Hampta Pass Trek | Dream destination of all trekking lovers | Thrillophilia October 2022

 

@Chandratal Lake (Moon Lake)

"We don't stop hiking because we grow old - we grow old because we stop hiking" - Finis Mitch 

Hampta Pass, my third Himalayan trekking destination. It is the crossover corridor between the Chandra valley in Spiti and Kullu valley. Plan behind Hampta was to visit the most important part of trek, Chandratal Lake (Moon Lake), which was missed during our winter trip to Spiti on March, 2022. 

Why Hampta?? Why Hampta is most trekkers dream destination??

This is the one trek, where you will get almost all experience. Starting from high altitude to varieties of landscapes to cold river crossing to experiencing the barren cold desert, extreme dry place. The top point of Hampta lies at an altitude of 14,100ft above sea level.

Felt so lucky to have lived the moment and express my gratitude to nature for creating such wonderful outdoors. Privileged by accompanying with such amazing group, which consisted of people from different culture, different part of India. Here am sharing my experience on this trek, which we completed during 2nd Oct - 6th Oct, 2022.      

@Manali-Jobra-Chika Bypass

Best time for Hampta Pass trek?? 

April-May and September-October is best time to be part of this trek. Not recommending to go during Monsoon especially, mid June-late August due to slippery routes and chances of landslides in this region is high.

Am recommending October, especially the first week. Trekkers can get some snow during this month.

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Trekking Itinerary!! 

Day1: Bangalore-Delhi-Manali

30th Sep, 2022, the journey started from Bangalore. It was two and half hour flight during afternoon time to Delhi. Followed by overnight bus journey to Manali, from Zing bustand RK Puram, Delhi. By 8:00 AM morning, we reached at Manali and checked-in to the hotel, where our pre-booking was confirmed. Afternoon well spent at Mall Road, Manali. We made it back to our room for the night after dinner and fell asleep right away as we had an early start the next morning to Chika, from Manali.

@Old Manali Road, Himachal Pradesh

Day2: Manali-Chika via Jobra by Drive

We checked-out hotel, early morning around 8:00 AM and started towards Hidimba temple road, which was our starting point of trek. Kept the extra luggage in base location. It was time to meet other trekkers, 24 people all together, 2 groups basically. Vendor assigned by Thrillophilia arranged a tempo traveller for us, which dropped us at Chika. It was around 2 hours journey from Old Manali, via Jobra. We reached starting point of trek by 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM noon, where packaged lunch was arranged for us. After lunch, with my rucksack ready, started walking towards our 1st stop, Chika. Trek started after easy river crossing. The route took us to a deep forest of pine trees following a jungle trail. After sometime you will reach a lush green meadow. After heading towards it, you will see a water stream and few cows & sheep grazing in the field. The day's trek ends at Chika, where you can see a waterfall close to the campsite.

@Manali-Jobra, Starting point of trek

@On the way to Chika Base Camp

Day3: Chika-Balu Ka Gera

Our hike towards Balu Ka Gera base camp, started at 9:00 AM, after an early tea and breakfast. Today's trail will take you through Jwara, a beautiful scenic sheltered valley. We gave our lunch boxes to organiser to pack the lunch, which we are going to have on the way. The beauty of Hampta Pass trek will actually begin after a few hours from Chika towards Balu Ka Gera as you will slowly ascent along the Hampta river to wide-open meadows. The distance between Chika and Balu Ka Gera is around 7.00 KM, which takes 6-7 hours to reach. In mid-way we had our lunch. It was little uphill compared to previous day. People says, Balu Ka Gera is the spot for night camping. On a clear day, you will get a beautiful view of the Hampta Pass from Balu Ka Gera campsite. But it was a cloudy day, and the views got screwed up. We set up our camps and relax for the rest of the day as we slowly reach an altitude of 11,900 ft. As the day continued, we began to remove our layer of clothing and wear thermals, as the sun above about to hide behind the mountains, which dips the temperature on us. Retired from the day trekking after dinner and eagerly waiting for to reach the Hampta Pass peak, thinking tomorrow going to be the toughest day of this entire trekking journey.   

@Chika Campsite

Day4: Balu Ka Gera-Hampta Pass-Shia Goru

Toughest day of trek. Challenging day of the entire journey where need to cover 12 KM with different elevation and altitude. Started early from Balu Ka Gera as it takes more than 7 hours to reach Shia Goru base camp, the most coldest place of this trek. We all were ready by 8:00 AM, packed bags and ready to start. We were group of 21 people along with other group trekkers. Crosses the river from Balu Ka Gera, then the gradients begins, the trail takes you straight to Hampta Pass. Before the last tough most trail to Hampta, we had our lunch. Then forwarded to upward journey. As we approach the pass, the trek becomes more challenging because of high altitude, which decreases the oxygen level, and steep uphill. Finally, after the hardest climb we touch the pass, the summit. Can't explain the happiness seeing in all trekkers eyes. Time to capture the beautiful panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range and the snow-capped Indrasan peak.

@Balu Ka Gera Campsite

@Group members at Hampta Pass 

All sudden, cloud was on top of our head, witnessed hailstorm. There was rain and snow fall predicated before we started from Balu Ka Gera, our fear became truth. We well known that, the descend will be more tricky due to muddy, slippery trails. We descend till Lahaul Valley, to Shia Goru basecamp. Though the night was not amazing, due to rain and severe cold, but we got good sleep due to tiredness. 

@Hampta Pass

Day5: Shia Goru-Chatru

After taking it all in, the beautiful three days of trekking, it was the last day of the trek, as we have to cover Chandratal from Chatru by tempo traveller. From Shia Goru, the trail further descends and enter into a landscape of boulder and rocks. We were walking along left bank of Chandra river. It was altogether 3-4 hours of walking. Chatru is a magnificent camping which is a consensus of three passes, Hampta, Rohtang and Spiti. Soon after dinner we retired for the day.

@Shia Goru Campsite

Day6: Chatru-Chandratal-Manali-Delhi

It was a good morning indeed after a day of hardest climb and good sleep during night. Finally, after four days of trekking, from Chatru to Chandratal, need to travel by temp traveller. We departed from Chatru around 8:00 AM, with all the excitement for Chandratal. On the way to Chandratal, there is a superb dhaba, called Chacha Chachi, located at Betal. It's own by a beautiful old age couple of Dorje uncle and Chandra aunty. One can try different paratha (bread) here. 

@Chacha Chachi Da Dhaba, Betal

After breakfast, It was time to go further towards Chandratal. At around 11:00 AM, we reached at Chandratal vehicle stand. From there it was around 1.5 KM walk towards the moon lake. People says, a visit to Chandratal lake is a must, while coming back from Hampta Pass trek, and I do recommend this must visit place. 

@Chandratal Lake with entire trek group

Chandratal, at 14,100 ft above sea level, is a magical pristine lake with crystal clear water, surrounded by mountain peaks. It also  named as 'Moon Lake'. After capturing some beautiful memories, we started our journey back towards, Chatru. 

It was altogether a hectic day, as from Chatru started towards, Manali via Rohtang Pass tunnel. Then catch a night bus, onwards journey to Delhi. Highly recommending to stay at Manali, so that you can get some rest, as the road from Chatru-Chandratal-Chatru-Manali not in good condition especially from Betal-Chandratal. 

Day7: Delhi-Bangalore

Our bus reached Delhi, at morning 9:00 AM. I booked a cab to Terminal2, IGI Airport. On the way to airport recollecting all the memories which captured in my phone and DSLR. 

To all the trekking lovers, if you are passionate about different trekking destinations, I would recommend not to miss this beautiful place.

@Shia Goru - Chatru

Points to remember:

• Don't forget to carry, rain covers, poncho as weather usually, unpredictable in entire Hampta pass trek. 
• Try to start early for your trek, so that you can cover the maximum distance with ease.
• Walking stick, or pole is the must carry item, which you shouldn't avoid.
• Most important point to note, don't compromise on shoes, as you have to walk around 25 KM altogether, with different elevation and rough terrains.
• Highly recommending to start some minimal workouts, like walking, jogging or running daily, before at least one month to trekking start date.
• Make sure you have a bottle of water in your hand. It is of utmost importance that you keep your body hydrated throughout the journey.

..."In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take"...

@Me, at Chandratal Lake