Rupin Pass Trek

A remote and beautiful trek from Uttarakhand (Dhaula) to Himachal Pradesh (Sangla), following the Rupin River. 

Highlights

• Witness the Garhwali culture as well as the Kinnauri culture.
• The trek passes through several villages and shepherd camps in the Rupin river valley.
• The Dhauladhar range of Himachal Pradesh is visible from the pass.
• Service of experienced mountain guides and good quality tents for the camp.

Detailed overview

Starting from Dhaula in Uttrakhand and ending at Sangla, Rupin trek is a 15,250 ft high altitude trek. Rupin trek is not just famous because of the high altitude but the picturesque sceneries and the sudden changing trail is also a reason that makes Rupin trek very popular among hikers.

Rupin trek give you few surprises on the trail as the pathway is really unpredictable, at times its steep climbs would make it difficult to trek and on the other hand when you wish to give up, it suddenly changes to a very easy one.

Waterfall views, snow bridges, Kinnaur temple, lush green forests, a hanging village and the Kinner Kailash, all these are the surprises what an eight-day difficult grade, 52 km Rupin pass trek offers to make your visit a lifetime memory.

Itinerary

Day 1: Dehradun - Dhaula (1580 metres) | 210 km - 8 hours drive

• The drive from Dehradun to Dhaula passes through the towns of Mussoorie and the villages of Nainbagh, Damta, Naugaon, Purola and Mori.
• After Mori, it is a beautiful drive along the Rupin River through mixed oak and conifer forests. You will arrive in Dhaula by the evening and overnight stays will be arranged in the camps.

Day 2: Dhaula (1580 metres) - Sewa (2000 metres) - Aaligad | 14 km trek - 7 hours

• This will be the first day of your trek. The trail is on the true right of the valley climbing up gradually.
• Pisa and Khana villages are seen across the river. You will climb up high above the river to Danti Dhar. The path passes through beautiful rhododendron forests.
• Sewa has a beautiful Hindu temple and lies on the border of the two states i.e. Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh. You will camp a little beyond the village on the banks of the river at a site known as Aaligad.

Day 3: Aaligad - Jakha (2300 metres) | 9 km trek - 4-5 hours

• The trail is fairly gradual, going past the two large but remote villages of Dodra and Kuar.
• This region has recently been connected by road from Rohru (Shimla Region). The road is being extended till Jakha.
• You will cross the bridge below Kuar village and take the path climbing up to the village. This path will join the trail on the true right below Jiskun village.
• From here the trail steeply climbs to Jiskun, which is located high above the confluence of Rupin and Narkund Khad. Jiskun has a small forest rest house.
• Continuing along the path, we descend steeply to a side tributary and after a short and steep ascent reach Jakha.

Day 4: Jakha - Burans Kandi (3080 metres) | 7 km trek - 5-6 hours

• It is a beautiful walk through blue pine and maple forests. After a while, the trail starts to descend to the river.
• There is a small bridge taking the trail to the true left of the valley. You will camp overnight beside the river, a spot frequented by shepherds.

Day 5: Burans Kandi - Upper Waterfall (3450 metres) | 8 km trek - 5-6 hours

• The forest changes to silver Birch and rhododendron leading to alpine meadows. During the season, the area looks spectacular with wildflowers and blue poppies.
• You walk on the large meadow surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. There is a huge and impressive waterfall in the middle of the valley leading up to the pass.

Day 6: Upper waterfall camp (3450 metres) - Rupin Pass (4690 metres) - Ronti Gad (3990 metres) | 10-11 hours

• There are excellent views of the hanging glaciers and snowfields on the way to the pass.
• It is a fairly narrow and steep path through the boulders; in case of snow, a rope may be used.
• From the pass, one can witness great views of the Kinnaur Kailash range.
• You will descend to the alpine meadows with lots of camping options.

Day 7: Rontigad - Kanda - Sangla (2650 metres) | 6-7 hours

• Today is a beautiful short trek through blue pine, deodar and oak forest overlooking the Sangla valley. It is a fairly steep descent.
• Sangla valley is known for growing one of the best quality apples in the world. It is also one of the starting points of the famous Kinnaur Kailash trek.
• Sangla is connected by road to Shimla. One can get public or private transport from Sangla to Shimla.