Overview
Hampta Pass is one of the Himalayas' most striking crossover treks — five days that walk you from the pine forests of the Kullu valley, over a 14,100 ft notch in the ridge, and down into the brown, wind-scoured desert of Lahaul-Spiti. A drive out to Chandratal Lake closes the loop.
- Cross a 14,100 ft pass in a single day
- Two landscapes in one trek: lush Kullu → arid Lahaul-Spiti
- Camp at Balu Ka Ghera below Indrasan and Deo Tibba
- Side trip to the turquoise Chandratal Lake
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Manali → Jobra → Chika (10,100 ft)
10 km / 2 hour drive to Jobra, then a 2 km / 2 hour trek along the Rani Nallah to camp at Chika.
- 2
Chika → Balu Ka Ghera (11,900 ft)
8 km / 5–6 hour trek through rocky banks and meadows, crossing the Hampta river to camp beneath glaciers.
- 3
Balu Ka Ghera → Hampta Pass (14,100 ft) → Shea Goru (12,900 ft)
14 km / 8–9 hours. Steep ascent to the pass, panoramic views, then a snow-and-scree descent into Shea Goru.
- 4
Shea Goru → Chatru (11,000 ft) → Chandratal → Chatru
8 km / 4–5 hour trek to Chatru via river crossings, then a 70 km / 3–4 hour round-trip drive to Chandratal Lake. Camp at Chatru.
- 5
Chatru → Manali
85 km / 5–6 hour scenic drive back to Manali through the Atal Tunnel.
Elevation profile
Peaks at 14,100 ftIndicative profile — actual daily gain depends on weather and acclimatization pace.
What's included
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 5
- Accommodation in tents (twin-share) or homestay
- Forest and camping permits
- Group transfers in Tempo Traveller / Bolero as per itinerary
- Trek leader, cook, helpers and mules for common luggage
- Safety and hiking equipment (tents, sleeping bags, mats)
- All currently applicable taxes including 5% GST
Not included
- Meals during road journeys
- Travel or medical insurance of any kind
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, medical)
- Carriage of personal luggage during the trek
- Private individual transfer costs
- Bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Anything not listed in the inclusions
How to reach Manali
Your base for this trek. Common pickup on Day 1 morning; drop-off on the last day evening.
- Airport — Bhuntar (KUU)
- Railhead — Chandigarh (CDG)
- Road — 10 hr / 310 km from Chandigarh. Shared Tempo Traveller included in the trek price.
Things to carry
The honest list — 8 kg on your back is plenty for this trek. Layers still matter — nights drop below 5 °C.
- Ankle-length waterproof trekking boots (worn in)
- Down or synthetic jacket rated to −10 °C
- Waterproof-breathable shell jacket
- Two full sets of thermal base layers
- Three pairs of merino or synthetic socks
- Insulated + liner gloves, wool cap, sun cap
- Category 3 UV sunglasses (Category 4 on snow above 4,000 m)
- One-litre insulated flask + one reusable water bottle
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Personal medication + basic strip (paracetamol, ORS, band-aids)
- Government photo ID (original)
- · Tents, sleeping bags and mats rated to trek altitude
- · Micro-spikes and gaiters on snow sections
- · Full medical kit with pulse oximeter and portable oxygen
Trekker reviews
Questions about Hampta Pass
The ones our trek leads get asked most.
- Yes — you cross from the green Kullu valley to the arid Lahaul side over a 14,100 ft pass in a single day. The landscape shift is the trek's signature.