The grandest crossover trek that connects Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh!!!

There are very few Himalayan treks that connect between Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and Rupin Pass Trek is the most magnificent among them. In fact, if there is any trek that has surprises in its every turn, then it has to Rupin Pass. Such is the level of adventure and excitement in this trek. This magical crossover trek stretches for 65 km and attains a maximum altitude of 4650 m connecting two Himalayan states of India – Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. It would not be wrong if Rupin Pass is considered to be the grandest crossover trek in India, such is its grandeur and level of surprises.

Rupin Pass trek is like a 3-D cinematic experience and once you are actually on the trek you realise the beauty of the massive theatre with out-of-the-world landscapes filled with vibrant mindboggling colours. So trust me when I say, that with every step you make, you will be awestruck with surprises and the best nature can hold. This spectacular crossover trek has everything on its plate. From walking through dense pine and rhododendron forests to exploring hanging villages, crossing expanding glacial valleys, to being on top of a waterfall which is absolutely a unique experience, to trudging through steep gullies of the Rupin Pass and descending down to Ronti Gad – this trek literally has everything. One has to be physically there to experience its naked beauty.

Not only this, but the Rupin River is also a beautiful surprise in this trek and you realize its different beauties with every campsite. The USP of this trek is that you start from the riverbed of Rupin from Dhaula and walk all the way to the top of the Rupin waterfall. There is no other trek in India that will let you witness the course of a river with all of its surprises so intimately. Therefore, the River Rupin is actually the hero of this trek. Another unique part of this trek is the hanging village of Jakha which will actually surprise you the moment you see it. Moreover, the glacial valley of Dhanderas Thatch which is a perfect U shape will actually boggle your mind and marvel you with its distinct beauty.

As you gradually enter this trek, you will lose count of the surprises it has on hold for you. And the best part of this trek is that it can be done from both the sides. You can start this trek from the Garhwal side of the Uttarakhand by driving till Dhaula and start the trek from there. You can also start the trek from the Himachal side by reaching Jiskun from Shimla and start the trek from there. The route of Rupin Pass was initially used by the shepherds that stretched from Dhaula, Uttarakhand to Sangla, Himachal Pradesh. For many centuries, shepherds used to graze their flock. However, after the 20th century, the route was recognized as an adventurous trekking route and hence was commercialized for adventure lovers and trek enthusiasts. Even the Indian Government has promoted Rupin Pass as a renowned trekking destination for high-altitude trekkers.

Not only this, the Rupin Pass trek has lots of interesting tales connected to it as well. As per the folklore goes, the locals consider the River Rupin to be very sacred and powerful and hence there are many temples constructed at the bank of the trail of the river. Even the legend tells the story of a shepherd who witnessed the healing properties of the grass of the meadows of this region. This shepherd went on to graze its flock to the slopes and one of the sheep broke its leg. The shepherd carried the sheep all the way back home only to realize that its leg had been healed on the way and there was also a cut on the shepherd finger which was also healed. Therefore, the grass is believed to have healing properties. Furthermore, there is also a haunted story connected to it that says a witch haunts over the Pass all through the night in a white cloak.

Therefore, the Rupin Pass trek is the perfect combination of high-altitude adventure along with breathtaking landscape that should not be missed by any trekker who has prior trekking experience.

Our journey with Altitude Adventure Holidays begins from Shimla and our team will pick you up at 8 am from Shimla on Day 1. On the last day, we will drop you at Shimla around 6 – 7 pm. We advise you to stay the night in Shimla and make your further plans the next day from Shimla. The next day you can also explore Shimla and relax in a cozy café in the mall road or you can return back from Shimla as per your feasibility.

May, June, and September, October

Since Rupin Pass is a high-altitude trek, it can be done only for a few months every year. The best time to go on this trek is during the Summer months of May and June and during the Autumn months of September and October. During the summer months, the temperature in the daytime is between 13 °C and 17 °C and at night it falls down to 0 °C and 4 °C. There will be the presence of snow in the Upper and Lower Waterfalls. During the autumn months, the temperature in the daytime is between 12 °C and 16 °C and at night it falls down to 0 °C and -4 °C. Snow will be in the Upper Waterfall and in the Rupin Pass if the weather is not favourable. So it is advisable to have proper gear to beat freezing temperatures.

Suitable Age Group: The suitable age group to do this trek is between 13 years and 60 years. Please make sure that the fitness level is best which is a very important criterion for this trek. If you are below 18 years old, make sure you are accompanied by your parents or guardians. For people who are above 50 years old, we suggest to consult a doctor before going for this trek. 

In Rupin Pass trek, mobile network are only available till Jiskun. So it is always advisable to inform your family from Jiskun itself. After that there won’t be any mobile networks throughout the trek.