Hamta Pass and Chandratal
Hamta Pass links the Manali side of the mountains with the Lahaul side. This itinerary approaches through Chikka and Balu ka Ghera, crosses towards Shea Ghoru, and descends to Chatru. The listed programme is 6 days / 5 nights; confirm the actual departure logistics before booking.
- Planned stage: Arrival at Prini Base Camp. 6500 Feet
- Planned stage: Drive to Hamta dam and trek to Chikka
- Planned stage: Chikka to Balu ka Ghera
- Planned stage: Balu ka Ghera to Shea Ghoru
- Planned stage: Shia Ghoru to Chatru and Chandratal Ride
- Planned stage: Drive from Chatru to Manali
Updated by the Sapta Shikhar trek team
Trip overview
Hamta Pass links the Manali side of the mountains with the Lahaul side. This itinerary approaches through Chikka and Balu ka Ghera, crosses towards Shea Ghoru, and descends to Chatru. A road excursion towards Chandratal is included in the planned route, subject to access. The main appeal is the transition between two valleys; the crossing and the later drives both depend on weather and road conditions.
Hamta Pass and Chandratal follows a 6 Days / 5 Nights schedule. The route stages below follow the scheduled package; weather and trail conditions can affect the final camp plan.
What’s included
- Two-person tent sharing; triple sharing in a base-camp hotel
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner
- Forest and campsite permits
- First-aid equipment
- Trek leaders and camp support
- Tents and sleeping bags
- Gaiters and microspikes
What’s not included
- Backpack porter/offloading charges
- Personal expenses
- Emergency expenses
- 5% GST extra
Your day-by-day itinerary
Follow the route from your reporting point to the final descent. Camps and timings may change with mountain conditions.
01Day 1Arrival at Prini Base Camp. 6500 Feet
Begin with Arrival at Prini Base Camp. 6500 Feet. Check in at the confirmed reporting point, review the route with the team and make sure your day essentials are accessible. This stage is for joining the programme and preparing for the days ahead. Obtain the exact walk, meal and briefing times on arrival instead of assuming a schedule from another departure. An exact distance and duration have not been verified for this stage; obtain the departure's current plan from the team.
Views from the trek route
02Day 2Drive to Hamta dam and trek to Chikka
The planned stage is Drive to Hamta dam and trek to Chikka. Confirm where the group meets and how any walking and road sections connect. Keep your ID, water, warm layer and travel essentials accessible during the journey. Mountain-road delays can affect arrival times, so follow the team's update before making onward arrangements. Check the actual pickup or drop point and included services for this departure. Approximate itinerary figures: 9,514 feet · 3 hours. Times depend on conditions and group pace.
03Day 3Chikka to Balu ka Ghera
Continue along the listed route: Chikka to Balu ka Ghera. Treat this as a full mountain stage even if the listed distance looks short. Uneven ground and uphill sections can affect timing. Stay with the group and allow time to settle in at the next stop. Campsite placement and the precise trail may change for safe access; use the morning briefing for the current plan. Approximate itinerary figures: 12,200 feet · 6 hours. Times depend on conditions and group pace.
04Day 4Balu ka Ghera to Shea Ghoru
Continue along the listed route: Balu ka Ghera to Shea Ghoru. Maintain careful footing throughout the stage, especially where the ground is wet or loose. The leader sets the day's timing and stop points according to conditions. Carry out all personal litter and prepare your essentials for the following day. Campsite placement and the precise trail may change for safe access; use the morning briefing for the current plan. Approximate itinerary figures: 14,065 feet · 8 hours. Times depend on conditions and group pace.
05Day 5Shia Ghoru to Chatru and Chandratal Ride
The planned stage is Shia Ghoru to Chatru and Chandratal Ride. Confirm where the group meets and how any walking and road sections connect. Keep your ID, water, warm layer and travel essentials accessible during the journey. Mountain-road delays can affect arrival times, so follow the team's update before making onward arrangements. Check the actual pickup or drop point and included services for this departure. Approximate itinerary figures: 10,800 feet · 3 hours trek and 6 hrs drive. Times depend on conditions and group pace.
06Day 6Drive from Chatru to Manali
The planned stage is Drive from Chatru to Manali. Confirm where the group meets and how any walking and road sections connect. Keep your ID, water, warm layer and travel essentials accessible during the journey. Mountain-road delays can affect arrival times, so follow the team's update before making onward arrangements. Check the actual pickup or drop point and included services for this departure. Approximate itinerary figures: 6,550 feet · 4 hrs drive. Times depend on conditions and group pace.
Route essentials
- Highest altitude
- 14,065 ft (4,287 m)
- Total route distance
- A complete walking-distance total has not been verified for this exact itinerary. Review the day-wise stages and ask the team for the departure's confirmed walking distance; road travel is separate.
- Best months
- The current listing uses a July–October season category. This is a planning label rather than confirmation that every month is suitable or open. Verify the departure's trail, road and weather conditions before booking.
- Eligibility
- Participants should be comfortable with repeated uphill walks and carrying their day essentials. A prepared first-time trekker should discuss the longest stage and suitability with the team. Confirm the actual age limit and any required health documents for the departure.
- Accommodation
- Use the departure's confirmed accommodation plan for the arrival base and each overnight stop. The current inclusion list is shown separately; tent sharing, bedding and toilet arrangements should be checked before booking. Higher trail stays have simpler facilities than town accommodation.
- Meals
- Check the written departure package for included meals and the first and last meal served. Tell the team about allergies and dietary requirements before payment so they can confirm arrangements. Carry the personal snacks advised in the briefing; special diets should not be assumed to be available at every stop.
- Water, power & network
- Do not depend on continuous mobile reception, campsite sockets or shops along the mountain stages. Carry refillable bottles and a charged power bank, keep travel details offline and ask the leader about the day's drinking-water refill arrangements. Share the itinerary before leaving the reporting base.
Departure dates & prices
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Getting to the trail
Reporting point
Current reporting location: Prini(Manali), Himachal Pradesh. The first listed stage is Arrival at Prini Base Camp. 6500 Feet. Obtain the exact meeting pin, reporting time and whether the road pickup or transfer is included before arranging arrival.
By air
Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar serves the Manali and Parvati Valley area. Confirm the onward road connection to the actual reporting point. Flights and mountain roads can be affected by weather, so allow an arrival buffer.
By road
Plan road travel to Prini(Manali), Himachal Pradesh using the confirmed departure instructions. The first stage is Arrival at Prini Base Camp. 6500 Feet; this may involve a pickup before reaching the mountain base. Check the actual bus stop or pickup town, reserve the last connection in advance and allow for mountain-road delays.
Final transfer
The final listed stage is Drive from Chatru to Manali. Confirm the actual drop point, estimated arrival window and whether the final transfer is included. Keep an onward-travel buffer rather than relying on a same-day tight connection.
Prepare for your trek
Prepare gradually with regular brisk walks, stairs or uphill trails and practice carrying your daypack. Include several consecutive walking days during preparation and wear the shoes you will use on the route. Review the longest stage with the team and arrive rested for the programme.
Route safety
Uneven trails, cold conditions and steep sections can make a short programme demanding. Stay with the group, follow the briefing and report difficulty early. The plan can change with weather, snow, river conditions or access; no pass or summit completion is guaranteed.
What to pack
- Trekking shoes worn in before departure
- Backpack with rain cover and waterproof inner bags
- Quick-drying walking clothes and spare socks
- Warm layers, insulated jacket and thermals
- Waterproof shell or poncho
- Sun hat, warm hat and gloves
- UV-protective sunglasses and sunscreen
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Refillable water bottles
- Personal toiletries and small towel
- Prescribed medicines and blister-care supplies
- Power bank and essential travel details saved offline
- Reusable utensils if requested by the team
- Bag for carrying personal litter out
Trekking equipment included
- First-aid equipment
- Tents and sleeping bags
- Gaiters and microspikes
Optional services & additional costs
- Backpack porter/offloading charges
- Personal expenses
- Emergency expenses
- 5% GST extra
Documents & booking information
Every traveller uploads a photo ID while booking — masked Aadhaar, PAN card, passport, driving licence or voter ID. Our team checks it before the trek. Carry the original ID to the reporting point.
- Government-issued photo ID matching your booking name
- Booking confirmation and reporting instructions
- Confirm any ID-copy, medical certificate or participant consent requirement with the team
- For international travellers, confirm passport, visa and route-permit documents before booking
Cancellation & refunds
Obtain Sapta Shikhar's written cancellation and refund terms before payment. Confirm deadlines, deductions, date-change rules, unused services and the treatment of weather or access changes. No refund percentage or processing deadline has been verified for this listing.
Optional services
- Confirm whether backpack offloading is offered for this route
- Ask about shoe, pole, rainwear and headlamp rentals before arrival
- Obtain actual prices, deposits and return conditions for any rental
- Confirm pickup and return-transfer availability and charges
Hamta Pass and Chandratal: frequently asked questions
What is the focus of Hamta Pass and Chandratal?
Hamta Pass links the Manali side of the mountains with the Lahaul side.
How long is this programme?
The listing shows 6 Days / 5 Nights. Check the day-wise schedule and confirm any reserve day or transport night before booking.
Where should I report?
The current reporting location is Prini(Manali), Himachal Pradesh. Ask for the exact meeting point, pickup arrangement and time for your departure.
How should I prepare for the route?
Prepare for consecutive walking days with uphill practice and a daypack. Break in your shoes and discuss the route's longer day with the team before booking.
Are snow, clear views or the upper objective guaranteed?
No. Weather, visibility and trail conditions can change the plan. The leader may shorten a stage or turn the group around.
Are personal rentals and transfers included?
Check the departure's written inclusions. Obtain availability, price and deposit details for any extra equipment, offloading or transfer before payment.
What are the cancellation terms?
Request Sapta Shikhar's written policy covering deadlines, deductions, date changes and weather-related changes. No refund percentage has been verified for this listing.
Is the Chandratal visit guaranteed?
No. It depends on the road being open and safe after the trek. Confirm how a missed road excursion is handled in your departure terms.
How difficult is the Hamta Pass and Chandratal Trek?
The Hamta Pass and Chandratal Trek is graded moderate. The highest point is about 14,065 ft (4,287 m). It suits fit beginners and people with some trekking experience; start cardio training (running, stairs, long walks) 6–8 weeks before.
What is the cost of the Hamta Pass and Chandratal Trek?
₹9,000 per person (5% GST extra) for 6 days / 5 nights from Prini. It includes two-person tent sharing; triple sharing in a base-camp hotel, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, forest and campsite permits and first-aid equipment. Not included: backpack porter/offloading charges, personal expenses and emergency expenses.
How many days does the Hamta Pass and Chandratal Trek take?
6 Days / 5 Nights, starting and ending at Prini. See the day-by-day itinerary for each camp.
What is the maximum altitude of the Hamta Pass and Chandratal Trek?
About 14,065 ft (4,287 m). Acclimatise by climbing gradually, drinking 3–4 litres of water a day and telling your trek leader about headache, nausea or breathlessness.
When is the best time to do the Hamta Pass and Chandratal Trek?
The current listing uses a July–October season category. This is a planning label rather than confirmation that every month is suitable or open. Verify the departure's trail, road and weather conditions before booking.
How do I reach Prini for the Hamta Pass and Chandratal Trek?
Current reporting location: Prini(Manali), Himachal Pradesh. The first listed stage is Arrival at Prini Base Camp. 6500 Feet. Obtain the exact meeting pin, reporting time and whether the road pickup or transfer is included before arranging arrival.
Is the Hamta Pass and Chandratal Trek safe for beginners?
It suits fit beginners and people with some trekking experience; start cardio training (running, stairs, long walks) 6–8 weeks before. Groups are limited to 30 people with trained trek leaders; you must be in good health and declare any medical condition before the trek.
How do I choose my first Himalayan trek?
Compare the maximum altitude, walking hours, daily climbs and season. Short forest routes such as Nag Tibba can be a starting point, but even a weekend trek needs fitness and weather preparation.
What equipment should I carry?
Carry broken-in trekking shoes, a backpack, warm layers, a waterproof shell, sun protection, a headlamp, refillable water bottles and personal medicines. Confirm which camp equipment and snow gear are included before departure.
How should I prepare physically?
Build walking endurance gradually with regular walks, stairs and strength work. Practise on uneven ground with your daypack. Match your preparation to the longest day of the chosen itinerary.
What should I confirm before booking?
Ask for dated availability, the final itinerary, group size, guide qualifications, inclusions, exclusions, transfer arrangements and cancellation terms in writing. A route guide does not guarantee an operating departure.
Can weather change the itinerary?
Yes. Snow, rain, road closures and permit restrictions can change camp locations, access and summit plans. Keep a travel buffer and accept the leader’s decision to turn back when conditions are unsuitable.
How do I reduce my impact on the trail?
Stay on established paths, carry litter back, avoid campfires on alpine ground and keep soap and waste out of streams. Respect wildlife, grazing areas and local customs.
