Hampta Pass – Chandratal Trek
Overview of Trek :
*********************************************
Duration : 4 Days
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Region: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Maximum Altitude: 4,270 m (14,100 Feet from the Sea Level)
Total Cost of Tour: INR 10,000 /-
Approx Trekking in Km :- 26 Kms
Activity : Trekking, Camping
Accommodation Type: Tents
Average Temperature: Day time: 13°C-18°C; Night time: 0°C-7°C
*********************************************
Himachal Pradesh is one of the most popular State in India having pristine range snow-clad mountains, breathtaking landscapes, dozens of Hindu Temples and riverside camping sites, apple garden, etc which are a major source of tourist attraction. People all over from India and World came here to explore, refresh their souls in the lap of Himalayas.
Why I choose Hampta Pass – Chandratal Lake Trek?
I’m not a kind of #SoloTraveller so I need someone whom I’m comfortable. So I decided to take some break from my day-to-day work schedule. Mountains are my favorite place to explore myself. The Chilling & foggy morning, valley wrapped in clouds like you are on another world, rainbows, the waterfalls coming down far from the hills, are the key factors.
With more than 200 defined trekking trails from easiest to toughest, Hampta Pass trek is the moderate level of around 26kms. Some other popular destinations for trekking and campings are Dhaulandhar (Triund Glacier)trek, Parvati valley trek, Bhabha pass trek, Sari Pass trek, Beas Kund trek, trek to Chamba and Pin Parvati, Kakeri lake trek, etc.
Tea Point before Chika campsite
The nearest station is Manali. Therefore, the trip starts from Manali to Chika via Jobra and ends back to Manali.
Preparation and Boarding Day – 13th September 2019
Abhishek and Me (Hitendra) rushed from home at 5.30pm to reach Majnu ka Tila, Kashmere Gate. Sharp at 7.30 pm, we reached at Kashmere Gate Metro to board our bus, which was at 8.30pm. Now we have to find Indo Canadian (Snow Region Travels) office which is opposite to Gurudwara. But we reached another Snow Region Travel office which was situated 2km ahead of Gurudwara. We crossed the road to the opposite side and walk swiftly in traffic with our load of 15km bag-pack. We ate two plates momos as our meal that night. Finally, we board on Volvo Bus. I’m very excited for the trip, leaving Maa & Papa far behind for 4 days without no phone connectivity. At 8.30 pm our journey to Manali begins. Although the bus seat was very comfortable but we are unable to take sleep as our feet not fitting there Whole night, that was a very rough night.
Day 1 (14 September 2019, Saturday) : Manali To Chika Via Jobra
- Altitude:- Jobra 9,800ft to Chika 10,100ft
- 2 hour drive to Jobra from Manali
- 2km, 45 minutes trek from Jobra to Chika
- Reporting time at Manali was 12 pm
Early morning our bus stopped for 15 min at Beas River Point for some tea. After a rough night, I’m feeling sleepy so I decided to take some tea and what I saw- Huge mountains covered with clouds and white water river flowing between them – Ek Pahadi ko Our kya chahiye 🙂 😍
Around 9 am, We reached the Manali Bus stand. Now we have to report our Team at 12’o clock at Nehru Park, Mall Road. So we have only 3 hours to get ready, no time for rest. We arrange a budgeted hotel at Rs. 300 for 3 hours. As we didn’t take any dinner last night we are hungry so we decided to visit a good dhaba for breakfast.
Around 12 pm we reach Nehru Park – 200 m from our hotel. So we waited. At 12.30 pm a battalion of 39 Gujjus came! We are going to trek with them. Interesting!
Tip : For dining and Breakfast avoid lavishing restaurants. Go and check out for clean dhabha. They will serve you hot and good food in reasonable price.
The Amazing part of this group is nearly 8 or 9 people are below 30 age including me and Rest of them are above 45 to 65 years of age.
Pushpendra Thakur – we call him Pushpa, our guide giving some important tips. “The first day, we have to walk the only 2km to reach our camp (Chika) at the height to 3000m Jobra.”- Pushpa Instagram Id: (@ell_ultimo)
Boleros are ready to take us to Jobra where we gonna start our journey with our bag pack. Kiran and Atul joined us, they are from Delhi soon we became friends. At 2 pm we reached Jobra Point from where trekking starts. We took our lunch there.
Jobra Tea Point: Team Discussion
After that, we headed towards the Chika base camp with our 15 kgs of Bags. Starting day was easy trek of nearly 2.5km continuous which ends easily at 4 pm. After reaching Chika base camp we halted there. Dinner, which was so delicious – Chapati and Dal that I never expected! Early morning we have to trek more than 8 km Balu Ka Ghera (11,900ft) so we need to go to our tents early. Here are the first day glimpses.
Savitri Anty ☺️
Tip: During camping on hilly areas, avoid littering and plastics. Put a lunch box and stainless steel water bottle.
Day 2: Chika to Balu ka Ghera
- Altitude:- 10,100ft to 11,900ft
- Level: Moderate, 8.5Km, 6hr trek
- River crossing, boulder walk and colourful tiny flowers on the way
Majestic Peaks, peace and beauty would make anyone fall in love with them. Starting our day at 6 am with a nutritious breakfast Milk, honey, Poha with Paratha.
We are ready to set on an easy trekking trail that is supremely impressive! With the true beauty of the Himalayas, breathtaking views make everyone feel refreshing and rejuvenated.
We are following the left bank of the river that will appear at your right hand side. We walked through flowering meadows and valleys, Dhauladhar ranges, the outer Himalayan chain of mountains. Now the Canon works begin, started with few clicks, I captured the beautiful landscape, fast-flowing mountain stream.
Leaving Chika campsite
There is around 2km of easy uphill to reach another side of the mountain. Slowly but continuously we are moving. After crossing it, our next task is to cross fast and chilled flowing river. Daring Delhi team (Abhishek, Me, Kiran and Atul) reached early at that point. We waited for our group there for 30 minutes. There was another group also who are trekking from Hampta Pass -> Chika -> Jobra.
We have enough time to wait so I take a bath at the river. It was so cold that even my legs and hand jammed, my ears gone blocked. Sun is at the top with a cold breeze on the move. I got a cold and headache in this cold water. As soon our Gujju Gang arrives we make human chain to cross the river. It takes 20 minutes for our group of 42 people to cross river. Our half of the trek is now completed. We entered Jwara is a beautiful scenic valley, a wildflower meadow at the meeting point of a valley!
We decided to move slowly instead of resting at meeting point. Moving alongside with river we stopped at some point to take lunch, Chapati and Bhindi (Lady finger). It is 4pm now.
The Weather is changing with little cloudy. It will take another hour to reach the end of the valley, which is the finishing point Balu ka Ghera.
At 5.30pm as we reached Balu Ka Gera campsite I just head towards our tent and rested nearly 2hrs. Meanwhile Abhishek brought up hot soup for me which is helps me boost. It was showering and temperature is going down. In the dining shade, our gujju team is playing antakshri. The night was horrible for me as continuous pain in my head due to cold. That night I skip dinner. Nearly at 1 am, I woke up for toilet, which was installed along riverside. It was full moon and the moonlight showers entire valley. While going back to tent I’ve taken a medicine for a headache. The morning begins as fresh as usual but still, I’m feeling too tied. My breath is getting shorter as we start out next toughest part trek.
The Next day begins with Trekking along with more than 15kg of weight which is too tough for me especially when I’d shorter breath. Taking our tiffin box, our Batch is moving slowly-slowly from the valley towards Hampta pass.
Day3: Balu ka Ghera to Siagoru (12,900ft) , Crossing Hampta Pass (14,100ft)
- Altitude:- 11,900ft to 14,100ft (Hampta Pass) to 12,900ft
- 7 km, 12 to 15hr trek
- No water point on the way.
We have to move faster this day as it is the toughest and longest from rest of the days. As we move on, there is Gradual ascent which becomes steep uphill after we reach Hampta Pass.
Red jacket Uncle is at his 65 age Young Man! 💪
While crossing the Hampta pass, we walked on the snow and the weather is changing minute to minute. Snowfall happened then another minute it’s Raining. Challenges and trek level has been increasing. Heartbeat was noticeable, each breath was conscious.
I’m losing breath as lower air pressure and at every 10 steps I stopped at a place to gain some more oxygen and it was too tough to reach the top. Pushing myself so hard and I said myself – “If you want to reach the top, nothing is easy. Chase it and achieve it“. I was the last 3rd person to reach the top of Hampta Pass – 14,100ft
(Left to Right) Pushpendra Thakur, Abhishek Tyagi & Hitendra Mehta at Hampta Pass
Now the scariest part comes – nearly 80 degree sharp descent. No water sources, chilling winds almost froze my hands. Pushpa offered his gloves to me. It takes more than 2 hr to come down from the steep slope. Somehow I reached the ground where Abhishek waited for me. The Siagoru basecamp was clearly visible from that point. After reaching the ground we have to walk over Solid rock glacier. Hiten do it now All our group members already reached the campsite including the 50’s and 65 years Young Uncle. Now my spiritedness gave up there. Due to slip disc my lower back getting burning.
Abhishek hold my luggage. He has now carrying double weight on his shoulder. Somehow after crossing the Lahaul Valley flat surface we finally reached Siagoru basecamp. Totally scenic and relief. The day’s trek was about 10 hours for me.
The Siagoru campsite is also by the riverside.
Tip: Climate at Hampta Pass changes gradually. Get poncho or Waterproof Jacket and gloves.
Day 4 – Trek from Siagoru to Chatru (11,000ft), Drive from Chatru to Chandra Tal
- Altitude:- 12,900ft to 11,000ft
- 7Km, 5hr trek
In the morning we joined up for group photographs.
Another River crossing at Shea Goru
The last day is an easier one! Beginning with the trek (after breakfast), feeling energetic as Pushpa (Our guide) gave me a dose of pill to overcome my short breath problem. There is a hilltop/sightseeing where we take photos with magnificent Himalayas mountains.
Shea goru located at a height of 3,920m (12, 900ft) and Chatru is at 3,320m (11, 000ft). It is a gentle trek downhill from Siagoru. Its all barren. The trek leads us alongside Chandra River. Roads were clearly visible.
A little walk away from Jobra campsite.
Getting down from the mountains is easier one from the steep slope of Hampta Pass.
Arriving in Chatru, our next stop is Chandratal…. after taking lunch at Chatru, our team is ready to Chandratal via Jeep. Most of our fellow Gujju friends returned back to Manali.
The NH was too dangerous, roads are broken, one of the dangerous roads in the world. Moving ahead one of our Jeep is stuck at the rocks and its oil tank is leaking. Simultaneously Hailstones. After struggling with this and bad weather, we couldn’t move to Chandra Tal lake and our journey ends at Chatru.
I thank to our all cook who serves so much delicious food and guide who made this possible.
कुछ कहानियां अधूरी रह जाती हैं
नयी कहानियों को आकार देने के लिए…
Life Lessons What Mountains teaches me –
Remember how small you are! RESPECT Every Small Thing In Life. Mountains teaches me to be grateful for everything in life, whether it’s big or small.
> Never stops and Keep going up.
> Mountains make you uncomfortable and when you work Out of Comfort zone it transforms you.
> If you want to reach the top, nothing is easy. Chase it with a positive attitude.
> Preparation is the Key. Always take Backup – Medical/Friends. Even small things make a big difference.
> THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BAD WEATHER, ONLY BAD GEAR
Safety First.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Hamptapass2019/
hitenmehta.wordpress.com 