Itinerary

Hampta Pass Trek – Itinerary

Day 01:Volvo from Delhi to Manali
Board the Himachal Tourism Volvo bus from outside Himachal Bhavan in Mandi House in the evening. There are multiple Volvo buses that depart between 5:30pm and 7:00pm. The bus stops for dinner on the way. Most of the trekking group if not all would be booked on the same bus.
Driving Time: 16 hrs; Overnight Volvo Bus

Day 02:Arrive Manali(2000m). Rest
The bus journey takes all night and you should be in Manali town before 10am in the morning. Our representative will pick you up from the bus stand and transfer you to our hotel near Prini. The drive takes hardly 15 mins. After breakfast, you can rest till afternoon after the long bus journey. Post-lunch, there will be a gear check and comprehensive briefing about the trek. You have the evening free to do some last minute shopping or checkout some Manali attractions. It is important to hit the bed early and rest well for the impending trek.
Meals: BLD, Overnight Hotel.

Day 03:Trek to Sarotu Thach(2950m)
We start our trek from a little ahead of Prini called Shuru. Its a small village with one main street and a big temple. We stop by the temple before proceeding. The path passes through apple orchards and has lovely views of the entire Kullu Valley and the Dhauladhar ranges. Soon, we start climbing steeply through the village to reach a well carved wooden temple of the Snake Goddess, the highest point of the village. From here, we are in the forest filled with massive trees of pine and deodhar. In some time, we reach a beautiful clearing with more apple plantations called Bogi Thach. We take left from here and continue on to the next clearing where the Gujjars reside called Tilgan. The Gujjars are a cattle rearing community and camp in this clearing every summer. We normally stop for lunch here. Post -lunch we climb gradually to a high point and traverse across to reach the wide, grassy platform at Sarotu Thach. In the spring this place is strewn with flowers forming a flower carpet. From the edge of the platform, Kullu Valley is visible.
Trekking Time: 6-7 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 04:Trek to Lamadug(3250m)
We climb higher and traverse the mountain and descend to a stream cascading into Kullu Valley. We need to take off our boots to cross this stream that cascades into Kullu Valley. From here, we ascend a little and descend back into a thick forest of oak and rhododendron and walk to reach a clearing called Jogidug. This place is highly revered by the locals as the residing place of the snake goddess, and a big pooja is held annually at this location where the entire village gathers. In the summers, this is also the camping ground for a few Gaddi shepherds. We have our lunch here and then walk through the jungle to the slopes that lead to Lamadug, our camping site above the treeline. There are a few lakes here and we camp close to one. There are more Gaddis camping at this location with their massive flocks of sheep and goat.
Trekking Time: 5-6 hrs , Overnight Camp.

Day 05:Trek to Rourikholi(3700m)
Now we are above the treeline with clear views of the Dhauladhar range right ahead. Hanuman Tibba, Makar Beh and Shikhar Beh dot the skyline. We gradually climb higher over sprawling meadows and traverse the mountain towards Rourikholi. The mountains of the Pir Panjal range slowly start appearing. Rourikholi are the massive grazing grounds for the horses and mules of Kullu Valley. When not in use they are left free to roam around these lush meadows for much needed nutrition. A small stream flows right through this meadow and we camp just beside this. This is a wonderful place for star gazing and ones interested in photographing the milky way in the night sky.
Trekking Time: 3-4 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 06:Trek to Pyangneru(3500m)
After a leisurely breakfast, we descend gradually through a narrow path towards Pyangheru, the base camp of Mt. Deo Tibba(6001m). Amazing views of the highest peaks of Pir Panjal range as we descend. Clearly seen like a cauliflower is Deo Tibba. On its right is Indrasan. We descend to the left bank of the river flowing down from the glacier. Walk a little ahead upto a natural rock bridge and cross the river. We then make our way downstream to the camp beside a huge rock and a stream coming down from the mountain which serves as drinking water. Post Lunch, the active ones could make a small excursion to the snout of the Deo Tibba glacier and return. It is believed to be a place where a lot of natural crystals are found and for a long time there were explorers who stayed in the valley just for this purpose.
Trekking Time: 3-4 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 07:Trek to Chikka(3200m)
Today, we walk out of Deo Tibba Valley and enter Hampta Valley. Hampta Valley is much wider at the bottom and has an imposing rock face to the left, the crags of which is the lair of birds of prey like the bearded vulture and the golden eagle. We walk up a little on the river left and then cross the Hamta river over makeshift bridges laid out by the shepherds and get to Chikka, a sprawling campsite. We are well acclimatized after the first 4 days to cross the high Hampta Pass.
Trekking Time: 5-6 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 08:Trek to Balu Ka Gera(3800m)
Balu Ka Gera is the base camp for crossing the Hampta Pass and gets its name from the huge deposits of sand (Balu in Hindi) accumulated at this place. In the Spring, Balu Ka Gera is under huge mounds of hard snow, almost resembling a glacier. In the autumn, all the snow has melted and what remains is the sand deposits serving as a good camping spot. The ice melt from the glacier breaks into many channels here and the whole place is wet, resembling a mini marsh. The vegetation changes to small shrubs and becomes rocky towards the end.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 09:Trek to Shiageru(3815m) over Hampta Pass(4270m)
Today is the climax of the trek where we ascend slowly over rocky moraine till the pass. The ascent to the pass takes about 3 hours. We spend some time on top enjoying the views all around. Indrasan rises straight ahead and bits of Deo Tibba can be seen towards its left. Across the pass lies Lahaul- part of trans Himalaya with its red and brown mountains, a stark contrast to the lush green landscape of Kullu we have been used to. The descent down to Shiageru is steep and can be icy in parts. It is tough for the horses to descend and the horsemen are extra careful. Campsite is after crossing the stream with ice cold water. Sometimes there is a bridge erected across the stream. Shiageru gets its name from the severe cold temperatures at the camp. Easily the coldest campsite on the entire trek.
Trekking Time: 5-6 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Camp.

Day 10:Trek to Chattru(3270m).Drive to Chandertal(4300m)

We walk on the true right side of the stream flowing down from Indrasan. The valley is wide here with less vegetation. We follow the stream almost to its confluence with Chandra Bhaga river flowing from Chandratal. We crossover the stream where it splits into mutiple small channels and walk up to the motorable bridge at Chattru. Our vehicles will be waiting next to the Chandra Dhaba at Chhatru to drive us to Manali.
we take the long scenic drive to Manali over the Rohtang Pass(3985m) and descend back into the lush green Kullu Valley. We check into our hotels in Prini on arrival. Evening free to rest and checkout some wonderful restaurants at Manali.
Trekking Time: 4 hrs, Driving Time: 6 hrs
Meals: BLD, Overnight Hotel.

Day 11:Evening Volvo to Delhi
A leisure day to rest or spend time checking out more of Manali. You could experience the hot springs at Vashist, the Hadimba and Manu temples or the charming markets, restaurants and chilled out atmosphere at Old Manali. Late Afternoon, departure to the bus stand for the overnight Volvo to Delhi.
Meals: BL, Overnight Volvo

Day 12:Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by 9 am. Trip Ends!