Rupin Pass Trek

Day 1: Dehradun to Dhaula

• On the first day of your journey, you don’t have to trek but ride your way on vehicle to Dhaula.
• The weather on the route will not be very cold though humid, but the pleasant sights of the hills will keep up your enthusiasm for the more beautiful sight ahead. The roads till Dhaula are in good condition except the last few kilometers where a narrow uneven patch is filled with mud.
• On your route, you will able the see the clean water of Yamuna river flowing, pass through a unique village, myth logically known for the worshipping of Kaurawas there. The charming among the villages is Mori, at tons valley meadows of marigold flowers are stretched.
• After your 8 hour ride, Alpine Hikes team will serve you with delicious meal to regain your energy.

Day 2: Dhaula to Sewa

• Though your today’s trail is as long as 11 kms, yet it will not be very tiring for you, as the whole trek is an easy walks on undulating paths till Sewa.
• Pass a cattle shelter after exiting the Dhaula village, the trail starts climbing for about 200 mts. after 20 minutes it becomes easy again, a little further walk and your will have another different sight of Rupin flowing below into its bed.
• Another scenery of Rupin falling from a high cliff, awaits you after a turn, then again trekking on an ascending trail through the apple and apricot trees, you will reach a road just before Sewa, you can have tea and snacks at the shop available there and enjoy the sights of Rupin flowing making soothing sounds.
• Explore the famous Kinnaur Temple at Sewa, where medals and trophies achieved by villagers are hanging outside the temple.
• You will get a bit disappointed at Sewa as the sights are not as pleasing as earlier. Nevertheless, you can either choose to camp at the campsite outside Sewa, or at the Village only.
• Rangers Team will prefer you to camp at a place outside Sewa near Rupin River, where your camp will be plotted at sand, big rocks surrounds giving you a complete beach like feel.

Day 3: Sew to Jhaka

• Today’s trek being a bit difficult, you need to stretch your body well to get use to of the ups and down of the trek. Rangers team will instruct you for the day as the area enroute is prone to landslide and frequent variance in the trail is an addition to the difficulty level.
• Your trek starts from mixed crop field and suddenly enters into a forest. A bit further walk after crossing through the thick forest you will reach near a wooden bridge which separates the two states. The bridge is known as ‘No man’s Place’ as it does not belong to any state.
• You will reach Gosangu after half an hour walk passing the bridge. From there you will take the roads heading to kwar, you next change in trail comes after passing the wooden and iron bridge on the road. Taking the left trail which connects to Jiksun village, heading your way up on the trail to Jiksun is an utter thrills as the trails is routed on the extreme edge of the cliff.
• From this point Rangers team will take you completely under their guidance to ensure your safety while trekking on the narrow trail which is very uncertain.
• From Jiksun village it is another 1 hour climb to Jhaka village through the forest with mixed plantation of Deodar and Walnut.

Day 4: Jhaka to Saruwas Thatch

• Waking up at the campsite near Jhaka Village is a sheer bliss, the sights hanging from the edges of the mountain are breathtaking.
• Rangers team will guide you for trekking along the rivulets of Rupin and to pass safely across the water streams which you will encounter many times on the trail to Saruwas Thatch.
• The trail is well defined, passes through the field of Jhaka village, enters a forests where trees of fir standing tall depicting centuries old, pristine civilization. A turn in the trail past crossing the forest and landscapes changes itself to snow patches. Follow the snow bridge over Rupin, cross the bridge and a walk on a narrow trail till another wooden bridge.
• Half an hour more walk on the boulders and hoping through the streams flowing within the rocky paths along the left of Rupin, you will enter another forest, on which rest the Rhododendron trees of different colour.
• Another walk of few kilometes and you are at your next campsite Saruwas Thatch. Relax yourself well and and admire the nature’s different shades on the perfect campsite, a serene u shaped valley in the middle of trees, with the sight of Rupin water fall far away.

Day 5: Saruwas Thatch to Dhanderas Thatch

• Get yourself ready for the whole lot of nature’s surprises on the trails from Saruwas Thatch to Dhanderas Thatch.
• Diversity in landscape on your way from forests to snow bridges, waterfalls to gorge, meadows to rocky terrain will make your today’s journey packed with all sorts of adventure.
• Embark with an even walk on the route filled with snow patches on mountain side the sacred silver birch trees (Bhoj Trees) will accompany you till the entrance of forests, move upwards through the forests and you will find yourself at the verge of U shaped valley. The enchanting sights form the lip of the valley, of thousands waterfalls rushing down below you is all a set to hypnotize you for a movement.
• Move downward to reach down to the valley though green and yellow meadows, you will come across the next snow bridge, cross the bridge, you are now at left of the Rupin, walk over the big rock along the edge and you will find Rupin running into its bed. Climb another snow bridge which is biggest of all, you see from there. Again a final climb passing the fascinating sceneries and you are in the middle of a valley, Dhanderas Thatch.
• And get ready to relax and then indulge in some fun activities organized by Rangers team to enjoy one of the most admiring and biggest known meadows of Himalayan Range.

Day 6: Dhanderas Thatch to Upper Waterfall camp

• The altitude from Dhanderas to Upperwater fall camp is about 4000 mts., is enough to make you vulnerable to AMS, as it will not be possible for you to get acclimatized through the altitude in one go.
• Rangers Team will arrangements for your acclimatization at two levels one at Dhanderas Thatch and next will be at top of water fall which is approx 1500 mts above.
• Rangers team will also take a short session to teach you the skills of trekking in snow such as sliding on snow, side steeping and cutting though the snow.
• After proper acclimatization you need to reach the base of Dhanderas, from there trek crossing through many rivulets of Rupin, make your way to the snow patch of first waterfall though the marigold flowers. A Steady and care full walk on the rocks along the hill your can now see a trail going in between through the thick snow.
• Your learned techniques will come is use as you have to cut your path to another vast snow bridge. This is the last but the Ultimate snow bridge offering you the Rupin Water coming just above head and getting down below your feet.
• A sharp but short climb after crossing the bridge you are all set to get relaxed and enjoy your campsite.

Day 7: Upper water fall to Rupin Pass to Ronti Gad

• Longest trail of Rupin Pass begin with a steep ascendant, with bumper gain in altitude, an hour of climbing, take left trail and discover a total different and amazing sights from the Rati Pheri campsite.
• The only views from Rati Pheri are of the expanse of thick snow stretched all over, making your paths through them is your next exhausting task for the day to reach Rupin Pass Gully.
• Sahyadri Rangers team will take utmost care here as the snow is very thick and the trails are not clearly defined. At Rupin Pass Sahyadri Rangers Team will serve you with some refreshment to regain your energy for the next adventurous climb to Rupin Pass.
• The trail to Rupin pass is short but very uncertain and has risks of loose stones falling from above. Sahyadri Rangers Team suggests you to walk in line carefully putting your every step forward.
• Rupin Pass cut from a hollow shaped region marks the beginning of Dhauladhar Range. A bit of descendant and you are ready to experience the next adventure to slide down the snow to reach Rukti Gad.
• Way to Ronti Gad is a gentle walk followed by a sharp descendant. Camping at the coldest yet charming campsite amidst the mountains covered with snow.

Day 8: Ronti Gad to Sangla Via Sangla Kanda. Over Night drive to Shimla.

• Today’s trek will be a downward climb but very arduous as the trail’s altitude drops rapidly.
• Sahyadri Rangers Team will take another round of bout to make you adaptable to the sharp descendant, climb your way downward with more ease without hurting your foot or knees.
• The trail starts with a mild climb and then a gentle walk heading to Ronti Gad valley. After losing an altitude of about 1500 ft in height you will exit the narrow valley and opens yourself up to astounding views of Mt. Kinner Kailash. Now Rupin Pass is totally out of your view.
• From this point you can view your next halt I.e. Lake of Sangla Kanda with small villages settled near it. Relax at the village, enjoy the sights of the Sangla Kanda Lake.
• There are many trails going to Sangla from Sangla Kanda, take the trail which passes through the forest of Blue Pines. The final trail is wide and clearly defined but descendants rapidly to Sangla, after 30 mins you will reach Baspa Village and 20 mins last climb and you are at the end of the trek journey, Sangla 

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  LIST OF ESSENTIALS
  
  Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags. Also please keep in mind you can rent out or purchase equipment from our Gear Store, if required.

• Trekking Pants - 2
• Shirt / T - Shirts - 2 to 3
• Windproof jacket of decent quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) preferably with a hood
• Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
• Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
• Woollen cap
• Woollen gloves
• Woollen socks & regular socks (3-4 pairs)
• Scarf/muffler (optional)
• Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole are recommended)
• Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
• Raincoat / Poncho
• Small light weight towel
• Water bottle (sturdy ones, no empty Bisleri bottles!!)
• Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
• Sun glasses
• Walking stick / Trekking pole
• Sunscreen Lotion
• Lip Balm
• Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
• Personal toiletries
• Books, if you like reading
• Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
• Carry rain cover for your bags
• Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of heavy rain
• Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)