The short answer
Hampta Pass Trek: what visitors should know first
Go if you are fit and want a short pass crossing with a dramatic change of landscape. It takes about four days on foot from Jobra to Chatru, with a long, hard pass day. Not suitable for anyone with heart, lung, knee or mobility problems.
History and context
The story behind Hampta Pass Trek
The pass takes its name from Hampta village, which lies below Sethan. It links the green Kullu valley with the dry, high Lahaul valley, crossing the mountain wall between them.
Useful facts
Hampta Pass Trek facts at a glance
- Location
- Jobra, near Manali, to Chatru, Lahaul
- Altitude
- Hampta Pass about 4,200 to 4,270 m (about 14,000 ft)
- Experience type
- Crossover pass trek
- Known for
- Contrast between Kullu meadows and Lahaul desert; Chandratal
- Time or schedule
- About 4 to 5 days; June to October
Why it matters
Why Hampta Pass Trek is worth your time
Hampta is popular because of the contrast it gives in a few days: forested, flower-filled valleys on the Kullu side, and bare, wind-scoured mountains on the Lahaul side. Standing on the pass, both are visible.
It is also a common first pass crossing for trekkers who have done an easier walk such as Beas Kund or Bhrigu Lake. Keep camps tidy and carry all litter out.
The crossing is short enough to fit into a week's holiday from Manali, which is a large part of why it is so widely walked.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Hampta valley meadows
Open grassland and streams on the way to Balu ka Ghera.
- 02
Pass crossing
A view back over Kullu and forward into the barren Lahaul valley.
- 03
Chandratal
A high lake in Lahaul often added by road after the trek ends at Chatru.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Most itineraries drive about 16 km from Manali to Jobra (about 2,740 m) and walk a short way to camp at Chika (about 3,050 m) beside the stream. The second day follows the open Hampta valley past the Jwara meadows to Balu ka Ghera (about 3,600 m), a camp below the pass.
Pass day is the longest and hardest: a climb to Hampta Pass at about 4,200 to 4,270 m (roughly 14,000 ft), then a steep descent to Shea Goru (about 3,900 m), seven hours or more in total. The fourth day continues down to Chatru (about 3,350 m) on the Manali–Spiti road, where vehicles meet the group. Many operators then drive about 70 km to Chandratal, a high lake at about 4,250 m, before returning to Manali.
The road to Chandratal is rough and prone to landslides, so that leg can be cancelled at short notice. The trek has several stream crossings, and June brings snow near the pass.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Book with an operator or registered guide who arranges permits
- Carry cash for the Chandratal entry fee
- Expect stream crossings; carry spare socks
- Start pass day early
- Spend a night in Manali first to acclimatise
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Jobra (above Prini, near Manali) to Chatru in Lahaul
- Time needed
- About 4 to 5 days from Manali
- Best time
- June to October; expect snow near the pass in June
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- Not suitable for most older travellers: pass day is seven hours or more with a steep, often snowy climb and descent above 4,000 m, and camps are basic and cold. Older parents can stay in Manali or drive through the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul for the day, while fitter family members cross the pass.
- Tickets and access
- Himachal forest and camping permits apply; operators and registered guides normally arrange them. Chandratal has a separate entry fee paid on the spot. Confirm current fees and rules locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Hampta Pass Trek
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Not suitable for most older travellers: pass day is seven hours or more with a steep, often snowy climb and descent above 4,000 m, and camps are basic and cold. Older parents can stay in Manali or drive through the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul for the day, while fitter family members cross the pass.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How high is Hampta Pass?
About 4,200 to 4,270 m (roughly 14,000 ft); sources differ slightly.
Is Chandratal part of the trek?
Not on foot. Many groups drive from Chatru to Chandratal after the trek, if the road is open.
Where does the trek start and end?
It starts at Jobra, a short drive from Manali, and ends at Chatru on the Manali–Spiti road.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
