Max Participants :
15
Trail Type :
Cross over trail, Start one valley, cross the pass, and end to another valley
Itinerary Description
The alluring Hampta Pass is located deep within Kullu, Himachal Pradesh's ethereal areas. It's a full walk with a large stretch of arid, lonely mountains in the Lahaul valley on one side and a contrasting panorama of flowers, waterfalls, streams, and woods in the Kullu valley on the other. The voyage lasts for 5 days and 22 kms, with only minor ascents and descents, light rain, and a startling shift in the landscape. We are joined for the first two days of the trip by the stunning Rani Nallah. After a few thrilling river crossings on the third day, we begin climbing toward the pass, which is hidden at a height of 4,200 metres. The picturesque high-altitude lake known as Chandra Tal (Tal means Lake in the local language) is where the walk eventually comes to a finish. At a height of 4,250 metres, this turquoise-blue lake is renowned for its tranquilly and beauty.
This journey is best done between June and October when a broad variety of flowers and colours come to life thanks to the charm of the monsoon rains. The soft white clouds have made the landscape famous for its frequent whiteouts. Some of the delights of Hampta Pass include driving through cotton clouds, camping next to calm rivers, eating lunch on flower-filled meadows, strolling across charming bridges, driving through the snow-covered pass, relaxing by little waterfalls, and taking peaceful showers. Every turn and every halt on the Hampta Pass paths will reveal a new surprise. The pathways are lined with tiny bushes, oak, deodar, and maple trees when we leave the base camp, Jobra.
The routes ascend after passing through the first campground, Chikka. The trail here is marked by slush and pebbles. Finally, the route continues through the Jwara flower meadows as it heads towards the second campground, Balu Ka Ghera. The routes ascend with snow and boulders for 4 kilometres from Balu Ka Gehra until they reach the pass. The trail's character radically changes from the pass and falls on a 50-degree steep route to the third campsite, Shea Goru. The trek becomes easier after Shea Goru and continues with a short dip to Chhatru. The persistent rain, the slushy routes, and the steep descents are some of the fundamental difficulties we encounter at Hampta Pass. To advance securely, the appropriate tools and abilities are needed. It is perfect for both experts and novices. However, one must first do a level 3 trip, such as the Kuari Pass trek, Beas Kund and Bhrigu Lake, in order to deal with the high-altitude weather and terrain. You will then have the requisite lung capacity and leg strength to complete the journey without difficulty.
Key Preparations and Practical Information
Best Time to Trek: The ideal window is from mid-June to mid-October. June to July offers snow on the pass, while August to October provides clearer skies, blooming meadows, and better road access to Chandratal Lake.
Difficulty and Fitness: This is a moderate-level trek, making it suitable for beginners with good physical fitness. You should be comfortable walking for 5-7 hours daily on varied terrain. Pre-trek training should include cardio (running, cycling) and leg-strengthening exercises (stair climbing, squats) for at least 3-4 weeks beforehand.
Essential Permits: While no special trekking permit is required for Indian citizens, a forest entry permit is necessary, which we will arrange. A valid government ID is a must. It is highly recommended to trek with a licensed guide or agency, as they will handle all logistics, from permits to transportation and safety.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): Although the altitude is moderate, AMS is a possibility. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, and dizziness. The best prevention is to stay hydrated, ascend slowly, and avoid alcohol. Listen to your body and always inform your trek leader if you feel unwell. The itinerary is designed for gradual acclimatization.
Short Itinerary
Day1 - Manali (2050 mts) to Jobra (2743 mts) drive 16 km and trek to Chikka (3048 mts) 3 km trek (2 hours)
Day 2 - Chikka (3048 mts) to Balu ka Ghera (3600 mts) 5 km trek (7 hours)
Day 3 - Balu ka Ghera (3600 mts) to Shea Guru (3900 mts) via Hampta Pass (4200 mts) 9 km trek (7 hours)
Day 4 - Shea Guru (3900 mts) to Chhatru (3350 mts), 5 km trek (4 hours) and drive to Chandra-Tal (Lake) and back to Chhatru, 70 km (3 hours) drive
Day 5 - Chhatru (2250 mts) to Manali (2050 mts) 60 km drive (1.5 hours)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Day1 - Manali (2050 mts) to Jobra (2743 mts) drive 16 km and trek to Chikka (3048 mts) 3 km trek (2 hours)
Your journey begins in the vibrant hill station of Manali. After final preparations and a last taste of town comforts, you'll take a short, scenic 16 km drive to Jobra, the last motorable point and the official start of your trek. The road winds through dense pine and deodar forests, building anticipation for the days ahead.
From Jobra, the real adventure begins with a gentle 3 km trek to Chikka. This short, 2-hour walk is the perfect introduction to the Himalayas. The trail meanders through lush forests of pine, maple, and birch, following the soothing sound of the Rani Nallah river. You'll cross small wooden bridges and catch your first glimpses of the towering peaks. The campsite at Chikka is a beautiful, open meadow by the riverside, offering a peaceful first night under the stars.
Day 2
Day 2 - Chikka (3048 mts) to Balu ka Ghera (3600 mts) 5 km trek (7 hours)
Today, the trek's challenges begin to unfold as you head deeper into the valley. The 5 km trail to Balu ka Ghera is a steady ascent that takes around 6-7 hours to complete. The path continues to follow the Rani Nallah, which grows more powerful as you gain altitude. You'll traverse expansive green meadows, navigate patches of rocky terrain, and likely encounter your first snow bridges, depending on the season.
A key highlight - and for many, a thrilling challenge - is the river crossing. The icy water rushes down from the glaciers, and crossing it with the support of your experienced trekking guides is an adventure in itself. After pushing through this section, the valley opens up to reveal one of the most surreal campsites of the trek: Balu ka Ghera. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and perched on a riverbed, it's a breathtaking place to rest and acclimatize for the big day ahead.
Day 3
Day 3 - Balu ka Ghera (3600 mts) to Shea Guru (3900 mts) via Hampta Pass (4200 mts) 9 km trek (7 hours)
This is "The Day" - the one you've been preparing for. It's challenging, long, and immensely rewarding. The roughly 9 km trek from Balu ka Ghera to Shea Goru via the Hampta Pass will take 7-8 hours. You'll start early, packed lunch in your bag, as the initial ascent is steep, often over snowfields and rocky moraine. With every step, the air gets thinner and the views more expansive.
After a 3-4 hour climb, you'll stand on the Hampta Pass itself. At nearly 14,000 feet, you are greeted by a breathtaking 360-degree panorama. You can look back at the lush Kullu Valley you've left behind and forward to the stark, brown, arid landscape of the Lahaul Valley that lies ahead. The descent to Shea Goru is steep and requires careful footing on loose scree and snow, but the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled. Shea Goru, a campsite in the cold desert, feels like another world entirely.
Day 4
Day 4 - Shea Guru (3900 mts) to Chhatru (3350 mts), 5 km trek (4 hours) and drive to Chandra-Tal (Lake) and back to Chhatru, 70 km (3 hours) drive
After the efforts of the previous day, today offers a change of pace. You'll trek the final 5 km down to Chhatru, a small settlement in the Spiti valley. The trail is a relatively easy descent, but you'll still encounter a few more thrilling stream crossings, a signature feature of this trek.
Upon reaching Chhatru, the trekking portion of your journey concludes. Here, you'll hop into a waiting vehicle for the highlight of the day: a drive to the magical Chandratal Lake, weather and road conditions permitting. The 70 km round trip on a bumpy road is an adventure in itself, leading to a high-altitude, crescent-shaped lake of turquoise blue, nestled amidst the mountains. The serene beauty of "the Moon Lake" is the perfect reward. You'll drive back to Chhatru to spend the night.
Day 5
Day 5 - Chhatru (2250 mts) to Manali (2050 mts) 60 km drive (1.5 hours)
Your final day is a scenic 60 km drive back to Manali. Depending on the season and road conditions, you'll either take the historic Rohtang Pass or go through the modern Atal Tunnel. The drive offers a final opportunity to soak in the dramatic, changing landscapes of the Himalayas - from the barren deserts of Lahaul back to the pine-covered slopes of the Kullu Valley. As you arrive in Manali, you'll carry with you the incredible memories of a trek that truly showed you two different worlds.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- ●Meals during the trek (Day 1 Lunch till Day 5 Breakfast)
- ●Forest Permits/Camping Charges (only if availing transportation through The Wanderin Mans). Included only up to amount charged for Indian Nationals
- ●Transportation from Manali to Manali with Chandratal Lake
- ●Tents, Sleeping bags, mattress
- ●Safety Equipment includes Helmet, Micro spikes, Safety kit and Gaiters if required
- ●Experience Trek guide, cook, helpers, porters & mules for carrying common luggage
- ●Experience and Mountaineering course Certified Trek Leader
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- ●Meals during road journeys
- ●Offloading of personal bags
- ●Cost of any kind of Insurance. Since insurance is mandatory, kindly get yourself insured from our partners ASC360 through www.asc360.com
- ●Any expense of personal nature
- ●Emergency Evacuation Cost
- ●Any expense not specified in the inclusion list
Are you eligible for this adventure?
Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you to a height of 4,130M and is rated a moderate level trek for its long trekking distances. For its elevation and distances, it is recommended for trekkers with some prior experience in the high-altitudes.
Grade
Moderate
Max Altitude
4200 mts
Distance
35 km
WMRS Level Required
Terrain
Prerequisite Skills
Fitness Benchmark
WMRS Level Required
WMRS 4
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a level 4 adventure on the Bikat Rating Scale.
This makes it mandatory for you to have high-altitude experience of preferably multiple treks marked at level 3 on the WMRS. The altitude, the terrain, and the nature of the climb demand a certain level of endurance and a need for you to be aware of how your body reacts to the various features of the high-altitude environment.
If you do not know what level of WMRS trek would suit you best, worry not! Fill out this Form:
We will send you a progression chart to help you comfortably get out of your comfort zone in order to level up and ultimately reach your highest potential in the big, bad world of outdoor adventure.
Packing List
This is a list of essential items for individuals going on a trek with Wanderin’ Man Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Wanderin’ Man Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.
🟩 Trekking Gear
- Rucksack bag with rain cover
- Day Pack Bag - Recommended for treks with summit day
- Head Torch with spare Batteries
- UV protection sunglasses
- Water Bottles - 2 bottles of 1 liter each
🟩 Footwear
- Non-skid, deep tread, high-ankle trekking shoes - 1
- Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals for the campsite - 1
🟩 Clothing
- Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants - 2
- Full sleeves T-shirts/Sweatshirts (1 for every 2 days of trekking)
- Pair of thick woolen socks (1 pair for every two days of trekking)
- Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower - 1
- Undergarments (1 for each day of the itinerary)
- Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck - 1
- Full sleeves sweater - 1
- Rain wear (Jacket & Pants) - 1
- Pair of water-proof, warm gloves - 1
- Woolen cap - 1
- Sun shielding Hat - 1
- Multipurpose Buff - 2
🟩 Toiletries
- Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
- Sun screen lotion small pack (SPF 30 & Above) - 1
- Lip Balm small pack - 1
🟩 Utensils
- Small size, Lightweight & Leak proof lunch box - 1
- Plate - 1
- Spoon - 1
- Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug - 1
🟩 Miscellaneous
- Camera (Optional)
- Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
- Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional)
Note-
- For long treks, please carry a spare sunglasses.
- For winter trek please try to carry a thermal water bottle.
- For long winter treks, please carry an extra pair of warm pants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Wanderin' Man?
(SET- Safety, Expertise & Trust )
Safety
- ●Small Group Size in the ratio of 6:1 (participant to leader)
- ●No compromise on safety and sustainability promise
- ●Experienced and Certified Mountaineering Professional Leaders
- ●Region Mapped with Emergency Evacuation Plan
- ●Certified Standard Equipment by UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation certification) & other Similar Bodies
- ●Minimized Risk Management Standard Operating Procedure are applied for every Trek and tour
- ●Certified First Aid Support and Doctors* with constant availability of Safety Equipments like Medical Kit, Rescue Kit
- ●Constant communication is aided with the help of Communication Devices
- ●Certified and registered Transporter for transportation purpose
Expertise
- ●Founders of the company have extensive experience of 15 years having organized approx 2000+ trekking, Expeditions and other adventure activities.
- ●Wanderin’ Man Adventures operating expeditions above 8000 mts.
- ●Under the umbrella of Wanderin’ Man Adventures 15 + adventure activities Programs have been organized
- ●Founders have mountaineering certifications from the esteemed mountaineering institutes of India.
- ●Team is composed of experienced mountaineers and trek leaders with thorough understanding of norms and procedures.
Trust
- ●Trust has been the hallmark of our company since its inception be it any program on the list.
- ●Special emphasis is laid on the use of standard procedures and equipments as per the mountaineering norms
- ●95% of our clients have availed our service on repeat basis.
- ●Our business has expanded primarily based on the “word of mouth” from our existing clients to new ones
What Our Customers Say
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund (All events including Friendship Peak Expedition except other Mountaineering Expeditions) - Cash refunds are only available for bookings made without any discounts, such as promotional codes or dynamic discounts. Additionally, cash refunds are not available for shifted batch bookings or if the booking status is "Booked". Add-ons are non-refundable. The amount of the refund will be determined based on the following guidelines:
Cancellations made up to 45 days before the departure date
Cancellations made up to 31 days before the departure date
Cancellations made between 30 and 21 days before the departure date
Cancellations made between 20 and 11 days before the departure date
Cancellations made less than 11 days before the departure date are not eligible for a cash refund.
Voucher Refund Policy
Voucher Refund: This option is available for all types of bookings including the bookings made under promotional offers. The Wanderin' Man Adventures would offer you a short-term voucher that would enable you with a flexibility to book any other Wanderin' Man Adventures event using the voucher.
The option of claiming a voucher is available till 7 days prior to the departure of the event. The refund of the amount would be processed as per deduction guidelines outlined below:
The amount for refund processing would always be calculated basis the net amount paid* for booking the event with respect to the Base Price of the event (excluding additional components like transport, rent, portage, etc.).
Please note that the voucher issued would not include the service tax amount paid while making the booking. However, when you use the voucher to book again on our website, service tax would not be applicable on the voucher amount.
Validity of the voucher would be 24 months from the date of issue.
*Net Amount Paid would be the amount paid to Wanderin' Man Adventures at the time of booking after adjusting for all rebates provided by applying vouchers.
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