Overview
Region: Himachal Pradesh/Spiti Valley
Duration: 5 days
Level: Easy To Moderate
Base Camp: Jobra
Distance: 26 Kms
Altitude:14,100 Ft.
Pickup Point:Manali
Drop Point:Manali
Best Season:July and August
Brief ITINERARY
Day-1
Manali to Chika via Jobra by drive(10,100 Feet)
Day-2
Chika to Balu Ka Gera(11,900 Feet)
Day-3
Balu ka Gera – Hampta Pass (14,100ft) – Shia Goru (13,800ft/08-09 Hours Moderate Trek)
Day-4
Trek from Shia Goru to Chatru & Drive to Chandartal-The Moon Lake. (14,100 Ft, 4 Hours Trek/02 Hours Drive)
Day-5
Back to Manali via Rohtang Pass.
DETAILED ITINERARY
ABOUT THE DESTINATION
Hamta Pass lies at an altitude of 4270 m (14009 ft) on the Pir Panjal range in the Himalayas. It is a small corridor between Lahaul and Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Hamta village is located below Sethan village and from there it got its name Hamta Pass. This pass is frequently used by shepherds of lower Himalayan region, seeking for high altitude grassland in the dry cold desert of Lahaul during summer time. Numbers of wild flowers and herbs grow at the altitude between 3000 to 3800 m. Vertical rock walls, waterfalls, hanging glaciers, tiny lakes, peaks rising above 6000 m are main characteristics of this trek. People need a proper guide to cross certain glaciers. From Hamta pass one can extend their journey towards the beautiful Chandrataal. The trip to Hamta Pass is a relatively easy trek as it starts at the Hamta Dam, which is 2730m. The terrain is mostly rocky and trekking amidst a large sized boulders is common, the trek from the Kullu The terrain changes for a green paradise to a rocky cold desert in just a few meters across the pass. It is also known to be the road to heaven, as it was the route taken by YudhisHimveer Tour & Trekira on his accent to heaven, The Hamta Pass is also named after the Rishi that meditated there named Hamta Maharishi.
Temperatures:
June - August day time 15C to 20C and night 7C to -2C
Sept – Oct, day time 15C to 10C and night 5C to -5C
Day 1 -Manali to Chika via Jobra by drive(10,100 Feet)
Report at the Base Camp, Manali before 10:00AM. After registration , we will transfer you to Jobra– the last road head for the trek after crossing river beas by Jeep/Car. The vehicle from Manali after passing the Prini village takes you up through 42 hairpin bends and drops you off at Jobra. You have already gained quite an altitude from Manali and you start your trek at 9800 feet. Cross the road and take the small path into the forest. You will also find other variety of trees like maple, deodar, toss and oak. The sight is refreshing. The slope that is supposed to be climbed is an easy one and not very steep. 20 minutes into the trek, you will reach a bend that overlooks a lush green meadow strewed with small rocks. Enjoy the surrounding for a couple of minutes and head towards the meadow. The Rani nallah/water stream comes into view which flows directly in between the meadow. You will also see few sheep and cows grazing in the field. The sight looks exactly as if taken out from fairy tale. You can pass through the meadow or climb up the hill on the left hand side. Either way you will reach Chika which is at the end of the vast meadow. But, climbing the hill and descending down to Chika is a better and easier route. Chika camp site is a huge and spacious patch of green. The Rani Nallah flowing in the middle makes this place perfect for setting up the tents. Overnight stay in camps at Chika.
Day 2 - Chika to Balu Ka Gera(11,900 Feet/05-06 Hours Easy Trek)
Balu Ka Gera is a flat ground amidst the mountains at an elevation of 11,900 ft. Today’s trail will take you through Jwara- a beautiful scenic sheltered valley. After an early breakfast, trek begins from Chikka and walk along the banks of the river to the left. The route will encompass several small waterfalls, lush green meadows and Dhauladhar peaks will be your constant company throughout the hiking hours. We set up our camps and relax for the rest of the day as we slowly reach an altitude of almost 11000 ft. Dinner and overnight stay at the camps at Balu ka Gera.
Day 3 - Balu ka Gera – Hampta Pass (14,100ft) – Shia Goru (13,800ft/07-08 Hours Moderate Trek)
This is the crowning day of your trip and the most challenging one. The trek is long on this day and should be started at around 7 AM. It would take approximately 4-5 hours to reach the top. Today’s trek can be broken into two stages. The climb to Hampta Pass which is moderately steep followed by a steep descent to Shea Goru. Now at 14,100 ft., you are on top of Hampta Pass with breathtaking views that will leave you in awe. You will want to take a small break on the top of the pass so make it your target to reach the pass by lunch time, have lunch there and then start the descent. As we start walking towards the mountains from Balu Ka Gera along the river for an hour when the gradient begins, the trail takes you straight towards Hampta Pass. In no time, you will see the first plateau, the magnificent Deo Tibba peak right in front of you. Climb up the ridges as you come closer to Hampta Pass. The climb is vertical and steep which demands concentration and effort, which is all worth at the end. It can vary slightly depending on the snow condition too.
Day 4 - Trek from Shia Goru to Chatru & Drive to Chandartal-The Moon Lake. (14,100 Ft/04 Hours Trek/02 Hours Drive)
You will cover Sia goru to Chatru by foot and it will take approx 4 hours of easy downhill trek. Sia Goru is placed at an altitude of 12, 900 ft and Chatru at 11, 000 ft. It is a gentle trek downhill from Shea goru. The trail here again is by the side of the river valley between mountain ranges. Chatru can be located at a distance. No vegetations can be seen in the barren mountains. You will notice the Chandra River flowing below and a road that goes by its side. More than two Glaciers comes next which are to be crossed. The other side of the Glacier is Chatru. Choose a location which has the river running around. Chatru is a magnificent camping site; it is a consensus of the three passes, Hampta, Rohtang and Spiti.
** Drive to Chandratal is purely dependent upon the weather/road conditions.
Day 5 - Drive from Chandra Tal to Manali via Rohtang Pass., Trip ends here
It is the day when your Hampta pass & Chandratal camping and trekking adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, traverse the high altitude pass that connects the humid Kullu Valley and the arid Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Arrive at Manali and disperse for your homeward journey with a bag full of memories. Most of the Volvo starts for onward journey from Manali after 04:00 PM so you can plan to explore accordingly. It is advised that you keep a buffer day because the weather is unpredictable in the mountains.
Cost Terms
COSTS INCLUDES
All transfers in shared taxi right from PICKUP POINTS to DROP POINTS
Permits and Entrance fees.
Accommodation in tents on share basis during trekking.
All meals, { from BASE CAMP to BASE CAMP} Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Tea, Coffee, Sneaks, Soup, Dinner, after dinner hot Chocolate, lemon tea. etc!
All camping gear including tents and sleeping mattress. Liner,Kitchen tent, Dining tent and toilet tent.
Good Experience Hindi/ English guide, cooks and porters, mules.
Insurance of Himveer Tour & Trek staff.
COSTS EXCLUDES
Personal Insurance.
Personal toiletry Items
Personal Medicine kit
Meals during transit.
Charges of mules/poerters carrying extra luggage. (Rs 300/per bag payable to Himveer Tour & Trek Personnel at the base camp )
PAYMENT POLICY:
A) 46 days or more before date of departure: 25% of total cost.
B) 31- 45 days before date of departure: 50% of total cost.
C) 30 days before date of departure: 100% of total cost.
IMPORTANT: The booking stands liable to be cancelled if 100% payment is not received less than 30 days before date of departure.
REFUNDS:
No refund (Partial or otherwise) will be made if you voluntarily leave or drop out of a trip for any season after the trip has begun. No refunds will be made for any accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, meals or services not utilized.
In case, Himveer Tour & Trek cancels the trip due to unforeseen circumstances/climatic emergencies it would be happy to suggest an alternative trip/dates. You shall be notified of same. You may accept the alternate trip suggestion, voucher (with one year redeemable limitation) or request another trip of your choice. The difference in cost, if applicable, will have to be borne by you. Himveer Tour & Trek shall, under no circumstances, be liable for any additional costs, credit card charges, TAC(s), travel arrangements including but not limited to flight cancellation, railway, hotel, visas costs, onward arrangements coinciding with this trip etc. Refunds in such a scenario will happen as per our cancellation policy.
*Refunds are not possible for any missed or unused services including voluntary / involuntary termination of tour on account of sickness, death of a family member, late arrival on the tour etc.*
*Himveer Tour & Trek is also not liable to pay any compensation for any loss arising as a consequence of trip curtailment, alteration, extension or cancellation due to any reasons. However, you expressly agree that, in any event, the maximum liability of Himveer Tour & Trek will be limited to the trip cost paid to Himveer Tour & Trek.
Himveer Tour & Trek must receive notification of cancellation in writing. At the time we receive your written cancellation, refunds based on the total fare are as follows:
CANCELLATION POLICY
For the cancellation of trek services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reasons, we must be notified of the same in writing
*CANCELLATION CHARGES PER PERSON
a) 30 days or more before the departure date: 25% of the total cost.
b) 29 - 20 days before the departure date: 50% of total cost.
c) Less than 20 days before the departure day: 100% of the total cost.
d) Cancellation less than 10 days to the start of the trek: Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund.
*IF WE CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY
We do plan the arrangements in advance. It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your travel arrangements.
Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. If there are any changes, we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date. We also reserve the right under any circumstances to cancel you travel arrangements by assigning reasons to you.
If we are unable to provide the booked travel arrangements due to reasons beyond control ( e.g. bad weather, insufficient bookings) we shall first try to offer alternative dates for the tour if the tour has'nt already commenced. If the alternate arrangement does not suit you, we will refund the amount in full.
NOTE:-
1)- Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch.2)- In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/ she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by Himveer Tour & Trek.
3)- Himveer Tour & Trek holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice.
Cancellation is processed only by email intimation. Please email any cancellation requests to :- sonunix7077@gmail.com or call us @ +91-7500124928 Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. "Himveer Tour & Trek" reserves the right to change expedition dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which Himveer Tour & Trek or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. Himveer Tour & Trek reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
Please Note
*Written cancellation will be accepted on working days (only). Any cancellation sent on a Sunday or any National Holiday(s), will be considered on the next official working day.
*In the event of any cancellation(s) after trip commencement, there will be no refunds and any costs incurred due to this cancellation will be borne by you.
Irrespective of when a trip is booked, the above condition will hold true.
How to Reach
By Air :-
Bhuntar, which is 52 km away from Manali, is the nearest airport. Taxi services are available from Bhuntar to Manali, which costs about Rs. 700- Rs1000. Bhuntar is well connected to Delhi by air. The airliners that take you to this Airport are Indian Airlines, Kingfisher airlines, MDLR Airlines and Jagson Airlines, operating flights from Delhi and Chandigarh to Kullu.
By Road:-
Manali is well connected to Delhi. Take an overnight bus from Delhi and you will reach Manali in 12 - 14 hours. Tickets can be booked online at www.redbus.in or www.hrtc.gov.in . Tip: Since Delhi Manali is a long journey most Volvo private buses leave Delhi between 5 pm and 6 pm. The last govt bus leaves at 8.30 pm from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Manali to Delhi Like the onward journey, buses leave from Manali to Delhi between 4 and 5 p.m. Your tentative arrival at Delhi may be anywhere between 6 a.m and 10 a.m. Plan your onward journey only post noon giving enough buffer for bus delays.
Himveer Tour & Trek GUIDELINES
DO’S AND DON’TS ON A TREK
1.Alcohols or any other intoxicating products "STRICTLY PROHIBHITED" during the trek.
2.Always pay heed to the trek guides or instructors.
3.Try not to leave the group under any circumstances.
4.Avoid trekking during the nights as it is extremely dangerous.
5.Avoid using earphones as that might hinder your hearing.
6.Do not participate or encourage littering of the places in any form.
7.While visiting the local villages and tourist sites, obey the local guidelines and instructions.
8.Do not harm or interrupt the local sentiments of the places.
IMPORTANT:
Your safety is of paramount concern while travelling with Himveer Tour & Trek.
Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of
the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
Since adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group
member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required
Fixed Departure
MONSOONS
June:3,10,17,24
July:
1,8,15,22,29
August:
5,12,19,26
Note
The fixed departure dates are applicable to a group of 8-10 people (minimum), both male and female.
If you are group of 8 or more and don’t find a suitable date, kindly Contact Us:
sonunix7077@gmail.com/
For customised/Tailor made treks ,kindly Contact Us:
sonunix7077@gmail.com
Himveer Tour & Trek advise its clients/travellers to keep a buffer day in hand to avoid inconvenience caused due to unpredictable weather conditions in high altitude regions.
Himveer Tour & Trek Importants Links
Himveer Tour & Trek Basic trek Gear Checklist for client
A) A good quality rubber sole with mid sole and ankle support (Medium or high ankle) shoe. Click here
Himveer Tour & Trek Medical Form For Thr Client
Himveer Tour & Trek treks organised by SHRIDHANT EXPEDITIONS (OPC) PVT LTD. take place in some remote and less-developed regions, without means of rapid evacuation, Click here
Frequently asked questions(FAQs)
Here are answers to a list of generic questions which are asked to us on any treks. We have tried to answer most of them and this list of questions keeps growing with time. If you still have doubts, Contact Us us over phone or email to clear your doubts. We will be happy to help !!
Toilets On Trek: There will be a separate toilet tents. For a bigger group ( more than 8 trekkers ), separate toilet tents for men and women will be provided to keep up with the timings. The toilets will be a dry toilet where a pit will be dug and will contain a hump of mud outside. You can use wet tissue papers. After you finish your business, you need to cover the dump with the mud outside. A small shovel will be kept for the purpose. You should not use water in the toilet pit. When we shift camps, we will ensure that the pit is well covered and the area is clean. For tea house treks, toilets are well maintained by the owners.
We would be carrying all of the camping and technical equipment and the cost of it will be included in the package price. If you had requested a customized trek package, this will depend on what you have asked for.
For a detailed generic list of what to carry on a trek, follow the link click here