Hampta Pass
A dramatic crossover trek — lush green Kullu on one side, the stark desert of Lahaul on the other, over a single high pass.
Where you’ll sleep, on real terrain
The elevation profile traces the full climb and descent; tap a camp on the map and the SpO₂ gauge and safety numbers follow.
Reconstructed from real per-day distance, ascent and camp altitudes. The line between points is a straight approximation — not a surveyed terrain profile.
Best months
Curated season (Jun–Sep)— off-months reasoned from the region’s monsoon and winter.
Stage by stage
Distances are approximate operator-standard figures. Times are computed— Naismith’s rule (pace + climb + descent) slowed for altitude, for a fit trekker with breaks — not copied from brochures. Plan generously; groups move at the pace of their slowest member.
Night by night, stop by stop
Each stop is where you sleep — the altitude that drives acclimatisation. Exact camps and per-day distances vary by operator; the safety flags are computed from this profile.
- 1Jobra2400 m · est SpO₂ 92%
- 2Chika3100 m (+700 m) · est SpO₂ 89%500 m/night limitSleeping altitude jumps 700 m to 3100 m. Above 3000 m the guideline is ≤500 m per night.
- 3Balu ka Ghera3600 m (+500 m) · est SpO₂ 86%1000 m rest rule1200 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
- 4Shea Goru3900 m (+300 m) · est SpO₂ 85%1000 m rest rule1500 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.Climb high, sleep lowReached 4270 m but sleeps 370 m lower — textbook acclimatisation practice.
- 5Chatru3360 m (-540 m) · est SpO₂ 88%1000 m rest rule1500 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
Sold as "Moderate"; our numbers put it at Challenging. Broadly consistent.
Overnight lows lapse-adjusted to the high camp (~3900 m).
Himachal Pradesh: forest permits per trek; the Great Himalayan NP has its own permit + guide rule.
Exit to Chatru or back to Jobra/Manali. River crossings and pass-day weather are the hazards.
Approximate planning info — confirm with your operator. HAPE/HACE signs = descend immediately.
- •River crossings in the melt
- •Snow on the pass early season
- •Weather flips at the pass
On the trail
Necessary preparations
Fitness
- Target 5 km in ~30–33 minutes plus one long hike a week; start 6–8 weeks out.
- Expect ~5 km of walking a day — train on stairs and inclines, not just flat ground.
- Do a few hikes carrying your actual daypack weight so your legs and shoulders are used to it.
Acclimatisation & health
- Know the AMS golden rules: don't ascend with symptoms; if worse, descend; HAPE/HACE = descend now.
- Carry a pulse oximeter and take a daily resting reading — a falling trend that doesn't recover means stop.
- Discuss acetazolamide (Diamox) with a doctor before you go — Shikhar never prescribes medication.
- Stay hydrated (3–4 L/day), eat well even without appetite, and avoid alcohol at altitude.
- Carry a personal first-aid kit; tell your operator about any medical conditions in advance.
Gear & clothing
- Layering system: moisture-wicking base, fleece/down mid, waterproof-breathable shell (jacket + pants).
- Broken-in waterproof trekking boots with ankle support + 3–4 pairs of wool/synthetic socks.
- 40–55 L backpack with rain cover; a 20 L daypack if porters carry the main load.
- 3-season sleeping bag rated to at least −5 °C; a liner adds warmth cheaply.
- Trekking poles, sun hat, and warm hat + gloves for cold camps.
- UV protection: category-4 glacier sunglasses, SPF 50+, lip balm — UV is brutal at altitude and on snow.
- Headlamp (+ spare batteries), 1 L insulated bottle, and a power bank (cold drains batteries fast).
Documents & permits
- Government photo ID (original + several photocopies) and passport photos for permits.
- Forest/national-park entry & camping permit — often arranged at the roadhead or by your operator.
- Travel + trek insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
- Emergency-contact card: family contact, blood group, allergies, and your day-by-day itinerary.
Trekker experiences
Illustrative trail notes — representative composites of what trekkers commonly report on this route, not reviews from named individuals. Verify specifics with your operator.
“The magic is walking from green Kullu into the barren moonscape of Lahaul in a single day over the pass. River crossings in the melt were cold and thigh-deep — carry sandals and go early.”
“Did this with my teenage kids. Manageable, but the pass day is long and the weather flipped from sun to snow within an hour. The Chandratal add-on afterwards is 100% worth it.”
Hampta Pass copilot
Grounded strictly in this trek’s data — route, computed times, AMS grade, permits and field notes. It won’t invent water sources or clear you medically. Ask in English or Hindi.
Reviews from trekkers
No community reviews yet — be the first. (See the illustrative trail notes above for what trekkers commonly report.)