This guide is about the Hampta Pass Trek — dates, price, day-by-day itinerary and booking are on the trek page.
Quick answer: Hampta Pass is a 5-day, Moderate crossing from Manali that climbs to 4,298 m (14,100 ft) on the Pir Panjal range, from the green Kullu valley into the barren Lahaul valley, with a drive to Chandratal lake. It covers 26.5 km of trekking and runs from June to September. Trekkaro's price is ₹9,000 + 5% GST (₹9,450), Manali to Manali.
Few treks change as completely in a single day as Hampta Pass. You walk two days through forest, meadow and river crossings on the Kullu side, cross a high pass, and step into a cold desert of rock and moraine on the Lahaul side. This guide covers the route, the best month, the day-by-day plan, difficulty, cost, gear and how to reach Manali, with links to detailed articles where you need them.
Hampta Pass trek at a glance
| Detail | Hampta Pass trek |
|---|---|
| Highest point | Hampta Pass, 4,298 m / 14,100 ft |
| Duration | 5 days, Manali to Manali |
| Trekking distance | 26.5 km over 4 days |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Region | Kullu and Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh |
| Season | June to September |
| Minimum age | 11 years (under 18 with a parent or guardian) |
| Trekkaro price | ₹9,000 + 5% GST = ₹9,450, including transport from and back to Manali |
| Group size | Maximum 20 trekkers, 1 leader or guide for every 8 |
Why is it called Hampta Pass?
The pass takes its name from Hampta, a small settlement in the upper Kullu valley where the Hampta stream branches off. Shepherds and Gaddi herders used this route to move flocks between Kullu and the high pastures of Lahaul long before trekkers came, and you may still meet flocks on the trail in early summer.
The Pir Panjal range here is also a climate boundary. Monsoon clouds soak the Kullu side from July to September and then stop at the ridge, so the Lahaul side gets a small fraction of the rain. That is why the two sides of the pass look like two different countries.
What makes the Hampta Pass trek special?
- Two landscapes in one day. Green meadows and waterfalls on the way up, grey moraine and bare mountains on the way down.
- A real pass crossing. You climb to 4,298 m and see the Lahaul side only when you stand on top.
- Varied campsites. Chika by the river, Balu Ka Ghera in a wide valley of snowfields and boulders, Shea Goru below the pass on the dry side.
- Chandratal at the end. On Day 4 the group drives to Chandratal, the crescent-shaped "moon lake", and back.
- Short and well connected. Five days from Manali, with the drives to and from the trail included.
When is the best time for the Hampta Pass trek?
Trekkaro runs Hampta Pass from June to September; the pass is snowbound from mid-October until late May or June. Each month has a different character.
| Period | Day | Night at camp | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| June to mid-July | 8°C to 18°C | 0°C to -4°C | Snow bridges and snowfields near the pass, cold nights |
| Mid-July to mid-August | 12°C to 22°C | 2°C to 6°C | Greenest meadows and wildflowers, rain on the Kullu side |
| Mid-August to September | 10°C to 20°C | 0°C to 4°C | Clearer skies, fewer people, colder nights in late September |
For snow on the pass, go in June. For flowers and the fullest green, go from mid-July to mid-August, and expect rain and full rivers. For clear views and quieter campsites, choose late August or September. The weather changes fast around the Pir Panjal, so check the Kullu forecast from the India Meteorological Department's Shimla centre before you leave.
Hampta Pass trek itinerary (5 days)
Day 1: Manali to Jobra (2,990 m / 9,800 ft), trek to Chika (3,170 m / 10,400 ft)
Report at Manali Bus Stand at 10:00 AM. The group drives 23 km (about 45 minutes) up a winding mountain road to Jobra, then walks 2 km (1 to 2 hours) through forest and meadow to the riverside camp at Chika. An easy first day to help your body adjust.
Day 2: Chika to Balu Ka Ghera (3,720 m / 12,200 ft)
8.5 km, about 6 hours. The trail follows the Hampta river up a widening valley, with stream crossings and patches of snow early in the season. Balu Ka Ghera, "home of sand", is a wide camp with the pass ridge ahead.
Day 3: Balu Ka Ghera to Shea Goru (3,600 m / 11,800 ft) via Hampta Pass (4,298 m / 14,100 ft)
10 km, 7 to 8 hours, the longest and hardest day. You leave around 5:30 AM, climb through snowfields to the pass, then descend a steep slope of loose scree and snow into the Lahaul side to camp at Shea Goru.
Day 4: Shea Goru to Chhatru (3,320 m / 10,900 ft), drive to Chandratal and back
6 km, 3 to 4 hours of trekking down to Chhatru on the Chandra river, then about 60 km by road (2 hours each way) to Chandratal. From the road it is a walk of about 2 km to the lake. Night at Chhatru. Chandratal access depends on the road being open.
Day 5: Chhatru to Manali (2,040 m / 6,700 ft) via Atal Tunnel
About 65 km and 3 to 4 hours by road, reaching Manali by late morning or early afternoon. Book onward buses for after 4:00 PM.
How difficult is the Hampta Pass trek?
Hampta Pass is graded Moderate. Days 1 and 4 are easy, Day 2 is a steady climb, and Day 3 is a long day with about 580 m of ascent to the pass and a steep descent on loose scree and snow. You need to be comfortable walking up to 8 hours in a day. Training for six weeks with jogging, stair climbs and loaded-backpack walks is the right preparation.
Altitude matters more here than on most beginner treks, because you sleep at 3,720 m before the pass day. The team checks oxygen saturation and pulse every day and carries oxygen and a stretcher. Read the Ladakh Tourism high-altitude health advisory so you can recognise the early signs, and tell your trek leader about any symptom early. Stream crossings on Day 2 can be knee-deep in June and early July; the team guides every crossing.
What does the Hampta Pass trek cost?
Trekkaro's Hampta Pass trek costs ₹9,000 per person + 5% GST = ₹9,450, Manali to Manali. The trek page shows EMI from ₹463 a month.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Trek fee (camping, meals, permits, transport from Manali and back, trek team) | ₹9,000 + 5% GST = ₹9,450 |
| Backpack offloading (optional, up to 9 kg) | ₹2,500 + GST = ₹2,625 |
| Single tent (optional) | ₹2,000 + GST = ₹2,100 |
| Travel to and from Manali | Your own, not included |
The fee includes four nights of camping (three trekkers to a tent), meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 5 breakfast, forest permits and the Chandratal entry fee, sleeping bags rated to -20°C and mats, the drives Manali to Jobra, Chhatru to Chandratal and back, and Chhatru to Manali, and a certified trek leader with guides, cooks and mules. Cancellation: 70% refund 30 days or more before departure and 50% between 15 and 29 days; at 8 to 14 days there is no cash refund, but you can take a 100% TrekCash voucher valid for one year, a free reschedule or a transfer to another trekker. Any of these can also replace a cash refund at any point up to 8 days before departure. At 7 days or less, or a no-show, there is no refund. See the Hampta Pass weather by month | Hampta Pass trek cost breakdown for details.
What gear does Trekkaro provide?
Hampta Pass comes with free microspikes and gaiters, which matter on the snowfields near the pass, especially in June and early July. Trekkaro also provides tents, sleeping bags rated to -20°C and mats at every camp.
You bring your own trekking shoes with good grip, a warm jacket, trekking poles, a rain jacket and pack cover (essential in July and August), thermal inners, a fleece, warm cap and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, a headlamp and a water bottle. Quick-drying trousers and an extra pair of socks help with the river crossings.
How do you reach Manali?
Most trekkers take an overnight Volvo bus from Delhi or Chandigarh to Manali; be in Manali by 9:00 AM on Day 1 for the 10:00 AM reporting at Manali Bus Stand. The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu), about 50 km and 1.5 to 2 hours from Manali, with limited, weather-dependent flights. There is no railway station in Manali; Chandigarh, about 300 km away, is the main railhead. If you arrive on Day 1 morning, keep the day bag light and eat well on the drive to Jobra.
Five things to know before you go
- Arrive the day before if you can. A night in Manali (2,040 m) helps you acclimatise and removes the risk of a late bus.
- Carry cash. Manali has the last ATM; cards do not work on the trail.
- Expect no network after Manali. There is little or no signal from Chika until you return.
- Pack for rain and snow on the same trek. The Kullu side is wet in monsoon; the pass can be cold and windy.
- Chandratal depends on the road. If landslides or snow close the road, the team will change the plan for safety.
See Hampta Pass dates and book | Hampta Pass weather by month | Hampta Pass trek cost | First Himalayan trek guide | Kashmir Great Lakes guide
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Hampta Pass trek take?
The Hampta Pass trek takes 5 days from Manali to Manali, with 26.5 km of trekking over four days. The pass crossing is on Day 3 and the Chandratal visit on Day 4.
What is the best time for the Hampta Pass trek?
June to September. Go in June for snow on the pass, mid-July to mid-August for green meadows and flowers, and late August or September for clearer skies and fewer people.
Is the Hampta Pass trek suitable for beginners?
Fit beginners can do it with six weeks of training. It is graded Moderate because the pass day is 7 to 8 hours with snow and a steep descent, and the minimum age is 11.
How high is Hampta Pass?
Hampta Pass is at 4,298 m (14,100 ft) on the Pir Panjal range. The highest camp, Balu Ka Ghera, is at 3,720 m (12,200 ft).
Is Chandratal included in the Hampta Pass trek?
Yes. On Day 4 the group drives from Chhatru to Chandratal and back, and the entry fee is included. The visit depends on the road to Chandratal being open.
Do I need my own trekking shoes for Hampta Pass?
Yes. On this trek you bring your own trekking shoes, jacket and poles; Trekkaro provides free microspikes and gaiters, plus tents, sleeping bags and mats.
How much does the Hampta Pass trek cost with Trekkaro?
₹9,000 + 5% GST, which is ₹9,450 per person, Manali to Manali, including the drives from Manali to the trail, to Chandratal and back to Manali. Offloading is ₹2,500 + GST if you want it.
