Duration : 10 Night /
11 Days
Destinations Covered : Preeni Setan Bhalu Ka Ghera Hampta Pass
Chattru – Chotta Dara Batal Chandratal Tokpoyongma Baralacha La
Day 1: Preeni
We drove to the village of Preeni from where we begin our climb towards the
picturesque village of Setan . Camp outside the village.
Day 2 : Campsite
We begin early and crossing a few streams we go on a boulder-strewn path towards
our next campsite. We camp on an extensive meadow.
Day 3 : Campsite to Bhalu Ka Ghera
Today the climb is steep and can be tiring as we head towards the base of
the Hampta Pass and reach our campsite on a sandy strip beside a mountain
stream. Camp overnight.
Day 4 : Over Hampta Pass (4270 metres) Chattru
The climb to the pass is again a steep one and once on the pass you get spectacular
views of the northern mountain peaks of Lahaul and Spiti. We reach the tiny
roadside camp of Chattru by late evening.
Day 5 : Chattru – Chotta Dara
Today the trek is along the Spiti highway. Our next stop is another roadside
settlement of Chotta Dara. There is a seasonal teashop here and an old Rest
house. Camp nearby.
Day 6 : Chotta Dara – Batal
Today we continue along the road and walking along the Chandra River reach
the next tiny settlement and make shift Dhabha and tea stall at Batal. Camp
near the makeshift stall on an extensive grassy plain on the banks of the
Chandra river.
Day 7 : Batal – Chandratal
A little ahead of the tea stall is a rough track leading north. While the
highway continues to the Kunzum Pass and on to Spiti, this road leads to the
beautiful mountain lake. Far below you can see the silvery Chandra River meandering
towards Lahaul. We reach the lake by early evening. Camp on the shores of
this mesmerising lake.
Day 8 : Rest day at Chandratal
There are great views of towering barren mountains all round this crystal
clear water body. Camp on the shores.
Day 9 : Chandertal – Tokpoyongma
We leave early toady as we have to ford an icy mountain stream which can become
dangerously high later in the day. Our expert mountain guide leads the way
and after crossing the torrent we walk foe about an hour before setting up
camp.
Day 10 : Tokpoyongma – Tokpogongma
This is another icy torrent which we cross early and then walk up the barren
valley. There are numerous mountain streams flowing down these barren hillsides
and we reach camp by afternoon.
Day 11 : Trek to Baralacha La
The walk is through a high-altitude desert and the surrounding mou8ntains
offer spectacular views. We reach the meadows around Baralacha by afternoon
from where a jeep takes us on to Keylong the district headquarters of Lahaul.
We have an option to either spend the night here in a hotel or continue our
drive to Manali.
