Braving steep climbs, rugged trails and rapidly changing terrain, a group of trekkers from Mysuru have successfully crossed the 14,100-ft-high Hampta Pass in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas. The group returned to the city recently after completing the challenging high-altitude trek, which offered spectacular views of the Himalayan landscape.

Led by seasoned adventure enthusiast from Mysuru, D.S.D. Solanki, who has completed more than 85 Himalayan expeditions, the team comprised senior professionals and young students who endured heavy rains, difficult terrain and high-altitude conditions to complete a difficult trekking expedition in Himachal Pradesh.

The team members included Laiqh A. Khan, Arun Kumar B.M., Lakshmikanth, Ajay Gupta, Praneetha Basu, Deekshitha J., Binada M.H. and Sthuthi V.M.

The group left Mysuru late on July 16 to catch an early morning flight next day to New Delhi, where they paid a visit to Rashtrapathi Bhavan, before travelling by road to Pathlikuhal near Manali and checking into a picturesque homestay at Chetti, nestled amid sprawling apple orchards.

A day was devoted to acclimatisation, allowing the participants to adjust to the altitude while exploring apple and plum orchards on the hillsides of Himachal Pradesh. The group also experienced one of India’s longest and highest ziplines at nearby Naggar—a 550-metre ride suspended nearly 500 feet above a mountain stream, offering panoramic views of the valley.

The four-day and three-night trek got off to a start on July 19 from Jobra, situated at an altitude of about 9,800 feet.

Accompanied by tour leader Amarchand Thakur and his support crew, the participants covered the first five kilometres through scenic forests, mountain streams and meadows under intermittent drizzle before reaching the Chikka campsite, where tents had been pitched.

The second day of trek brought sterner challenges. Overnight drizzle turned into steady rain, briefly raising doubts among first-time trekkers about whether the day’s climb would proceed. But, the trek continued as planned, with participants donning rain ponchos before negotiating rocky trails, steeper inclines and slippery terrain.

“The demanding eight-kilometre stretch to Balu Ka Ghera tested the group’s endurance, with most of us reaching the campsite exhausted. A hot bowl of soup followed by dinner helped us recover and recharge for the next leg of the trek,” a few participants recalled.

The third day—July 21—proved to be the defining stage of the expedition as the team attempted to cross Hampta Pass. Heavy rain lashed the region throughout the ascent, making the rocky trail and snow patches treacherously slippery while temperatures dropped steadily with altitude.

Despite the harsh conditions, the trekkers, encouraged by Mr. Solanki and guided by Mr. Thakur, continued through the difficult climb and reached the Hampta Pass summit at around 1 p.m., celebrating the successful crossing of the 14,100-foot pass.

The descent was no less challenging. Rain had turned the trail into a mix of slush, ice and slippery rocks, resulting in a few minor slips, though the entire group safely reached the Shea Goru campsite.

After an overnight rest, the trekkers set out on the final leg to Chatru, crossing an icy mountain stream amid spectacular Himalayan landscapes. A steep descent eventually brought the four-day trek to a successful conclusion.

“The adventure, however, did not end there. A waiting mini bus took us through dramatic mountain roads and deep ravines to the enchanting Chandratal Lake, whose crystal-clear blue waters set against snow-clad peaks provided a fitting finale to an unforgettable Himalayan expedition,” said the participants, while recounting their memorable experience.

Published - August 12, 2026 07:46 pm IST