Day 1 · Manali to Jobra, trek to Chika
Drive from Manali to the Jobra road head, then walk approximately 2 km through pine and maple forest beside the Rani River. Overnight near Chika. This is a short orientation day.
Five days on trail
Hampta Pass trek itinerary
A considered five-day progression from Manali's forests to the pass and onward into Lahaul, with approximate distances, terrain and camp notes.
Day 1
Jobra to Chika · 2 km
Day 2
Balu ka Ghera · 8 km
Day 3
Pass crossing · 9 km
Day 4–5
Chatru to Manali
Quick answer
The standard Hampta Pass itinerary is five days: Manali to Jobra and trek to Chika, Chika to Balu ka Ghera, Balu ka Ghera over Hampta Pass to Shea Goru, Shea Goru to Chatru, and Chatru back to Manali through the Atal Tunnel. A six-day version adds a Chandratal excursion when the road is open.
Day 2 · Chika to Balu ka Ghera
Trek approximately 8 km in 5–6 hours through the broadening valley, crossing streams and passing waterfalls. Camp at roughly 11,900 ft below the pass approach.
Day 3 · Balu ka Ghera to Shea Goru via Hampta Pass
The longest day: approximately 9 km over 7–9 hours. Ascend over scree or seasonal snow to the pass at roughly 14,100 ft, then descend carefully into Lahaul for camp. The altitude profile shows camp-by-camp elevations.
Day 4 · Shea Goru to Chatru
Descend approximately 5 km over 4–5 hours, with a river crossing where conditions require. Reach the road at Chatru and settle into camp or continue according to operating logistics.
Day 5 · Chatru to Manali
Return by road through Lahaul and the Atal Tunnel. A Chandratal visit is possible only when roads, weather, local permissions and the booked package allow it.
Day 3 in detail: the pass crossing
Wake-up is typically around 4:30–5:00 am with breakfast in the dark. The climb to the saddle takes roughly three to four hours across moraine and often snow. Teams pause briefly at the top for photographs before the steep, loose descent toward Shea Goru, which frequently takes as long as the ascent.
The six-day Chandratal variation
Day 5 becomes a drive from Chatru toward Chandratal with a short walk to the lake and camping nearby or returning to Chatru, and day 6 becomes the return to Manali. This version depends entirely on road status, weather and permissions, and operators normally quote it separately. The Hampta Pass and Chandratal guide covers the trade-offs.
A typical day's rhythm
Camp life on the Hampta Pass Trek follows a predictable pattern that helps you pace yourself.
- 6:00–7:00 am wake-up call and tea
- Breakfast and packing, walking by 8:00 am
- Packed lunch or a long break on the trail
- Camp by mid-afternoon, soup and briefing
- Dinner around 7:30 pm, lights out early
Buffer days are not optional
Keep at least one spare day in Manali after the scheduled finish. Highway landslides, Atal Tunnel closures and weather holds are common enough that booking a same-evening onward journey creates unnecessary pressure on the group. See how to reach Hampta Pass for the travel side.
Five-day plan at a glance
| Day | Stage | Altitude | Distance / time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manali → Jobra (drive), trek to Chika | 9,800 → 10,100 ft | ≈2 km / 2 hrs |
| 2 | Chika → Balu ka Ghera | 10,100 → 11,900 ft | ≈8 km / 5–6 hrs |
| 3 | Balu ka Ghera → Hampta Pass → Shea Goru | 11,900 → 14,100 → 12,900 ft | ≈9 km / 7–9 hrs |
| 4 | Shea Goru → Chatru | 12,900 → 11,000 ft | ≈5 km / 4–5 hrs |
| 5 | Chatru → Manali via Atal Tunnel | 11,000 → 6,700 ft | Road journey |
Common questions
Asked before booking.
Can the trek be done in four days?
Compressed versions exist but reduce acclimatisation and the safety margin on the pass day. Trekkers who have done faster itineraries, gaining height from around 6,700 ft in Manali to above 12,000 ft within two days, have reported a higher rate of altitude symptoms than on the standard five-day plan. Five days is the sensible standard.
Where does the trek actually start?
Walking begins near Jobra, reached by a short but steep drive of switchbacks from Manali. The exact drop point varies with road condition.
Is there mobile network on the trek?
Signal is generally lost after Jobra and returns near Chatru or on the drive back. Share the operator's emergency contact with family before you leave.
What happens if the pass is closed on our day?
Teams may wait a day at Balu ka Ghera or return the same way to Manali. Refunds in that case depend on the operator's written policy.
Trek routes, weather, road access, campsites and Chandratal accessibility can change due to weather, trail conditions, local restrictions and operational decisions. Confirm current conditions and itinerary details before departure.
Continue planning
Related trek guides
Where the trail goes: waypoints, terrain and navigation from Jobra to Chatru.Hampta Pass trek route and mapWalking distance day by day, kept separate from the road transfers.Hampta Pass trek distance by dayPass altitude in feet and metres, with camp-by-camp elevations.Hampta Pass height and altitudeWhat a guided departure includes, indicative pricing and how booking works.Hampta Pass trek package and price
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