Hamta Pass Trek
Cross a Himalayan pass from flower-filled valleys into the moonscape of Spiti
About This Tour
The Hamta Pass Trek is Himachal Pradesh's most dramatic crossover — a 4,270-metre pass that separates two entirely different worlds. On the western side lies the lush, green Kullu valley, fragrant with wildflowers and birdsong. Climb over the pass and within minutes the landscape transforms into the stark, bone-dry moonscape of the Spiti valley — grey scree, turquoise rivers, and a sky so blue it almost hurts. Very few short treks anywhere in India offer such a complete contrast in a single crossing.
The approach follows the Rani Nallah stream from Jobra through meadows carpeted in wildflowers to Chika and then up to Balu Ka Ghera, the high camp beneath the pass. Camp nights at altitude are cold and crystal-clear — on a still night the Milky Way stretches across the sky like a brushstroke. The pass itself at 4,270 metres is a short but steep climb rewarded with a 360-degree panorama: Deo Tibba (6,001 m), Indrasan (7,082 m), and the entire Kullu-Manali range on one side; the rust-coloured ridges of Spiti on the other.
Most groups descend to Chatru on the Spiti side and then drive to the legendary Chandrataal (Moon Lake) — a sapphire-blue high-altitude lake at 4,300 metres that is one of the most photographed spots in the Indian Himalaya. Camping beside Chandrataal as the sun sets and the peaks turn amber is an experience that stays with you.
Junegiri Yatra handles all logistics: comfortable transport from Manali, quality tents and -10°C sleeping bags, a certified trek guide, all meals on trail, and inner line permits. The trek is graded Moderate and suits anyone with reasonable fitness. The best season is June through September, with July and August offering snow-free passes but peak wildflower blooms.
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Complete Guide to the Hamta Pass Trek — Kullu to Spiti Crossover
The Hamta Pass Trek connects the Kullu valley near Manali to the Lahaul-Spiti region via a 4,270-metre pass, passing through one of the most dramatic landscape transitions in the Indian Himalaya. It is one of the few short treks that genuinely rewards you with two completely different mountain environments in under five days.
How to Reach the Trek Starting Point
The Hamta Pass Trek starts from Jobra, approximately 30 km from Manali town. Manali is connected by Volvo overnight buses from Delhi (approximately 14 hours) and regular HRTC services from Chandigarh (8–9 hours). The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport, 50 km from Manali, with daily flights from Delhi. Junegiri Yatra provides shared or private transport from Manali to the Jobra trailhead as part of all packages.
Altitude Profile
Jobra: 2,960 m → Chika: 3,100 m → Balu Ka Ghera: 3,650 m → Hamta Pass: 4,270 m → Chatru: 3,360 m → Chandrataal: 4,300 m. The profile is well-designed for acclimatisation — two gradual nights below the pass before the crossing.
What Makes Hamta Pass Unique
Unlike most Himalayan treks that stay within a single ecosystem, Hamta Pass gives you two completely different Himalayan worlds in a single crossing. The lush western approach through wildflower meadows and birch forests is characteristic of the monsoon-fed Kullu valley. Cross the pass and you step into the rain-shadow desert of Spiti — stark, arid, and geologically ancient. The drive to Chandrataal adds a third experience: the wide, open Spiti plateau with its turquoise river and ancient monasteries visible in the distance.
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