
Day 3:Β Trek from Balu ka Gera to Sheagoru via Hampta Pass
We woke up early by 6 AM and geared up for the steep section of the Hampta Pass Trek after the breakfast. We had some high-calorie food and our guide also gave us chocolates and juices so that we could refuel up our body during the trek. The weather was cold but lucid in the morning. All the nearby peaks were visible so I decided to capture them by changing the lens from 18 β 55 mm to 250 mm one. Clicked some good photos and then packed up my bag.
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We began our trek by 8 AM and took the upwards route going through the boulders. Just after 10 minutes of walk, we started feeling the cold and strong wind. The wind was quite sharp and bitter. We took a pause and covered our neck & face with the scarf and neck warmer. The complete trail up to the pass was steep and brimmed with boulders. We were ascending in the zigzag way as it becomes easy to walk on a steep route. Indrasan and Deo Tibba peaks were visible from the trek. We were already above the tree line and there were just boulders, glaciers and glacial streams.
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It took us around 2 hours and we reached the top from where we had to take the left turn to reach the Hampta Pass. We could see the pass from that point and also the Lahaul & Spiti Valley. All the passes I had yet been to were U-shaped like a depression in between the mountains but Hampta Pass was quite different. The pass lies on the edge of a mountain.
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Finally, we reached the pass and had some photoshoots. The experience of reaching the pass was surreal.Β If I elaborate the view in my words, we could see the Lahaul and Spiti valley on our left, Indrasan peak in the front and few knife-edge peaks on our right. Deo Tibba was also there standing adjacent to Indrasan. After having lunch, we started the descent as we had to reach the Sheagoru campsite. We were at 14200 feet and the campsite was at 12800 feet that means we had to come down 1400 feet.
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The downhill trail was quite steep and full of scree which made the walk slippery and risky. We had to pay so much attention while coming down otherwise we were all aware of the consequences. π There were several times when I slipped and fell down but thanks to my rucksack which protected me from any injury. This is why I always suggest that everyone should carry their backpack during the trek. It maintains your posture and protects you as well. Coming back to the trek, so it took us around 1 hour to finish the steep descent and another 1 hour to reach the campsite. After reaching the campsite, we just relaxed and enjoyed the moment of contentment because we had successfully crossed the Hampta Pass. All the difficult part of the trek was finished. Now we just had to do a short downhill trek to reach the road head which was Chattru, our last campsite.
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Day 4: Trek from Sheagoru to Chattru
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Day 5: Drive from Chattru to Chandratal and then drive back to Manali
The alarm rang at 2 AM and we quickly freshened up and got ready. Though it was quite difficult to get ready at that time because the temperature was in negative yet somehow we managed. We departed for Chandratal at 3 AM and our drive on the roads of Spiti Valley began. The night was dark and the roads were in the worst of conditions. Those who have already been to Spiti Valley can easily understand what I am trying to say. We continuously drove for 2 hours on a single road and reached a point where the road diverged into two roads, one going straight and the other one going right. Since morning, we hadnβt seen a single person or a car on the road. We looked at the board and followed it. The board directed us right for Chandratal and the straight route was going towards Kunzum Pass and Kaza. We resumed our drive and continued for another hour but we were not getting any signs of the lake.
After some time, we saw a hut on the top and found that we reached the Kunzum top. The guy there told us at the board is wrong. We took a stop there and then took the U-turn. It took another 2 hours and finally, we were at the lake. We drove up to the parking and started walking towards the lake from there. The walk was of about 1 KM and we got the first view of the lake. The lake was much more beautiful than what I expected. The surroundings were surreal and view of the CB-12 peak was enhancing the beauty of the lake. It was like an icing on the cake. We did a long photo session and spent some good time there.
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Then we started our journey back to Chattru. Reached there by 12 and after having lunch, we drove back to Manali. Our drive to Manali passed through Gramphu (the road gets divided into two. One leads towards Keylong and Leh and the other one leads towards Spiti valley), Rohtang Pass and Marhi. After spending days in the barren landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti valley, we finally got to see greenery after crossing the Rohtang Pass. It was an overwhelming feeling to see such greenery after this long span. We reached Manali by 6 in the evening and then boarded the bus to Delhi.
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Hampta Pass was on my bucket list since I start to learn about trekking. The trek was amazingly beautiful and so were the experiences. Lush green forest and valleys of Kullu valley, lofty mountains and gorges, mighty peaks of Pir Panjal ranges, river crossing, surreal view of Chandratal, treacherous roads of Spiti valley, steep climb to Hampta Pass and of course the quality time spent with the trek mates and guide. All these experiences made this trek a wonderful one.
fabulous pics…always wanted to do the Hampta pass….we have only done the kedarkanta one so far…..
Amzing pictures and great write up.There is a offbeat trek on Kinnaur β Garhwal Himalayas range, Lamkhaga pass trek. You can read more about the trek on my website.