Rupin Pass Trek Himachal

If you are into a suspense thriller, Rupin Pass is one of the wonderful treks in Himachal Pradesh to embark on! Usually, people are in a hunt for movies and literature with brain-bending and thrilling experiences full of unexpected suspense and thriller twists. The Rupin Pass trek is a real-life suspense series, I say this because This trek is similar to the Domino effect, once you start this trek, the following series of events unfold as we Traverse to the high-altitude summit of Rupin Pass are brain-bending and mesmerizing at every turn.

Rupin Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass, where trekkers have the opportunity to trek to a whopping altitude of 15,250 feet. The fact that one could traverse to this towering summit resting at our country's boundaries is a gift by nature to Indian trekkers.

The adventure Commences even before the trek starts! You know sometimes we have this feeling inside our gut, the world fading right before our eyes and everything seems existential at that particular moment. This is the exact same thing trekkers experience on their journey to Rupin Pass Trek starting from Himachal Pradesh.

On D-day we Journey through Shimla also famous for its juicy apples and breath-taking Hill station destination! We drive through winding curvy roads amidst dense forests and occasional bustling markets. One would get to witness the never-settling commotion of the busy marketplaces slowly fade into the silence of nature’s mesmerizing but terrifying oblivion of nature.

Our drive from Shimla to Jiskun via Rohru is a hattrick package for trekkers to embrace the ambience of sleepy villages, colonial architecture, apple orchards, and not to mention the cultural immersion and hospitality of Himachal natives!

The very next day we get to visit the Highest and the Farthest village “Jakha” of the trek before we dive into the lap of Mother Nature. We get the opportunity to witness the magnificent creation of Mother Nature.

Authentic Himachal villages with traditional architecture are still being preserved to this date.

From this day on trekkers traverse through deep forests and occasional mesmerizing meadows, with grass standing tall and vibrating to the gush of wind across the valley.

As we move on to the next parts of the itinerary, we get to experience wonderful marvels as we camp at various campsites. One of the main attractions of this trek is the clear night sky studded with millions of twinkling stars across the horizon. One could witness time dilating down to the very minimum as the sleepy marvellous Milky Way crawls along the horizon till the crack of dawn as the sun hides just under the canopy waiting to extend its warm rays across the valley.

And the summit day in particular is a masterpiece in itself! As we traverse through the thick alpine patches of oak and different trees, we get to embrace the natural melodies of various Himalayan birds tweeting. Birds entertain us with their melody right from the beginning, we never feel bored during our trek. this would be the perfect time to unplug and detox ourselves from the cluster of commotion due to modernity!

History of Rupin Pass Trek

Rupin Pass lies between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the Indian Himalayas. The name 'Rupin' is believed to be linked with a beautiful girl named 'Roopmati'. As per mythology, it's said that once there was a beautiful and kindhearted girl who lived in the region. She was known for her captivating beauty and charm. Once a king, attracted by her beauty, proposed to her to marry but Roopmati refused to marry him. The king became very angry and being egoistic he forced her to marry him. To escape this, Roopmati ran into the mountains and prayed to god to protect her. For her kind heartedness and purity, god turned into a flowing river- Rupin. It's believed that the Rupin river carries her essence.

During medieval time (750 CE – 1757 CE), the Rupin Pass was used by traders, shepherds and pilgrims. It was used as a traditional route by communities like Bhotiya and Kinnauri for their seasonal movement between the Higher Himalayan region and lower valleys. Due to this, some small settlements on either side of the pass grew around these seasonal routes. The region was crucial in playing the role in the lives of mountain communities.

Slowly and gradually, the surrounding areas of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand started gaining recognition for their natural beauty and passes like Rupin were explored for travel and mapping. 

Today, Rupin Pass has become a famous trekking destination. Trekkers come here to experience its changing landscapes- from dense forests to snow-covered ridges and the cultural shifts- from Sangla in Himachal Pradesh to Dhaula in Uttarakhand. Rupin Pass not just connects to two different places but two different cultures and histories also.

Highlights of Rupin Pass Trek Himachal

Dramatic Waterfall Campsite: The main highlight of Rupin Pass trek is a stunning campsite right below the famous Rupin Waterfall. The Rupin Pass is known for its multi-tieing waterfall, means each tier has its own pool at the bottom. Rupin Waterfall makes campsites visually appealing and soul-soothing.

Beautiful Destinations/Campsites: The beautiful destinations or campsites on Rupin Pass trek includes:

• Jhaka Villae (it's also called a 'Hanging village' built on a slope)
• Upper Rupin Valley (filled with alpine meadows and waterfalls)
• Rupin Pass (4,650 m – offers panoramic Himalayan views)
• Sangla Valley (the ending point in Himachal Pradesh, known for apple orchards)
  

Flora and Fauna: On the trails of Rupin Pass, there are dense forests of oak, pine, rhododendron and deodar. You will get to see alpine flowers like blue poppies, primulas, Brahma Kamal (rare) at higher altitudes. 

For wildlife enthusiasts, there are Himalayan langurs, red foxes, mountain goats, Himalayan monals and musk deer often spotted.

Culture and Tradition: Rupin Pass presents the blend of Kinnauri (Himachal Pradesh) and Garhwali (Uttarakhand) cultures. Both cultures have their own uniqueness in attires, languages and local festivals. The hospitality of mountain villagers is heart warming and their simple lifestyle wins the heart. 

Cross-State Himalayan Pass: Rupin Pass trek is a cross-state trek. It crosses two states and multiple landscapes. From forests to alpine meadows to waterfalls to snow landscapes, it passes through a dramatic shift. The Rupin Pass trek is not merely a physical adventure, it's an experience of deep nature's and culture's phenomena.

Difficulty Level of the Rupin Pass Trek Himachal

The Rupin Pass is considered a moderate to difficult trek. It is located at the altitude of around 4,650 m (15,250 ft) which is suitable for experienced trekkers. The terrain of Rupin Pass is highly diverse. It ranges from dense forests to lush meadows, rocky trails, icy hanging villages, icy slopes and the thrilling Rupin waterfall. Every day, trekkers have to walk through changing landscapes which is adventurous but also challenging. The total trek duration is around 8 to 9 days which covers approx 52-56 km, depending on the route. Each day involves 5 to 8 hours of walking which can stretch to 10 to 12 hours around the final pass crossing.

Weather conditions can be unpredictable at higher altitudes. Sometimes snowfields are present near the pass even during the summer. Sudden rainfall and hailstorm can add difficulty.

Trekkers need basic technical support while crossing the pass. On snowfields and steepy ridges, usage of rope and ice axes are common. The basic mountaineering skills and technical guidance is required.

Due to high-altitude and technical challenges, Rupin Pass trek is not suitable for kids and families. Beginners can attempt it but they must be physically fit and mentally enduring. Solo trekking is also not advisable due to difficult terrain and safety.

The Rupin Pass trek is ideal for serious mountaineers who are looking for a thrilling journey and high-altitude adventure.

Best Time to Visit Rupin Pass Trek Himachal

The best time to trek in Rupin Pass is from May to June and from September to mid-October. These windows offer the most favourable time and stable weather.

May to June

From May to June, the trails are filled with snow bridges and melting glaciers. Snow adds some adventure but trails can be slushy. However, the meadows are lush green and filled with blooming flowers. The sky is clear and visibility is good. Daytime temperature range goes between 10°C to 15°C while at night time it can dip to 0°C or below, especially on higher camps like Upper Waterfall or Rati Pheri.

September to mid-October

This time landscapes come alive and fresh with more greenery after monsoon. Trails are dry but at higher altitudes, snow can still be presented. The sky is clearer and mountain peaks are easily visible. Valleys glow with the golden hue of autumn. During this time, daytime temperature remains around 10°C to 12°C and at night time it can go down to 2°C to below 0°C.

Note: Avoid July to August due to heavy rainfall which makes trails slippery and prone to landslides. Similarly winters (November to April) are not suitable due to heavy snowfall and cold temperatures.

How to Reach Rupin Pass Trek Himachal

To do the Rupin Pass trek Himachal, reach Shimla first. Shimla is well-connected with the major cities of India by air, rail and road. 

From Shimla, start your journey to Bawta/Gosangu (also called Jiskun) via Theog,  Narkanda and Rohru. You can take a taxi/cab or shared vehicle from Shimla to reach Bawta/Gosangu.

From Bawta, your trek begins officially following the Rupin river through villages like Jhaka, Sewa, Udaknal and waterfall camp then you cross the pass.

After crossing the pass, the trek ends at Sangla, Himachal Pradesh. From here you can take a taxi or bus back to Shimla which typically takes 7 to 9 hrs. After going back to Shimla you can continue to Delhi, Chandigarh or any desired destination by road, train or flight.