Hampta Pass Trek 2.0 (with Chandrataal Lake)

The trek today begins from Chika and takes you through grasslands and rocky paths, after crossing a few streams to the next site. Carry enough drinking water along with you and keep yourself hydrated.

The picturesque views start from the beginning of the day. The trail leads from the grasslands which is basically a simple grazing ground in the pre-monsoon season but in the post monsoon, these grasslands are covered all over with beautiful colorful wildflowers. This mesmerizing beauty made me wonder, when this unrecognized place has this immense beauty, one day I will surely visit the valley of flowers, so to actually identify, what level of beauty does it take to get an international recognition.

At Chika, This point is itself a great view point, as you look behind and find the Rani Nallah dividing into small streams along a green endless pasture, you just walked through. To the opposite side of the river from your viewpoint, the vegetation includes dwarf Rhododendrons and Birch trees exactly contrary to what you find on your side, and what is that?

It's nothing, just simple grasslands and that too not enough to serve as grazing fields for cattle herds. The trail further leads you through boulders and you encounter a small stream of about 10 ft, with ice cold water and current enough to disturb your balance. Take precautions while crossing the stream, remove your shoes, as getting yourself wet may ruin your further days.

The trail will last about an hour walk with gradual ascent, initially walking through a path of meadows and then leading you to a path carved between the boulder, and lifts you up to the beginning of the flat trail to Balu ka Ghera.

Balu means sand, which gives you a clear identification to your destination. It's a flat plane composed of sand brought down by this stream Rani nalla. The gushing sound of the river also follows along the trail as we ascend but as the slope decreases the gushing also dampens. The trail further walks in to the flat area, covered with sand depositions, and you realize that you are not far away from your destination.

The flat area is surrounded by sky high rocky cliff and a number of random waterfalls arising from them as many of these cliffs are covered with snow and remain the same throughout the year. A Half an hour walk further leads you to your campsite.

The campsite is beautiful and has a number of small streams which further sum up to form the Rani nallah stream. The site is surrounded from three sides by high cliffs, among which one of them will be your path for tomorrow's trek. The fourth side is your route you crossed till now and far away on this side you can see the Bandarpunch peak of the Dhauladhar Range.

The ascent from Balu ka ghera is the most serious incline you face in the entire trek. Today's trek is the final ascent to Hampta Pass; but that's not all, the descent further to Shea ghoru is itself a challenging task.

Before leaving the campsite carry sufficient drinking water,as in this final ascent to 4270 meters you don't want to get yourself dehydrated and spoil the trek to the summit. So, keep drinking enough water throughout the ascent.

Also, for the inexperienced trekkers, walk at a constant pace and don't exhaust yourself. Take rest at equal intervals and replenish your body with water and other snacks like dry fruits etc., take rest on something like walking poles, don't sit as it makes it difficult to start again. On descending from the Pass, be careful. Take firm steps, make grip, because falling here spoils the fun of crossing the Pass. Also the path is carved on scree and that makes your fall, a rough one.

The initial walk starts with a gradually increasing slope, and takes you into a flat area that looks like a widespread beautiful lake, exactly not a lake and not even half a foot deep.

The slope, now onwards is a tough one, pre-monsoon it snows a stretch up to the Pass, itself. The steep snow makes the route a little adventurous. Post monsoon, the route trails through a rocky path. Between the Pass and these rocky steep incline, you encounter two ridges which are steep and you gain altitude rapidly as compared to your earlier ascents.

Crossing these ridges takes you to U-turn to the left from the second ridge and this is your gateway to The Hampta Pass. Reaching the Pass is a rewarding feeling. The panoramic view of several sky high snow clad peaks mesmerizes you.

The snow clad Mt Indrasan peak standing tall justifies the true meaning of its name, 'the throne of the rain god'. Just behind it, stands mighty " Dev Tibba ", the gods abode.

From here, trace the route you came along and you will realize your potential, this accomplishment surely doesn't fill your pocket but it surely boosts your determination, power and confidence.

And now once you realize your potential, this experience will surely benefit you in facing the big mountain challenges that you face in your careers and life.

At the Pass, stay and relax for a while, but do not take long, leave the place and descend. It is advised to avoid staying for too long at the summit points, as sudden weather changes are usual at this height, and in case of fog and rain, the route becomes difficult.

The descent from the Pass is a difficult one, carved on screen and needs to be negotiated carefully. It is seen that most of the accidents happen at the time of descending as this is the time when a person is least careful. So, take care and walk by firm steps.

Also take care, to not make any rock fall by your carelessness as it might hit and cause someone a serious injury.

With the required precautions, we walk safely to our next campsite, Shea Ghoru. It's the coldest place in your trek so keep yourself packed with woolens. It's a levelled pasture surrounded by huge rocky cliffs, with a stream flowing next to your campsite. You need to cross this ice chilled water stream tomorrow in the morning, as at that time the water current will be weak.

The trek starts a little early for the day, because after reaching our campsite which is not more than 2-3 hours from here. We utilize the way by taking a sightseeing road trip to The Chandrataal lake.

Today's trail is a simple descent up to Chatru,the last campsite nearby the road connecting Manali to Kaza. But the start of the day, includes all the fun. The stream flowing by your campsite, which added beauty to the boring campsite otherwise.

This stream need to be crossed, in this chilling hour. It is advisable to cross the river in the early hours of the day, as at this time the water level is low, as the low temp in the night prevents the ice from melting.

Hence, low water level and also weak water current makes the morning hours the best time to cross a stream. Ice chill water cannot be avoided, though it does no harm and add one more thrilling experience to your trek memories.

The trek, further, after crossing the river is a simple path carved in grasslands and further along some boulders. At the end, there is a little steep descent, but this time it's a piece of cake for you as you crossed the tougher one earlier while descending from the Pass.

Further, crossing a small stream, across a small bridge, be careful here, it's a weak one so cross one person at a time. And then plane tour along the Chandrabhaga river lands you to your last campsite, Chatru. Take some rest and refresh yourself, as after that we leave for the sight-seeing to the Chandratal lake and return in the evening. After returning from the lake, we will halt at the Chatru campsite for the night.

Next day, after morning breakfast at Chatru campsite, transportation will be arranged for trekkers accordingly and we will bid our goodbye to marvelous Spiti Valley and head back to Manali which is a 4-5 hours drive from Chatru.

We will have a halt at any midpoint for lunch (exclusive of trek cost). Once we reach Manali, trekkers can make their further travel accordingly.