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5 Reasons Why Indiahikes
We are known for our pioneering safety practices in trekking. Microspikes, oximeters, and BP checks became standards thanks to us. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with—everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes. When you join our treks, we first make our No-Compromise Safety Promise. It’s our unwavering commitment to keep you safe, no matter what.
Our commitment to the environment is relentless. We don’t just encourage responsible trekking; we insist on it. That’s why our Green Trails principles are non-negotiable. They don’t involve just our trekkers or our staff members. Our entire trek processes and policies are designed to favour the environment, even if it is often counterintuitive to our business.
More than 30,000 trekkers trek with us every year. In addition, our outdoor learning division (InSoul) has participants from the who’s of the education organisation in India, from the IIMs to BITS to top international schools. More than 5,000 participants from these institutions trek with us annually. We do not spend a single rupee on advertising to get these participants. Our reputation precedes us.
We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have documented and brought out most of India’s famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023-24 alone, we brought out nine new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own. We believe everyone must trek.
We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.
TREK DIFFICULTY
Moderate-Difficult
TREK DURATION
7 days
HIGHEST ALTITUDE
15,279 ft
TOTAL TREK DISTANCE
40 km
BASECAMP
Jiskun
A surprise in scenery every hour
On the Rupin Pass trek, there is something different waiting for you every hour. We never see sceneries change so dramatically and so quickly on any other trek. No two sections on the Rupin Pass Trek feel the same. Yet, you are constantly in awe.
Surprises start right from the drive ahead of Rohru. Unpaved roads through forests open suddenly into expansive grasslands of the Chainsheel Valley. The drive itself is like doing a trek in fast-forward. You experience a rhododendron forest, then pop into expansive meadows while climbing to a height of 11,000 ft.
Beyond Chainsheel, you descend to Jiskun. Your trek begins from this quaint Himachali village. On the very first day, you see the Jakha village hanging on the mountainside. It almost seems to defy gravity. And immediately beyond this village, you enter a thick forest of ancient fir. This forest ends abruptly, and you arrive suddenly at a huge snow bridge spanning the Rupin River. Then comes Saruwas Thatch and the sudden jaw-dropping view of the Rupin Waterfall. No matter what you have heard of it or how many times you have seen it in photos, its sheer 1,500 ft drop takes you by surprise. Ahead of Saruwas Thatch, the trail winds through the perfectly U-shaped glacial valley of Dhanderas Thatch and climb to Rata Pheri beyond the Upper Waterfall Camp. It is from here that you see the intimidating Rupin Gully for the first time.
Climbing up to the 15,250 feet pass through this gully is an adventure you’ll never forget. On the other side of the pass, vast meadows of Sangla Kanda and the towering Kinnaur Kailash range bring the trek to a spectacular conclusion.
The blend of high-altitude challenges and mesmerising landscapes on the Rupin Pass trek is simply mind-boggling. The surprises start even before you reach Jiskun and do not end until the very last moments of the trek.
5 Things We Love About the Rupin Pass Trek
1) The Thrill of the Rupin Gully and Pass Crossing
The climb to the Rupin Pass through its narrow snow-laden gully is an unforgettable experience. The gully feels like a natural amphitheatre, with voices echoing sharply as you ascend its steep walls. The thrill of navigating this 200-metre ascent on a snowy flank is unmatched.
2) The First View of the Rupin Waterfall
The view of the waterfall opens up suddenly beyond a Rhododendron forest. You see the vast U-shaped Rupin glacial valley, stretching ahead. Steep green walls rise on either side like giant guards. Far away, at the head of the valley, the famous Rupin waterfall drops in three grand stages. It tumbles down from the heights as if pouring straight out of the clouds. The whole scene feels still, distant, and dreamlike—like stepping into a world untouched.
3) The Lower Waterfall Campsite
The lower waterfall campsite at Dhanderas Thatch is among the most picturesque campsites in the Himalayas. Nestled in a lush green glacial valley, it is surrounded by snow-patched cliffs. You have a front-row view of the magnificent Rupin waterfall cascading 1,500 feet from here. Spending a night here feels like a luxury amidst nature.
4) Changing Landscapes on the Trail
The Rupin Pass trail is a showcase of diverse terrains. From the vibrant rhododendron shrubs at Buras Kandi to the serene meadows of Saruwas Thatch, from the icy snowfields of Rata Pheri to the lush grasslands of Sangla Kanda. Each day brings something new, making the trek feel like a journey through multiple worlds.
5) The Meadows on the Kinnaur Side
After crossing the pass, the trail descends into the expansive meadows of Sangla Kanda, surrounded by towering peaks of the Kinnaur Kailash range. This final section of the trek is a glorious reward after days of raw mountain terrain.
The Rupin Pass trek is an orchestra of landscapes. Every twist and turn reveals something extraordinary. We have seen no other trek that offers such a unique blend of high-altitude adventure with stunning changes in scenery. This combination is so rare that it makes the Rupin Pass one of the top treks to do in India.
On the Rupin Pass trek, there is something different waiting for you every hour. We never see sceneries change so dramatically and so quickly on any other trek. No two sections on the Rupin Pass Trek feel the same. Yet, you are constantly in awe.
Surprises start right from the drive ahead of Rohru. Unpaved roads through forests open suddenly into expansive grasslands of the Chainsheel Valley. The drive itself is like doing a trek in fast-forward. You experience a rhododendron forest, then pop into expansive meadows while climbing to a height of 11,000 ft.
Rupin Pass - Complete Trek Information
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Rupin Pass trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content.
Photo Gallery
10 Surprising Twists on the Rupin Pass Trek
A change in scenery at every turn
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