Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake
Traveling is as much about the experiences you have while on the road as it is about the joy you get from sharing them with others when the trip is over. Hampta Pass and its better half, Chandra Tal Lake, are two such places that are popular among the most daring travellers.
The Hampta Pass journey is perfect for first-time hikers since it includes dense pine forests, open meadows, glacial valleys, and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The last time I read about them was in drab school textbooks, where I failed to grasp the magnitude of their presence. It wasn’t until recently that everything became clear.
So off we went, into the wilderness of one of the world’s most daunting yet peaceful mountain ranges, to experience firsthand what it’s like to be in a place of complete serenity and peace. Our journey began with a road trip from Manali to Prini. Then it’s on to Chikha on foot.
Even for a fit person, the conditions were challenging, as expected. The journey that lay ahead began with sleeping in tents, crossing ice cold rivers, and navigating impenetrable woodlands. When I heard a wolf call out one night while attempting to sleep, I knew we were in a location where terror would only lead to agony. I felt threatened, but when you don’t have a choice, it’s better to say a quick prayer and go to bed. My Hampta Pass Trek blog can be seen here.
The hike begins with a walk through a deodar, cedar, oak, and maple forest. The natural splendour is stunning. We soon cross the Rani Nalla on a flimsy wooden bridge. On one side, there are 150-foot-tall deodars. They are so dense that light has a hard time reaching us. We pass multiple streams along the road, but they do not pose a threat to our progress. The Rani Nalla soon expands into a large valley. We arrive in Chikha quickly and begin climbing the green ridge. After a long day of hiking, a healthy and filling meal is served.
Continue reading to see why you should go on this expedition to create the best experiences and tell the most bizarre stories later.
Hampta Pass Trek is not only beautiful in its own right, but it’s also a unique sight. It’s a tiny pass that rises from the Kullu valley and looks out over the long, deserted, and magnificent stretches of the Lahaul valley. This walk provides a lot of variety in terms of sceneries.
To reach the dazzling Moon Lake, a mythicized beacon of nature, go through alpine woods, massive rock formations, and unusual flora and animals. This journey offers not just Lahaul’s greenery and chilly deserts, but also the best vistas of the Dhauladhar peaks. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to observe the culture of the inhabitants of nature’s high-altitude wonders. What is the point of travelling? Experience.
Chikka: Your tour will begin at Hampta Dam. After spending a day acclimating in Manali’s base camp, trek to Chikka, which is near to Manali.
Balu Ka Ghera: This spot is essentially a sand dune (“balu ka ghera”) just below the Hampta Pass. This is one of the greatest campgrounds you’ll find on your entire journey. The entire scene is beautiful. On the bank of a river, there is a lovely, expansive plain area. The adjacent Dhauladhar ranges, the outlying Himalayan peaks, are breathtaking.
You will walk to Hampta Pass (4270 m) through Shia Goru from Balu ka Ghera. In a panoramic perspective, look out over the deserted Lahaul valley. Take note of the vast differences in sceneries that this excursion has to offer. Return to Shia Goru for an overnight stay under the stars.
Chandra Tal Lake:
Why is Chandratal Lake, often known as “Moon Lake,” the greatest addition to your Hampta Pass Trek?
The cherry on top (literally, given it sits atop the Hampta Pass) is Chandra Taal, a high-altitude glacier lake (Moon Lake). This is where Yudhisthra (from the Mahabharata) climbed to heaven in legend. The sensation of simply standing by its side and seeing its reflection is undeniably beautiful.
You will most likely visit the lake on your last day of the hike before descending. Set off early in the morning to walk to the Pir Panjal hills and then to Chandratal. Return to Chatru, the meeting place of the Spiti valley, Rohtang Pass, and Hampta Pass, for an overnight stay.
When is the ideal time to visit the Hampta Pass and Chandratal Lake?
From June to late September is the best time to get away and enjoy a lovely week in Hampta Pass. The majority of visitors come in June or the next month during this time range. It’s completely covered with snow, and it’s lovely. What a stunning vista!
The Hampta Pass marks the beginning of your journey across Himachal Pradesh.
The Hampta Pass in Himachal Pradesh is a popular destination for trekkers who aren’t too experienced but have some prior experience. These trekkers enjoy escaping to Himachal Pradesh, which has some of the most diverse Himalayan scenery and flora-fauna and offers unrivalled vistas of the Himalayan peaks.
Once you’ve been here, you’ll want to come back again and again. After returning from Hampta Pass, most people move on to trek in other parts of Himachal Pradesh. After this one, you’re likely to go on a long and rewarding adventure with nature.
