Overview
Hampta Pass is a crossover trek in Himachal Pradesh that climbs from the green Kullu valley near Manali, over a pass at about 4,300 m, and descends into the dry, cold-desert landscape of Lahaul. The change in scenery over four days on foot is the main reason people choose it. Most itineraries finish at Chhatru, with an optional drive to Chandratal lake.
Why do this trek?
- A true crossover. Forest and meadow on one side, barren Lahaul on the other.
- A defined pass day. The pass day is long but well structured, with a steep descent to Shea Goru.
- Short drive from Manali. The trailhead is about an hour by road.
- Chandratal option. Many itineraries add a road trip to the lake.
Who is it for?
Fit beginners who have done at least one shorter Himalayan trek, and returning trekkers who want a pass. Operators describe it as Moderate, and some place it just above Kedarkantha and Dayara Bugyal in difficulty.
Who should think twice?
Anyone not ready for a 9 to 10 hour pass day, cold river crossings, or snow patches in June. People who need guaranteed mobile coverage should also think twice: coverage is reported to end near the start of the trek.
How we rate the difficulty
We rate Hampta Pass Moderate using our difficulty method.
- Altitude: the pass is about 4,300 m, and the highest camp, Shea Goru, is about 3,900 m.
- Effort: published totals are about 24 to 28 km over four days, and the pass day takes 8 to 10 hours.
- Terrain: river crossings, meadow, loose scree on the descent and snow patches in June and early July.
- Cold: operator-reported night temperatures run from about 0°C to 4°C in mid-June and slightly below freezing in August and later.
- Remoteness: no mobile coverage reported beyond the start, and the road at Chhatru is the only exit.
Altitude and acclimatisation
We rate AMS risk moderate. The route climbs from about 2,000 m at Manali to about 3,900 m at Shea Goru in three days. Camps rise gradually, but the pass day is a large step. See our altitude sickness guide.
Permits and entry fees: conflicting information
Published sources disagree. One operator says trekkers must obtain permits from the Manali Forest Department office or through a registered trekking company, while another guide says Indian nationals need no permit for the trek itself. Vehicle registration for Lahaul-Spiti and any Chandratal gate fee are separate. Confirm the current position with your operator or the Forest Department before travel.
Camp altitudes differ
Camp altitudes vary between sources by more than 2 percent, so we do not draw an elevation profile. The pass at about 4,300 m and Shea Goru at about 3,900 m agree across sources.
Plan alongside other tools
Use Find My Trek or compare treks. Related: Kedarkantha, Dayara Bugyal, and trekking in Himachal Pradesh. Season: June and September.