The Hampta Pass trek is the rare trail that gives you two completely different worlds in one week. You climb out of the green, rain-fed Kullu valley, crest the pass at 14,065 ft, and walk down into the brown, barren emptiness of Lahaul — then finish with a night camped beside the blue crescent of Chandratal. That crossover is why this 6-day itinerary from Manali is our most-booked trek in Himachal.
What is the Hampta Pass trek route?
Day 1 is gentle: a drive up 42 hairpin bends from Manali to Jobra, then a short 2 km walk through maple and birch to camp at Chika by the Rani river. Day 2 takes you boulder-hopping 8 km to Balu-ka-Ghera, the 'bed of the bear', with a couple of icy barefoot stream crossings that everyone complains about and then photographs.
Day 3 is the big one — a steep zig-zag climb to Hampta Pass and a thrilling slide-descent to Shea Goru, roughly 9 hours on your feet. On Day 4 you walk out to Chatru and drive the wild Spiti road to Chandratal for a night under an absurd number of stars. Day 5 is the drive back to Manali through the Atal Tunnel, and Day 6 is a built-in buffer — because the Chandratal road answers to weather, not itineraries.
Which is the best time for the Hampta Pass trek?
June to September. Early season means more snow on the pass and full streams; July and August bring wildflowers on the Kullu side while Lahaul stays dry in its rain shadow; September gives the clearest skies and the sharpest light on Chandratal. The trek does not run outside this window — the pass and the lake road are simply shut.
How difficult is the Hampta Pass trek?
We grade it Moderate. No prior trek is required, but the pass day is long and the altitude is real — you sleep near 12,000 ft and cross above 14,000 ft. Eight weeks of regular walking with a loaded daypack, plus some stair sessions, is honest preparation. River crossings and the descent are managed with ropes and our technical guide.
What is the Hampta Pass trek cost?
The TrekNova price is ₹11,999 + 5% GST per person. The package covers all meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 5 breakfast, alpine tents, sleeping bags and mats including the Chandratal camp, a trek leader plus a technical guide for the pass, ropes and safety gear for the river crossings, forest permits, and transport from Manali to Jobra and from Chatru via Chandratal back to Manali. Backpack offloading and personal expenses are extra.
How do you reach Manali for the trek?
Overnight Volvo buses run daily from Delhi (12–14 hours) and Chandigarh (8–9 hours) to Manali. The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu), 50 km away, though flights are weather-prone — most trekkers take the bus. Reach Manali by early morning on Day 1; we handle everything from there.
Do you need permits for Hampta Pass?
Yes — Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti district permits, including Chandratal camping, are arranged by us and included in the price. Foreign nationals should send passport and visa copies 10 days in advance.
Batches fill fast for July and August. Pick your dates on the Hampta Pass – Chandratal trek page and lock your spot — the moon lake will do the rest.
