Packages/Manali/Hampta Pass at 4,270m & Chandratal at Dawn: A 7-Day Trek from Kullu's Green Meadows to Lahaul's Moonlit Desert Lake

Hampta Pass at 4,270m & Chandratal at Dawn: A 7-Day Trek from Kullu's Green Meadows to Lahaul's Moonlit Desert Lake

7 days / 6 nightsIndiaManali, Jobra, Jwara, Balu Ka Ghera, Hampta Pass, Chatru/Shia, Chandratal Lake — Himachal Pradesh, India

FamilyFriends
7D/6N

Tour Overview

Hampta Pass at four thousand two hundred and seventy metres where you step off the last grass of the Kullu Valley and the landscape turns immediately to Lahaul's grey rock desert, four nights in trail camps, and Chandratal Lake's crescent shore at five-thirty in the morning before anyone else wakes.

The Hampta Pass trek is defined by its crossing — the moment at the 4,270m summit when the Kullu Valley side (green, monsoon-watered, deodar and rhododendron, alpine meadows) meets the Lahaul side (arid, grey-brown, treeless moraine, a landscape that could be in Ladakh). The transition is immediate — five metres of walking, and the colour of the ground changes from green to grey. This is one of the most visually dramatic high-altitude crossings in the Himalayas accessible to moderate-fitness trekkers.

The 7-day itinerary begins in Manali, ascends through Jwara meadows and Balu Ka Ghera (the 'Sandy Plains' camp at 3,800m), crosses the pass, descends to Chatru or Shia in Lahaul, and then drives to Chandratal Lake for a night of high-altitude camping before returning to Manali. Total trail distance: approximately 35 km over 4 trekking days.

What's included & excluded

✓ INCLUSIONS

  • ✓1 night Manali pre-trek hotel (Day 1)
  • ✓4 nights trail camping (Chika 3,050m + Jwara 3,400m + Balu Ka Ghera 3,800m + Chatru/Shia post-pass)
  • ✓1 night Chandratal premium insulated tent (sleeping bags, blanket)
  • ✓All meals on trek (Day 2 dinner through Day 6 breakfast)
  • ✓IMAS-certified mountain guide (entire trek)
  • ✓Porter/pack mule assistance (shared, group trek)
  • ✓Full camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, trekking poles, rain covers)
  • ✓Chandratal camping permit (₹150/tent)
  • ✓Chatru–Chandratal vehicle transfer (Day 5)
  • ✓Manali–Jobra taxi (Day 2)
  • ✓Chandratal–Manali vehicle transfer (Day 6)
  • ✓Hampta Pass trek certification (issued post-trek)
  • ✓24/7 emergency satellite communication (guide carries device)

✕ EXCLUSIONS

  • ✕Travel to/from Manali (Day 1 and Day 7)
  • ✕Meals in Manali (Days 1 and 7)
  • ✕Personal trekking clothing (brief packing list provided — items available for rent in Manali at ₹200–400/day)
  • ✕Personal medication (Diamox, ibuprofen — consult doctor before departure)
  • ✕Travel and trekking insurance (mandatory for this package — altitude and evacuation coverage essential)
  • ✕Tips for guide and cook (customary — approximately ₹300–500/trekker for guide, ₹200–300 for cook)

Cancellation, Refund, Date Change & Travel Credit Policy

Cancel 10+ days before travel and choose a 70% USDC refund or 100% Atravelx Travel Credit

Cancel 10+ Days Before Travel: Choose 70% Refund or 100% Travel CreditCancel an eligible holiday package 10 or more calendar days before the scheduled departure date and choose between a 70% refund of the eligible package amount in USDC (after a 30% cancellation charge) or 100% of that amount as Atravelx Travel Credit.
10-Day Window

10+ Calendar Days Before Departure

Option A: 70% USDC Refund

A 30% cancellation charge applies to the eligible package amount. The remaining 70% is refunded in USDC. Approved refunds are processed within 45 working days of written approval.

10+ Calendar Days Before Departure

Option B: 100% Atravelx Travel Credit

The 30% cancellation charge is waived. 100% of the eligible amount paid is issued as an Atravelx Credit Note, denominated in USDC, for future eligible travel services.

Less Than 10 Calendar Days Before Departure

100% Non-Refundable

No refund and no Travel Credit will ordinarily be provided.

After Travel Commences / No-Show

Non-Refundable

No refund or Travel Credit for no-shows, unused services, partly completed holidays or cancellation after travel has begun.

Full policy details

Cancellation Policy
  • 10 or more calendar days before departure: a 30% cancellation charge applies to the eligible package amount. Choose a 70% refund in USDC or 100% of the eligible amount as Atravelx Travel Credit.
  • Less than 10 calendar days before departure: 100% non-refundable. No refund or Travel Credit is ordinarily issued.
  • After travel commences, or no-show: non-refundable. No refund or Travel Credit is ordinarily available.
  • Days are counted as calendar days to the scheduled departure date, in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). The timestamp on your written request fixes when Atravelx received it.
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Atravelx Travel Credit
  • Travel Credit is issued as an Atravelx Credit Note for 100% of the eligible amount actually paid, denominated in USDC.
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Date Change Policy
  • Request date changes 10 or more calendar days before the scheduled departure date.
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Bundled Holiday Packages
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Refund Processing & Timeline
  • Atravelx acknowledges a cancellation request within 2 working days. Acknowledgement confirms receipt, not eligibility or amount. After reviewing the booking, Atravelx confirms in writing which services are cancelled, the refundable and non-refundable components, the deductions and the refund amount.
  • Approved refunds are processed within 45 working days from the date Atravelx confirms in writing that the refund is approved.
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No-Show, Unused & Partially Used Services
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Booking Acceptance
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  • Nothing in this policy restricts any statutory right available to a consumer under applicable law.

Frequently asked questions

What fitness level is required for Hampta Pass?
Hampta Pass is rated Moderate — the hardest section is the 600m ascent from Balu Ka Ghera to the summit on Day 4 (4 hours, steep terrain, altitude). A trekker who can walk briskly for 5–6 km on flat ground, has no serious cardiac or respiratory conditions, and is comfortable with 5–6 hours of hiking daily will manage Hampta Pass. Prior Himalayan trekking experience is not required. Preparation recommended: 4–6 weeks of daily 45-minute walks with gradual incline (stairs or mild hills). Do not attempt if you have active knee injuries — the Lahaul descent (rocky, steep) puts significant load on the knees.
What is the best month for Hampta Pass?
July–September is the optimal window. July: the Kullu meadows are at maximum green, wildflowers (primrose, geranium, potentilla) at full bloom, snowfields on the pass still stable. August: monsoon active on the Kullu side (rain possible on Days 1–3) but Lahaul (Hampta north side) is in Rohtang's rain shadow and significantly drier. September: clearest skies, best visibility from the pass, Chandratal reflection season (most pristine), apple harvest in Manali. Avoid June (pass may have unstable snow, too early) and October (first snowfall risk on the pass, Chandratal road closing).
Is there mobile network on the trek?
BSNL and Airtel have weak coverage at Jobra and Chika (Days 1–2). No signal from Jwara camp onward through the pass and Lahaul. Last reliable charging point: Manali (Day 1). Bring a fully charged power bank. Emergency communication is available through our guide's satellite device — family members can be given an emergency contact protocol at time of booking.
What if I need evacuation during the trek?
Our guide carries a satellite communication device and is trained in Wilderness First Response. In the event of a trekker requiring evacuation (AMS, injury, emergency), we initiate helicopter evacuation from the nearest helipad (Manali hospital helipad, accessible by helicopter from most camp points within 45–90 minutes). Travel and trekking insurance with evacuation coverage is mandatory for this package. Evacuation costs (₹60,000–1,50,000 depending on location) are covered by most trekking insurance policies — confirm evacuation coverage before purchasing.
Can the Hampta Pass trek be done solo or only in a group?
This package is offered in both formats: group departures (6–12 trekkers, fixed dates, cost as listed) and private/solo departures (1–2 trekkers, any date, 15–20% premium for dedicated guide and equipment). Solo trekkers are welcome on group departures as long as group minimums are met. Custom private departures are available year-round during the July–September window.

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