The Hampta Pass trek (or Hamta pass trek) is basically a four-day-long trek from near Manali. The trek can be started either from Prini village or Jobra which are approachable by road. The trek offers magnificent view of Kullu valley, snowcapped mountain peaks, water streams, herbs, wild flowers, wildlife, caves, glaciers and lake. The trail passes through thick forest of pine, cedar, fir, oak, chestnut and deodar and ends at treeless Spiti valley. Trekkers cross the 4268m high Hamta pass. Camping near fast-flowing freshwater streams gives amazing feel, making the trek unforgettable.
One get to see many high mountain peaks including Deo Tibba and Indrasan. The lower region is frequented by shepherds. Sethan is the last village on Hampta Pass trek route. The small hamlet is resided by Khampa people who do farming for livelihood. They are very cheering and tourist-friendly. Most of them are into tourism for livelihood. Recently in January 2017, two youth of the locality introduced the first igloo (house of snow) of the country that can be used by tourists to spend a night and experience the feel of being in Antarctica or Siberia.
A local legend is that Hampta pass is a path to heaven or hell. All, after death, have to come to Hamta. The people claim to have listened strange voices coming from this place. Locals say if the voice is that of a crying person, this indicates he/she is going to hell and if sound is of trumpets then the person is going to heaven. The Hamta area remained virgin since century until recent when a hydel power project built a road till lower region and Himachal government opened the road for tourism purpose in 2016. Majority of area is still accessible only through trekking.
Brief Introduction of Hampta Pass
With abundance of snow, greenery and scenic views, Hamta pass, the traditional meadows of the low lying settlements, is one of the most beautiful places of Himachal where everyone wants to be once in the lifetime. At an altitude of 14,000ft, about 1,000ft higher than Rohtang pass, Hamta is gateway to Spiti valley. Efforts to develop Hamta as a tourist destination had stated long back. A private hydel project that constructed a road till halfway from Prini, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s village, made it easy for government to open it for tourists. Lower regions of Hampta Pass was opened for tourists in 2016 but number of vehicles was limited to 200 every day. However, so far there is no cap on the number of trekkers for Hampta Pass Trek.
Hampta Pass or Hamta Pass?
Actually it is Hamta Pass, not Hampta Pass. Locally we call it Hamta Jot. Hamta is traditional pasture (grazing land) of the locals from Prini, Aleo, Sethan and nearby villages. The locals not only have the grazing rights but also have other legal rights on the forests like the collection of the firewood from dried/rotten trees, collection of dry leaves and fodder. The Prini (Manali) to Chhatru (Spiti) trekking route was initially discovered by the local shepherds. Then others also started using the trail. Local guides used to take foreigners for climbing and trekking to Spiti region by this route. Hamta Pass trek route, due to is beauty and geographical diversity, became popular among the trekkers in a short time. Many trekkers then started pronouncing it wrongly as Hampta pass (हाम्पटा पास) instead of Hamta pass (हामटा पास). Non-local people started writing it Hampta in their travelogues, Vlogs, itineraries, and even in news. The wrong name of the place has become so famous today that if you type Hamta Pass Trek in Google Search, it will suggest and show results for Hampta Pass Trek.
Hampta Pass Trek Highlights
- Duration: 4 Nights and 5 days
- Maximum Altitude: 4268m
- Trek Grade: Moderate
- Road transportation: Jeep
- Accommodation type: Camping
- Meal: All meals in trekking
- Best time to visit: Mid-June to September
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Manali | ||||||||
| ACTIVITY LEVEL | |||||||||
| TECHNICAL ASPECT | Non-technical Trek | ||||||||
| WEAR and GEARS | Check the complete list of Mountaineering Equipment Checklist here | ||||||||
| WHAT YOU SEE |
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| YOU DONT SEE |
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Brief Itinerary of Hampta Pass Trek:-
OPTION: 01
Day 01: Manali Arrival and Acclimatization
Day 02: Manali to Pandu Ropa (2800m) 6 Hrs
Day 03: Pandu Ropa – Chhika – Jwara (3200m) 5/6 hrs trek
Day 04: Jwara – Balu Ghera – Hamta Pass (4268m) – Shiya Gohru (4000m) 7 Hrs. Trek
Day 05: Shiya Gohru – Chhatru (3100m) – Rohtang Pass( 3978 mtrs ) – Manali (2050 mtrs ) drive
OPTION: 02 (Hampta Pass Trek With Chandertal Lake)
Day 01: Manali Arrival and Acclimatization
Day 02: Manali to Pandu Ropa (2800m) 6 Hrs
Day 03: Pandu Ropa – Chhika – Jwara (3200m) 5/6 hrs trek
Day 04: Jwara – Balu Ghera – Hamta Pass (4268m) – Shiya Gohru (4000m) 7 Hrs. Trek
Day 05: Shiya Gohru – Chhatru (3100m) – Chandertal Lake (4300m)
Day 06: Chandertal Lake – Manali
Hampta Pass Trek Detailed Itinerary
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Day 01: Manali Arrival (2050m)
After arrival in Manali, check-in to hotel. Today free day for acclimatization. You can visit Hidimba Devi Temple, Hot water springs and Ram Mandir at Vashisht, Buddhist monastery, Club House and Mall Road. Overnight in hotel.
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Day 02: Manali to Pandu Ropa (2800m) 6 hrs Trek
Post breakfast, we shall move to Prini village, 3km from Manali, the starting point of trek to Hamta. After climbing for about 3 hours, we shall reach Hamta and Sethan village. Visit the temple in the village and continue trekking through the forest. The campsite of Panduropa is beautiful.
Legend is that the Pandavas (in Mahabharta Kaal) had cultivated paddy here. Ropa in Kullu language means paddy field. Pandu Ropa stands for Pandava’s paddy field. Overnight in camps.
Day 03: Pandu Ropa – Chhika – Jwara (3200m) 5/6 hrs trek
Continue the trek through thickly forested area with abundance of wild flowers that give a feel of advancing towards heaven. Keep following the trail and we shall reach Chhika. Then we shall cross Hamta nullah (stream) by a wooden bridge. We shall cross another wooden bridge after few minutes’ trek. Chhikka is surrounded by amazing landscapes and towering rocky mountains. Today we shall camp at Jwara. Overnight in camps.
Day 04: Jwara – Balu Ghera – Hamta Pass (4268m) – Shiya Gohru (4000m) 7 Hrs. Trek
A gradual climb takes you to the scenic landscapes with snowcapped peaks overlooking. We shall now reach Balu ka Gera (Bhalu Gera) which means den of bear. The region is frequented by Himalayan bears. Balu ka Gera is well known for wild flowers, rocks and caves. Following trail for few more minutes takes you to Hamta pass which mostly dons snow cover. From Hamta pass you will get fantastic view of Inder Kila, Deo Tibba (6001m) and Indrasan (6220m) peaks. Hampta pass is a gateway to Spiti valley. As you cross Hamta pass, you enter the Spiti valley. Walk down to the campsite by the banks of snow-fed stream. Overnight stay in a camp.
Day 05: Shiya Gohru – Chhatru (3100m) – Rohtang Pass( 3978 mtrs ) – Manali (2050 mtrs ) drive
Its a easy walk from Shiya Gorhu to Chhatru. Chhatru is a small stopover for vehicles moving on Manali-Kaza (Spiti) road. Jeeps will be waiting for us here. Board the jeeps and we shall drive back to Manali via Rohtang pass. Unforgettable trip ends here.
OPTION: 02
Day 05: Chhatru to Chandertal Lake (4300m)
After starting form Shia Gohru, we shall reach Chhatru and board the jeep and start road trip to beautiful Chandertal lake (or Chandra Taal) via Batal. The lake is at an altitude of 4,300 metres (14,100ft). Lake is about 1.5km long and 500m wide). Overnight in camps near lake.
Day 06: Chandertal Lake to Manali
Today after breakfast, we shall drive back to Manali via Rohtang pass.
Included in Hampta Pass Trek Package
All the required trekking equipment
Stay in hotels/guest houses/camps
Tents/toilet tent/kitchen tent/dining tent
Sleeping bag, mattress
Certified trekking guide, cook and helper
Breakfast/lunch/dinner during the trekking
Porter or Pony as per requirement
First aid kit
Taxi/jeep for transport (Manali to Manali)
Innerline permits
GST
No hidden charges
Exlusions:
Stay in Manali (or anywhere) other than trekking days (hotel/guest house can be booked on request)
Any meal other than trekking time
Insurance
Airfare/rail/bus charges
Unexpected expenses as a result of bad weather/landslides/road blockades etc
Expenses of personal nature like shopping, tip, donation or anything not mentioned under the head “Inclusions”
Cost
Cost available on request.
(We assure you of the minimum possible cost)
Things to Carry:
Remember that you can face extreme weather conditions (rain, snow, extreme cold, direct sunlight) on the mountains, so your preparations should be accordingly. We have a saying on mountains: “Those who carry extra survive extra”
- – Rain coat/poncho, warm jacket, fleece, sweater
- –3/4 pair of cotton socks, innerwear and thermal wear
- – Trekkig shoes, slippers, gloves, hat/cap, trekking pants/trousers
- – Backpack with waterproof cover
- – Water bottle
- – Sunglasses/goggle, sunscreen lotion, lip balm
- – Your toothbrush/paste, soaps, oil, cream, etc (toiletries)
- – Your prescribed medicines (if any)
- – A copy of your identity card
- – Camera with extra batteries (if any) (Please note generally you will find no power source to charge while on trekking/climbing)
- – Mobile phone with power bank (optional)
- – A torch (optional)
- – Mosquito/insect repellent (optional)
Tour Reviews
Once in a lifetime experience we had. Amazing trek, amazing view, amazing nature and amazing people. The trek was organized for a group of 9 of us in September. Everything was managed perfectly. The guide, cook, helper, all were amazing people. The meal was yummy. Looking forward to more treks with discover kulu manali
Sab badhiya arrange kita si
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