Hampta Pass is located between the Kullu Valley and the Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. The Hampta Pass Trek is a 5-day moderate-difficulty trek in Himachal Pradesh. It is also known as the ‘crossover trek’ as it takes you through two completely different landscapes: the lush green Kullu Valley with forests, flowers and meadows and the barren, arid, desert-like Lahaul Valley, typical of Ladakh’s terrain. The Hampta Pass Region has no permanent human settlement as it is too high, cold and remote for people to live year-round.

In the Kullu side, small villages Prini, Sethan, Hampta and Jobra are the starting points of the trek and are inhabited by Himachal Communities belonging to the Kullu region. The people here are mostly farmers, shepherds and apple growers. Many belong to the Gaddi and Kanashi tribes, who have lived in these mountains for generations. The houses are traditional and made of stone, wood and slate roofs, designed to withstand extremely cold winters. During the summers, the villagers guide trekkers or work with tourism groups. Locals worship Deo Tibba, Indrasan and other mountain deities. Festivals like Kullu Dussehra and Phagli are celebrated with great enthusiasm.

In the Lahaul Valley side there are small and scattered villages like Chatru, Batal and further down, Khoksar and Keylong. The region is home to Lahauli people, who are culturally closer to Tibetans, who are followers of Buddhism mixed with ancient Himalayan traditions. The people are mostly farmers and shepherds, growing barley, peas and potatoes in the short summer season. The winters are harsh and snowy, and the villages remain cut off for several months when the roads close. Many families migrate temporarily to lower altitudes like Manali or Kullu during winter.

This dramatic contrast of landscapes makes it one of the most picturesque treks in the Indian Himalayas. The trail includes rocky terrain, river crossings in icy water, steep ascents and potentially slippery descents. The trek offers stunning views of Indrasan, Deo Tibba and Hanuman Tibba peaks. One can also visit the Chandratal Lake, which is one of the most beautiful high-altitude lakes of Himachal Pradesh. This trek involves staying in tents and is an ideal trek for the first time Himalayan trekkers looking for adventure.