Hampta Pass Diary – Chapter-3 : The trek begins
23-June-2025 - Seobagh to Jobra - 2786 m. (9140 ft)
Trek Day Begins – Journey to Jobra
Another night passed in the tent with intermittent
sleep and light naps. Our group was now one member fewer—Mr. Bhavik from the
first batch had already left for Jobra on June 22nd.
I woke up to Mr. Vikram’s alarm, as did he. My
cousin’s nephew stirred but didn’t fully wake up. Stepping outside into the
early darkness, I enjoyed the peace and stillness of the morning. The air was
crisp, the birds had already begun their morning songs, and the surrounding
nature was alive and calm. Slowly, others began emerging from their tents,
starting their morning routines. It was around 5 a.m., and the first light was
beginning to brighten the sky.
By 6:30 a.m., tea and breakfast were ready. Most
members had gathered, while a few were still rubbing the sleep from their eyes.
The group leader and co-leader were already on duty, making sure everyone was
awake and preparing for departure. After breakfast, tiffins were packed with
lunch for the day’s trek, though a few people were still running late.
We were instructed to bring our rucksacks out to
the open ground for a final check—this was to ensure everyone was packed and
ready. By 8:00 a.m., the call was made for everyone to queue up with their
bags. There was some reshuffling and chasing down of latecomers, but by around
8:30 a.m., we were all set.
Before departure, we were handed a “good wishes
kit”—a small packet containing chocolates, candies, dry fruits, and fresh
fruit. We assembled in formation, sang the national anthem, and received cheers
and claps from the next batch of trekkers, standing in a line just as we had
done for Batch 1 the previous day. And just like that, we were off!
The Ride to Jobra – 4,500 ft to 9,500 ft
There were four vehicles waiting for us: one Tempo
Traveller and three Sumo SUVs. All the women in the group were
directed to sit in the Tempo Traveller. The rest of us found seats in the
Sumos—but the seating process was a bit chaotic due to a lack of coordination
and clear instructions. Since the Tempo had more seats than the number of
female trekkers, some of the men from our group ended up there too.
I boarded one of the Sumos along with a few others.
The drive from Seobagh (4,500 ft) to Jobra (9,500 ft) was a
scenic one, but the road was rough and winding. With sharp turns and bumps
throughout, our primary focus during the ride was on keeping steady and not
getting thrown around—oxygen levels and altitude gains weren’t immediately
noticeable, though the change was certainly real. Fortunately, the
acclimatization walk the previous day had prepared us to some extent.
During the ride, I pulled out a few candies from
the good wishes kit, had one, and offered them around. We made a couple of
short stops along the way, which helped not only with acclimatization but also
gave us a chance to soak in the views and click a few photos.
At one of these stops, a few members switched seats
between vehicles, and I was asked to change mine as a result. It made me
reflect—how easily we get caught up in small conveniences, focusing on comfort
or preference without considering how our actions may affect others. It’s a
reminder that no matter the setting, the grass always seems greener elsewhere.
Jobra to Chikka - 2997 m. (9833 ft)
Arrival at Jobra – The Real Trek Begins
We finally arrived at Jobra, the point from
where our trek officially began. By then, most of us were hungry, so we opened
our snack kits, shared food from our personal supplies, or grabbed a bite at
the small local café nearby. Once re-energized, the usual photo sessions
began—everyone eager to capture the start of the journey.
Both uncles basking in the sunlight while the
others are busy in their reel/photo sessions
The view of the mountain at Jobra
We were informed that porters could be hired from
here if needed, though I’m not sure if anyone in our group actually did. After
the break, we assembled in queues again. Our guides and trek leads gave a final
briefing—some basic dos and don’ts—and with spirits high and energy
buzzing, we started walking.
It was a bright, sunny day with a few clouds
drifting lazily in the sky. The initial trail led us through dense forest, and
at places, the terrain became tricky—rocky cliffside on one end and a river
gushing below on the other. Some patches were so slippery, we had to sit down
to descend safely, or go down on all fours to climb up.
We crossed a small wooden bridge over a stream and
continued along the riverbank. This river would be our silent companion for much
of the journey. Spirits were high; everyone was clicking photos and taking
selfies until the guides reminded us to keep moving—we needed to reach our
first campsite before it got too late or before the rain started.
The first river crossing on the bridge
Lunch Break & Himalayan Flavors
After about an hour of trekking, we reached a small
resting point with a café and stopped for lunch. The wind was cool and
refreshing, a relief from the sweaty trek with our heavy rucksacks. Once we sat
down, I realized how chilly it had gotten—despite the sunlight, the wind
carried a sharp chill, made worse when clouds drifted overhead.
While washing my hands at a plastic pipe serving as
a tap, I also drank the water—and it was the first time I tasted pure
Himalayan stream water on this trek. It was fresh, cold, and incredibly
refreshing.
I was initially planning to have a cup of regular
milk tea, but noticed that Suman ji and Tek Chand ji were sipping
on a Ginger-Honey-Lemon tea, so my wife and I went for the same. It had
a distinct, earthy taste—she added a bit more honey to sweeten it to her
liking.
The view from lunch break
Arrival at Chikka Camp
After lunch, we resumed our journey. The terrain
was kinder now, and the weather remained pleasant. We walked beside a narrow
river bed, whose width hinted at its ferocity during the monsoon. Had it been
flowing at full strength, the path would’ve been impossible to cross. I filled
my bottle with fresh stream water a few more times along the way.
The path and the view
Eventually, we caught our first glimpse of the Chikka
campsite. In the final stretch, my uncle and I found ourselves ahead of the
rest, walking just behind the guide. We decided to rest and wait for the others
to catch up. When everyone regrouped, we walked together to the camp, where the
camp leader welcomed us. I recognized him from the base camp—he was the one
who’d helped with our registration forms and was also from Gujarat.
We inquired about tents—hoping to find one where
all six of us could stay together—but none were available. The leader couldn't
help much with that. In one 5-person tent, Mr. Vikram was already
staying, so we temporarily placed our rucksacks there. He welcomed us warmly.
Some of us went back to look for other options, but had no luck.
Golden mountains from the Chikka camp site (upwards from the camp)
The camp - From the hill to downside
The “Special Four”
In another 5-person tent, four members—whom we’d
started referring to as the "special category"—were already
staying. A quick introduction to them:
They had just completed a different trek and joined
this one back-to-back. Three were government employees, and one was a self-made
professional. They had arrived in their own vehicle, often skipped schedules,
and did things their own way at base camp. Some of us found their behavior a
bit standoffish or egoistic. Interestingly, one of them had caused the seat
switch during our drive to Jobra. While they weren’t rude, something about
their vibe didn’t sit right with many of us. Still, who are we to judge?
Our group of eleven shared a mutual discomfort
about the idea of staying with them. Out of concern, especially from the
elders, we avoided placing anyone in their tent. Eventually, my cousin’s nephew
volunteered to move to a different tent where Aditya and a few others
were staying, as he was comfortable there.
Exploring Chikka, Tea, Soup & a Waterfall
By the time tea and snacks were served, the whistle
was blown, and everyone gathered at the common area. Soup followed shortly
after, which we all enjoyed.
We spoke to Mr. Vikram, requesting if the
five of us could share his tent—even though it was officially for five.
Understanding our situation, he agreed, knowing well what our other option was.
Later, a few of us went to a nearby river stream
just 50 feet from the camp, took some pictures, and decided to climb toward a waterfall
that fed the river. Some group members went ahead; the rest of us followed.
The climb started to feel tiring quickly. As we
paused for a break, we saw clouds rolling into the Chikka valley, and
decided to rush back before the drizzle turned into rain. Most of the group
made it back to camp as it started drizzling again.
My wife, cousin’s nephew, and I decided to push a
bit further and complete the climb to the waterfall. It was beautiful—a
double-layered fall, surrounded by wildflowers. The drizzle returned and it
began to get dark, so we turned back, thinking the others might be worried.
The double layered waterfall at Chikka
On the way down, we passed another campsite run by
a different organization. Their tents were on a slight slope but had a great
view of the waterfall and required less climbing.
The
clouds from the valley - Setting in at Chikka camp site
Back at our own camp, we found both uncles and our aunt sitting on large rocks, soaking in the last light of the day. We joined them for a while before heading down for dinner. By the time we finished eating, it was already dark.
Settling In for the Night
Back in our tent, the usual routine began—repacking
and rearranging our rucksacks. Finding anything required unpacking everything,
and this was the norm both here and at base camp.
Sleeping arrangements were tight. The tent was
officially meant for five, but we squeezed in six—though realistically, even
four people with full gear would be more comfortable. Our shoes and trekking
poles were left outside. I slept near the tent entrance, followed by Mr.
Vikram, since we were the ones who usually woke up early for nature’s call and
morning routines.
That night, again, was marked by light sleep and
short naps. The alarm rang shortly after 4 a.m., and both of us woke up. The
kitchen staff were already up, preparing tea, breakfast, and packed lunches
for the day.
After returning from the morning routine, Mr.
Vikram stayed back in the tent for his usual meditation and exercises. I
stepped out and stood silently in the fading darkness, watching the day slowly
begin.
Soon others started waking up. We greeted one
another and got to our respective tasks. My wife brushed her teeth, and that
reminded me to wash my face—with ice-cold mountain water. It was
shockingly cold, and my face went numb for a bit, but it felt good.
By 6:45 a.m., tea was ready, followed soon by
breakfast. After eating, we all packed our rucksacks, got our sticks and shoes
ready, cleaned our tents, and prepared for the day’s trek.
Then came the final briefing. We packed
lunch in our tiffin boxes, assembled in queues, listened to instructions about
the day’s route, climb, and conditions. After singing the national anthem,
we began the next leg of our journey—to Balu ka Ghera.
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