Ask our trek leaders which trail changes character most from one day to the next and the answer is unanimous: the Rupin Pass trek. Riverside camps, cliff-hung villages, snow bridges, a three-stage waterfall you climb alongside, and a final 100-metre snow gully that ejects you at 15,279 ft into Kinnaur — every single day feels like a different trek. That variety has earned it a 4.9 rating from nearly 700 of our trekkers.
What is the Rupin Pass trek itinerary?
Day 1 is a 180 km drive from Shimla over Kharapathar to the riverside roadhead of Bawta. Day 2 climbs through Jiskun's walnut groves to Jhaka — the famous 'hanging village' stacked on the very lip of a cliff. Day 3 passes through fir forest and snow bridges into the vast lower waterfall meadow at Dhanderas Thach, with the three-tiered Rupin waterfall crashing down the headwall ahead.
Day 4 is the day you climb beside a waterfall — a steep staircase trail cut into the cliff to the snowfield camp at Rata Pheri, 13,100 ft. Day 5 is pass day: a pre-dawn start across snowfields to the final gully, a steep, exhilarating 100 m chute to the crest, then a long descent to the Ronti Gad meadows. Day 6 descends to Sangla's apple orchards in the Baspa valley, and Day 7 drives you back to Shimla.
Which is the best time for the Rupin Pass trek?
May–June and September–October. May and early June give the full snow experience — bridges, snowfields and a plump gully; September–October strips the snow back but compensates with golden meadows and enormous visibility. Monsoon months are off; the Rupin valley gets seriously wet.
How difficult is the Rupin Pass trek?
We grade it Difficult. Daily distances of 10–11 km at altitude, a 10-hour pass day and the steep gully demand real fitness, though our ropes, micro-spikes and gaiters make the technical bits safe. Two months of structured training — long walks, stairs, one loaded 10 km hike — is the right preparation. A prior trek helps, but strong first-timers with excellent fitness have done it well.
What is the Rupin Pass trek cost?
₹19,999 + 5% GST per person. The package includes all meals on the trek, expedition tents with -15°C sleeping bags and mats, ropes, micro-spikes and gaiters for the gully, trek leader plus technical guide team, forest permits, oxygen backup and twice-daily health checks. The shareable cabs Shimla–Bawta and Sangla–Shimla, offloading and insurance are extra.
How do you reach the trek and get back?
Base yourself in Shimla the night before: overnight Volvos from Delhi, or the Kalka rail connection. The trek ends in Sangla, and the Day 7 drive returns you to Shimla by night — book onward travel for the morning after, not the same evening.
Do you need permits for Rupin Pass?
Yes — Rohru and Kinnaur forest division permits, arranged by us and included. Carry two passport photos and a government photo ID.
May–June batches are the first to fill every year. Dates and availability are on the Rupin Pass trek page. Seven days, seven worlds; bring a camera with space.
