Hampta Pass & Chandrataal Lake Trek

All trekker meet of group leader manali mall road head, Manali to Jobra is reached by vehicle. Manali is situated at an elevation of 6,700 above sea level. It is a very good place to acclimatize before starting the trek. On the first day you will reach the height of 10,100 ft. The trek on foot starts from Allain Guhugal Hydro power Project Junction. While crossing the main route, you will find a variety of trees like maple, deodar and oak. The view is extremely refreshing.

There is a gradual ascent and you will see the stunning Dhauladhar range in the background. The view is worth to drool upon when one gets a glimpse of the Indrasan Peak. The scenery turns out to be fairytale and the gradient gradually increases till the Jwara Nala. The most exciting part is the River Crossing. River Crossing is not a cup of tea as one needs to take proper precaution for crossing. So, on this day, you will have to do two river crossings is just near to Cheeka Camp site and the other at Jwara. This is an exciting and splendor moment for the, adventurers as you have to open your shoes because the water level will reach your knee. Also, you will feel numbness in your feet due extremely cold water after crossing the river.

Today climb to Hampta Pass, your destination which lies is at an altitude of 14,107 feet. The trail moves along the river with charming orange and pink flowers on the bank. The trail along the river takes you to the actual base of Hampta Pass from where the strenuous climb begins. Cross two ridges to reach the pass and you will come across Deo Tibba Plateau. The ridge top offers a view of another parallel ridge behind which lies Hampta Pass. Descent is steep and trickier, sliding down can be the best option i and fun too. Ahead the trail gets leveled. Reach your campsite which lies beside a river.

The day begins with a gradient climb towards the mountain for half an hour to reach the first plateau. This is the right place to see the Deo Tibba peak, take a break and wait for your team to catch up and begin the next ascent. It gets windy at the top and also high chance of sudden rain or snow. So enjoy the place as quick as possible. Once you are done the enjoying part take a right to witness the Lahaul side of the pass below. Start the descend in a zig-zag route sticking to the right flank of the mountain for half an hour to complete the first downhill run. From here it’s a straight downhill trek for an hour and a half on snow until you hit the valley below to the base.

We start the day with a gentle downhill walk alongside the river between the mountains. The Chatru road is at a distance of an hour from here. As we move closer to the way, the trek gets a little tricky. One will need to use the edges of the rocks, at times get down into river bed below to skip the rocky section. Remember we are still at a height with the road right across the Chandra River. We can witness two, and at times three glacier flow downs from the mountain on the side of the Chandra River. From Chatru if road and weather condition permit we head to the Chandratal and camp at suitable place according to the conditions.