Hampta Pass Trek

If you love trekking in the snow, June is the time for you. You will encounter a lot of snow after crossing Balu ka Ghera, here a thick blanket of snow welcomes and remains all the way to Hampta Pass and onto the other side of Lahaul Valley as well. 

Despite the cold, the scenery of finding snow as far as you can see will be your reward. The contrast of bright while with deep blue skies makes a spectacular sight. However, be prepared to be challenged both physically and mentally. 

Walking on snow will not be too easy, as the snow can be deep in some sections and exhaustion catches up. The final climb to Hampta Pass is narrow with not much of the sun shining upon it, leading to more snow in this patch, so be careful around here. 

In July, the snow starts to melt, and the landscape slowly fluxes into the colourful scheme of the month. As it is the beginning of the monsoon, light rain showers will sprinkle. The reason why Hampta Pass trek doesn’t encounter heavy rain is that it is on the higher altitude; the landscape formation also helps because we are walking in a deep valley surrounded by tall mountains, which stops the rainy clouds. It is like walking in a tunnel where winds hollows, and the fact that we are walking towards a rain shadow region cannot be ignored.

The valley will soon be covered in the colourful riot of wildflowers ofthe  Himalayas, yellow & orange marigolds, blue poppies, cluster of pink “distorts” and more flowers. It feels like we’re walking in the Valley of Flowers of Uttarakhand. A sight straight out of a fairy world. 

Late August and early September may see occasional rains, blowing a breath of freshness in the trail. The sun plays hide-n-seek with greyish clouds giving out a serene vibe, but must come prepared with your raincoats and ponchos.

By mid to late September, the rain stops completely, and the skies clear up. The colour palette shifts to autumn colours of brown and golden with the splash of colourful flowers here and there. This is the best time for you to see the clearest mountain views. Sunrises and sunsets will be equally mesmerising, making every moment feel surreal. 

The weather remains crispy as it’s nearing winter, but remains comfortable for trekking. By the end of September, you can feel the temperature dropping with the onset of winter, so be prepared for it. A few operators may take up a trek in October, but they strongly disagree with it and suggest you not embark on a solo trek as well. 

The weather on the mountains is unpredictable, so respect the window given by nature and enjoy the trek on its given timeline.

Hampta pass’s trail varies from one campsite to another, where the hike in the beginning is slightly upwards, but the soft carpet of meadows makes it easier till the Chika Campsite. Then the number of increasing boulders takes the difficulty a level up, but you will still have a refreshing vibe of the greenery around you, with a stream gushing beside you. From Balu Ka Ghera the terrain slowly transitions into a barren land, giving you a glimpse of what lies on the other side.

The trail starts to change from “Balu Ka Ghera” to the barren, cold desert of Lauhal valley resembling Leh-Ladakh’s cold desert. The amplified number of boulders, walking a ridge twice, river crossing and the final push to the pass all account. And, lastly, the climb for the Hampta Pass is here. It has steep slopes, narrow trail filled with rocks, and has hanging glaciers, so you must hike with concentration and take precaution in this challenging terrain section. 

Adventure isn’t over yet, the descent, if not more than, is equally challenging as the ascent. If you are trekking in snow, then it becomes extremely difficult as you cannot see the boulders and rocks beneath you, sometimes the snow may reach up to your waist, so a hiking pole becomes necessary. Even if you are trekking in other seasons, then also the descent is rough on the big boulders, steep decline, and be vigilant here. 

The path to Chhatru is easier than what you just conquered. From here, you can see the stark contrast in the vegetation. Now, the surrounding area is barren, surrounded by sharp-edged mountain peaks in cold weather with almost no greenery. 

We have to drive from Chataru to reach Chandratal. After reaching the last drivable point, we hike a steep incline again, but it is all worth it for what awaits us: a crescent-shaped blue lake.

We cover approximately 28 kilometres on the Hampta Pass trek, which is also within a span of 4 days. And, the rapid altitude gain of approximately 2000 ft every day all gets added up for it to be considered a moderate level trek. Even the highest point, Hampta Pass is at a whopping 14,100 ft, which is no way less and hiking all the way in a short period of 4 days is no game. 

The trek is beginner-friendly, given you are physically fit and well equipped. Mental health is also important in treks like this as the weather can change at any time. So be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Make good quality high trekking shoes your best friend, among other stuff like a right trekking bag and of course, the zeal to conquer this trek.

Hampta Pass is considered a cold trek even though it is done in the monsoon season. The reason for the tunnel-like structure is that you will be walking in deep valleys surrounded by the Pir Panjal ranges. The temperature remains cooler. The weather is unpredictable here, like in all the mountains. But it won’t rain heavily for days continuously, so you can trek here. 

In June, the remnants of winter stay in the form of snow, but you might face some snowfall interrupting your plans, however, the chances are less, so don’t worry.  September will bring colder winds, a sign of upcoming colder weather. 

The temperature varies with the months you choose to do this trek (discussed in above in the best time to do the Hampta trek). But we can roughly say that June and September are colder months, whereas July and August are warmer. June marks the end of winter, while September signals its beginning. July and August brim with the freshness of the monsoon.

The trek difficulty dictates your level of fitness and preparations for it. As mentioned above, it is moderate level trek and proper preparation is needed as it’s mountainous terrain. 

• Running: Aim to run 3 km within 15 minutes over flat slope.
• Cardiovascular Training: Running, cycling, and swimming to boost stamina.
• Strength Training: Focus on leg exercises like squats, lunges, and step-ups for endurance.
• Core Strength: Planks, mountain climbers, and Russian twists to maintain balance on uneven trails.
• Flexibility Exercises: Stretching, yoga, and dynamic warm-ups to prevent injuries.
• Mental Conditioning: Visualisation techniques, breathing exercises, and meditation to strengthen focus and manage stress on difficult days. 
• Exercises with Weights: For this moderate to difficult-level trek, practice exercises with weights. Seek professional advice accordingly.
• Diet: Incorporate proteins like lentils, eggs, paneer, whey protein, etc for fast recovery after a strenuous trek. Whole grains like wheat, barley, etc for sustained energy, and leafy greens like spinach, bitter guard, and any seasonal veggie for those extra nutrients and building the immunity system.
• Muscle Recovery: Plan rest days and add stretching, relaxing yoga poses or foam rolling after every workout.
• Stay hydrated: drink 2 to 3 liters of water. To incorporate more nutrients, including coconut water, fruit, and vegetable juices. 
• Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption. 
• Start sleeping upto 8 hours. 

Altitude Sickness happens when your body cannot adjust to lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes. This happens mainly because your body doesn’t have enough time to acclimatize to a higher altitude or not enough time to get used to lower oxygen levels. Hampta Pass is situated at a high altitude location and avoiding altitude sickness preparation can make such beautiful trek into a worst experience of the Himalayas.

How to Prevent AMS?

• Gradual Ascent: Climb slowly to give your body time to adjust.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
• Rest and Sleep: Ensure ample rest, especially as you reach higher camps.
• Avoid Alcohol: Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can lead to dehydration.

What to do if sickness occurs?

• Most Important – Inform your trek leader as well-trained leaders and experience they can assess the situation better and find solutions faster.  
• Stop and Rest: Pause your trek to recover.
• Descend if Necessary: Descend immediately to Sankri Basecamp. Our team with the vehicle and necessary help will be there for further action. 
• Stay Hydrated: Drink water and avoid strenuous activity.
• Seek Medical Help: After descending, our team will take you to the nearest hospital if needed. If solo, then descend and seek the closest medical help. 
• Nearest Hospital Details –  
• Address –  
• Contact Number –

On the Hampta Pass trek you will cross the water stream twice, though they are not deep or much dangerous, still our trek leader will take the precautionary steps to make it as safe as possible. 

Here are some tips which you should keep in mind while crossing – 

1. First, analyse the stream and select a location where the breadth is wide, the water is shallow, and the flow is slow. In a narrow strip, the water has more pressure, hence fast flowing. 
2. Walk on stone or nearby it, as the strong flow gets interrupted here and slows a bit. 
3. Do not cross the water if it reaches above your thighs.
4. It is strongly advised not to hang your shoes around your neck and walk on slippery stream without socks or shoes.
5. Loosen your backpack’s hip belt to make your body free and in an emergency, you can up-lift it to protect it from getting wet. Keeping your items and extra clothes dry is a precaution you must take. 
6. If you are in a group, then form a human chain to cross. This method helps disrupt the water flow and maintain the balance.

Pro Tip: Cross water streams wearing socks – they provide a strong grip on slippery stones.

You can find in detail about How to Safely Cross Rivers and Streams.

Hampta Pass is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque treks, and it also has deep cultural and historical significance. In earlier days, Hampta Pass was used as a trade route between Lahaul and Kullu, allowing local shepherds, and traders to move around. In the present time, as well, you’ll see local shepherds also known as Gaddi Shepherds, a semi-nomadic herders’ tribe, taking their cattle in these fields for grazing. 

This centuries-old passage played a crucial role connecting these distinct lands and their people. You will see the reflection of Himachali traditions and Tibetan influences in the nearby areas, such as villages, architecture, and monasteries. 

The trek ends in Chandratal, a place that holds spiritual significance for both Hindu and Buddhist religions. It is believed that the eldest Pandava Yudhisthir went to heaven from this place in the chariot of God Indra.  
Exploring Hampta Pass is not just a physical journey but also a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage and timeless traditions.

Hampta Pass is known as the Valley of flowers of Himachal Pradesh, as the area bustles with around 300 species of flora and 77 types of mammalian and approx 400 kinds of birds. We have curated a small list for you to learn about Himachal Pradesh’s diverse vegetation, vibrant flora, and medicinal plants, which are also pretty-looking.

Flora 

Here’s a table on not just vibrant flora, and diverse vegetation but also medicinal plants you will see on the Hampta Pass Trek. 

Fauna 

Apart from a wide range of flora you’ll find a variety of fauna here, but the chances of encountering them are low. The animals love their peace and stay away from the hustle of humans, but if you are lucky enough to encounter one, please maintain the distance and do not try to catch them. 

The fauna that thrive here are – Snow Leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, Himalayan monal, western tragopan (state bird of Himachal Pradesh), cheer pheasant, eagles, vultures, Himalayan Bulbul, whistling thrush, etc.

While on this adventure, you can explore other beautiful destinations such as-

• Bhrigu Lake Trek
• Kareri Lake trek
• Solang Valley 
• Parashar Lake
• Kasol 
• Beas Kund Trek