Rupin Pass Trek

9 Days 8 Nights
  • Trekking
  • Rupin Pass (4600m)
  • Garhwal (Uttarakhand) & Kinnaur (Himachal)
  • Skilled
  • 9 Days
  • May - Jun, Sep - Oct
  • Trekking
  • All Meals / Veg Meals

Overview of The Trek

This is a great trek for people with experience as well as for beginners looking to stretch themselves. It has just one slightly difficult day, the day you cross the pass where one would need to exert a bit more than the other days. On this trek you move from one state (Uttarakhand) to the other (Himachal) it is no wonder that there is lots of variety on offer. One gets to appreciate the different landscapes and culture of the Rupin valley towards Uttarakhand and Sangla valley in Himachal. There is a special flavour to this trek – The trail has sections which take you through remote villages giving you a wonderful experience of looking at a completely different way of life. Also you get enough opportunities to interact with locals and shepherds who move around on the endless meadows along the trail.

The highlight of this trek would surely be scaling the Rupin Pass, a beautiful high altitude Himalayan pass at 4600m. Usually this is a not a very difficult pass to negotiate but at times, depending upon the snow conditions it can pose quite a challenge. The landscape on both sides of the pass is spectacular and star studded with waterfalls, lush green meadows, snow-capped mountains, quaint villages and big rivers. Basically it has something to offer to everyone walking the trail. Something you are guaranteed to enjoy on this trek is the camping experience with campsites that are wonderfully located with great views all around.

Highlights of The Trek

  • High - Altitude Adventure: Crosses the majestic Rupin Pass at 15,250 feet (4,650 meters).
  • Dramatic Scenery: Features hanging villages, deep pine forests, glacial meadows, and towering waterfalls.
  • Famous Waterfall Climb: The iconic "three-stage Rupin waterfall" is a signature sight on this trek.
  • Ever-Changing Landscapes: Trail shifts from green meadows to snowfields and rocky cliffs — every day feels different.
  • Moderate to Difficult: Best suited for trekkers with some prior experience looking for a challenging yet rewarding journey.
  • Ideal Season: Best done from May to June and September to October for clear skies and safe trail conditions.

Itinerary

All group members to meet at Dehradun railway station at 7:00 a.m. and from here we will board a vehicle and be driven up to Mori, a small and extremely scenic village settled on the banks of the beautiful Tons river. The drive today is quite interesting.

After Mori we continue to drive through a pine forest along the Tons river to reach Netwar where we visit the ancient temple of Pokhu Devta. The architecture of the temple is very unique and typical of the region. From here we drive further to reach the village at Dhaula, which is situated by the Rupin gad. This is the start point of the trek Overnight in tents.

From Dhaula the walk is mostly through rhododendron forest and fields. After a few hours of hiking we will reach our destination for the day. Overnight in tents.

Today the trail is quite interesting. We will get the opportunity to get a close look at the local culture and the way of life of the people living here as we pass by a few villages. We pass through mixed forests and also get our first views of the snow-capped ridges of the Dhauladhar range. The village at Jakha is the last village on the trail and also the highest in the area. Overnight in tents.

Our destination for the day is the beautiful meadows at Suruwas Thach. We will initially walk along the river before climbing through a forest section to reach the entrance of the Rupin Valley. We will also get the first view of the Rupin waterfall from here. The meadows at Suruwas Thach are very refreshing and ideal for camping. Overnight in tents.

This stage of the trek is full of wonders; you will relish each step you walk. Initial climb will take us to a picture perfect meadow. We spend some time here taking pictures and a short rest. From it’s a steep walk through rock cliff and possible snow patches until we reach the upper waterfall campsite, surely one of the finest meadows in this part of the world. Overnight in tents.

Today you give your body some rest and relax in the beautiful environs. This rest day will ensure that you have a fully charged battery when you set out for the pass next day. Also for the restless kind, there is a possibility to do some exploration close to the campsite. Overnight in tents.

We start early today. It’s a challenging stage requiring one to climb up snowfields and one rocky gully to the pass. Depending upon conditions we might need to rope up in a few patches. The climb to the pass will take about 4-6 hours depending upon the snow conditions. From the pass we you are rewarded with a fine panorama of the Himalayas.

We get to see the peaks of Kinner Kailash range and the ones close to Charang La. Having rested our bodies and feasted on some great sights it’s time to descend. We walk for a couple of hours to reach the pastures at Ronti Gad. Welcome to the meadows of Kinnaur! Overnight in tents.

It’s a long descent down to Sangla. Your knees are surely going to complain at the end of it. But one is again rewarded with some fantastic sights along the way. The Kinner Kailash range makes its presence felt very evidently while the villages of the Sangla valley spread all over create a nice picture.

We are towards the end welcomed by the Baspa river into its valley. First thing you look out for on reaching Sangla - is a place to sit and a cup of hot masala tea. Overnight in a hotel/camp.

After an early breakfast get into the waiting vehicle and drive towards Shimla. It’s a beautiful drive for the day. Reach Shimla towards afternoon and proceed towards your onward destination. Trip ends here.

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Rupin Pass Trek

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What is included in this Package

  • All accommodation during trek in a A Shape Trekking Type tents Include with Sleeping Bags / Sleeping Mattresses / Dry it Toilet Tents / Kitchen Tent , Dinning Tents with Stools and Tables and Bath Tents.
  • All vegetarian meals beginning with breakfast on Day 01 to breakfast on Day last of the trek.
  • Porter/mules for camping luggage
  • Camping equipment – best quality equipment will be provided
  • Professional English guides
  • All Trekking permits.

What is excluded in the Package

  • Travel between Airport to Hotel (can be arranged by us on request)
  • Any meals/services not mentioned above
  • Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.
  • Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
  • Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
  • Insurance

Important Information

Transport Options (Delhi – Dehradun – Delhi)

For travel to Dehradun and back one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport DED, and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Indigo , Alliance Air , Spice Jet , Air India and Vistara Air.

There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Dehradun that cost about Rs. 1200- 1500 per person. These buses depart from ISBT Delhi every 30 mins. or so and take about 8 hrs to cover the distance. The same is also applicable on the return journey. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.

Weather Details

Located at an elevation of 2189.31 meters (7182.78 feet) above sea level, Uttarakhand has a Temperate highland tropical climate with dry winters climate (Classification: Cwb). The city’s yearly temperature is 23.67ºC (74.61ºF) and it is -2.3% lower than India’s averages. Uttarakhand typically receives about 92.31 millimeters (3.63 inches) of precipitation and has 110.55 rainy days (30.29% of the time) annually.
Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications

Frequently Asked Questions about this Trip

FAQ about this Trip

What is the total distance of the Rupin Pass Trek?

The trek covers around 52-60 km (depending on the exact route), usually completed in 7-9 days.

What is the best time to do the Rupin Pass Trek?

The ideal seasons are May-June (spring/summer) and September-October (autumn) when the weather is stable and the trails are clear.

Is Rupin Pass Trek suitable for beginners?

No, it is considered a moderate to difficult trek and is recommended for trekkers with some prior high-altitude trekking experience.

Do I need a guide or permit for this trek?

Yes, it’s advised to go with a certified trekking group or guide. Permits may be required as you cross from Uttarakhand into Himachal Pradesh.

What kind of weather should I expect?

Expect cool to cold temperatures, especially at higher camps. Sudden weather changes, including snowfall at the pass, are common.