Reach Manali by noon, settle into a cosy stay, and meet the group. We walk through gear, backpack setup, and how a DIY trek works — from sharing duties to respecting the trail. Short evening acclimatisation walk followed by dinner and route overview for the week.

Drive up to Jobra and start the trek under tall pines. Easy warm-up day with gradual climbs, wooden bridges, and river crossings. We reach Chika, pitch tents together, and learn basic camp setup. Evening chai by the river and first night under stars.

Follow the Rani Nallah upstream as we move from the wide Chika campsite directly towards Balu ka Ghera. It's a full valley day with changing scenery — soft meadows, sections of boulders, and patches of snow in early season. We reach Balu ka Ghera by late afternoon and set up our high camp together.

Long, rewarding day. We start before sunrise, climb towards the Hampta ridge with multiple short breaks, and reach the pass for wide views over Lahaul. After photos and a quiet moment at the top, we descend into a dramatic, stark valley to reach Shea Goru, a cold desert campsite right by the river.

Easy descent towards Chatru on rocky trails with constant views of Lahaul's rugged peaks. After an early lunch at Chatru, we drive along the Chandra river; if the road and weather allow, we push further towards Chandratal side for those iconic high altitude lake views before turning back towards Manali. Expect a long yet beautiful drive day, reaching Manali by late evening for the final night in a cosy stay.

Slow breakfast in Manali and time to walk through the market or sit by the river. The trek officially ends by late morning so you can take a bus, flight, or add your own extra days in the mountains. We wrap up with a short reflection on the trek and share contacts to exchange photos and reels later.