Trekking to Hampta Pass during Rain

Hampta Pass as the name suggests is a mountain pass that connects Manali to Spiti valley. It is a pathway from the top of the mountain which is taken by fellow passengers who want to cover their journey on foot. Why we have done this journey because as you know that this is a way where only human beings come without their vehicles, therefore there is no pollution and the local fauna and flora are still present(however the people do litter around). The majestic beauty of the mountains and the lush greenery with the clean rivers flowing through – grabbed our inner nature lover to see these majestic views of our beautiful Himalayas.

I started my journey from home, during the Rakshabandhan festival and we took a train from Lucknow to Chandigarh(Train Name – Chandigarh express). We choose Chandigarh as it is the best place to go to Manali. Manali is a hill station from where our trek to Hampta pass will start. Therefore we booked a cab from Chandigarh to Manali and the next day at approximately 10 pm we were able to reach Manali. There was a lot of traffic in between on the Himalayan paths due to certain landslides, however, we were able to make it through Manali on the same day, hence considering ourselves lucky.

The next day morning, we started to assemble at old Manali. Our booking was done through a trekking company therefore all the trek members have to assemble at a certain location from where the pick would be done. Finally, at 11 am in the morning, we started our journey to Senthil village. Buy our car we have already started gaining altitude due to the location of Hampta Pass starting point was above the Sentahal village which was already at a great height. Senthil village is famous for the majestic views of the Manali valley below as well as in winter you can stay at the local igloo hotel being made over here.

On our way, we stopped at a location where we were able to see the rice which was grown by the Pandavas when they visited this place. There is natural rice plantation, no farmer is responsible for the farming of rice, the rice grows naturally. I was amazed to see such a place where we can find wild rice growing on its own every year. Therefore, this is considered a holy place, and you should stop and see the magic of nature.

Lastly, we all gathered at a point where the road ends and the barefoot path arrives. I was so excited to move ahead on my trek with all the youtube gear in my backpack. My bag was heavy than normal because we had clothes and essentials for 5 days straight in the wilderness Additionally, I also have all the cameras and drones. We started from the Jungles where we were passed through huge trees and slippery mud, and slush as it was 14th August and definitely it was rainy season. I have already done some low mountain train treks such as KheerGanga(Vlog – Kheerganga Trek) from the forest side and it was exactly looking similar to that.

On our way ahead the trees vanished and turned into lush green fields. The valley opened up and we can see clear views of the mountains, river, and valley. Moving ahead rain started pouring and we had to wear our ponchos and rain gear. I moved a little ahead and was amazed by the S-bent river shape ahead of me, and the views from the distance were magnificent. We crossed the river with an iron bridge and after numerous water crossings, we reached our first campsite of Chika.

After taking a rest for a few minutes we were ready to explore nearby areas and I was lucky enough to find out a waterfall in the surroundings. The waterfall was flowing with all its strength as it was rainy season and the water was present in plenty on the mountains, just in a funny manny I declared the name of the waterfall as Shashank waterfall and if you are visiting this waterfall please do remember the name, remember me and remember my channel 🙂 .

We had a typical Indian dinner with Daal and Chawal in the night, there was continuous drizzling going on and the in the dark the temperature has also gone done a lot which created a mess with a lot of slush on the ground. Somehow we managed to have dinner and went inside the tent to take some sleep. The trekking company by which we were traveling – named Thrilophillia had pathetic service as there we 3 people inside the camp of 2, additionally, the tent was also leaking. Somehow by singing songs and cursing our fellow mates in the night with ghost stories we passed our first night.

In the morning I got news from my friend that only 1 will continue on the trek along with me as the rain has not stopped, hence making the ascend much more difficult, cold, wet and slippery. However, I had to experience this mountain so I moved ahead knowing the fact that it will be a lot more difficult time ahead and that I have to be mentally very strong to trek all the way in the rain and cold.

We started our ascend and along the way due to slippery conditions we saw one guy who has twisted his ankle and had to return due to a medical condition. I thanked God and my fitness training every day that he has made me strong enough to endure such conditions, additionally, I would also suggest high ankle trekking shoes to be used always on trekking.

In the beginning, I was full of energy and enthusiasm, but as the trek progressed I was thinking of quitting because the rain had promised that it will only make the conditions more worst and then as we gain altitude cold winds were becoming more chilled and their intensity was also going up, with a cherry on the cake was water. I was not able to wear warm clothes as everything was getting wet, you can only imagine the experience which I had got. But every experience matters it was fun.

There we so many water crossings, however when the bolder section started, in the distance I was able to see a full-fledged river flowing and we had to cross it. There we 2 options – we can cross it barefooted by forming a human chain, and second, there was a zip line. I was afraid that if I go by human chain my equipment and clothes everything will become wet, and in this rainy season nothing will be left with me to depend upon when we will reach the camp and then there is a heavy cost attached to youtube equipment, therefor I was definite that I had to take the Zipline which costed me around Rs 200 one side, additionally, my friend crossed by human chain formation and shared his experience in the video vlog attached in this blog.

Next, we reached Jwara and there was a tea stall present, due to rain the inside of the tea stall was overcrowded and there was no place to stand. My friend went inside and stayed there for approximately 20 minutes leaving me outside shivering in the rain cold and wind.

The next destination was Balu Ka Ghera, this is where we had to camp at night before attempting the summit of Hampta Pass. But our difficulties were not over yet, in the middle of nowhere our path was obstructed by the overflowing river. I was afraid that we were doomed, however, I saw some people crossing the river as it was shallow, I got confidence and crossed the river. But this time all the water seeped into my waterproof shoes because I was dipped to the knees. After this, we saw camps in the distance and that made me feel so so so happy, Inside I was thinking that I should rush to the camps and just lay down as I was tired and shivering from the cold, additionally I had started hating water now.

We entered the camp, but before relaxing we had to make sure that we are dry and warm. Therefore In that cold weather, I had taken all of my clothes out and with a towel, I started rubbing my body to wipe out all the water which we have encountered all our way along, additionally, as a tip, I would recommend getting dry undergarments – these are made of materials which dry up instantly and that is very helpful in places like these because cotton takes a lot of time to dry up. After drying up I wore all the warm clothes and decided to only go out of the tent at dinner time – only once as it was still raining, the winds were too harsh right now and I was literally hating water now, there was water in the tent to and it was too difficult with respect to the comfortable and cozy life which we live in the cities. Even though I had to pee, I restricted myself for file hours – so that I can finish all my work only once when we get out of the camp. Seriously you can just imagine how much I hated the cold and water at that time – All my mind was showing me was the comfortable and cozy bed at home. Finally, after having my dinner, we went inside the tent and had a great sleep with my double sleeping bag – 1 mine and the other one provided by the trekking company – I made an inner line with my sleeping bag with the trekking company bag. I was too tired and felt so cold therefore there was a fear of fever so I had paracetamol and the sleep which I got was awesome. Straight away woke up at 5 am the next morning.

This morning was a surprise to me as soon as I peeped out of my tent I was able to see the mighty Himalayan peak standing in front of my eyes, that view was just amazing and I forgot all the hardships which I had taken to get here. The weather was improving today and the rain had also stopped. I was happy that we can move today to the summit. I rushed to the open toilet with toilet paper and little water to do my shit and additionally brushed my teeth with the running stream on my side. I was so happy that the rain had stopped and I can use my other gears to shoot, I rushed into the tent and took out my mirrorless camera and drone. I started shooting Balu Ka Ghera and was really excited that from today I can move ahead to the summit with my drone too. However, to my disappointment I heard the news that the trek has been called off, I was puzzled that the weather has improved, then why the trek has been stopped. In the rain there should be no trek conducted they took us for a trek in the rain and now when the rain has stopped they called off the trek, with no refund being given to the fellow trekkers. I was disheartened and returned with the same path with which we have traveled one day before, but as the sun was out we can see the beautiful valley clearly. We had our encounter with so many goats on the way and it was a nice experience too.

Finally, I would like to come back someday to summit the Hampta Pass, however this time I will be doing a solo trek so that all the decisions should be my own and no trekking company should loot me my hard-earned money. I would recommend not to book your trek or travels from a company known as Thrillophilia as they promise something and do completely a different thing, the best trekking organization in India is IndiaHikes because they stayed when there was rain and resumed the trek when the sun was out.

This was an awesome experience for me to see nature and the mountains in a different aura full of fog and rain, I have captured my journey through my lens and I am sharing my experience with this Blog as well as with a video Vlog. Therefore, please subscribe to my youtube channel, comment, like, and share both things to fellow travelers and trekkers. Bye.