Hamta Valley Circuit Trek

Sport & Abenteuer Reisen
Reise Bausteine

Trekking Reisen

Overview

The ideal trek for those who want to gain their first experience in trekking in the Himalayas, are not quite as fit themselves or want to make a trek especially early in the season (from April)!

The Hamta Valley offers probably one of the most beautiful tours in this area! Beautiful campsites with great views, river crossings, forests and meadows and the chance to spot wild animals such as vultures, snow leopards and bears. In fine, clear weather, we can enjoy the view of the nearby six thousand-metre high mountains of Deo Tibba and Indarasan.

It never goes very steep uphill and we reach a maximum height of 3380 meters.

Program

Day 1 drive to Jagathsukh, 7 km from Manali (2015 m)

Jagatsukh to Tilgan (2430 m) 5 to 6 hours trek

Today, the mountain is constantly going uphill. First we walk through the two villages of Jagathsukh and Banara. Then we reach an old temple and enter a deep coniferous forest. Until we reach our camp, we go first through forests and then on to meadows and pastures with magnificent views into the valley. (Overnight in the tent) -/L/D

Day 2 Tilgan to Sarotu (3380 m) 6 to 7 hours

Today, our path is not quite so steep. It continues through forests and we have to cross a river in addition to numerous smaller streams. We hike on green pastures, where we meet shepherds with their sheep. The trek continues to just above the tree line. This is where we set up our camp. (Overnight in a tent) B/L/D

Day 3 Sarotu to Chikka (3300 m) 6 hours

It goes downhill and then into the Hamta valley. We reach a dam and meet settlers who spend the summer here with their cows. It goes deeper into the valley, crossing a river over a shaky bridge. Camping is held at the end of the valley, right next to two streams and surrounded by high mountains. (Overnight in a tent) B/L/D

Day 4 Chikka to Manali 5 Hours Trek

After yesterday’s day was a little short, it will be longer again today. First we go back to the dam. We cross the dam and hike around a ridge. Then it goes down quite steeply into the valley. Depending on your condition, you can reach Vaschisht today, a small village with hot natural sulfur springs that invite for a relaxing bath after the hike and form a nice conclusion of our trekking tour. (Overnight in a tent) B/L/-

This trek is extendable! We can spend an extra night in Saruto to hike up a ridge to a lake. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains.

Services

Trained trekking guide
Cook and helper
Load horses or carriers
For 3 nights accommodation in 2-man tents
Kitchen, toilet and dining tent
4 days full board (3 x breakfast, 4 x lunch packages, 3 x dinner and 3 x snacks)
Transport from Manali to the start of the trek
Transport from the end of the trek to Manali

Highlights

Preise und Termine

This trek is possible from April to October

From 2 participants 320 €/Person

Price decreases with higher number of participants

Tour Info

Requirements

A relatively easy trek without too many ascents and descents (for Himalayan ratios). The daily stages are between 4 and 6 hours. On this trek we reach a maximum height of approx. 3300 meters, which minimizes the risk of altitude sickness.

Information about the Trekking Tours with Chalo! Travels

Mountain guide and trekking team

On all our treks we have at least one (for larger groups of 6 participants two) trained local mountain guide. Our mountain guides have all completed at least the Indian mountaineering training, many of them have also completed the advanced courses.

They are familiar with the trekking routes and know the terrain excellently. All our mountain guides speak English.

In addition, there is a local team consisting of a cook (if the group consists of only two participants, the mountain guide also takes over the tasks of the cook), helpers, horsemen with horses or Nepalese porters, depending on the type of trek.

All our team members have been working with us for years, are very friendly and always strive to provide our guests with a great trekking experience. Their English (besides of the Guide) is rather mediocre or non-existent, but this is not necessarily a hindrance to communicating with them.

Trekking Routes

The trekking routes are designed according the skills of our guests and are all feasible for a person with a good fitness level, unless otherwise mentioned. The daily routes are between five and eight hours long (with breaks) and an average increase of around 500-800 metres of altitude is completed.

In between, rivers may have to be crossed. The paths are partly well developed, but sometimes also almost non-existent. On our trekking routes there are hardly any villages in between, so we will take enough food for the whole tour.

On our treks we cross passes, snow or glaciers. On steep slopes, we have safety equipment with us.

Daily routine (Depending on the length and intensity of the trek, the times may vary)

7: 00 am Get up with Tea

7:30-8:30 am Breakfast

7:00-9:30 am Dismantling of the camp

8:00- 9:30 am Start Trek

1:00 pm Lunch on the way

3:00-5:00 pm Arrival at the camp and camp construction

3:30-5:30 pm Snacks

7:00 pm Dinner

Altitude and altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is a very important topic that should not be underestimated, especially during our trekking tours in the Indian Himalayas. At altitudes above 3500 m, our body has to slowly get used to the low air pressure, which also causes less oxygen to enter our lungs. The first signs of altitude sickness are headaches, which are accompanied by dizziness, nausea, insomnia and loss of appetite. It becomes problematic when water accumulates in the lungs and brain and edema occurs. Then only the immediate descent to lower altitudes will help. To prepare for the heights on our treks, we will either spend a few nights at high altitudes before the trek or slowly ascend during the trek to acclimatize. If we notice that there are problems with our guests (each person is otherwise able to acclimatize, regardless of age, gender and fitness level), it may happen that either the entire group or the concerned participant descends/returns with a team. In addition, it makes sense to take an emergency drug for altitude sickness. For this, it is best to consult the pharmacy or the travel doctor. For certain treks we will also have oxygen with us.

Luggage

Each trekking participant is responsible for his own clothes and personal belongings. Depending on the trek, we are either with horses or porters. If we have load horses, one bag per participant can be loaded onto the horse. In the case of treks with porters, all personal luggage must be carried independently. Tents, sleeping bags, mattresses and food are carried by our porters.

For trekking tours with horses, a day backpack with space for the lunchbox, a water bottle and warm overcoat clothing should be taken with you. Here to the complete packing list for our trekking tours.

Packing list for trekking tours

sleeping bag at least -10°C
large backpack or soft carrying bag so that the load animals can carry the luggage
Small carrying backpack for the day approx. 30-40 l with rain protection
flashlight/headlamp
2 refillable water bottles
hiking poles
passport and passport copy
camera with spare battery and memory card
headgear as sun protection
Good Sunglasses
cap
Scarf, Buff
Gloves
wind-proof trekking pants
trekking pants
Functional Underwear Long
hiking boots
socks thick and thin
sneakers, sandals and/or slats
windbreaker
Warm Jacket
fleece sweater/jacket
Tshirts
sunscreen, lip balm min. Protection 40
fat cream
water purification tablets (boiled and filtered water is provided)
own medications for headaches, nausea, digestive problems, colds)
bubble patches and dressing material
own hygiene articles
Toilets Paper
hand disinfection

Meals

During the trek there will be a vegetarian full catering. Water is either boiled or we have a water filter with us.

Breakfast (daily selection):

Coffee/Tea
Oatmeal porridge/muesli/cornflakes/Indian porridge
Indian breakfast
Sliced fruit/vegetables

Lunch (mostly lunchbox), sometimes warm in the camp

Sandwiches/Indian (rice, chapati, vegetables)/potatoes
Juices
Chocolate
Fruit

Snacks

Tea/coffee
Cookies
French fries/Indian snacks

Soup

Dinner (depending on the length of the Trek mix of Indian/Chinese/Continental)

Vegetable dish
Lentil dish
Rice/noodles
Chapati
Salad
Dessert

Accommodation and camp

We have very comfortable and spacious two-man tents. Our mattresses are practical but simple if there are problems with sleeping on hard surfaces, please take your own mattress with you or order from us. Our sleeping bags are freshly washed and have a very good quality with comfort zone up to -5°C/extreme zone up to -20° C. It is recommended to bring personal indoor sleeping bags.

In addition, we have a spacious dining tent with tables and chairs, a kitchen tent for the team and a toilet tent. For treks up to 4 people, the kitchen tent can also act as a dining tent at the same time.

For trekking tours with porters, we will take our smaller, lighter tents with us and do without a toilet tent.

Weather

In the Himalayas, temperatures fluctuate widely. While it can get warm up to 25°C during the day and the sun is not only warming, but also very intense (sun protection is a must), it can also cool down significantly below the minus-grade at night, especially in the months end of September and October, as well as in June. There may also be weather changes with snow on the passes.