Hampta Valley Hike for Beginners

The Himalayas in Himachal are a gentle beauty. And that makes it perfect for beginner trekkers, as you get to see the immense beauty of the Himalayas, without getting too tired.

Hampta Valley, November 07, 2023

In the first week of November, 2023, we did a short day trek in Hampta valley situated near Manali in Himachal. Our route was from Jobri to Chikka. We went to the valley, rested, and came back, taking about 4 hours in total. People also do Hampta Pass trek, which starts at the same place, but takes multiple days to reach the pass. The best part is—it’s a very quiet route! Almost nobody’s there (we only met another group).

We will guide you how to experience the trek yourself.

Do I need a guide?

A guide is not mandatory. This was our first hike, so we were not sure that we could walk around a place without getting lost, he he. The terrain is easy, and it follows the Hampta river, so following the river is the clue. Besides, there are trekking maps, if you want to use them. At that time, we were noobs, but we enjoyed the company of our trekking guide.

We booked our trek through Potala Himalaya, knock them on their WhatsApp, they will give you pricing and details for your custom trek. It cost us 7,800 for the 2 of us. Our package included round trip transport from Manali hotel to Jobri (where the trek starts), meals, trekking poles, and local guide. Advance payment is done through GPay. Mention them if GPay is not available to your country. They will suggest advance payment once you reach India. We had a very good experience. They provided us hotel transfer to the valley entrance and back. Our guide brought us trekking poles. For the day trek, poles are not needed, it can help around the slipping bank though. Our guide also brought us lunch—healthy delicacies of Manali—almonds, persimmon, chocolates and a proper meal. That was the first time we tasted a persimmon! 

What gears do I need?

The terrain is beginner-friendly. It follows the bank of a river. Slopes (though not much) rise and fall gently. You may need to cross little streams—so wear a pair of non-slipping shoes. We did the trek in our sneakers and it was adequate. In early November, the sky is clear and the sun is bright—so a cap/hat is a must. The temperature was about ⅞ degree celsius. We were wearing our windbreakers. The wind was strong. After trekking for an hour, we took off our windbreakers as we were warm with the sun. A suitable option is - wear a light t-shirt and carry a windbreaker, protecting you from both the sun and wind.

What is the View like?

Around October to early November, the valley turns into an autumn paradise—Maples leaves falling from the trees. The mountains on two sides of the Hampta river have different characters—one green, another rocky, so you get a wholesome view. The river sound makes the journey soothing. It’s an offbeat route that is fully worth it, and leaves you cheerful at the end!

Check out our Manali Travel Guide for planning your stay in Manali. Leave us a comment if you have a question related to the Hampta Valley Trek.