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Rupin Pass Trek

Rupin Pass Trek

A Wild Himalayan Adventure

Trek Overview

  • Trek Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days
  • Trek Grade: Moderate to Difficult
  • 🏔️ Max Altitude: 15,250 ft (Rupin Pass)
  • Trek Distance: 40 Km
  • 🌤️ Best Time: May-June & September-October
  • 🗺️ Region: Crossover from Shimla valley to Kinnaur valley, Himachal Pradesh
  • 📍 Start Point: Jiskoon (Himachal)
  • 🏁 End Point: sangla (Himachal)
  • 🧥 Cloakroom facility: Not available

INR 16,500

* Jiskoon to Sangla

Addons (Optional)

  • Transportation – INR 4,000 (* Shimla to Shimla)
  • Offloading-Bags – INR 4,800

Terms & Conditions | Inclusions & Exclusions

Registration Dates October 2025

11 Oct - 17 Oct Loading…
If you’re seeking a trek that blends raw adventure, staggering natural beauty, and a sense of journey through changing worlds, Rupin Pass deserves a place at the very top. Beginning in the quaint villages of Shimla’s remote valleys, the trail winds through apple orchards, hanging wooden bridges, and dense forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron, before opening up into vast alpine meadows where the Rupin River roars alongside you. The heart of the trek lies in its drama — climbing beside the thunderous three-stage Rupin Waterfall, camping at the amphitheater-like Dhanderas Thatch, and finally tackling the steep snow-filled Rupin Gully to stand atop the high-altitude pass at nearly 15,300 ft. From here, the panorama unfolds into Kinnaur’s majestic landscapes, including glimpses of the sacred Kinnaur Kailash range and the lush meadows of Sangla Valley. This trek isn’t just about the views, but about the ever-changing terrain: one day a shady pine forest, the next a vibrant rhododendron grove, followed by stark snowfields and glacial basins. The Rupin Pass trek compresses into a single journey what feels like a cross-section of the entire Indian Himalaya.

🌸Seasonal Notes:

Summer (May–June): Expect lingering snowfields above Dhanderas Thatch, thrilling ice walks, and the chance to slide down long snow slopes after the pass crossing. The meadows below, freshly revealed after winter, sparkle with new grass and early wildflowers.

Autumn (Sept–Oct): The snow retreats, revealing the Rupin Valley in full bloom. Meadows are alive with alpine flowers, while oak and maple forests turn golden and crimson. Crisp skies make for crystal-clear views of distant peaks — the Himalayas at their most colorful and vibrant.

Highlights

✅ The trek starts from the remote village of Jiskoon nestled in the Shimla valley of Himachal and follows the wild & scenic Rupin River from valley floor to source

✅ Climb the iconic Rupin Waterfall

✅ Trek through remote villages, forests, and meadows

✅ Conquer the steep Rupin Gully to reach the high-altitude pass

✅ Witness the majestic Kinnaur Kailash range

✅ End in the beautiful pastures of Sangla in the Kinnaur Valley of Himachal

Itinerary

📅 Day 1: Arrive at Jiskoon (7,630 ft)

• Distance from Shimla: ~190 km | Drive: 10–12 hrs via Rohru & Chanshal Pass (12,000 ft).
• Trail Info: Road journey through apple orchards, pine forests, and tiny Himachali hamlets.
• Highlights: Stunning crossover of Chanshal Pass, first glimpses of remote Kinnauri culture.
• Stay: Homestay in Jiskoon — warm hospitality of a high-mountain village.

📅 Day 2: Jiskoon to Jhaka (8,750 ft)

• Trek Distance: ~4 km | Time: 4–5 hrs.
• Trail Info: A short but steep uphill climb, with well-trodden shepherd trails.
• Highlights: The 'hanging village' of Jhaka — houses perched dramatically on a cliff edge.
• Experience: Interaction with villagers, old wooden Himachali homes, terraced fields of barley & buckwheat.
• Stay: Homestay in Jhaka.

📅 Day 3: Jhaka to Saruwas Thatch (10,500 ft)

• Trek Distance: ~7 km | Time: 5–6 hrs.
• Trail Info: Forested trail of oak, pine, and rhododendron opens into boulder sections, then alpine meadows.
• Highlights: Enter the wide Rupin Valley with the Rupin River snaking through.
• Flora & Fauna: Rhododendron (in bloom May–June), chances of spotting Himalayan monals or langurs.
• Stay: Tented campsite in Saruwas Thatch, meadow-side.

📅 Day 4: Saruwas Thatch to Dhanderas Thatch (11,700 ft)

• Trek Distance: ~3 km | Time: 2–3 hrs.
• Trail Info: Easy meadow walk with wildflowers in summer, golden grasslands in autumn.
• Highlights: First dramatic views of the three-stage Rupin Waterfall cascading down the cliff ahead.
• Experience: Camp at Dhanderas Thatch, a massive amphitheater-like meadow cradled by high cliffs.
• Stay: Tents in the meadow.

📅 Day 5: Dhanderas Thatch to Upper Waterfall Camp (13,250 ft)

• Trek Distance: ~4 km | Time: 3–4 hrs.
• Trail Info: Steep ascent, climbing beside the roaring Rupin Waterfall on a narrow trail carved into the mountainside.
• Highlights: The surreal climb next to the thundering waterfall, often snow-lined in May–June.
• Flora/Seasonal: Snow bridges in early summer, flowering alpine herbs in autumn.
• Stay: Campsite above the waterfall, the coldest night of the trek, with snow peaks in every direction.

📅 Day 6: Upper Waterfall Camp to Rupin Pass (15,250 ft) → Descend to Ronti Gad (13,400 ft)

• Trek Distance: ~11–12 km | Time: 8–9 hrs (longest & hardest day).
• Trail Info:
  • Ascent: Snow-filled gully climb to the Rupin Pass.
  • Descent: Steep descent on snowfields (summer) or loose scree & glacial moraine (autumn).
• Highlights:
  • Summit View: 360° Himalayan panorama including Kinnaur Kailash, Charang Ghati, and distant peaks of Uttarakhand.
  • Thrill: Snow glissading after the pass in summer.
• Stay: Meadow campsite at Ronti Gad, surrounded by high ridges and streams.

📅 Day 7: Ronti Gad to Sanglakanda (via Sangla Kanda) → Trek Ends

• Trek Distance: ~8–9 km | Time: 4–5 hrs.
• Trail Info: Gradual descent through lush alpine pastures dotted with shepherd huts.
• Highlights: Stunning grasslands of Sangla Kanda, with expansive views of lower Kinnaur valleys.
• Exit Point: Trek ends at Sanglakanda with road access to Sangla town (short 1-hr drive).
• Optional: Explore Sangla’s orchards and traditional Kinnauri temples before departure.

Map

How to reach

✈️ Air: Fly to Shimla Airport (Jubbarhatti) or to Chandigarh Airport (better connectivity).

🚆 Train: Reach Kalka via train → take the toy train or a taxi to Shimla.

🛣️ Road: Take an overnight Volvo from Delhi to Shimla (approx. 8–9 hours).

🗺️ Travel Tip: Shimla to Jiskoon by Road (approx. 190 km, 9–10 hours): There is no direct public bus to Jiskoon, but here are your options:

       🔹 Option A: Private Taxi (most convenient): Hire a shared or private taxi from Shimla to Jiskoon.

1. Route: Shimla → Rohru → Chirgaon → Tikri → Jiskoon
2. Time: 9–10 hours
3. Cost:
       Shared vehicle-- ₹1,000–₹1,500 per person
       Private vehicle-- ₹6,000–₹8,000 total (can be split among 4–6 trekkers)

       🔹 Option B: Local Buses + Shared Cabs (for budget travellers)

1. Shimla → Rohru: HRTC bus (6–7 hrs)
2. Rohru → Chirgaon → Tikri: Shared jeeps/taxis
3. Tikri → Jiskoon: Hire a local 4x4 vehicle or hike the last 2–3 km if road is rough

Did you know?

Rupin Waterfall is over 300 ft tall!
One of the highlights of the trek, the cascading Rupin waterfall forms naturally stepped rock formations and creates one of the most surreal campsites in the Indian Himalayas.
The trail is full of hanging villages!
Villages like Jhaka seem suspended on cliffs — so much so that Jhaka is often called the “hanging village” for its jaw-dropping location and terraced walkways.
Rupin Valley is rich in wildflowers!
From May to July, the meadows burst with blue poppies, primulas, Himalayan orchids, and dwarf rhododendrons, turning the valley into a natural garden at 12,000 ft.
A haven for Himalayan fauna!
Keep your eyes open for Himalayan monals (the state bird of Uttarakhand, with rainbow plumage), yellow-billed choughs circling high above, and mountain goats like bharal (blue sheep) grazing on steep slopes.
The pass summit is a natural rock ramp!
Unlike most high passes that require ropes or technical climbing, Rupin Pass is crossed via a steep snow ramp that feels like a stairway into another world — adventurous but doable for fit trekkers.
It follows ancient shepherd and trade routes!
For centuries, the trail was used by local shepherds guiding their flocks and by traders moving between the Baspa and Tons river valleys — long before it became a trekker’s dream route.

Packing list

For a comprehensive packing list, download the PDF below: Download Packing List

FAQs

  • The Rupin Pass trek is best suited for trekkers with prior high-altitude trekking experience and good physical fitness. It involves steep ascents, long trekking days (up to 8–9 hrs), snow crossings, and high-altitude camping above 13,000 ft. Beginners are advised to start with easier treks before attempting Rupin.
  • Essential gear includes sturdy waterproof trekking shoes, 3–4 layers of warm clothing (including thermals, fleece, and down jacket), a 50–60L backpack with rain cover, trekking poles, personal medicines, and a headlamp. For a full checklist, download the PDF packing list above.
  • Yes, backpack offloading is available at an additional charge (₹4,800 approx). This lets you trek light while your main backpack is carried by mules/porters. However, trekkers should always carry a small daypack with water, rainwear, and essentials.
  • Network is very limited on the trail. Jiskoon and Jhaka may have patchy BSNL or Airtel signals, but beyond that, expect complete disconnection. It’s advisable to inform family and friends beforehand and enjoy the digital detox in the mountains.
  • The trek requires permits from the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and local panchayats for entry into Rupin Valley and camping in alpine meadows. These permits are usually arranged by the trek operator, so trekkers don’t need to worry about the paperwork.
  • The ideal seasons are summer (May–June) and autumn (September–October). In summer, you’ll walk over snowfields and experience thrilling ice crossings. In autumn, the meadows bloom with alpine flowers and the forests turn golden and crimson, offering crystal-clear mountain views.
  • Rupin Pass is more challenging than Hampta Pass. While Hampta is suitable for first-timers, Rupin demands higher endurance with long trekking hours, snow gully climbs, and a demanding pass crossing at 15,250 ft. It’s recommended for trekkers who have done at least one high-altitude trek before.

Why choose us

Trek Leader & Guide

Led by certified mountaineers with wilderness first aid training, ensuring your safety and confidence at every step.

Cook & Support Staff

Our mountain crew comprises local experts who bring unmatched experience, warmth, and deep knowledge of the region.

Small Group Size

We cap our group departures at just 8 trekkers — ensuring individual attention, deeper connections, and better trail discipline.

Safety Standards

From camping to technical gear, we use only certified, high-altitude-tested equipment suited for extreme Himalayan conditions.

24x7 Online Support

We’re always available — before, during, or after your trek. Reach out anytime, and you’ll always hear back from a real human.

We Care for the Mountains

We strictly follow Leave No Trace ethics. Limited group sizes and mindful practices help protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.