Everything You Need To Know About The Hampta Pass Trek

If you've ever been trekking in Manali, you understand why it is the most sought after destination for adventure. And it may come as no surprise that the Hampta Pass trek & Chandratal in Manali is a favorite amongst trekkers, both beginners as well as experienced. Spiraling out of the verdant Kullu valley, the trail to Hampta Pass is so diverse that each day trekkers have a different terrain to traverse.

Laden with spectacular floral colors, the trek meanders through lush forest valleys, alpine meadows, and sweeping pastures where you can also spot shepherds and their herds. Over the course of six days, you leave behind the misty greenery of Manali and make for the cold, arid deserts of Lahaul and Spiti. The shift in the scenery is unmissable, almost dramatic.

The trek starts from the popular hill station of Manali and crosses over into the desert landscape of Lahaul & Spiti. During monsoon is when the Hampta Pass trek weather is most favorable. The snow cover has almost melted, revealing a lush green carpet that harbors a wide range of beautiful floral species. When it rains, you can see the rain clouds chasing each other over the mountains, occasionally draping a veil of mist over the peaks.

This incredible shift of scenery is also felt at different campsites every day. Take the near-barren hills guarding the Shea Goru campsite, for instance, and then compare it to the lush greenery of the meadows at Jwara. There are few other beginner-friendly Himalayan treks that can compare to the dynamic landscapes of the Hampta Pass trek. Now, as far as campsites are concerned, each one on this trek is simply breathtaking, quite literally. They're spread over different kinds of terrains, and you can't help but marvel at the unwavering beauty of the Himalayas. One of them skirts a beautiful forest, the other spans an alpine meadow, another rests over a river delta, and one more by a desert oasis!