ALT32.27° N · 77.34° E
Summer camps for students
From the forests of Kullu to the desert of Lahaul, over a 4,270 m pass — a first real mountain journey for students, planned around safety and teamwork.
Photo: Kunalsvnit via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The camp
Hamta Pass (also spelt Hampta) is the classic crossing from Manali's green Kullu side into the dry mountains of Lahaul. As a student camp it is the next step after a base camp: four walking days with tents carried up the valley, a camp below the snow at Balu ka Ghera, the 4,270 m pass on the third morning, and a descent into a different world. It is a real mountain journey, done at a pace the whole group can hold, with an acclimatisation plan and a turn-back rule everyone knows.
Photo: Kunalsvnit via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A short drive up to Sethan, a Buddhist hamlet above Manali. Kit check, a briefing, then along the Hamta stream to Chhika, a meadow camp below the treeline. Tents up, camp skills, a first night under the stars.
A climb to a wide grazing ground under Indrasan and Deo Tibba. Acclimatisation walks, river-crossing drills and a lesson in reading the mountains.
The big day. An early start, a steady pace and the top together — green Kullu behind, the bare grey valleys of Lahaul ahead. A careful descent to camp at Shea Goru under the snow peaks.
Down to Chhatru on the Chandra river, where the walking ends.
By jeep to Chandratal lake when the road is open, then back to Manali through the Atal Tunnel.
Students should be able to walk 5–6 hours a day with a light day-pack. We send a 3-week fitness plan to the school after the booking.
A steady pace, an acclimatisation day built in, a guide at the front and the back, and a clear turn-back rule. Weather can hold the crossing for a day — the plan has room for it.
The route in 3D
The real trail on the real mountains. Scroll and the map flies from camp to camp, day by day, over Hamta (Hampta) Pass.
4 stops · 24.9 km
Scroll to walk it, day by day.
Drag the map to turn it — or tap “Explore in 3D” to zoom and tilt.
Day 1 · 2,940 m
A short drive up to Sethan, a Buddhist hamlet above Manali. Kit check, a briefing, then along the Hamta stream to Chhika, a meadow camp below the treeline. Tents up, camp skills, a first night under the stars.
Day 2 · 3,590 m
A climb to a wide grazing ground under Indrasan and Deo Tibba. Acclimatisation walks, river-crossing drills and a lesson in reading the mountains.
Day 3 · 4,270 m
The big day. An early start, a steady pace and the top together — green Kullu behind, the bare grey valleys of Lahaul ahead. A careful descent to camp at Shea Goru under the snow peaks.
Day 4 · 3,307 m
Down to Chhatru on the Chandra river, where the walking ends.
One pass, a group that comes home different. Tell us your group and your dates.
Plan the campPitching tents, sharing loads, crossing streams — nobody gets to the pass alone.
Every student leads a stretch of trail and a camp task.
A 4,270 m pass is a real achievement — and it shows when they come home.
Leave-no-trace camping, the mountain's plants and animals, and why they matter.
Summer camps
Group Base CampsAdventure, nature, teamwork and learning in one camp — planned around your group's age, size and purpose.
Shuru CampA base camp in the orchards and deodar forest at Shuru, across the Beas from Manali — the first night in a tent, the first climb on rock, the first river crossing on a…Plan it with Khem Raj · Manali
The class, the age group and the month you have in mind — we come back with a programme and a price.
Who is coming, when, and what you'd like to do.
Route, camps, food, transport and a price — on WhatsApp.
We handle the ground; you enjoy the mountains.
Rather call? +91 98160 34297
School groups and older students who are fit enough for four days of walking. Tell us the age group and we shape the plan around it.
The camp is planned around safety: an experienced leader, a steady pace, acclimatisation days and a turn-back rule the whole group knows.
Hamta Pass is best from July to September. School-holiday dates are fixed with each group.
It depends on the group size, the days and transport from your city. Send an enquiry and we come back with a plan and a price.
