Rupin Pass Trek

Altitude Jakha: 2,750 m/ 9,000 ft.
Trek Distance: 5 km | 4 hrs.
The trail for today snakes up in a continuous ascent through dense forests after passing through the traditional high-altitude villages of Himachal Pradesh. Once we cross the last signs of habitation, we cross over a small wooden bridge and head on upwards towards our destination for today.

Altitude : Saruwas Thatch: 3,261 m / 10,700ft.
Trek Distance: 8 km | 5 - 6 hrs.
Today’s trail takes us all the way down to the river to walk alongside its beautiful blue waters as we follow all its curves and bends. The thicket of fir forests quickly transforms to patches of snow. On crossing these, a snow bridge and a wooden bridge, we hop and jump over some boulders and streams to enter another magical forest – this one rich in rhododendrons of varied hues.
A few more kilometers and we reach Saruwas Thatch– a massive field of meadows rich in all kinds of fresh colours. A little rest here and we push on towards Dhanderas Thatch which s only a short distance from here. Don’t mistake short for unexciting, however because this might as well be the best day of the entire trek which offers some of the most beautiful landscapes. This short walk on the colourful meadows takes us straight to the foot of the roaring Rupin waterfall which doubles up as our campsite for today. The magnificence of this trek is the constantly changing scenery – while the first day took us through fir forests, the second through rhododendrons, today we walk through the luminescence of silver oak trees until we end up at the campsite for the day – Dhanderas Thatch.

Altitude: 3,550 m / 11,700 ft.
Trek Distance: 4 km | 2 hrs.
Today, you will start your journey towards Dandreyash Thatch. It is an easy and short trek, and once you reach the campsite, the views will amaze you! This is one of the most beautiful camping spots on the trek. The beauty of Dandreyash Thatch takes on different shades, and the landscape widens into yet another beautiful meadow. And the most awaited part of this journey is the view of Upper and Lower Waterfalls.
The Upper Rupin Waterfall crashes down from a great height, cutting through the rocky cliffs with force. A mist rises from where it hits the ground, sometimes creating a rainbow in the sunlight. Below, the Lower Rupin Waterfall flows more gently, cascading down in delicate streams that weave through the valley like silver threads. Watching these waterfalls flow down from high cliffs is a sight to remember.

Altitude Upper Waterfall: 4,050 m (13,300 ft)
Trek Distance: 2 km | 3-4 hrs
Today’s trek is relatively short but exciting! We will be making our way to the top of the Rupin Waterfall. This section is important because it gives you ample time to acclimatize to the changing altitude and prepare for what is to come next.

The climb takes you along the edges of the Upper Rupin Waterfall, showcasing some of the most beautiful views of the trek. The sound of water crashing down fills the air, and you might even feel a cool mist as you get closer. The path is narrow and requires careful steps, especially as you navigate sections where loose rocks and uneven terrain make the climb more challenging. Reaching the Upper Waterfall is an achievement. The view from here is simply spectacular. The entire valley, the winding trails, and the waterfalls flowing in different directions create a picture-perfect scene. Sitting here, watching the clouds drift over the peaks and the waterfalls roaring below, you realize why this trek is so special. It's a moment to pause, take it all in, and appreciate the journey so far.

At night, you will camp here. The experience of sleeping at such high altitude, surrounded by rugged cliffs and under a sky full of stars, is memorable. The darkness falls, and the temperature starts to drop sharply, and the chilly air reminds you of the remoteness of this place. Trekkers huddle around, sharing stories over a warm meal, while the sound of the waterfall continues to echo through the valley.

Altitude: Rupin Pass: 4,700 m / 15,350 ft & Ronti Gad: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft
Trek Distance: 12 km | 10-11 hrs
This is perhaps the longest and the most thrilling day of the trek. We begin as early as 5 AM and carry packed lunch and breakfast along to reenergize ourselves on the way. The challenges begin to appear shortly after we begin the trek. The ascent to Rati Pheri is a steep incline veering through snow and gains a generous amount of altitude in an hour. The trail climbs over a ridge before reaching the campsite of Rati Pheri.
Rupin Gully is a narrow passageway between two towering rock faces. It is steep, slippery, and often covered with ice or loose scree, making it one of the most demanding sections of the trek. You will need to move carefully, using your hands for support where necessary. The wind howls through the gap, adding to the adventure of crossing it. Once you emerge from the gully, you finally step onto Rupin Pass.

The next phase of the trek steps up the fun quotient by a notch or three. To reach the Ronti Gad campsite, you get to glissade down the chutes of snow. The descent is sharp and rapid and sliding down the snow slope is the best way to cover the distance.

The slopes even out, after the steep descent, making for an easy walk. Once you cross snowline, be prepared for another sharp descent that leads you to an endless meadow with a stream flowing gently through the mountains. This is the Ronti Gad Campsite. You will be camping here for the night in the vicinity of the towering snow-capped mountains – yet another pleasant change in the landscape around.

Altitude Sangla: 2,650 m/ 8,700 ft.
Trek Distance: 11 km | 5-6 hrs.
Drive Distance: 215 km | 9-10 hrs.
We begin the descent to Sangla after breakfast, at around 9 AM. The trail is a dusty shepherd’s path as you move out of the Ronti Gad campsite. You may come across mule traffic and shepherds tending to their cattle along the way. Almost 2 hours into the trek, you will see the Ronti Gad valley retreating slowly behind you and the trail ahead opening up to first glimpses of the snow-clad Kinner Kailash range. The sight is an absolute marvel to behold.

Soon afterwards, you will see the first signs of civilization afar in the tiny village of Sangla Kanda. Take a quick break in the Sangla Kanda village and have a hot cup of tea to give yourself some respite from the sharp descent.

The trail from Sangla Kanda to Sangla veers through blue pine forests that come as a refreshing surprise. The trek gradient is a rapid decline over a broad well-defined path going through terraced farms, apple orchards and old stone houses.

As you finally reach Sangla, take one last look at the giant mountains around and bid adieu to one of the finest cross-over treks of the country.

*We will reach Shimla late at night, so make your hotel reservations accordingly.

In case of bad weather or other difficulties, Day 12 is reserved as a buffer day. This will only get used if unexpected and unforeseeable conditions present themselves at the last minute. But you are advised to account for the buffer day while planning your travel. In cases when this day is used an extra approx. amount  per person is payable and same is collected by trek leader.