Hampta Pass Complete Travel Guide
If you are looking for an adventure that completely rewrites the scenery with every single mile, the Hampta Pass trek should be right at the top of your bucket list. It is one of the most famous crossover treks in India, starting from the lush, green pine forests of Manali and opening up into the stark, otherworldly, cold desert landscapes of the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. It truly feels like walking through a gateway between two entirely different worlds. But before you can step onto those dramatic high-altitude glaciers, your first major destination is the adventure hub of Manali. Nestled at the northern end of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, reaching Manali is a scenic journey that sets the perfect mood for your upcoming mountain expedition.
How to reach Manali?
Here is exactly how you can reach Manali by road, air, or train
- Reaching Manali by Road (The Most Popular Route)
For most trekkers and travelers, the road is the absolute best way to experience the transition from the bustling plains to the towering mountains.
By Overnight Volvo Bus: This is the most economical and hassle-free option. Luxury, air-conditioned semi-sleeper buses (both private and state-run HRTC) ply daily from Delhi (Kashmiri Gate ISBT or Majnu ka Tilla) and Chandigarh (Sector 43 Bus Terminus). The journey from Delhi is roughly 530 km and takes around 12 to 14 hours, while the ride from Chandigarh takes about 8 to 9 hours. Private operators such as Zing Bus, RedBus, also run daily services.
Booking Sites: You can book government buses,private buses from the websites:
https://online.hrtchp.com/oprs-web/guest/home.do?h=1
https://www.makemytrip.com/bus-tickets/delhi-manali-bus-ticket-booking.html
- Reaching Manali by Air (The Quickest Route)
If you want to skip the long road trip and jump straight into the action, flying is your fastest bet.
The Nearest Airport: The Bhuntar Airport (Kullu-Manali Airport) is located about 50 km south of Manali
Flight Connectivity: Regular flights operate from New Delhi to Bhuntar. Because this is a compact mountain airstrip, flights are highly dependent on clear weather conditions.
The Connection: Once you land at Bhuntar, it takes a scenic 1.5 to 2-hour drive via a local taxi or local bus to reach Manali town.
Pro-Tip: Alternatively, you can fly into Chandigarh International Airport, which has much better connectivity and lower fares across India, and then catch a cab or Volvo bus up to Manali.
- Reaching Manali by Train (The Scenic & Slow Route)
Because of the rugged Himalayan terrain, Manali does not have its own direct railway station. However, you can seamlessly connect your train journey with a short road trip. You can take a high-speed train like the Shatabdi Express or Vande Bharat from New Delhi to Chandigarh Railway Station. From there, you can easily shift to a pre-booked cab or a Volvo bus to complete the remaining 8-hour drive to Manali
How to reach Jobra Village?
Now that we’ve sorted out how to get to Manali, let’s talk about the actual starting line of the Hampta Pass Trek.Your trek doesn’t actually start in the middle of Manali. Instead, you’ll head about 25 kilometers up the mountain to a quiet, beautiful little clearing called Jobra.which is just a 45-minute drive from Manali. If you’re heading out on your own, you’ll need to grab a private taxi from Manali, which usually runs around ₹2,000.Sitting pretty at an altitude of 9,800 feet (2,987 meters), Jobra is the official gateway and trailhead for the Hampta Pass adventure.
