, just above the tree line: common to see a couple of gujjar encampments there. Stay at beautiful campsite in Chhika. As we start on the following day, after an hour once have to cross the river than hiking through zigzag uphill on snow and moraines brings you to the Balu ka Ghera camp site after full day trek. Balu ka ghera offers magnificent evening and twilight views that one cannot forget .High altitude valley often have great lights in the evening and mornings. Next day the trail begins to ascend towards the mighty Hampta pass from Balu ka Ghera to Shea Goru camp. As we go higher to 4000m.the oxygen level starts to decrease and weather can cause any situation. The trail is steep incline till the pass on ice, snow, along glacial lakes and rocky valley. After the incline and passing over the Hampta pass, one can enjoy the view of magnificent Himalayan peaks, Deo Tibba, Indra Asan, Indra Kila. The view of the north – Lahoul and Spiti is Amazing.2000 feet straight below is the Hampta stream, emerging from the Hampta glacier to the east and flowing north wards to the Chandra valley. Descent is initially very steep, but then it is a lovely walk of about three hours on the alpine grasslands on right bank of Hampta to the Chandra River.  In between descending down one can have snow slides alongside on the route. As we arrive at Shea Goru landscape is quite different and desolate. Shea gohru is located aside of a river and has very cold temperature with strong winds which makes this place coldest campsite of the whole trek. The trail from Shea Goru to Chhatru (3360m) descends towards the left bank of the river and have to cross it once. Soon the Chandra River and distant valley of Lahul/ Spiti come in to view. After 5 hours of descending to river bank slopes down from the high cliffs all around Chhatru, is an ideal location for the end of the day. Have some rest at Chhatru and drive to Chandratal Lake if time allows or In the morning after breakfast drive to Chandratal Lake. Take magnificent scenery of the lake surrounded by bald peaks vast meadows on the banks of the lake, is a perfect site to explore and hang around. Drive back to Chhatru. Drive to Manali through Chandra valley over Rohtang pass (4050 m.) the  gateway between Lahul/ Spiti and Kullu “valley of the Gods” Descending by snake-curved road through the pasture of wild flowers and forest of silver Oak, Fir, Popular and waterfalls will accompany till Manali. 
 

How To Reach Manali

Distance by road:-

Manali is well connected to Delhi. Take an overnight bus from Delhi and you will reach Manali in 12 ‐ 14 hours(approx 540 KMS). Tickets can be booked online at www.redbus.in or www.hrtc.gov.in Tip : Since Delhi Manali is a long journey most Volvo private buses leave Delhi between 5 pm and 6 pm. The last govt bus leaves at 8.30 pm from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Volvo buses charge between Rs.1,000 to 1,400 per sector from Delhi to Manali and vice versa. Manali to Delhi: Like the onward journey, buses leave from Manali to Delhi between 4 and 5 p.m. Your tentative arrival at Delhi may be anywhere between 6 a.m and 10 a.m. Plan your onward journeys only post noon giving enough buffer for bus delay.

Nearest Railway Station:-

Nearest Railway station is Ambala (350 kms) and Chandigarh (310 kms). Tip: Regular Volvo and Buses are available from Chandigarh to Manali in the evening. Volvo buses charge between Rs.800 to Rs.1,200 per sector from Chandigarh to Manali and vice versa.

Nearest Airport :-

Nearest Airport is Bhuntar is 60 Kms. ​Bhuntar, which is 52 km away from Manali, is the nearest airport. Taxi services are available from Bhuntar to Manali, which costs about Rs.1000‐ Rs.2,000. Bhuntar is well connected to Delhi by air. The airliners that take you to this Airport are Indian Airlines, Kingfisher airlines, MDLR Airlines and Jagson Airlines, operating flights from Delhi and Chandigarh to Kullu.

Things To Carry:-

• Trekking Shoes: You need good trekking shoes with good grip & ankle support. Do not carry sport shoes.
• Clothing: You need to have warm clothes with three-layer jackets, fleece or down feather jacket. Carry 1 or 2 full sleeves t-shirt. For lowers carry cotton pants suitable for trek. Do no carry jeans or shorts for trekking.
• Thermals: Carry top and bottom thermals.
• Socks: Carry 2 - 3 pair of sports socks along with woolen socks to be worn at night.
• Headlamp/Led Torch are mandatory
• Sunglasses: To protect from sunlight in snow you require UV rays protected sunglasses
• Woolen Cap and Gloves are also necessary as the climate will be cold. Carry waterproof gloves as they get wet in snow.
• Lunchbox & Water bottle: Every participant should carry lunch box and water bottle of their own.
• Raincoat/Ponchos: At high altitudes, snowfall and rain are quite common and it’s mandatory to carry a poncho so that one doesn’t get wet.
• Mandatory Documents:
  a)Registration Form
  b)Medical Certificate (signed by a registered MBBS doctor)
  c)NOC form (by trekker)