Last Updated on April 11, 2021
What does the view around you look like at 14039 feet? Has to be scenic, right? Now double that. Imagine two sceneries in place of one. Two different, both equally stunning. That is what you get to see on this magical crossover trek. Just one of the 7 reasons why we just loved the Hampta Pass trek, and you would too!
As you stand atop the summit of the Hampta Pass – a little breathless but a lot elated – you will find yourself looking around with awe.
Behind you is the lush green of the Kullu valley that you covered over the last three days. Ahead, beyond the pass itself, what awaits a short walk ahead is the stark moonscape of the Lahaul valley.
This is what the trekking world calls a crossover trek. We felt it was nothing short of crossover magic.
So put on your trekking gear, pick up your backpack, and let’s explore the 7 reasons why the Hampta Pass trek is a must-do.
Visual overload
All treks are a pleasant attack on your visual senses. But there still are some that get scenic from the very start, stay that way and then some. The Hampta Pass treks falls into that category.
To begin with, the ill effects of the recent over-tourism aside, Manali is a lovely destination. And the farther out of the town itself you venture, it gets prettier and more serene. From Prini village, a bumpy road, filled with switchbacks offering great views at every turn, a jeep ride takes about half an hour to reach Sethan village.
The forest trail from the trek head to Jobra camp
This is where the Hampta Pass trek actually begins with a leisurely hike through the only forest stretch in the entire five days. With maple and pine trees and streams and rivulets, the short walk suddenly opens up into green meadows surrounded by peaks. You are in the Hampta valley and just ahead is the pretty Jobra camp, the first on the trek.
The route ahead till the summit on Day 4 is a delightful one across the valley, with the river on one side and little rivulets from the nallah that needs to be crossed over. The green of the Kullu Valley and the mountains that rise on both sides, the rocky patches and the flowery meadows push you on.
The scenic Jwara camp and the appearance of glaciers off and on, the gorgeous campsite of Balu ka Gera with its river bed and the surreal route ahead just adds to the magic. And then the endless snow clad route replacing the green meadows gets you to the higher reaches till the summit that’s a perfect amphitheatre of tall peaks and a clear view of the route taken so far.
The sudden entry into the stark desertscape of Spiti is a complete contrast (but no less picturesque) to the green of the Kullu valley and the descent is spectacular. The terrific location of the Shea Goru campsite is picture perfect as is the climb down to the Lahaul side and watching the roaring, turbulent waters of the Chandra river.
Of course, what better visual overload can be there to beat the unbelievably beautiful Chandertal lake that is the perfect icing on the Hampta Pass trek cake.
The drama of the pass
Glaciers and snow, rivers and rivulets and streams, peaks both scraggy and majestic, lush carpeted meadows of Kullu and the rugged, rocky terrain of Lahaul. But, the real clincher here is a pass crossing that has not just one vista but two!
So, how would a trek with pass crossing that has these elements look like?
Of course, it’s as scenic as a Himalayan trek can get. But here the pass crossing has an added element of drama. It’s in the crossover magic that happens right there at the very Hampta Pass itself. As you pause with exhilaration and gathering your breath, you look around. Just behind you is the route that is the green valley in the background with the snow covered path in the foreground. In the distance, you spot Nag Tibba that was looking over you as you pushed on. On your right are the rocky outcrops, but that’s not where the drama is. On your left towers a few imposing peaks.
As you stand there at 14039 feet with your fellow trekmates and let the moment sink in, you will soon realise that the Hampta Pass itself is a compelling reason why this trek needs to be done.
The right degree of challenges
The Hampta Pass trek falls somewhere between Easy and Moderate, depending on your fitness levels and trekking experience. That itself makes it an ideal choice for a beginners or even for regular trekkers.
Day 1 and even 2 will not test most trekkers much with the altitude gain moderate even as you get to take in the scenic route. But just when you feel it is all going easy, the river crossing on Day 2 comes up. More on that in Reason no.3.
Day 3 entails some walk on ice but the elevation gain is moderate. It’s Day 4 that challenges you with the summit climb. The ascent is on snow and the incline promises a gruelling walk. Now you are above 4000 mts, so today is when you need to dig in to your reserves of stamina. After the adrenaline rush that the summit offers, brace yourself for the dramatic climb down into the Lahaul valley. To add to the action, there is also a snow slide that, depending on the conditions, can be quite an adventure in itself.
Day 5 is a walk through the rugged, rocky terrains of Lahaul. Again, weather permitting, you could enjoy or brave (depending on how you like it!) the second and tougher river crossing. After an uphill hike and then a steep climb down, you face the large valley ahead with the turbulent river Chandra flowing. A crossing over a makeshift wooden bridge later, brace yourself for a short but tricky glacier that can be quite an experience.
As you see Chhatru just ahead, you know that the Hampta trek is, sadly, over but that you had a great time doing it.
To sum up, the altitude of the starting point of the trek and the daily increase in altitude is just enough for beginners to handle. But, for the seasoned trekker, the challenges thrown by the summit day and the descent is all worth it.
The cherry on the cake is lies ahead after another gruelling challenge – the torturous drive over the bumpy terrain to the gorgeous Chandratal lake. But you know it will be, like the Hampta trek itself, more than worth it.
So, go for it, regardless of your trekking experience. Hampta is a trek that most everyone can do but it definitely not short on challenges.
River crossings
Here is a Hampta highlight, one of our favourite parts of this lovely crossover adventure. There are some other treks that require you to negotiate water and even walk over dodgy wooden bridges across gushing rivers.
The river is a constant in the Hampta Pass trek. From the moment you step on to the trek and enter the maple forest, you sense the presence of flowing water. Every campsite promises you views of the river and our favourite campsite, Balu ka Ghera, is right next to a large river delta.
But in the Hampta Pass trek, you also have to literally wade through the currents. And there is not just one but two challenging crossings. This itself can be quite an exercise for both the leader-guide team and the trekkers themselves.
Taking your shoes and socks and slinging them around your shoulder, rolling up the trousers above knee level, getting a waterproof cover over the backpack and wait your turn.
When it comes, you form a line of about 8 to 10 trekkers, stand sideways and holding the hands of the one before and after you, and get ready to step into the water.
The first step in sends a shiver up your spine. The water is bone chillingly cold but there is no time to worry about that. The current is so strong and the rocks you step on so slippery that
The first of the river crossings is in the stretch early on (Day 2 of our itinerary) between Jobra and Jwara. This one is the, comparatively, easier one. But the thrill of holding hands and negotiating it in a single file makes it worth the effort.
The second river crossing you will encounter is between Shea Goru and Chhatru, on our final day. This one is bigger and supposed to be way more challenging than the first. The river is quite wide here and, if it weren’t covered with ice, it would have made for a really tricky crossing!
Of course, there are multiple sections where you have to negotiate tricky, handle-less wood walkways to cross over raging rivulets. But once you have done an actual river crossing, these are nothing much to unsettle you.
Stunning campsites
Campsites are always a sight for sore feet! Most treks have campsites that are in scenic surroundings but from the treks we have done, Hampta stands out in that every one of the five are stunningly located.
Just after the brief stroll from Sethan village through the forest, there in the meadow stands the pretty Jobra campsite. With mountains on both sides and the Rani Nullah flowing through the valley, it is picture perfect.
The Jwara campsite rests on a carpet of green, surrounded by still more green hills that are framed by rocky overhangs. All in all, with the mist that rolls in by evening, a pretty backdrop.
Balu ka Ghera is the one that looks surreal. Streams and rivulets gushing along your path. Balu ka Ghera at 3600 mts is a riot of white ice and flowers speckled over the green patches. views of the Dauladhar peaks. The campsite itself sits close to the rocky hills on one side of the valley. On the other side of the river are still more green and rocky mountain slopes on the other bank. Straight ahead is the route to the summit, with the river and the ever stretching snow clad path ahead climbing up.
Arguably, the most stunning campsite of them all, Shea Goru nestles in the Lahaul valley, in a moonscape setting, with the river flowing just beside the camp.
Chhatru may be the least pretty among all of Hampta Pass trek campsites. But then, that’s the final one and the overall mood among trekkers is a mix of tiredness, elation and bonding before bidding goodbye to the group. Also, there is the excitement of the bonus drive and visit to Chandratal lake.
Otherwise, the Chhatru campsite can be best described as a small cluster of tents next to the road that winds up to Chandratal. There are a couple of shops next to it, just after an iron bridge to be crossed over.
Enjoyable ascent and descent
Again, all treks have ascents and descents you would remember for various reasons. But the Hampta pass trek has its own pluses on that.
Both the ascent and the descent are equally unique and memorable, given that this is a crossover trek. The ascent all the way up to the Hampta Pass is a scenic route along the Kullu valley, with the challenge levels increasing as you approach the summit. The walk on snow that stretches into the horizon, the views around and the final leg up to the top. As you stand on the summit and look back, you are looking back at the trek route that you just did.
And then, the descent. From a walk in the green meadows and, later, the snow, you realise you just stepped into the portal of another world! Beyond the summit and a short hike, in front of you unfolds the vista of a dry but dramatic landscape that could belong to another planet, bare and barren. The Lahaul valley is all about grey gravel, a rocky outcrop interspersed with ice and the stark beauty around grips you.
A trip to a Moon Lake
And the 7th reason to do Hampta Pass trek is actually a bonus to the earlier six. It’s strictly not part of the Hampta Pass trek, in general. Even with your preferred trekking company and their itinerary, this extension may not be a given as it will depend on weather and road conditions. But it’s one you can easily club with the Hampta trek.
What better way to crown a terrific trek with a scenic (but bumpy!) drive and a celebratory little hike to the magnificent Chandratal. This heavenly lake is the closest that can get to your sighting water on a lunar landscape.
The drama unfolds after a short walk through the stunning desertscape starts revealing the turquoise blue waters of Chandratal framed by arid mountain slopes capped off with snow. The prayer flags that flutter on its banks and the surrounding calm have to be felt to be believed.
At 4300 m, this crescent shaped water body fed by the Chandra river, will mesmerise you and keep you clicking away for those ridiculously pretty shots.
Disclaimer: We travelled with Indiahikes and this was our second trek with them, the first being Sandakphu in 2017. Neither the trek nor this post is sponsored by them. But we don’t have any hesitation in recommending Indiahikes to our readers, given the great experience we have had with them on both our treks with them.
