Hampta Pass - Chandra Tal - Baralacha la Trek

One of the most scenic high altitude treks in Himanchal Pradesh, it takes one to the crystal clear waters of Chandratal and then through the high passes of Baralacha-La. Culturally, it's the threshold to the mystical Buddhism practiced in Spiti, Lahaul, Ladakh and Tibet. The barren landscape in the upper regions and the green valleys below, make the trail awe-inspiring and one of the must-experience ones in this part of the Himalayas.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On arrival met our representative and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02: Delhi - Manali
In the morning half day sightseeing and in the evening drive to Manali by AC Volvo coach. Overnight journey.

Day 03: Manali
Arrival at Manali by morning. On arrival transfer to hotel for relax. At leisure visit Hadimba Devi Temple, old Manali, Tibetan Monastery and the mall. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 04: Manali - Panduropa via Hampta village 4 hrs
The steepest part of the trail takes about 2 hours to negotiate. It passes through apple orchards and forests of blue pine, cedar, oak, fir and chestnut. The villages that the trail passes through - Chhalet, Hampta and Ghoratbari - have an interesting legend. They lie on the way to heaven and when people die, their souls have to pass these villages. It is said that people here hear sounds of crying if the soul is condemned to hell and sounds of a trumpet if it is ascending to heaven.

Day 05: Panduropa - Juara (3530 mts/11578 ft) 5 hrs
The path to Juara is through Chhika. The trek passes through some spectacular landscape to just below the Hamta Pass, on a grassy bank sloping down from the cliffs. The impressive grandeur of immediate surroundings, the nearness of the Tokru-Shakru peaks, the wonderful coloring of the rocks and mountainside, all make this one of the best campsite on the route. Chikka also has the river, Alain Nullah, which has its snout in the Hamta Pass.

Day 06: Juara - Shea Gahru (3200 mts/10496 ft) via Hampta Pass (4270 mts/14010 ft) 6 hrs
The trail now begins to ascend towards Hamta Pass and one can have close views of Deo Tibba and Indrasan peaks. After that, it is a descent all the way right to the campsite at Shea Gahru. "Shea Gahru" means a very cold place in the Spiti dialect because it is adjacent to a glacier snout. During summer, it's a grazing pasture or halting place for the shepherds on the way to the Lahaul valley.

Day 07: Shea Gahru - Chhatru (3360 mts/11020 ft) 3 hrs
The fourth day's walk is quite easy, along the river up to a boulder field, which is hard to cross during the monsoons. The river has to be forded at one point from where one can see the valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. The massive mountains of the Pir Panjal and Spiti ranges dominate the entire landscape till the campsite at Chhatru. Chhatru is a confluence point of paths from Rohtang Pass, Hamta Pass and Spiti.

Day 08: Chhatru - Batal (3960m, Duration: 2 hours)
Take a local transport to go from Chhatru to Batal.

Day 09: Batal - Chandratal (4250 mts/14000 ft)
Today we will trek 18 kms to reach Chandratal and it will take us about 5-6 hrs, while on this trek we will get a nice view of the Lahaul range, peaks like Minar(6172 M), Talagiri(6279 M), Tara Pahar(6227 M) and Mulkila (6517 M). Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 10: Chandratal
The day is for exploration the surroundings. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 11: Chandratal - Tokpoyongma (4320 mts/14170 ft) 7 hrs
This is a gradual walk as the trail rises and falls several times, but mostly continues beside the river. Approaching Tokpoyongma, the trail ascends from the mountainside and crosses a stream. A little before the campsite, a river has to be negotiated.

Day 12: Tokpoyongma - Tokpogongma (4640 mts/15220 ft) 5 hrs
The next day starts early to facilitate crossing a two mountain streams before the water level rises during the day. Mules don't take this route, as they will find it difficult to negotiate the steep ascent that starts immediately after the streams. The track then ascends steeply across the rock face and up a hill to the campsite.

Day 13: Tokpogongma - Baralacha-La (4833 mts/15855 ft) - Manali 6 hrs
The day starts off with a half-hour steep ascent to the top of the ridge. After that, the trail proceeds through a boulder field with great views of the Koa Range peaks to the Southwest. Before reaching Baralacha-La one has to cross a stream. In ancient times, Baralacha-La was an important part of the trade route as roads from Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar and Lahaul meet here. On the Northwest lies the Bhaga River while the Chandra flows to the Southeast. Near Baralacha-La is the beautiful emerald lake, Suraj Tal, the source of the Bhaga River. From Baralacha-La, a jeep will take the team to Manali

Day 14: Manali - Delhi
The day at leisure. In the evening drive to Delhi by AC Volvo coach. Overnight journey.

Day 15: Delhi
Arrival at Delhi by morning. On arrival transfer to hotel for relax. In the evening drive to international airport to catch onwards flight.

Trip ends here.