Rupin Pass Trek

Drive distance: 185 km | Drive Duration: 7 hours | Location of Himalayan Daredevils basecamp: Jiskun

A lovely trek through remote, traditional villages of Himachal. The Rupin pass trekking is a challenging one. Expect an hour’s descent followed by an hour’s steep ascent.

The day's trek starts off in a magnificent fir forest, one of the best forest sections on any trek. Further, the trail descends down into the valley, snaking on the banks of the Rupin River. Look out for beautiful dwarf rhododendrons after Udaknal, just as you approach the meadows of Saruwas Thatch.

The shortest and perhaps the prettiest day of the Rupin pass trek, as you walk through small meadows, which are flower beds in summer, and beautifully colourful in autumn. The day's trek culminates at the iconic Dhanderas Thatch or Lower Waterfall campsite, where you camp at the base of the roaring 1,500 ft Rupin Waterfall.

A quick and continuous ascent of the 1,500 ft Rupin Waterfall. In summer, expect to cross the waterfall on a snow bridge. In autumn, the trail is on rocky, and sometimes slippery terrain.

The most adventurous day of your trek. You start from the Upper Waterfall Camp at around 3 am to make it to Rupin Pass by 7 or 8 am. The day's climb is hard, with steep ascents, through snowfields of rocky beds to the pass. The climb to the pass through the Rupin Gully is an iconic one. The descent and long walk to Rontigad is a true test of your endurance.

The day's trek involves a steep descent all the way to Sangla, where your trek ends. Despite being the last day, this is one of the most picturesque days as you trek through the lush grasslands of Sangla. The trek ends at the River Baspa, which marks the beginning of civilization after your 7-day trek.

Ans: 1 This trek has a difficulty level of medium to hard. The terrain is variable - with slippery roads, muddy grounds, and snowy trails. For somebody who has a desk job, or does not indulge in routine physical activities, this can be a difficult trail. Also, start with brisk 10 minutes walk every day and then some physical exercise like stretching. You can also do some yoga every day to regulate your breathing properly. Do three sets of squats, with 8 squats in each set. Apart from this, you can include planks and crunches in your routine. Those who have a medical condition should consult with their physician to ensure they are medically fit to go trekking at such a high altitude.

Ans: 2 The Rupin Pass Trek typically starts from Dhaula in Uttarakhand. However, it is often associated with Sangla or Shimla in Himachal Pradesh because trekkers often visit these places either while reaching Dhaula or after completing the trek at Sangla, which can be the end-point of the trek.

Ans: 3 Rupin Pass Trek is considered to be of moderate to difficult level and it is generally recommended for trekkers who have some prior trekking experience. Beginners with good physical fitness, mental preparation, and proper guidance can attempt the trek, but they should be aware of the challenges involved.

Ans: 4 The best time to go for the Rupin Pass Trek is during the pre-monsoon months of May and June, or post-monsoon months of September and October, when the weather is relatively stable and the views are clear.

Ans: 5 Rupin Pass is a high altitude pass across the Himalayas in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It's a popular destination among trekkers for its scenic beauty, snow-covered trails, and the thrilling experience of crossing a mountain pass at an elevation of about 15,250 feet.