Hampta Pass with Chandrataal - Group Departures 2024

Hampta pass - A stunning crossover trek from Manali to Spiti

The Chandrataal over Hampta pass trek offers that peek into the 2-sides of the Himachal. Starting from the lush green of Kullu valley to the barrenness of Spiti. This trek is a good initiation into high altitude trekking in Himachal Pradesh. 

Highlights

• Trek to the high altitude Hampta Pass and crossover to enter the Spiti region.
• A Trans-Himalayan trek to the beautiful Chandrataal - The moon lake.
• Visit Kunzum La in the Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh.
• All inclusive price: No hassle of paying on multiple occasions during the trek.
• Verified information: All inclusions and details are verified by Trodly team.

Detailed overview

Perched at an altitude of 4270 meters on the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas, Hampta pass is a small corridor between Lahaul's Chandra Valley and Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. 

On the other hand, one beauty of a lake which goes by the name of Chandrataal is situated in the Spiti part of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

The route covered during this trek will be Manali - Pirni - Chikka - Hampta Pass - Chattru - Kunzum La - Chandrataal - Rohtang Pass - Manali.

Itinerary

Day 1: Report in Manali by 8:00 am, Meet the team at Pirni and Trek to Chikka | 3530 meters | 40 min Drive | 3-4 Hours Trek

• You will have to reach Manali and meet the team at Pirni which is about 2 km from Manali.
• You will be meeting other trekkers and team here.
• Post which you will be driven to the trek starting point Jobri, after a briefing session with the trek leader.
• In the spirit of trekking, your host will wait for the whole group to come in before the trek starts, that said, drive to Jobri will start latest by 09:00 am.
• The trekking trail alternates from thick forests and open grounds till Chikka.
• You will be crossing a few glacial streams over improvised wood bridges.
• After 3-4 hrs into the trek, we'll be greeted by the beautifully forested peaks, visible form Chikka.
• From here you also get an excellent view of Deo Tibba and Indrasan group of peaks.
• You'll be in Chikka by lunchtime. Your camping site for the night will be in Chikka.

Day 2: Trek from Chikka to Balu Ka Gera | 3530 meters | 4-5 Hours Trek

• On the second day, you will be trekking from Chikka to Balu Ka Gera.
• The trail leads to alpine meadows, full of interesting flora. After crossing stream at Juara, the glacial features of the surrounding mountains can be seen along the way.
• Bhalu ka Ghera (Bear’s circle), in its literal sense, is a place where brown bears are said to hibernate during winters. A beautiful camping spot and it is here that we will set up our camps for the night.  

Day 3: Trek from Balu Ka Gera to Hampta Pass (4298 meters) and Shea Goru | 7 Hours Trek

• On the third day after a hearty breakfast, you’ll start the day early by climbing up for about 2 km up to the Hampta pass, while walking on the snowfields. It is now time to get shutter happy with your camera.
• The final ridge is a little steep to climb and when snowbound you will have to cut steps in the ice up the pass.
• The view from here is jaw-dropping. The peaks of the Kulti valley and of the Chandrabhaga group can be witnessed.
• From the top of the pass, you can see the majestic Mt. Deo Tibba (6001m), Indrasan (6221m) and the mighty Greater Himalayan and Pir Panjal Range.
• A short descent leads to the camping site at Shiya Goru (also written as Shea Goru). You will camp in a beautiful meadow by the stream.

Day 4: Trek from Shea Goru to Chattru to Batal to Kunzum La (4590 meters) and back to Chandrataal | 3-4 Hours Trek

• Today’s trek begins with crossing a small stream and a walk following the valley stream down to the mighty Chandra river.
• The descent to the river is a bit steep and follows a long ridge.
• Once in the valley, you will rejoin the road which crosses the bridge across the river to Chatru.
• However gentle the river appears, do not try to cross the river alone, always use the bridge.
• Arriving by the side of Manali-Spiti road at Chattru, you will stop here for tea and lunch break.
• After the lunch, you will be driven to visit Chandratal via Chhota Dhara (3517 m) and Batal.
• There are lovely views of the “Chhota Shigri” (small glacier) and “Bara Shigri” (big glacier) along with several high peaks of Lahaul.
• Once you have arrived in Batal, the onward journey can be very windy as the valley opens up here.
• The road climbs steeply around many bends to Kunzum La in the east. This road leads to Spiti valley.
• There is a new footpath leading from Kunzum La that descends to Chandrataal, however, the more direct approach is the road from Batal, going into the Chandra valley in the north.
• You will be driven along the left bank river Chandra after crossing a bridge near Batal. The trail continues for about 14 km to the scenic campsite at the bank of Chandrataal, from here you can see the panoramic view of the Chandra-Bhaga (CB) range.
• You will be camping overnight at Chandrataal lake.

Day 5: Trek from Chandrataal to Batal to Chatru and then be Driven from Rohtang Pass to Marhi and back to  Manali | 7-8 Hours Drive

• The emerald coloured expanse of the Chandrataal lake is breathtaking. Spend the morning at leisure by the lake. Situated in a bowl and in a beautiful crescent shape, it offers a view of many peaks.
• The massive Samundri Tapu glacier joins the valley from the west. It is linked with some major peaks and the Mulkila group at its head.
• As all adventures come to an end to make way for new ones, we drive back to Manali via Chatru, Rohtang Pass (3980 m) and Marhi.
• For the adventurous few who want to spike the adventure, even more, there is the option of boarding the much sought after Himachal Tourism bus back to Manali.  That is what I did and it was great fun. Rohtang Pass offers a splendid view of the Lahaul Valley.
• You will then head on to Manali by 9 am or even earlier and reach anytime between 4 pm to 6 pm depending on weather, road and traffic conditions.
• The trek ends here and those leaving the same day will be dropped in Manali to continue your journey back to Delhi.

Day 6: (Optional): 

• Guests who would like to extend their vacation and chill or enjoy other adventure activities with us are welcome to do so at minimum additional cost.