Hampta Pass weather decides everything about this trek — when it opens, how much snow you'll walk on, and whether the Chandratal road is even drivable. The trekking season runs June to September, but we get questions about every month of the year, so here is the honest, month-by-month picture from a team that has stood on the pass in all of them.
Hampta Pass in May and June: is there snow?
In May the pass is still buried and batches don't run — the season is close, but not open. June is opening month, and yes, there is plenty of snow: long snowfields on the approach from Balu-ka-Ghera and on the crossing itself. Expect daytime temperatures of 12–18°C at the lower camps and nights around 0–4°C, dropping below freezing near the pass. If you want the snow-walk version of Hampta, book June.
Hampta Pass weather in July and August
Peak season. The Kullu side turns lush and gets monsoon showers — pack rain layers — while the Lahaul side and Chandratal sit in rain shadow and stay largely dry. Days run 15–20°C in the valleys, nights 2–7°C at camps and colder at Shea Goru. Snow shrinks to patches near the top, streams run at their fullest, and the wildflowers do their thing.
Hampta Pass in September and October
September is our favourite: the monsoon withdraws, skies turn glassy, and Chandratal is at its bluest. Days are 10–16°C, nights dip to -2 to 3°C, and late September can bring the first fresh snowfall on the pass. By October the trek is closed — nights at altitude fall to -5°C and below, snowfall begins in earnest, and the Chandratal road shuts soon after. If you're eyeing October, take the last September batches instead.
Is Hampta Pass open in November or December?
No. By November the pass is snowbound and by December the entire route above Jobra is deep winter terrain — the crossing does not run, and the Chandratal road is closed until summer. If you want a December trek, look at our winter-friendly trails instead: Triund runs into December, and Prashar Lake becomes a proper snow trek.
Hampta Pass in January, February and March
Deep winter continues — the pass stays shut, with metres of snow on the crossing and avalanche-prone slopes above the Hampta valley. The 'Hampta in March' photos you may have seen are from the valley's lower reaches near Manali, not the pass. The route reopens only when June melts the approach; batches for the new season go live well before that.
What is the Hampta Pass trek budget?
The trek costs ₹11,999 + 5% GST per person, covering meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 5 breakfast, camping gear including the Chandratal camp, trek leader and technical guide, permits, and transport from Manali to Jobra plus the Chatru–Chandratal–Manali legs. Add your Delhi–Manali bus (roughly ₹1,000–2,000 each way) and optional offloading, and a realistic all-in budget is ₹15,000–16,500.
Whichever month you choose between June and September, dates are live on the Hampta Pass – Chandratal trek page — pick your weather and go.
