Trek difficulty
Moderate - Difficult
Trek duration
7 Days
Trek altitude
15,250 ft
Group size
6-12
Trek distance
52 Km
Basecamp
Jiskun
Best Time
may-Jun
Pickup Point
Shimla
Located at the height of 15,250 ft (4,648 m), Rupin Pass Trek is a moderate to difficult journey which begins from Jiskun and ends in Sangla. Rupin Pass is nestled at Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh border. It takes to and fro 7–8 days in total to complete the trek-52 km. The best season to do this trek is between May–June in summers and between Sept–Oct pre-winters.
Rupin Pass is not just a trek, known for its diverse terrain and cinematic scenery; it is a thrilling experience on its own. It tests the trekker’s reliance while offering them spectacular memorable sights — from the snowy climbs over the pass to turquoise blue waterfalls, Rupin Pass Trek is a trek that summons every ounce of stamina.
Day 1: Shimla to Jiskun
Day 2. Jiskun to Jakha
Jakha to Saruwas Thatch
Day 4: Saruwas Thatch to Dhanderas Thatch
Day 5: Dhanderas Thatch to Upper Waterfall Camp
Day 6. Upper Waterfall to Ronti Gad by Rupin Pass
Day 7. Ronti Gad to Sangla Shimla
mid-May to the end of June
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Day 1: Shimla to Jiskun
Drive distance: 189 km, around 7 to 8 hours | Altitude covered: 7630 ft | Meals included: Dinner | Accommodation: Stay at Jiskun guesthouse
How does you day 1 look?
A non-AC vehicle will be arranged at Shimla. The drive will take up to 8 hours to reach Jiskun (base village from where trek starts). The cloakroom will be provided to put extra luggage which is not required during the trek. Arrive at Jiskun guesthouse by the evening and enjoy warm nutritious dinner followed by a briefing about the upcoming journey and rest in the allotted sharing rooms later. Private rooms can be arranged if notified in advance for extra price.
Day 2: Jiskun to Jakha
Trek Distance: 5 km, around 4 hours |Altitude covered: 8,755 ft |Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Snacks, and Dinner
How does you day 2 look?
Start your trek early in the morning after a delicious healthy breakfast with a hot cup of tea. Today, you will see a beautiful hamlet nestled in the lap of Himalayas. The first day is challenging one first day itself you are introduced to an hour’s descent followed by steep ascent of an hour. Reach campsite by afternoon and relish over scrumptious lunch. Take a stroll, click pictures and reminisce first experience of Rupin Pass with fellow friends. Spend a night under starry night and call it a day.
Day 3: Jakha to Saruwas Thatch
Trek Distance: 8-9 km, around 5-6 hours | Altitude covered: 10,770 ft | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Snacks, and Dinner
How does you day 3 look?
Start your second day by entering the Fir forest that you hardly get to see such magnificent forest in any other trek. This is the highlight of today. Take as many pictures you can for your Instagram post. One the forest line is over, descent into the valley to reach the banks of Rupin River. You rarely get to see dwarf rhododendron trees in any other trek as they are taller. After a moderate trekking day, reach clear meadows of Saruwas Thatch; campsite of the day.
Day 4: Saruwas Thatch to Dhanderas Thatch
Trek distance: 3.5 km, around 2 hours | Altitude covered: 11,700 ft| Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Snacks, and Dinner
How does you day 4 look?
The two day moderate climb and steep descent pays off well today as trekkers experience beautiful day by walking through small meadows and flower beds. The trek is easy and short giving your knees some relief. Campsite is pre-arranged at the base of Rupin Waterfall.
Day 5: Dhanderas Thatch to Upper Waterfall Camp
Trek distance: 3 km, around 2-3 hrs| Altitude covered: 13,450 ft| Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Snacks, and Dinner
How does you day 5 look?
The Rupin Waterfall is 1,500 ft up from the campsite. Even if you are planning the trek in summer, be prepared to cross the snow bridge to cross the waterfall. In autumn, the trail gets rocky and slippery. Wait for your trek leader to help you cross the bridge. Reach the upper waterfall camp and rest for the night after enjoying over hearty hot meals. Your day will end with a clear briefing by your trek leader as next day you have to start trek at 3:00 AM.
Day 6: Upper Waterfall to Ronti Gad by Rupin Pass
Trek distance: 12 km / 8–9 hrs| Altitude covered: 15,255 ft| Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Snacks, and Dinner
How does you day 6 look?
Today is the day when you will achieve what you had dreamed of; reaching the Rupin Pass. Take energy refreshments for the journey to stay energized and water bottle to stay hydrated. Carry nothing else; keep your shoulder bags light. Your target is to reach the Pass by 7 to 8 am. The climb is challenging, steep ascent, and snow-covered rocky bed make the push difficult only to make the ending rewarding. Passing through the Rupin Gully will give you a sense of achievement. Later, the descent to Ronti Gad is going to test your endurance level-both mentally and physically. Reach the campsite by late afternoon and rest.
Day 7: Ronti Gad to Sangla Shimla
Trek distance: 12 km, around 6–7hrs | Meals included: Breakfast, Packed lunch/Refreshments
How does you last day look?
Start trekking from the Ronti Gad to reach Sangla. Your luggage is being arranged by the local support staff which you deposited on your arrival. The additional price for transporting baggage will be added on the first day (only if you opted for it). Drive to Shimla. Usually trek operators arrange forest and camping permits for the Rupin Pass Trek (included in the package). The trail of trek partially falls under Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, making wildlife permission mandatory from the Uttarakhand Forest Department. Carry original government ID proof (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, etc.) and keep soft/ hard copies ready for checkpoints. Submit attested medical fitness certificate before the trek. In certain instances, an Inner Line Permit (ILP) or Protected Area Permit (PAP/RAP) may be required, mainly around restricted areas. Check with your trekking agency before departure. Booking through a trusted organizer makes the document processing and permit obtaining flow smooth.
Inclusion
During The Trek
Exclusion
Rupin Pass is an alpine trek that starts from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh and ends in Sangla.
Rupin pass top is at 15,255 feet/ 4,650 m.
The trek is 52 km long roundtrip and takes 6 to 7 days to finish.
Both summer season (May–June) and the autumn season (September-October) are the ideal time to witness clear mountains and snowfields.
With the elevated height of 15,255 feet, steep ascents, and long walks Rupin Pass is graded as moderate to difficult. It is recommended to have a prior trekking experience and good fitness level.
Yes, forest and wildlife permits are compulsory. Usually, trekking agencies arrange them. You just have to carry valid ID proof and a signed (by a doctor) medical fitness certificate.
Accommodation includes guesthouse/homestay at start and end points and tented campsites during the trek.
The local support staff provides nutritious vegetarian meals, like, dal, rice, vegetable dish, chapati, accompanied with soup in the dinner and tea with breakfast). Long duration trek drains you energy fast, hence, carry some dry snacks and energy bars.
Once the trek starts, signal gets patchy. Only BSNL works at few points, but expect zero range. It is time to get digital detox-cut off from the toxic world and enjoy being with you.
Waterfalls, hanging hamlets, snow bridges, lush-green meadows, and the dramatic landscapes are the star attractions.
Solo is fine, but book a trek where other fellow trekkers will join you under the guidance of trusted trekking agency. In remote areas, it is a smarter choice to go with a group or professional trek leader since the route has remotely high-altitude regions.
The Rupin Pass Trek is a dramatic journey of diversified landscapes, roaring waterfalls, hanging villages, most beautiful forests and rolling lush-green meadows with snow-covered passes. In short], it is a complete high-altitude adventure offering the thrill of reaching at 15,255 ft making it one of the most chased treks in the Himalayas. Demanding yet memorable, Rupin Pass tests your patience while rewarding unparalleled raw beauty at every turn.
Testimonials
Radandi Shashank
“You are not just a mountain trek guides, but a true guardian of the journey. Your unwavering loyalty to our team, the mountains, and safety itself is extraordinary. Every step felt secure because of your dedication, integrity. And stayed committed to every trekker, through every challenge, with patience, care, and honesty. Huge respect to Subodh Jii n Aditi Mam!! Thank youu @thinairexpedition It was wonderful experience!!❤️❤️
67D3_KALYAN
Completing the Kedarkantha trek at an altitude of around 12,500 feet was not just a trek for us, it was a life-long memory, and a major reason for this unforgettable experience is our guide Shubhod Sir. From the very first day till the summit, Shubhod Sir guided us with immense patience, discipline, and genuine care. At every difficult patch, when our legs were tired and breathing became hard, his calm words, constant motivation, and confident leadership gave us the strength to keep moving forward. He never rushed anyone and always made sure that every member of the group was safe, comfortable, and mentally strong. Shubhod Sir’s knowledge of the mountains, weather, and high-altitude conditions was truly impressive. More than a guide, he felt like a protector and mentor who treated everyone like family. His positive attitude and humble nature created a sense of trust and confidence among all of us. We are also thankful to Atidhi Madam for her support and cooperation during the trek, which added to the smooth experience. Because of Shubhod Sir’s guidance and dedication, we successfully reached the summit with confidence and joy. We will always remember this trek with gratitude and respect. Truly blessed to have a guide like him. 🙏⛰️
Arvind Sahu
Wonderful experience totally worth it. At those price they provided services that no one could provides really enjoyed ❤️🎉
Kolanu Anirudh
This is my first trek in Uttarakhand(Kedharkanta) and Thin Air Expedition made it a memorable one Thanks for everything subodh bro you made it so special.
kanica kandpal
Completed the Gaumukh–Tapovan trek with Thin Air Expedition, and it was an exceptional experience from beginning to end. Instead of opting for a fixed-departure model, we chose a personally curated itinerary, as this was our first trek—and it turned out to be the perfect decision. The team was extremely thoughtful in planning each day’s distance, ensuring we were comfortably challenged without ever feeling overtired or exhausted upon reaching the campsites. Every campsite was carefully selected, offering not just safety and comfort but also breathtaking views that made each halt truly memorable. What stood out most was the level of personalization. The itinerary was clearly tailored to our pace and comfort, and the trek leader constantly shared insightful facts about the region, its geography, and cultural significance, adding depth and meaning to the journey. Overall, Thin Air Expedition delivers a highly personalized, well-paced, and enriching trekking experience. I would highly recommend them, especially for first-time trekkers looking for a safe, informative, and thoughtfully curated adventure.Sen
Raj Bahadur
I booked my trek with Thin Air Expedition on a friend’s recommendation, and it turned out to be a great decision. They managed travel and accommodation very smoothly, and everything was well organized throughout the journey. The team stayed in regular coordination, ensuring that stays and drivers were properly arranged each day. The entire trip was timely, hassle-free, and also pocket-friendly. I would definitely recommend Thin Air Expedition—you can trust them completely with your travel and trekking plans.
sachin aulakh
I recently completed the Kedarkantha Trek with ThinAirExpedition, and the entire experience was outstanding. The coordination, communication, and arrangements were excellent. The trek leaders were experienced and friendly, the support staff was humble, the stay was comfortable, and the food quality in such high altitude conditions was truly impressive. Their focus on safety and responsible trekking made the journey even better. I would definitely choose them again for my next Himalayan adventure! 🏔️✨
Aman rai
I recently completed a trek with the help of ThinAirExpedition, and the entire experience was very comfortable. From stay arrangements to travel from Rishikesh to Rishikesh, everything was well managed. The driver was extremely polite, supportive, and made the journey smooth and stress-free. Overall, a great experience and I would definitely recommend them.
Nitya Jaiswal
Kedarkantha was not just a trek, it was an experience that helped me reconnect with myself. Thanks to Thin air expeditions , I felt safe, cared for and encouraged at every step. The sunrise at the summit, the laughter around the campfire and the kindness of the guides will stay with me forever. If you're looking for a company that treats you like family on the mountains, this is the one.
Biswajit Sahoo
Subodh Sir making the trek so much of fun and intresting .. Awesome Experience with Subodh Sir
Anmol Verma
Overall trekking and accommodation was a very smooth experience. Our trek leader Mr. Ramesh was amazing and very helpful. He managed to make the trek look easy. Overall experience was 10/10. Would highly recommend.
Rishabh Singh Rana
Trek Guide Mr. Ramesh Ji is a very cool & good person. Trek journey became beautiful with the group and overall it became my one of the best experience.
aditi vaidya
I recently went on a trek with Thin Air Expeditions, and I can't get over the experience I had! I did the Phulara Ridge trek with Subodh sir, and it was an incredible experience. What made it even more special was that Subodh sir made sure I could bring my dog, Flake, a toy pom. His team and him took such great care of us, and it was clear that they truly care about their guests, human or canine! The group was amazing too. I met some wonderful people along the way, and we formed lifelong bonds. The whole experience was beautiful – from the breathtaking views to the friendly, supportive environment. I’ll cherish these memories forever! If you're looking for a SAFE, well-organized, fun, and caring trekking company, Thin Air Expeditions and Subodh sir are the ones to go with!
Anuja Vaidya
It was a wonderful experience with TAE on Phulara ridge trek, everything was on point the gears, food, trek guides and Subodh sir himself was an amazing leader who is the founder of TAE, he made sure the experience was amazing even for the first timers keeping safety the first priority. Also I took my Dog, Flake along with me for the trek and it was a great experience for her as well and her food and safety was well taken care of . 🐾 Would love to go back again with Thin air expedition. Thank you so much 🤗
Simran Samal
Phulara Ridge Trek – A Memorable Experience for me !!! Someone once told me, “Trips aren’t just about travel — they become a part of you.” I never really believed it, but this time, Phulara Ridge became exactly that for me. Our first campsite — the forest trail, the tents, the whole setting — gave me the first taste of what was to come. Everything was so thoughtfully arranged, it felt like nature itself had prepared that space for us. All thanks to our trek leader, Subodh bhai 🙌🏻. The next stop was magical in its own way. The campsite was picture-perfect, and we even ended up learning a bit of the local Uttarakhandi dance from Dev bhaiya (well… I tried to! 😄). In the evenings, we played games and spent such a good time that we forgot the weight of city life for a while. And finally, the Ridge: Honestly, we thought the weather would block the views, but Subodh bhai timed it so perfectly that the skies cleared for us. Walking on the ridge — one valley on the right, another on the left, clouds passing beneath us — felt surreal. We sat there for hours, just soaking it all in. It was pure peace. And yes, we even made tea there!!! 🫶🏻 (Of course, we made no mess, cleaned it all up, and left the space exactly the way it should be 😌). For me personally, trekking has always been like meditation — a way to quiet the noise and reconnect with myself. This trek with Subodh bhai and the team gave me exactly that: peace, perspective, memories for a lifetime, and inspiration. #SoGrateful 🙏🏻 Thank you, Subodh bhai and team, for making this such a soulful and unforgettable journey! Lastly Just one note for all: “In the end, we don’t conquer mountains; they help us discover who we truly are.” To anyone even considering it: please go with #ThinAir Expeditions to experience the rawness of trekking, the beauty of nature, and the joy of escaping city life for a while. You’ll come back not just with pictures, but with stories, stillness, and a piece of the mountains in your heart. All the best !!! ✌🏻
Netra Sharma
It was a wonderful experience with ThinAir Expedition. I went on my first trek to Phulara Ridge, and it was truly amazing. Our guide, Subodh ji, managed everything so well and remained patient throughout the trek. I enjoyed every moment and every spot. The place, the cook, and the helpers were all wonderful. The food and camps were awesome. I highly recommend joining ThinAir Expedition to experience the best of “pahadi” life!
Vaibhav Srivastava
Thin Air Expedition gave us the best experience while trekking. Everything was finely arranged and properly taken care of whether it was travel, food. Staff availablity. But the best part was free hand while trekking. Subodh led us beautifully taking in note that everyone reaches the base camp and everyone is doing well. Consulting our next phase keeping in mind the safety and gears. It was collectively very amazing. He gave us full free hand additionally it is our responsibility as well to take care of each other. We did so many activities had games and fun and he even taught us how to camp. How to set up it was fun. If it would've given me option I'll rate it 10. Thanks subodh and team and thin air expedition for such a memorable trip.
Somya Chaturvedi
I recently did the Phulara Ridge Trek with Thin Air Expedition, and it was my first trek ever truly an unforgettable experience! Everything was so well managed from safety arrangements and equipment to food and stay, I never had to worry about a thing. Our trek leader, Subodh, was extremely supportive, patient, and motivating, which made a huge difference for a first-timer like me. The food was simple, homely, and very satisfying after long trekking hours. Most importantly, safety was always the top priority. For anyone planning their first or next trek, I’d highly recommend Thin Air Expedition. Professional, caring, and passionate about making the experience memorable!
We're always ready for adventure
Trekking comes with uncertainty. Weather, terrain, and setbacks are part of the journey. We embrace them with resilience and openness—each challenge makes us stronger and more appreciative of nature's beauty.
We embrace low-noise trekking
We blend into nature, not the other way around. We avoid shouting, loud music, and noisy games. In silence, we hear birdsong, streams, and the wind—inviting peace, reflection, and a deeper connection with nature.
We protect the environment
We protect the environment by minimising waste, reusing resources, and picking up litter. We carry eco-bags, segregate waste, and inspire others to preserve trails. Sustainable trekking ensures these mountains remain beautiful for future generations.
We are self-sufficient
We carry our load as much as possible, manage our gear, and stay prepared for all situations. Self-sufficiency builds confidence, independence, and respect for fellow trekkers, support staff, and the trail itself.
We support each other
Trekking is not a solo act. We wait for each other, share burdens, and uplift teammates. By putting the group first, we build strong bonds and help everyone complete the trek joyfully.
We are fit and prepared
We train well before our treks. This helps us walk longer, handle emergencies, and contribute to the team. Fitness ensures we are never a burden and always ready to help when needed.
