Hampta Pass Trek Guide 2026: From Kullu's Green to Lahaul's Desert in Five Days

01Hampta Pass at a Glance

• Highest point: Hampta Pass, about 4,270 m (roughly 14,000 ft)
• Start: Jobra (via Prini, near Manali); end: Chhatru in Lahaul
• Duration: 4 to 5 trekking days; add a day for Chandratal
• Distance: about 26 km on foot
• Difficulty: moderate; the pass day is long and steep
• Season: mid-June to early October

02Day by Day

• Day 1: Manali to Jobra by road, then a short walk through forest to Chika (about 3,100 m)
• Day 2: Chika to Balu ka Ghera (about 3,600 m), up the river valley with a crossing or two
• Day 3: Balu ka Ghera over Hampta Pass (about 4,270 m) and down to Shea Goru (about 3,800 m)
• Day 4: Shea Goru to Chhatru (about 3,350 m) in the Chandra valley
• Day 5 (optional): Drive to Chandratal lake, then back to Manali via the Atal Tunnel or Rohtang

03The Pass Day

The day you cross is long: often 8 to 10 hours. You climb from Balu ka Ghera over moraine and old snow to the pass, where the view opens onto the brown peaks of Lahaul, then descend a steep, sometimes snowy slope to Shea Goru. Early in the season the descent can be on hard snow, and an experienced team will fix a rope or cut steps.

Start early. Weather in the afternoon is less predictable, and the snow softens through the day, making the descent slower and wetter.

04River Crossings

The Hampta valley has stream crossings on the second and third days, fed by snowmelt. They are lowest in the early morning and rise through the afternoon. A good team will plan the crossings for the morning, link arms or use a rope on stronger streams, and wait rather than force a crossing.

Wear sandals or a spare pair of shoes for crossings, keep a dry layer in a bag, and never cross alone.

05When to Go

Hampta Pass is a summer and monsoon trek, usually open from mid-June to early October. In June and early July there is more snow on the pass and the valleys are full of flowers. July and August are the classic months: the Kullu side is lush and wet, while Lahaul, in the rain shadow, stays mostly dry. September brings clearer skies and autumn colours, with colder nights.

The crossover nature means the weather can be very different on each side of the pass. Pack for rain on the first two days and for cold, dry wind on the far side.

06Adding Chandratal

From Chhatru, many groups add a drive up the Chandra valley to Chandratal, the 'moon lake' at about 4,300 m, before returning to Manali. The road is rough and depends on conditions, and the lake sits at a higher altitude than anywhere you slept on the trek, so it is worth having acclimatised first. Check whether your operator includes it or offers it as an extra.

07Cost and Permits

Organised Hampta Pass treks typically include transport from Manali, camping, meals and the forest permit, with prices varying widely by operator and group size. Foreign nationals usually pay an additional permit charge.

The forest and tourism departments have registered trekkers at a check post near Jobri nullah with a small per-person fee, and from 2025 the Manali forest administration has been issuing camping licences and requiring camps to stay at least 25 m from streams. If trekking independently, confirm current requirements with the forest office in Manali.

08What to Pack

• A rain jacket and rain pants, and a pack cover
• Warm layers: nights at Balu ka Ghera and Shea Goru are cold
• Waterproof boots with good grip, plus sandals for crossings
• Sunglasses and sunscreen for the snow on the pass
• Trekking poles, which help a lot on the steep descent