The Rupin Pass Trek is not just a trek, it is a journey through some of the most dramatic landscapes of the Indian Himalayas.
Starting from the lush hills around Shimla and gradually entering the remote Rupin Valley, the trail takes you through traditional Himalayan villages, dense forests, suspension bridges, alpine meadows, roaring waterfalls, snow-covered landscapes and finally across the spectacular Rupin Pass at 15,250 ft.
What makes Rupin Pass truly special is the way the landscape changes almost every day. One moment you are walking through forests and ancient villages; the next, you are camping beside massive waterfalls or crossing high-altitude snowfields.
The journey culminates with a challenging ascent to Rupin Pass followed by a dramatic descent into the beautiful Kinnaur side of the Himalayas, eventually reaching the picturesque Sangla Valley.
At MountainFit × Beyond Mountains, we curate this expedition not merely as a trek, but as a complete Himalayan experience with emphasis on responsible adventure, safety, acclimatization, local culture, mountain ecology and meaningful time in the outdoors.
- Rupin Pass Crossing – 15,250 ft — The ultimate high-altitude crossover
- Dramatic Rupin Waterfall — Trek alongside the spectacular multi-tiered waterfall
- Hanging Village of Jakha — Experience traditional Himalayan village life
- Scenic Himalayan Hamlets — Jiskun, Jakha and remote mountain settlements
- Dense Himalayan Forests — Walk through pine, oak and rhododendron forests
- Beautiful Alpine Meadows — Saruwas Thatch & Dhanderas Thatch
- High-Altitude Snowfields — Experience snow-covered terrain around the pass
- Pre-dawn Summit Push — An exciting early-morning ascent towards Rupin Pass
- Ronti Gad Meadows — A stunning landscape on the Kinnaur side of the pass
- Baspa Valley & Sangla — End the expedition in the picturesque Sangla Valley
- Changing Himalayan Landscapes — Forests → villages → meadows → waterfalls → snow → alpine terrain
- Traditional Kinnauri Culture — Experience the unique landscapes, villages and culture of Kinnaur
- Remote Wilderness Experience — Disconnect from the routine and immerse yourself in the mountains
- Stargazing & Himalayan Nights — Experience clear mountain skies away from city lights
- 9-Day Complete Himalayan Experience — Chandigarh → Shimla → Rupin Valley → Rupin Pass → Sangla → Chandigarh
- Guided by Experienced Outdoor Professionals — A MountainFit × Beyond Mountains expedition focused on safety, learning and responsible adventure.
Day 1 – Arrive at Chandigarh to Shimla (2,200 m)
- Arrive at Chandigarh and meet the MountainFit × Beyond Mountains team.
- Drive from Chandigarh towards Shimla through the scenic Shivalik hills.
- Reach Shimla by evening and check in at the hotel.
- Evening briefing covering the trek route, equipment, fitness, weather conditions, altitude precautions and important safety guidelines.
- Overnight stay at Hotel in Shimla.
Day 2 – Shimla to Bawta / Trek Base
After breakfast, we begin our drive towards Bawta, the starting point of the Rupin Pass expedition. The route takes us deeper into the mountains, passing through beautiful valleys, forests, traditional Himalayan villages and apple-growing regions. As we move towards the Rupin Valley, the landscape becomes increasingly remote and dramatic. We reach Bawta by evening and prepare for the trek ahead. Overnight stay at Bawta.
Day 3 – Bawta to Jiskun to Jakha (2,700 m)
Today we finally step onto the Rupin Pass trail. The trek begins from Bawta and continues towards Jiskun through traditional Himalayan villages and forested mountain trails. We cross the Rupin River and gradually climb towards Jiskun, situated high above the valley. From Jiskun, the trail continues towards Jakha, popularly known as the ‘Hanging Village’ of Himachal Pradesh. The village offers a wonderful opportunity to experience traditional Himalayan architecture and local life. Overnight stay in Jakha.
Day 4 – Jakha to Saruwas Thatch (3,300 m)
We leave Jakha and enter deeper into the Rupin Valley. The trail initially passes through beautiful forests of pine, oak and rhododendron. As we gain altitude, the forest gradually opens up into expansive alpine meadows. The scenery changes dramatically as the valley becomes wider and the surrounding mountain walls become more imposing. We reach Saruwas Thatch, a beautiful high-altitude meadow and our campsite for the night. Overnight stay in tents at Saruwas Thatch.
Day 5 – Saruwas Thatch to Dhanderas Thatch (3,600 m)
Today's trail takes us further into the high-altitude wilderness of the Rupin Valley. We walk through alpine terrain, crossing streams and rocky sections as the magnificent Rupin Waterfall begins to dominate the landscape. The trail offers spectacular views of the surrounding cliffs and snow-covered peaks. We continue towards Dhanderas Thatch, a vast alpine meadow surrounded by dramatic Himalayan landscapes. Overnight stay in tents at Dhanderas Thatch.
Day 6 – Dhanderas Thatch to Upper Waterfall Camp (4,000 m)
This is a shorter but steeper day as we climb towards the Upper Waterfall Camp. The trail follows the spectacular Rupin Waterfall, with the landscape becoming increasingly barren and alpine. Depending on the season, snowfields begin to appear as we approach the higher reaches of the valley. We reach the Upper Waterfall Camp, one of the most impressive campsites on the entire route. The afternoon is reserved for acclimatization and preparation for the next day's Rupin Pass crossing. The trek team conducts a detailed briefing regarding the pass crossing, snow conditions, weather and safety protocols. Overnight stay at Upper Waterfall Camp.
Day 7 – Upper Waterfall Camp to Rupin Pass (4,650 m) to Ronti Gad (3,990 m)
Today is the most challenging and rewarding day of the expedition. We start early, often before sunrise, to make our way towards Rupin Pass. The trail climbs steeply through snow-covered slopes, rocky sections and high-altitude terrain. As we gain height, magnificent views of the surrounding Himalayan ranges open up.
After a demanding ascent, we reach Rupin Pass at approximately 15,250 ft (4,650 m). From the pass, the landscape changes dramatically as we enter the Kinnaur side of the Himalayas. After spending some time at the pass, we begin the descent towards Ronti Gad through expansive alpine meadows. It is a long and demanding day, but reaching Ronti Gad after crossing the pass is a memorable experience. Overnight stay in tents at Ronti Gad.
Day 8 – Ronti Gad to Sangla Kanda to Sangla (2,650 m)
Today is the final trekking day of our Rupin Pass expedition. We begin descending from Ronti Gad through beautiful alpine landscapes. Gradually, the barren high-altitude terrain gives way to greener slopes, forests and the picturesque landscapes of Kinnaur.
We reach Sangla Kanda and bid farewell to the trail and our local trekking team. From here, we drive towards Sangla, situated in the beautiful Baspa Valley. Sangla is surrounded by spectacular mountains, apple orchards and traditional Kinnauri villages. After several days of trekking and camping, we check into our hotel and relax. Evening is free to celebrate the successful completion of the expedition. Overnight stay in Sangla.
Day 9 – Sangla to Chandigarh & Departure
- After breakfast, we begin our long scenic drive from Sangla towards Chandigarh.
- The journey takes us through the spectacular valleys and mountain roads of Himachal Pradesh before gradually descending towards the plains.
- Depending on road and traffic conditions, we expect to reach Chandigarh by evening/night.
- Participants can plan their onward train or flight journey from Chandigarh accordingly.
- End of the Rupin Pass Expedition with MountainFit × Beyond Mountains.
Note: The itinerary is subject to change depending on weather, road conditions, trail conditions, snow conditions and the overall safety of the group. The trek leader's decision will be final regarding route, campsites and schedule.
What is included in the tour
- Transportation from Chandigarh to Chandigarh .
- Stay is included from Day 1 to Day 8. You will be staying in a Hotel/guest house at the base camp. The rest of the days will be camping when on the trek.
- Vegetarian meals along the trek route from the Base Camp to Base Camp.
- Sleeping bag, mattress, tents, kitchen tent, toilet tent, utensils and crampon (if required).
- Professional outdoor experts, guide, cook and support staff.
- All trekking permits and forest camping charges are included.
- First aid medical kit.
What is NOT included in the tour
- Personal luggage with mass not exceeding 12 kg per bag per person can be carried by porters/mules @ Rs 400 per day per bag.
- Meals during transit from Pune to base camp and back.
- Medical expenses (apart from first aid).
- Any kind of shopping, mineral water, optional sight-seeing, and any other expenses of personal nature.
- Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight delay / cancellation / hike in fare, strike or any other natural calamities or any emergency evacuation expenses.
- Clothing of personal nature like trek shoes, kit bags, day packs, down jackets and other special clothing etc. (You can rent out from us)
- Any other item not mentioned in the cost include section.
