Hampta Pass Trek: Route, Itinerary, Difficulty & Guide

A high altitude crossover trek from the green valleys of Kullu to the stark landscapes of Lahaul.

Quick Info

Altitude

4270m

Difficulty

Easy Moderate

Distance

~22-27 Km

Base Village

Jobra

Duration

2-5 Days

Best Season

June – September

Highlights

High altitude crossover from Kullu Valley to Lahaul
Hampta Pass at around 4,270 m
Green forests and meadows around Chika
Rani Nallah and multiple stream crossings
Snow patches around the higher sections early in the season
Dramatic change in landscape after crossing the pass
Dry, rugged terrain around Shea Goru and Chatru
Optional Chandratal extension from Chatru

Overview

Hampta Pass is a high altitude crossover trek in Himachal Pradesh that connects the greener Kullu Valley with the dry and rugged landscapes of Lahaul.

The trail starts from Jobra and gradually moves through forests, open meadows, streams and rocky terrain before climbing towards Hampta Pass at around 4,270 m.

The biggest attraction of the trek is the change in landscape. The approach from the Kullu side is green and relatively lush, while the descent on the other side of the pass takes you into the much drier terrain of Lahaul.

The trek is relatively short compared with many other Himalayan pass crossings, but it packs several different types of terrain into a few days.

Hampta Pass is generally considered a moderate trek. It can be suitable for fit beginners, but the pass day should not be underestimated. The combination of altitude, steep sections, loose terrain, stream crossings and changing weather makes preparation important.

Essentials

Water

Multiple Streams throughout

Network

Camping

Designated campsites

Permit

Check Locally

Food

Carry / Seasonal Camps

Guide

Recommended

What To Carry

ESSENTIALS

Quick-dry T-shirts
Trek pants
Rain protection
Sunglasses

Headlamp / torch
Water bottles
Personal medicines
Power bank

SEASONAL

Fleece jacket
Down jacket
Woollen cap
Gloves
Extra warm socks
Rain jacket / poncho
Thermal layers
Snow gaiters (where applicable)

BACKPACKING

Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Stove & fuel
Cooking utensils
Dehydrated food / meals
Water purification
Navigation / offline maps

OPTIONAL

Camera
Binoculars
Extra snacks
Trekking poles
Personal comfort items
Extra battery
First-aid kit

Note: This checklist serves as a general guide. Adjust your gear based on weather, season, trek conditions, and personal requirements.

Routes

Jobra – Chika – Balu Ka Ghera – Hampta Pass – Shea Goru – Chatru

Base Village: Jobra
Difficulty: Easy Moderate🟢
Duration: 2-5 Days
Distance: ~22-27 km
Character: Forests, meadows, streams, rocky terrain, pass crossing and dry Lahaul landscape

The trail begins from Jobra and gradually climbs through forest before opening into the Hampta Valley.
From Chika, the route continues along the valley towards Balu Ka Ghera. The landscape becomes more open and rocky, with several stream crossings depending on the season and weather.
The most demanding section comes on the third day, when the trail climbs from Balu Ka Ghera to Hampta Pass and then descends towards Shea Goru.
After crossing the pass, the character of the landscape changes noticeably. The green Kullu side gives way to the dry and rugged terrain of Lahaul.
The trek ends at Chatru, which is connected by road and is also the usual starting point for the optional Chandratal extension.

Suggested Itinerary
The following is a practical 4 day itinerary for the standard Hampta Pass route from Jobra to Chatru. Distances and walking times are approximate and can vary with the exact trail, weather, snow, stream crossings and individual pace.

Day 1: Manali → Jobra → Chika
Drive: Manali to Jobra
Trek: Jobra → Chika
Distance: ~3 km
Trekking Time: ~2–3 hours
Altitude: ~3,000 m

The trek begins from Jobra after a short drive from Manali. The trail initially passes through forest before opening into the Hampta Valley. The first day is relatively short, allowing time to settle into the trail and altitude.
Chika is a common first campsite, located along the Rani Nallah.

Day 2: Chika → Balu Ka Ghera
Distance: ~8–9 km
Trekking Time: ~5–7 hours
Altitude: ~3,750 m

The trail continues deeper into the Hampta Valley through open meadows, rocky sections and streams. The route gradually gains altitude and becomes more exposed as you move towards Balu Ka Ghera.
Depending on the season, snow patches may still be present in the higher sections. Stream crossings can also become more significant after rainfall or during periods of snowmelt.

Day 3: Balu Ka Ghera → Hampta Pass → Shea Goru
Distance: ~8–9 km
Trekking Time: ~7–9 hours
Highest Point: Hampta Pass, ~4,270 m

This is the most demanding day of the trek.
The trail climbs steadily from Balu Ka Ghera towards Hampta Pass. The gradient becomes steeper and the terrain more rocky as you gain altitude. Snow can remain around the higher sections depending on the season.
After reaching Hampta Pass, the trail descends towards Shea Goru on the Lahaul side. The descent can be steep and loose in sections, requiring careful foot placement.
The landscape also changes dramatically after crossing the pass, from the greener Kullu side to the dry and rugged terrain of Lahaul.

Day 4: Shea Goru → Chatru
Distance: ~6–7 km
Trekking Time: ~3–4 hours
Altitude: Descend to ~3,300 m
Trek End: Chatru

The final trekking section gradually descends through the dry and rugged landscape of Lahaul towards Chatru.
Compared with the previous day, the walking is less demanding, although the rocky terrain still requires attention.
Chatru is the usual roadhead where the trekking section ends.

Chandratal Extension
Chandratal is commonly added to the Hampta Pass itinerary after reaching Chatru. It is important to note that Chandratal is not part of the core Hampta Pass trekking route. The journey from Chatru to Chandratal is generally by vehicle and is dependent on road and weather conditions

How to reach

Jobra – Manali

Manali is the main access point for Hampta Pass. The trekking route begins from Jobra, which is reached by road from Manali.

Map & Location

Base Village: Jobra – Manali

District: Kullu

State: Himachal Pradesh

Nearest Railway Station: Chandigarh

Nearest Airport: Bhuntar

Region: Kullu – Lahaul

Safety

Suitable for

Fit Beginners
Regular Trekkers

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness recommended

Safety Notes

Weather can change Quickly, so be prepared

Emergency Contacts

Nearest Village : Jobra, Sethan -Manali

Gallery

FAQ

Hampta Pass is generally considered a Easy – Moderate trek. The first two days are relatively manageable, while the crossing from Balu Ka Ghera to Hampta Pass and the descent towards Shea Goru form the most demanding section. Altitude, steep sections, loose terrain, stream crossings and weather can make the trek considerably harder than the distance alone suggests.

Yes, for a fit and prepared beginner.
Previous Himalayan trekking experience is helpful but not essential. However, being a beginner should not mean being unprepared.
You should be comfortable walking for several hours, climbing uphill for sustained periods and handling uneven terrain.
The pass day is the main challenge, so some preparation before the trek is important.

Yes.
For someone who is physically active and has prepared properly, Hampta Pass can be a reasonable first Himalayan high altitude trek. If this is your first trek of any kind and you do not regularly walk, hike or exercise, it would be better to build some experience and fitness first.

The commonly used trekking season is June to September.
Early season can offer more snow around the pass. July and August bring greener landscapes on the Kullu side but also more rain and potentially stronger stream crossings. September generally offers a better chance of clearer conditions, although mountain weather can still change quickly.

There is no single blanket answer that should be presented as permanent because local permissions and route arrangements can change. For beginners and people unfamiliar with high-altitude trekking, a competent local guide or experienced trekking team is strongly recommended. If planning independently, confirm the current permit, camping and access requirements with the local authorities before starting.

There can be.
Snow conditions vary from year to year and by the time of the season. Higher sections can retain significant snow earlier in the season, while later in the season the pass may be mostly rocky.
Do not plan your equipment based only on photographs from a previous year.

Yes.
There are several stream crossings along the route, and their difficulty can change considerably with rainfall and snowmelt. A crossing that is easy in one week may be much stronger later.

It is possible for an experienced independent trekker with strong navigation, camping, route-planning and mountain decision-making skills.
However, solo trekking is not recommended for beginners.
The route has stream crossings, exposed high-altitude sections, changing weather and limited connectivity. For a first high-altitude trek, travelling with an experienced guide or reliable trekking group provides a significant safety advantage.

Permit requirements can vary depending on what part of the route and road access is involved.
The current official Hamta Pass permit system lists vehicle permit/congestion requirements for access towards Hamta Pass. Independent trekkers should also confirm current forest, camping and route permissions locally before starting.
Do not rely on an old blog or a previous year’s permit information.

Not technically as a trekking section.
Hampta Pass ends at Chatru.
Chandratal is an optional road extension from Chatru and is commonly combined with the trek.

Didn’t find your question here? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

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