Hampta Pass trek: a route, season and budget guide

The Hampta Pass trek is one of the clearest examples in the Indian Himalaya of a single day changing the entire landscape. You start on the green Kullu side above Manali, walk up through pine forest and flower meadows, and then cross a high notch into the bare, brown Chandra valley of Lahaul. In a few hours the world switches from soft grass to grey scree. This guide gathers the verified basics, a day-by-day route, costs and permits so you can plan the walk sensibly.

Hampta Pass is a Himalayan crossover trek in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, climbing from the Jobra roadhead near Manali to a pass at about 4,270 m (14,010 ft) that links the Kullu valley with the arid Chandra valley in Lahaul. Most walkers finish it in four to five days.

About Hampta Pass and quick facts

According to Wikipedia’s summary of survey data, Hampta Pass sits at roughly 4,270 m (14,010 ft) and connects the Chandra valley in Lahaul with the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh. Several trekking operators list the crossing point slightly higher, around 4,287 m (14,065 ft); treat any single altitude figure as approximate and expect the pass day to feel like real high-altitude work either way.

The appeal is the contrast. The Kullu side is wet, forested and full of streams. The Lahaul side, in the rain shadow of the main Himalayan ridge, is dry and rocky. The trek is short but not trivial: there are steep sections, boulder fields and cold stream crossings, so basic fitness and a few weeks of preparation help.

Best time to do the Hampta Pass trek

This is a monsoon-window trek. The Kullu side catches rain, but the pass and the Lahaul side stay comparatively dry, so the season runs from about mid-June, once the snow softens, to late September or into mid-October, when cold shuts it down. The exact opening and closing shift year to year with snow and weather, so reconfirm before booking.

How to reach the Jobra base from Manali

Everything starts at Manali. From there it is a short mountain drive to the Jobra roadhead, reached through Prini village and past the Allain Duhangan hydro project on a narrow, hairpin road. Reaching Manali itself is the longer part of the journey.

The Hampta Pass trek route, day by day

The standard walk covers about 26 km on foot, spread over four to five days including the drives at each end. The campsites below are the ones almost every itinerary uses. Distances are short, but the pass-crossing day is long and demanding.

• Day 1 — Manali to Jobra, trek to Chika: drive ~16 km to Jobra (~2,800 m), then a short 2–3 km walk to the Chika meadow campsite beside the Rani Nala.
• Day 2 — Chika to Balu Ka Ghera: about 5–6 km following the river through meadows to Balu Ka Ghera (“bed of sand”), the base for the pass.
• Day 3 — Balu Ka Ghera to Shea Goru via Hampta Pass: the big day, roughly 8–9 km. A steep climb to the pass at ~4,270 m, then a sharp descent into the Lahaul side to camp at Shea Goru.
• Day 4 — Shea Goru to Chatru, drive out: about 6–7 km down the Chandra valley to Chatru on the road, with the optional drive on to Chandratal.
• Day 5 — buffer / Chandratal add-on: many groups use this day for the Chandratal excursion and the long drive back to Manali over Rohtang.

Adding Chandratal to the trek

From Chatru, many trekkers drive on to Chandratal, the high lake in Lahaul-Spiti. According to Wikipedia and Ramsar records, Chandratal sits at about 4,300 m (14,100 ft) and has been a Ramsar-listed wetland (the “Chandertal Wetland”) since 8 November 2005. A road runs to a parking area about 1 km from the lake, and the last stretch is on foot; camping is kept back from the shore to protect the wetland.

The drive from Chatru towards Chandratal is rough and high, passing near Kunzum Pass (~4,551 m). Road access depends entirely on snow and the season, so this leg is often the first to be cut in bad weather. If you want the full high-desert picture, our Spiti Valley road trip guide covers the wider Lahaul-Spiti circuit that Chandratal belongs to.

Where to stay near Manali and on the trek

On the trek itself you sleep in tents at the campsites above; on an organised trek, twin-share tents, sleeping bags and meals are part of the package. The choice you actually make is where to stay in Manali before and after.

• Budget (₹700–1,500 per night): guesthouses and hostels in Old Manali and Vashisht, plenty of dorm beds for trekkers.
• Mid-range (₹2,000–4,500): hotels along Mall Road and in Prini/Simsa with hot water and heating, useful for a pre-trek night.
• Higher-end (₹6,000 and up): resorts around Manali and Naggar; book ahead in peak June and the September window.

These bands are planning estimates for September 2026 and move sharply with season and holidays, so reconfirm rates when you book. HPTDC (Himachal tourism) also runs hotels in and around Manali if you prefer a government option. If you are still choosing a base, our roundup of top hill stations in Himachal Pradesh puts Manali in context.

Food to try in Manali

Eat well in Manali before the trek, because campsite food is simple by design. A few things worth ordering:

• Siddu (a steamed wheat bread with a savoury or sweet filling, served with ghee or chutney) — the local comfort food.
• Dham (a festive vegetarian thali of rice, rajma, dals and boor ki kari, traditionally served at weddings and festivals).
• Trout (river fish, usually pan-fried and best eaten fresh) — a Kullu valley speciality.
• Thukpa and momos (Tibetan noodle soup and dumplings) — warming and everywhere in Manali.

Budget breakdown for the Hampta Pass trek

Costs split into two parts: the trek package, and getting to and from Manali. The figures below are indicative planning estimates for September 2026 and should be reconfirmed; operator prices in particular vary widely by group size and inclusions.

Assumptions: one person joining a group trek, shared transport, standard tent stay on the trail. Solo custom trips and flights push the total higher.

Permits and rules

A forest permit is required for the protected forest zone on the Kullu side of the route. It is issued by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department office in Manali. If you trek with a registered agency, they arrange this permit for you and the cost is usually built into the package; independent trekkers should confirm the current process at the Forest Department office before setting out.

There is no Inner Line Permit for Indian nationals on this route. Follow standard mountain rules: carry out all waste, avoid single-use plastic, and camp only at designated sites. Near Chandratal, respect the wetland’s protected status and keep camps and vehicles back from the lake. Reconfirm permit rules for the current season, as they change.

Practical tips and safety

The single biggest risk on this trek is altitude, not distance. You climb from roughly 2,800 m to 4,270 m in a few days, and the pass day is a big single gain.

• Altitude: the Wilderness Medical Society’s altitude-illness guidance notes that unacclimatised people are at risk of acute mountain sickness above about 2,500 m. Ascend gradually, hydrate, tell your guide about any headache, nausea or dizziness early, and descend if symptoms worsen. Ask your doctor before the trip about acetazolamide (Diamox) for prevention.
• Network and cash: carry enough cash from Manali; mobile signal is patchy to absent on the trail, and there are no ATMs past the roadhead. UPI works in Manali town but not on the mountain.
• Medical: the nearest hospitals are in Manali and Kullu; there is no medical facility on the trek, so a first-aid kit and a briefed guide matter.
• Stream crossings: the pass day involves cold, fast stream crossings on the Lahaul side; follow your guide’s line and cross early when levels are lower.
• Solo women: Hampta is a popular, well-travelled trek and joining a reputable mixed group is straightforward; choose a registered operator and share your itinerary with someone at home.
• Packing: layers for both wet and cold, a waterproof jacket, sturdy waterproof boots, gaiters for snow, sun protection and a warm hat and gloves; nights near the pass are cold even in summer.

If you want a snow-season Himalayan trek to compare, our Kedarkantha trek guide covers a gentler winter option in Uttarakhand.

Nearby places

Hampta pairs naturally with the wider Manali–Lahaul–Spiti circuit, so it is easy to add a few days at either end.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Hampta Pass?

Hampta Pass sits at about 4,270 m (14,010 ft) according to Wikipedia’s survey summary, though several trekking operators list it slightly higher at around 4,287 m. Whatever the exact figure, it is a genuine high-altitude crossing, so acclimatise properly and watch for signs of altitude sickness on the pass day.

How many days does the Hampta Pass trek take?

The Hampta Pass trek covers roughly 26 km on foot and is usually done in four to five days, including the drives from Manali to Jobra at the start and out from Chatru at the end. Adding the Chandratal excursion typically pushes the trip to five days total.

What is the best time to trek Hampta Pass?

The season runs from about mid-June to late September, occasionally into mid-October. Mid-June to July brings snow patches and full streams, while September offers clearer skies and golden meadows. It is a rain-shadow trek, so the Lahaul side stays relatively dry through the monsoon. Reconfirm the season before you book.

Do I need a permit for the Hampta Pass trek?

Yes. A forest permit is required for the protected forest on the Kullu side, issued by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department office in Manali. Registered trek operators arrange it for you and usually include the cost. Indian nationals do not need an Inner Line Permit for this route; confirm current rules before travelling.

How do I reach the Jobra base from Manali?

Jobra is about 16 km from Manali, roughly one to two hours by taxi through Prini village on a narrow hairpin road. Reach Manali first by bus or taxi from Chandigarh (about 310 km) or by a weather-dependent flight to Bhuntar airport, some 50 km away.

Is Hampta Pass suitable for beginners?

Hampta Pass is graded moderate and is a popular first Himalayan crossover for fit beginners. It is short but includes steep climbs, boulder fields, cold stream crossings and a high pass, so a few weeks of cardio preparation and going with a registered guide make it much safer and more enjoyable.

Last updated and sources

Go if you want a short, scenic crossover trek that shows two very different Himalayan landscapes in one walk; the settled September window is the easiest time for clear skies and firmer trails.

Last updated: 25 September 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Airports Authority of India — Kullu-Manali (Bhuntar) airport; Wikipedia — Hampta Pass (altitude and geography); Wikipedia — Chandra Taal (altitude, Ramsar wetland status); American Family Physician / Wilderness Medical Society — acute altitude illness guidelines; trek itinerary, distances and package costs cross-referenced from Indiahikes and Trek The Himalayas operator pages (indicative, reconfirm). Accessed September 2026.

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