Hampta Pass Trek

• The group will assemble at the pick-up point by 11:00 AM where a briefing session by the trek leader sharing all the necessary details about the trek would be provided. After which, we’ll head towards Jobra which is the base camp for the Hampta Pass trek and is located at an altitude of 9,379 ft.
• The drive from Manali though has many hairpins bends in the road making up for a scenic drive due to the panoramic view of Kullu Valley that you get to glimpse.
• Traversing through thick forests consisting of pine, maple, and silver birch trees, we will reach Jobra. After relaxing for a while, we’ll start our trek toward Chika. The sight that you get to witness while trekking is serene and refreshing. From lush green forests consisting of maple, oak, and deodar trees to the stream of Rani Nallah flowing through meadows, the landscape that the trekking trail provides is breathtaking, to say the least.
• We will set up camp in Chika. With its vast tapestry of greenery and open skies above, it is perfect for spending peaceful moments.
• Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Chika.

Note: The pick-up point would be Manali Mall Road (tentative). If you arrive in Manali, one day before, it would help your body adapt better to the altitude and weather.

• After early morning breakfast, we will head towards Balu Ka Ghera. Balu translates to sand and the trail lives up to the name as the short meadow walk soon gives way to boulders and loose rocks making this part of the trek fall into the moderate category.
• The beauty of this trek is that you get to witness the magic of nature in the form of beautiful landscapes. On one hand, you get the flowing Jwara river seemingly following your footsteps, while the mighty Dhauladhar ranges beckon you closer. A stream of a waterfall would be waiting amidst the green canopies.
• The terrain starts to flatten as you reach the initial region of Balu ka Ghera which is known as Chota Balu ka Ghera. As you keep walking, the terrain will start to get rugged again with the rocks being far apart making it tricky to traverse through.
• We will reach Balu Ka Ghera soon where we will set camp among the mountains beyond which the Hampta pass awaits us. In the evening, we will have dinner and spend a night under the starry skies.

• After breakfast, we will head towards our next campsite which is Sia Goru. The entire trail is made up of boulders and hence the descent is trickier which is why we need to be careful.
• En route, we will be traversing through Hampta Pass which is a beautiful trail with a river flowing through it. Blooming flowers of different colors and rainbow are perched at the bank making it a sight to behold. You will also get to see the Deo Tibba peak beckoning you closer.
• After enjoying the view at Hampta Pass, we will start our descent. The downhill trail consists of slippery soil and loose stones. A trail with twists and turns will lead you to the valley below and after walking for a while, you will finally reach the base. The opening that reveals itself leads you to Sia Goru where we will set camp for the night and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
• Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Sia Goru.

• After early morning breakfast we will start our downhill trek towards Chatru. The vast land lacks vegetation but the tricky slopes give you the adrenaline rush that you might be craving. The descent is tricky so you might have to stay extra vigilant.
• Once we reach Chatru, we’ll drive towards Chandratal which is a beautiful lake located 45 kilometers away from the campsite. However, the drive would only be possible if the weather permits as the harsh weather conditions could be a hindrance.
• After relishing in the beauty of nature and a short sightseeing tour, we’ll head back to Chatru where we will set up base camp.
• Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Chatru

• After early morning tea and breakfast, we will start our return journey and drive from Chatru to Manali. The scenic drive consists of mesmerizing views of majestic mountains with the Chandra river flowing by.  You also get to traverse through the Iconic Atal Tunnel which itself makes the drive extremely rewarding.
• Upon reaching Manali, the group will dissemble and part ways with fond memories.
• End of Tour.

The Hampta Pass Trek begins with a scenic drive from Manali to Jobra, a base camp perched at 9,800 ft. After navigating through a series of 42 hairpin bends, the trek doesn’t commence here but instead takes you on a three-hour hike to Chika, a campsite at 10,100 ft. Along the way, you’ll walk through a forest of tall pine, maple, deodar, and oak trees on a gentle incline. A small bend reveals a lush meadow with patches of rocks and the silver Rani river flowing through the center, offering a refreshing landscape. The day ends with setting up camp in the meadow at Chika.

On the second day, we proceed toward Balu ka Ghera. The trail turns rugged, with boulders and rocky terrain, though still manageable. Alongside the riverbank, Rhododendron and silver birch trees line the path, and the towering Dhauladhar range adds grandeur to the view. You’ll encounter a clear stream waterfall to refill your bottles before continuing. Around midday, we reach Jwara, a breathtaking valley with snow-covered rocks on one side and a winding river on the other. As the tree line vanishes and the path turns rocky, we reach Balu ka Ghera at 11,900 ft, where we camp for the night.

The third day splits the journey in two parts: a steady ascent up a steep slope to Hampta Pass, followed by a steep descent to Sia Goru. Reaching Hampta Pass at 14,100 ft, the journey reaches its highest point. The stunning Deo Tibba peak dominates the horizon, and vibrant spring flowers line the riverside trail, making it an unforgettable experience for nature lovers. Moving past several ridges, a final vertical climb brings us to Hampta Pass. After savoring the views, we descend sharply to Sia Goru, where the valley’s base provides easier, flatter terrain. We settle at the Sia Goru campsite for the night.

On the final day, we descend gently to Chatru at 11,000 ft. As the vegetation fades, we prepare for rugged terrain, marked by rocky mountains and ridges that require careful footing. The path may get slippery, so vigilance is necessary until you reach the Chandra River and cross glaciers to arrive at Chatru. A hub connecting three passes, Chatru is the launching point for a potential drive to the picturesque Chandratal lake, depending on weather conditions.

The trek concludes with a return ride to Manali, a chance to reflect on the breathtaking journey and the personal accomplishments of conquering Hampta Pass.