Hampta Pass is situated between Kullu Valley and the Spiti Valley. For centuries, the shepherds of Himachal have used this pass to bring their cattle to lush green Kullu Valley when the Spiti Valley lies barren in winter. Many mountain enthusiasts cover this ancient route through Hampta Pass trekking. It is a moderate trek of 4 days with very stark changes in the landscape.
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Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Hampta pass is mid-June to mid-October.
How to Book:
Many travel agencies offer a complete package for Hampta Pass including accommodation, food, and guides. For people wanting to trek the Himalayas, Hampta pass can be booked through these trekking agencies online.
How to Reach:
The Hampta Pass trek starts in Manali. Manali is one of the best-connected Himalayan cities in India.
By Air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar, which is around 50 km from Manali. Shared cabs and buses can be availed from Bhuntar to Manali.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is in Chandigarh at a distance of 305 km. There are no direct trains to Manali. Buses and shared cabs are easily available for Manali from Chandigarh.
By Road: Manali has good road connectivity and can be reached from anywhere. Shared cabs and Volvo buses run from Delhi and leave from Kashmiri Gate or Majnu ka Tila.
Sample Itinerary:
Below is a sample itinerary which the trekkers follow to reach Hampta Pass. This will give you a rough idea of what to expect.
Day 1:
Manali to Jobra in a car and then trek to Chika. The trek to Chika involves passing through dense forests of pine and oak trees. Before reaching Chika, the forests give way to grassy alpine meadows. Overnight camping at Chika.
Day 2:
This day you will trek from the meadows of Chika to the sandy terrain of Balu ka Gera. Balu ka Gera is named so because of the sand deposited by the river bed in the area. Overnight stay at Balu ka Gera in camps.
Day 3:
This is the D-Day where you finally trek to the Hampta Pass. This 10 km stretch takes 7-8 hours to trek. Trekking through the snow, you reach Hampta Pass and enjoy the views there for some time. Return back to Balu ka Gera for overnight stay.
Day 4:
You start trekking down to Jobra and then take a cab back to Manali. This is the last leg of your trip. In the last 4 days, you would have seen mountains, forests, sandy terrain, and snow-laden slopes. If ever the question arises about the best way to trek the Himalayas, Hampta Pass is the answer.
The above itinerary is not fixed and might have some variations depending on the company.
Stay and Food:
Stay and food is provided by the company with whom you have booked your Hampta Pass trekking. They also provide experienced guides who are very crucial when trekking in the Himalayas.