The short answer
Rupin Pass Trek: what visitors should know first
Go if you are a fit, experienced trekker who wants a varied high pass. It takes about seven to eight days from Dhaula or Jiskun to Sangla. The climb above the waterfall and the pass day are steep, cold and often on snow. Not for anyone with heart, lung, knee or balance problems.
History and context
The story behind Rupin Pass Trek
Rupin Pass, at about 4,650 m, links the Rupin valley on the Uttarakhand side with the Sangla valley in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. The route was long used by villagers and shepherds before it became a popular trek.
Useful facts
Rupin Pass Trek facts at a glance
- Location
- Rupin valley to Sangla valley, Uttarakhand–Himachal
- Altitude
- About 4,650 m (15,250 ft)
- Experience type
- Pass trek
- Known for
- Hanging villages, Rupin waterfall and snowfields
- Time or schedule
- About 7–8 days; May–June and September–October
Why it matters
Why Rupin Pass Trek is worth your time
Few treks pack so much change into one week: cultivated slopes and hanging villages, deep forest, a broad waterfall, open snowfields and then the very different, drier Kinnaur side. It crosses from Uttarakhand into Himachal on foot, which is how people in these valleys once travelled.
The villages on the route, such as Jhaka, still live largely from farming and herding. Treat campsites near settlements with care and buy local where you can.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Jhaka
A village on a steep slope and the last supply point on the trail.
- 02
Rupin waterfall
A large waterfall with the Upper Waterfall camp at its top.
- 03
Descent to Sangla
Views of the Kinner Kailash range as the trail drops towards Kinnaur.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treks start either at Dhaula, a road head reached from Dehradun via Naitwar, or at Jiskun on the Himachal side. The first days climb through the Rupin valley to Jhaka, a village built on a steep slope and the last place to buy supplies, then on through forest to the meadows of Saruwas Thach and Dhanderas Thach.
Above Dhanderas, the trail climbs beside the Rupin waterfall to the Upper Waterfall camp at about 4,000 m. Pass day starts before dawn, crosses open snowfields and climbs steeply to Rupin Pass, at about 4,650 m (15,250 ft). The descent leads to Ronti Gad camp, and the last day drops through meadows and forest to Sangla in the Baspa valley.
Go with an experienced operator or registered guide. Snow is common near the pass in early summer, and the route may change after heavy snow, rain or landslides. Build in a spare day for weather.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Book with an operator or registered guide
- Plan transport at both ends: Dehradun side and Sangla side
- Carry a spare day for weather
- Pack for snow near the pass
- Carry all litter out
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Starts at Dhaula (Uttarakhand) or Jiskun (Himachal); ends at Sangla, Kinnaur
- Time needed
- About 7–8 days on foot, plus road travel at each end
- Best time
- May to June and September to October
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- This is a high, committing crossing and is not suitable for most older travellers. Older parents can stay in Sankri or near Naitwar, visit the Karna temple and village lanes, and then travel round by road to meet the trekkers at Sangla, which has an easy riverside setting of its own.
- Tickets and access
- Forest permits and camping charges apply on both the Uttarakhand and Himachal sides and are usually arranged by your trekking operator or registered guide. Confirm current fees and rules locally before you set out.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Rupin Pass Trek
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
This is a high, committing crossing and is not suitable for most older travellers. Older parents can stay in Sankri or near Naitwar, visit the Karna temple and village lanes, and then travel round by road to meet the trekkers at Sangla, which has an easy riverside setting of its own.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Where does the Rupin Pass trek start and end?
It starts at Dhaula in Uttarakhand or Jiskun in Himachal, and ends at Sangla in Kinnaur district.
How many days does it take?
About seven to eight days of walking, depending on the start point and rest days.
Is there snow?
Often, especially in May and June near the pass. Expect cold nights at the upper camps in any season.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
