TREK DIFFICULTY
Moderate
TREK DURATION
6 Days
HIGHEST ALTITUDE
11,800 Feet
GROUP SIZE
12
TREK DISTANCE
30 Km
BASECAMP
Uttarakhand
BEST TIME
March, April, May, June, July, Aug, Sep and Oct
PICKUP POINT
Dehradun (Prince Chowk)
Rupin-Supin; Sounds familiar, right? You may have heard of these if you've done the Har ki Dun Trek. Rupin and Supin are the names of the famous rivers of Uttarakhand that flow seamlessly through the Har ki Dun Valley. When they merge, they give birth to the Tons River. Interestingly, the Tons is a tributary river of the holy river Yamuna. While we won't be exploring these beautiful mountain rivers on this trek, we will certainly be camping on the banks of the Supin River and also the Supin River. We'll be exploring the remote Himalayan villages, forests, and meadows that lie in these beautiful Rupin and Supin valleys.
Rupin and Supin Valleys are stunning regions nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The Rupin Supin Trek, also known as the Rupin Supin Traverse, commences from the quaint village of Himri in the Uttarkashi district. This journey begins in the Rupin Valley and concludes in the Supin Valley. On the initial day of the trek, we camp at Himri village alongside the Rupin River, and on the final day, we camp near Phitadi village by the bank of the Supin River.
If you're eager to immerse yourself in the culture and lifestyle of remote Himalayan villages, this trek offers a perfect opportunity. It will lead you through picturesque Himalayan villages such as Himri, Bheetri, Phitadi, and Jakhol. Beginning from the valley, the trek gradually ascends to high-altitude destinations like Vijay Top, traversing through lush green forests and meadows. Vijay Top stands as the highest point of this journey, situated at an elevation of 12,723 ft.
The forests and meadows you traverse through, exhibit a kaleidoscope of colours across different seasons. After the monsoons, they will be lush green. In March and April, they will be partially covered with snow. In May and June, you may find some beautiful mountain wildflowers peeping at you. In the month of September, you will see spectacular flowers blooming and in October end, you will see beautiful golden brownish colours. How magnificent and beautiful our Mother Nature is. Isn't it? The trek becomes unapproachable in peak monsoon and winter seasons. This captivating trek is ventured by only a handful of trekkers due to its lesser-known status. Come, join us on this mesmerizing and offbeat journey.
Day 1: Dehradun to Himri drive
Drive: 190 km, 8-9 hrs
Altitude: 2,100 ft – 4,820 ft
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Our adventure begins with an early start from Dehradun, twisting and turning through the wilderness of Nainbag and Damta. The last significant village on the way, Purola makes for a pretty side visit with its picturesque farmlands and reliable connection to networks. From Purola we explore further in the bewitching Tons valley, moving through Mori and Netwar. Following the clear blue waters of the Rupin, we have it as a constant companion as we go upstream. On this scenic route, the quaint village of Himri becomes a serenely middle spot wedged between Netwar and Dhaula. The drive to Himri stretches over 215 kilometers. This trip is a totally absorbing experience, catering both to the thrill of adventure and the expansive beauty found in Himalayan nature at its finest.
Day 2: Himri to Bheetri to Kurla Thach
Trek: 7 km, 4-5 hrs
Altitude: 4,820 ft – 8,200 ft – 8,530 ft
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
From Himri, you can either trek or take organized vehicles up to Bheetri (2500 meters), the very last motorable village. Bheetri is a sizable agrarian village, wholly dedicated to Whistling God (Sherkudeya Devta), celebrated in the central temple. It has about one hundred households. The stunning seasonal pond on the cliff’s edge, Sarutaal, is a 2-kilometer scenic stroll away from Bheetri. Its setting and its view down into the Rupin valley offer dramatic vistas that leave one speechless After a short respite to recoup and look our environment, we set out on anthill road for 6 kilometers through the forest until one comes upon Kurla Thaach. There you can walk about the clearing in the midst of woods and make yourselves at home for a night.
Day 3: Kurla Thatch to Rikatik Odi
Trek: 8-9 km, 6-7 hrs
Altitude: 8,530 ft – 11,548 ft
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Starting out first thing the next morning, we climb for a couple of kilometers until our ascent brings us beyond the forest; from there it’s an easy half-hour hike to Simon Tee. Over there, an awe-inspiring vista presents the higher peaks of their surroundings. Beyond we go along a series of mountain tops with gradually rising elevation, crossing over one ridge and getting to Rikatik Odi, an important intersection linking the valleys of the Supin and Rupin rivers. On the Rupin side, we see Bheetri and Dhaula villages. The Supin-side reveals Kasla and Fitadi villages to us. Rikatik Odi is elevated about 3,520 meters high. It has very little in the way of vegetation (no trees; just shrubs and grasses). In springtime, there are flowers all over. Rikatik Odi is a high-altitude savior. With camping sites second to none, we nestle in for our night bathed by the stunning Himalayas.
Day 4: Rikatik Odi to Phitadi village
Trek: 10 km, 5-6 hrs
Altitude: 11,548 ft – 8,200 ft
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Leaving behind the beautiful Rupin valley, we head for the photogenic Supin valley. Here a delightful walk through conifer woods awaits us. The gradient remains gentle, making the walk truly something to enjoy–more so as we enter into the tree line. We drive at a leisurely pace along this scenic route and reach Phitadi village. The Garhwal Himalayas offer this pretty little village with wooden houses and slate stone roofs. Seizing the opportunity to mingle among local residents, we can stay in a home-stay and get on well with such friendly folks. Total trekking distance is 7 km and leisurely pace works well with nature, keeping up for about four to five hours. And this part of the hike not only offers an adventure amidst nature, but also provides a touch of culture as we encounter Phitadi village’s warm-hearted residents.
Day 5: Phitadi to Sankri
Drive: 25 km, 2 hrs
Altitude: 8,200 ft – 6,400 ft
Accommodation: Himalaya Shelter Guest house – Sankri
Our final day of our trek, we say goodbye to the peaceful setting of Phitadi village and head for Jakhol. Traveling on a scenic trail beside fertile fields, we reach Jakhol, the gateway to Supin valley. We take some time in the village of Jakhol, which is home to a large temple dedicated to its own deity. So our trip continues on to Sankri, which is only an hour’s drive away. Numerous guesthouses welcome us to decompress and enjoy the final hours amidst Sankri’s quaint village atmosphere. The trek we embark on today covers 6 kilometers and takes about four hours, which gives us plenty of time for us to meander leisurely through the beautiful countryside before ending our little adventure in Sankri’s welcoming embrace.
Day 6: Sankri to Dehradun drive
Drive: 190 km, 8-9 hrs
Altitude: 6,400 ft – 2,100 ft
The return home is mixed in with emotions as we follow our footsteps back along the breathtaking road leading to Dehradun. We exit the enthralling pine forests, and gradually descend towards the city where we see roads grow broader. We follow our familiar route through the changing scenes until we reach Dehradun, a lively city. It’s goodbye from the heart to the quiet mountains and valleys of Uttarakhand, our adventure ending with memories that will stay long after we are gone.