JUL 10-19, 2017
Rupin pass is one of the most fantastic treks in this region. The trek begins from the lovely valley of Sangla in Himachal Pradesh and moves onto Uttarakhand via Rupin pass. In terms of landscape, gradient and altitude, it offers a wide range. Not a very well known trek, it certainly is one of the most beautiful being full of streams, waterfall, river, mountain views, snows, beautiful meadows full of flowers etc.
Itinerary (9 nights 10 days)
- Day 1: Chandigarh- Thanedar
195 kms/ 6-7 hrs
Reach Chandigarh at 0350 hrs by Kalka mail. Get off and drive to Thanedar. Stop en route at Shimla for breakfast and freshen up. Carry
onto Thanedar. Check into Banjara retreat around 1100 hrs. After lunch, hike to Hatu peak. Evening around a bonfire. Night stay in retreat.
Thanedar (7700 ft.) is slightly higher than and the road linking the two runs almost near the crest of the mountain with a gradual ascent. One is constantly treated to
a bird"s-eye view of the different valleys as the road twists and turns from one spur to another. Below Thanedar, to the north is the Sutlej Valley and beyond it is the
snowy massif. Thanedar is where history of apples in India began. Discover the town which is full of apple Orchard everywhere you see.
- Day 2: Thanedar- Sangla 165
kms/ 6 hrs
Wake up early in the morning. After breakfast, drive to Sangla. Reach Sangla early n the evening. Check in and hike up to Batseri village after
freshening up. Evening around a bonfire. Night stay in camp.
Sangla - At a height of 2,700 mts, Sangla town is surrounded by towering mountains on all sides and is set on the banks of the Baspa River that surges through the
valley. Walks to discover the amazing fauna and flora of the valley, treks to view snow covered Himalayan peaks, experiencing some of the local culture and traditions,
rock climbing, rappelling and river crossing are only some of the delights that are on offer. Surrounded by apple orchards, the campsite has cosy tents and rooms with
attached, tiled bathrooms and running hot water. The Retreat (situated right beside the campsite & opened to guests in May 2009) - a two storied stone & wood house in
rustic style has large, comfortably furnished and tastefully decorated rooms. - Day 3: Sangla- Acclimatization
hike to Rakcham valley- 6 kms
Today, we go on a upward hike to Rakcham valley. This is the signature walk of the valley. The gradient is moderately upward.
Reach Rakcham village by afternoon. Drive back to camp. Rest of the day at leisure as we prepare and check gear for the trek the next day. Evening around a bonfire.
Rakcham Walk - A level-cum-gradually climbing path first takes one to Batseri Village across the Baspa River. A ‘dekko’ at the temple and one is quickly out of the
village into the forest. After about half an hour the path takes a sharp climb and goes on for thirty minutes where one hits the first ‘glacier’. That can be the first
"chota" halt. Across the glacier one quickly melts into the forest and here the path goes gradually up. Half an hour and many fascinating views later the path takes a
sudden descent and opens out into the valley. Lo and behold! Another small glacier walk (only till early June) and a balance walking across a few streams later one
comes to a plain flat ground. This is generally the mid way break point where we stop briefly for refreshments. Resume the walk after a short break. A big tract of
Poplar forest welcomes you as you walk on. The path from here takes a gradual ascent and goes on for 30-40 minutes to level in a forest which gives way to the fields of
Rackcham village. The Valley opens up here revealing the snow-clad mountains across which lies Uttaranchal and Tibet depending on which direction one is looking at.
Here one has the option to either take the vehicle back to the camp or else walk back on the road to the camp (7 kms/1.5 hrs). On this walk, one gets to see most of the
tree and plant variety the valley has to offer. For a regular walker it is a "long walk" and for the uninitiated it can be termed as a ‘good hike’. So at the end of the
walk, one is glad to see the vehicles waiting to drive you back to camp and yet many a 5-6 years old have done this without a whimper of protest. - Day 4: Sangla (2700m) - Sangla
meadows (3600m) - 4-5 hrs
Sangla meadow is a perfect place to see the Kinner Kailash massif in its full glory. The locals have their fields in the Sangla
meadows (or Sangla Kanda as they call it). As going up and down every day is inconvenient, so lot of people have made their temporary huts here called "Dogri". When it
starts to get cold in the valley, the shepherds often take their sheep and goat herds across Rupin Pass (visible in the distance) to the meadows near Dehra Dun. Night
stay in tents. - Day 5: Sangla meadows - Base of
Rupin pass (about 3500m) - 4-5 hrs
NULL - Day 6: Base of Rupin pass -
Rupin pass (4750m)–Dandrash (3450M) –6 hrs
This is a tough day on the trek with steep uphill and downhill climbs. There would be snow at the pass.
- Day 7: Dandrash- Jiskool
(2320M) - 5-6 hrs
This is a lovely hike through meadows and then we hit the valley. We walk past a waterfall and cross a cross a river. - Day 8: Jiskool- Sewa (2040M)-
4-5 hrs
From here on, it is a gradual downhill walk most of the way. - Day 9: Sewa- Dhula (1560M)-
Mussoorie- 3 hrs walk and 6 hrs drive
Last day on the trek, we reach Dhula where vehicles will be waiting to carry us on to Mussoorie. Settle into your rooms
in Mussoorie. Rest of the evening at leisure. - Day 10: Drop at Dehradun railway
station/ airport
Leave early in the morning from Mussoorie and drive to Dehradun to catch Jan Shatabdi back to Delhi.