Northern India travelogue
Trip outline
Ladakh [Page 1] - Manali & Hampta Pass trek [Page 5]
- Chandra Tal [Page 10] - Dharamshala/McLoad [Page 12]
- Pakistan Border, Wagah [Page 13] - Amritzar [Page 14]
- Shimla/Rishikesh/Manali [Page 15] - Nagar to Jari trek [Page 17]
- Rishikesh [Page 22] - Corbett NP [Page 23]
- Nainital [Page 24] - Taj Mahal [Page 25]
- Delhi [Page 26]
The Hampta-Pass trek, day 1
We decided to go on a trek from Manali, it is such a beautiful area. Trekking is always great fun, and in India you get the
added bonus of peace and quiet. We got a company to organize our
trek - the Himalayan Journeys. They have been great, and
we really recommend them. We got the best guide (Annand), an amazing cook (The unforgettable Anuk, the best food we had
in India), a horseman and a helper.
The trek is really fun - everything is organized perfectly, the food is great, there were no complains.
We went to the trek with a really nice couple too - Marcus and Ivana from Germany. That trek was simply superb.
The Hampta-Pass is a five day trek, going from Prini (2000m, just half an hour's drive from Manali) to the Hampta Pass
(about 4,300m) and then down again to Chattru. We also took a ride later to the Chandra-Tal (The 'moon' lake) and then back home.
The first day was the hardest. We had to climb a lot, and the trail was not the most interesting or beautiful one, because they
are building a dam now so there are lot's of people and horses around. For good luck (and good weather), we stopped at the Temple in Prini.
I guess the prayers worked!
And then we climbed and climbed and climbed. You can see Annand in those pictures, and also the sheep. We met lot's of Gaddi
shephards, with sheep and goats. We loved them! Go sheep.
We stopped for lunch near the big worker's camp. Then we had to climb just a little more to get to our camp. You can see
Marcus and Ivana in that picture.
When we reached the camp, the tents were already ready, and hot tea was waiting. The good life.
