Hampta Pass - One of the best trek for Nature Lovers, which is a tailor made for those who are looking for exploring life with the special hues of the nature... Hamta pass offers a magnificent view of Deo Tibaa 19,683 ft. & Indrasan 20,404 ft., which gives an amazing lifetime experience with Colorful Himalayan birds, Species n Flowers & the Scenic landscape frequently changes due to weather n atmosphere delights the trekkers...
The easiest access point for this trek is from Manali at an altitude of 2050 m, it connects the beautiful valleys of Kullu & Lahaul - where we can see various Landscapes, an incredible view of Rock faces, Frosty valleys, thick Pine forest, open Meadows, adrenaline pumping waterway & pleasant as well as Adventurous crossing areas...
Base camp : Manali
Trek Route : Manali >> Sethan >> Chikka >> Balu ka Ghera >> Shea Goru >> Chattru
Altitude ~ 4300 m [14,100 ft]
Best time to visit : June to Sept.
Weather : Summer : 5°C to 28°C / Winter : (-2)°C to 20°C
Trek Route : Manali >> Sethan >> Chikka >> Balu ka Ghera >> Shea Goru >> Chattru
Altitude ~ 4300 m [14,100 ft]
Best time to visit : June to Sept.
Weather : Summer : 5°C to 28°C / Winter : (-2)°C to 20°C
22nd Sept. 2015 - Reporting at base camp [2050 m / 6726 ft]
Day 1 - Reported at the base camp on 22nd Sept. early in the morning by Swagatam Travels... I was supposed to join 1st batch, but reached late by one day so joined 2nd batch - HP2, so it was just a rest day... It was raining whole day, so all were just sitting inside the hostel n enjoying outside views :)
23rd Sept. 2015 - Acclimatization walk in the city
Day 2 - Next day got up early in the morning, thankfully it was not raining heavily like a day before... After having tea n breakfast started for acclimatization walk in the city... It started raining when we just started from our hostel, but then it stopped... It was nice experience to walk while it was raining...
Though I had already visited all the famous places in Manali in my last expedition, this was also a nice n refreshing walk in the city again with all new friends... Visited Hadimba temple n then while coming back visited market on the mall road...
Came back to the hostel by the lunch time n had lunch... Afternoon we had Orientation, guidance & briefing for packing bags for the higher camps... Finally had dinner n then lights off for the day...
24th Sept. 2015 - Trek to Sethan - [8 Kms - 2750 m / 9184 ft.]
Day 3 - Got up early in the morning, after having tea n breakfast we got ready with the packed lunch to move for our first camp Sethan... It was amazing scenic beauty all the way starting from our base camp...
Lunch point was the best place surrounded by natural beauty... This day we had to climb from 2050 M to 2750 M, so it was very steep climb... But still we enjoyed a lot coz of its scenic beauty all over...
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| Apple trees |
Finally we reached to Sethan, had welcome drink n then most of us went to visit nearby area of this village...
There were Apple Orchards n farms of the localities... I enjoyed a lot by cutting Coriander leaves with the farmers in their farm... Had lots of fun at this beautiful place...
After some time came back to the camp, had tea n then enjoyed beautiful view with the fog behind our camp site... Had dinner n then camp fire... Wonderful time with all :)
25th Sept. 2015 - Trek to Chikka - [8 Kms - 3100 m / 10824 ft.]
Day 4 - Next day after having tea n breakfast, we started for our next camp Chikka... Nice trail alongside of the river stream all the way... Amazing trail again till our next camp... Had lunch at a lunch point n finally reached to Chikka...
One of the Best n Beautiful camp site with the river stream flowing smoothly... Had welcome drink by sitting over the stone on the bank of the river...
Spent lots of time roaming here n there all around the camp site... Had soup, dinner n then bournvita as per the schedule...
Spent lots of time roaming all around the camp site here n there... Had soup, dinner n then bournvita as per the schedule...
26th Sept. 2015 - Trek to Balu ka Gera - [10 Kms - 3600 m / 11808 ft.]
Day 5 - Next morning got up early in the morning, had tea n breakfast in the midst of this beautiful place...
Had packed lunch n started for our higher camp Balu ka Gera (heap of sand)- This place is famous for brown bears, so some people says its Bhalu ka gera, but its balu (sand)... During winters, all the brown bears come over here & hibernate...
The trail stays along the banks of the river for most of the part of the day & as we continue to travel in the same direction, there is a bridge which is made up of logs... Just after crossing the bridge we can view a stream in which water is flowing in a very high speed...
Overall very nice n amazing trail, it was rainy weather n raining frequently...By the afternoon we reached to the camp n finally it started raining with snowfall... In the night there was windy n scary storm, as we could hear the noise... spent night anyhow...
27th Sept. 2015 - Shea Goru - [13 Kms - 3900 m/12900 ft.] via Hampta pass [4300 m/ 14,100 ft]
Day 6 - Next day when we got up in the morning, there was amazing view outside... It was like a complete white sheet totally covered with snow...
But unfortunately due to such weather we couldn't go ahead to cross Hampta pass :( We were told it would be risky as route became very slippery n after crossing the pass it was steep downhill so it can be a life risk!!
So we were told to go back to the base camp :( We started for the base camp by the same route from where we came... Initially I thought it would be boring to go back by the same route, but because of the natural beauty of this place, I didn't get bored for a single minute!!! Enjoyed a lot while returning as well; also as I got a very good company of my new friends in this trek :)
On the way we met other group mates (HP3 & HP4) who were following us... We first went to Chikka camp, but then just before Sethan we got Pickup van which dropped few of us till Manali base camp... For the first time I was traveling in such a open Van by standing behind with others; a never before but wonderful experience to enjoy the nature in such a different way :)
Finally reached to the base camp by afternoon... had tea n pakoras & then we were provided rooms in the youth hostel... I shared room with the girls of HP7 group n I had wonderful time with them as well... N few other girls & boys were given nearby hotel rooms...
Now we we had 1 day in spare, as we came early so we were confused whether we should stay in Manali for a day more or should we go back next day!!!
28th Sept . 2015 - Trek to Base camp via Chattru - [9 kms - 9512 ft.]
Day 7 - This day we were supposed to trek to Base camp via Chattru & then transfer from Chattru to Manali by Jeep / bus via Rohtang Pass, but :( we were already reached to the base camp a day before on 6th day... So more time at the base camp!!! Got up early in the morning n planned that will roam around whole day n will go back to Delhi by the evening... Accordingly I left base camp (youth hostel) after lunch & went to the hotel, where my friends got accommodation... Then we all went to the booking office early to book our tickets, so that we can roam around on the mall road... We kept our luggage in the office n informed them we will come back by the time of departure of the bus... but as soon as we came out from the office, we saw Bike on rent shop & one of us asked shall we go for a bike ride!!! n guess what!!!
3 of us decided to go for a bike ride n we changed our plan to go to Delhi that day :) Thankfully we didn't pay for the tickets as it was current booking... so instantly we took our luggage from the office n went back to the hotel booked by YHAI to keep our luggage... For me it was a big question mark where to stay!!! but when asked to the hotel manager there was one room empty, so now only enjoyable ride :)
First we 3 decided to go to Solang Valley, but then after covering half of the way we decided to go to the Naggar Castle... N it was the BEST ride at the best place with my new friends...
Finally came to Manali n returned the bikes... Had dinner in the restaurant on the mall road... Came back to the hotel by doing long night walk... Had a nice time relaxing in the hotel after a long interval :)
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In the evening by the time of sunset, we reached to the Castle in
Naggar... We had tea n pakoras by sitting upstairs in the corner of the
restaurant, enjoying the Amazing views outside...
Awesome place with Serene n Wonderful environment!!!
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| View from the bus |
Day 8 - Next morning got up with free n relaxed mood... had tea n delicious breakfast (Aaloo paratha) in the restaurant just next to our hotel... after getting freshened up, we left the hotel early so that we can get more time to roam around in the market... this time we were 7-8 group mates who booked ticket together for Delhi... after having lunch n satisfactory shopping we started our back journey by volvo... Reached Delhi next morning with Unforgettable memories...
My first Himalayan trek with HP2.. Memorable group. I still miss this group for my future treks. Thank you Ana for the memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharath for making this trek memorable :)
DeleteSuper bolg
ReplyDeleteThanks SB :)
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