INTRODUCTION:
At a height of 14,000 feet, the Hampta Pass is one of Himachal’s most breathtaking routes, particularly due to its dramatic setting with the lush greenery of Kulllu on one side and the stark, arid terrain of Lahaul on the other. It is as if at the top of the pass the world divides in two, one which is ahead and one left behind.
Hampta pass Trek is Himachal’s Valley of Flowers as it has striking similarity with the one in Uttarakhand. The valley, which is surrounded by mountains covered in snow, is always vibrant with blooms that resemble a protected flower basket. Once you exit the Hampta Pass, the landscape ahead will startle you with how different it is, making you feel as though you have left a fairytale behind. The area in front of you is called Spiti Valley, and it is renowned for its arid expanses, rough terrains, and, of course, the boundless skies. For hikers, traversing the Hampta Pass is exciting as they enjoy the thrill of scrambling up to the pass over numerous ledges, appearing to be close to getting there, but never being quite certain until you arrive.
Itinerary
Day 1
One has to go to Manali. Then, drive to the Jobra Roadhead and hike to Jobra. The trek to Jobra covers 1.5km and covers a distance of 2 hours.
Day 2
Trek 4.50 km from Jobra to Jwara which constitutes an easy walk to Chika followed by a two hour ascent through a boulder section.
Day 3
From Jwara, hike to Balu Ka Ghera. It is a 5km trek and takes 4 hours. An hour-long boulder stretch is followed by a brief meadow stroll that ends with a trail that is entirely made of loose rocks. a daylong very gentle ascent.
Day 4
From Balu ka Ghera trek to Shea Goru via Hampta Pass. You will cover 8km. After an hour of steady elevation, the trail turns steeply uphill till the pass with brief descents. From the pass, it is a two-hour hard downhill before it flattens out.
Day 5
Trek to Shea Goru from Chhatru covering 7km. It consists of a 2-2.5 hours of walking on moraine rocks followed by a descent to Chhatru.
Day 6
Drive to Chandratal Lake from Chhatru and then to Manali. This 9-10 hour drive would let you visit the crescent moon shaped lake and enjoy it’s mesmerizing beauty.
The Best time to visit
From the middle of June to the end of September, visitors can access the Hampta Pass Trek. In our opinion, June is the ideal month to go because there are more flowers blooming, and less rain. Be ready for the rain, though. June lets you enjoy snow as during this time it melts slowly. Manali experiences heavy rain in July and August receives a lot of sunshine. You can see birds in the high woodlands, rivers and waterfalls gushing, pine valleys, and flowers in the meadows that are different colours of yellow, orange, pink, and red. October brings in Manali’s first snowfall. By the middle of October, the climate is unpredictable, the weather changes, and the snowfall gets heavier. Given that the roads will be smaller due to the snow, trekking may become a little more challenging. Additionally, the path will be difficult because the Rohtang Pass will be closed until May owing to snow obstruction.
Why should you take the Hampta Pass trek?
The hiking distance is to be covered in 5 days and is 296 kilometres by cab and 29 km on foot. Through the Rohtang Pass, Manali can be reached from Jabra, Cheeka, Balu ka Gera, Shea Geru, Chatru, and Chandratal. It is a low-altitude mountain climb. Compared to other treks, the beginning trail is straightforward to moderate. Suitable clothing and equipment are required for subzero temperatures. The panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains, pine woods, and many species of flora and wildlife are just a few of the celestial bodies that may be seen in one location while still maintaining true Garhwali culture.
Hampta Pass trek would be a true delight for adventure lovers.
