Rupin Pass Trek — 8 Days in the Himachal Himalayas

Arrival in Dehradun by train from Delhi. From the station, transfer options include a direct drive to Dhaula or a bus journey to Naitwar followed by a shared jeep to Dhaula village. Dhaula sits at the official start of the trek route. Overnight stay at the campsite.

The Rupin Pass trek begins just outside Dhaula, starting at moderate elevation before the landscape opens into views of the Rupin River cutting through a gorge some 500 feet below. The trail follows the left side of the valley, winding through fragrant apple and apricot orchards that characterize this stretch of Himachal Pradesh. As the day progresses, you'll pass through a few human settlements dotting the hillside. A wayside tea shop offers a natural break point—a chance to rest with a cup of tea and light snacks before the terrain steepens. From here, the trail climbs steadily uphill to Sewa, a small village perched above the river floor itself. Sewa holds quiet cultural significance: a small temple here reflects the exquisite architectural and spiritual traditions of the Kinnauri people. Beyond the village, the sound of the stream draws trekkers onward to a bridge that serves as the official passage between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. After crossing, you'll descend to the riverbank to establish camp for the night. Today's distance is 7 kilometers over approximately 7 hours, gaining elevation to 6,300 feet.

The route leaves Sewa through crop fields and enters thick forest. A wooden bridge, locally called 'No Man's Place' because it belongs to neither state, marks a transition point. The trail continues through Gosangu and Kwar, crossing a river bridge before climbing the right bank toward Jiksun village. From Jiksun, a demanding ascent leads to Jhaka, the day's destination at 8,700 feet. This 9-kilometer section takes approximately 7 hours and introduces steeper terrain that continues through the next stages of the trek.

The trek descends along increasingly steep terrain toward a river tributary, crossing dramatic snow fields before a snow bridge leads into a rhododendron forest. The demanding 6-kilometer route climbs to 11,150 feet over approximately 5 hours, traversing varied landscapes as the trail winds through forest and open terrain. Several kilometers of walking through this mixed scenery bring you to Saruwas Thatch campsite, where you can settle in and take in the remarkable views of the Rupin waterfall before nightfall.

The route climbs through thick maple and blue pine forest, then descends toward a river and crosses to the valley's left side. Forest composition changes progressively: maple and blue pine give way to silver birch and rhododendron, then transition to alpine meadows. During flowering season, wild blue poppy and other alpine flowers cover the meadows. The 5-kilometer trek to Dhanderas Thatch takes approximately 4 hours, reaching 11,680 feet. This day marks the start of genuine high-altitude terrain.

After acclimatization rest, the trek continues toward Upper Waterfall camp at 13,120 feet. The route crosses snow patches and fields of marigold flowers before reaching thick snow trail. A short sharp climb leads to the campsite.

The ascent to Rupin Pass becomes substantially more demanding. The trail narrows and increases in angle of ascent, passing over perilous boulder fields. Rope support is necessary on snowy sections for safety. At 15,250 feet, the summit offers views of the Kinnaur Kailash Range and hanging glaciers. The summit marks the passage between states. Descent follows alpine meadows to Ronti Gad for overnight camp. This 10-kilometer day involves 11 hours of trekking and represents the trek's physical peak.

The final day descends 12 kilometers toward Sangla Valley, taking approximately 6 hours with an elevation loss of more than 1,500 feet. The trail grows steep as it approaches Sangla; descend carefully and maintain a comfortable pace. Sangla marks the trek's official end at 8,800 feet. The town has road links to Shimla and other regional centers. Accommodation options in Sangla include hotels and bed-and-breakfast properties. Alternatively, an overnight drive to Shimla is available.