duration
8 days
duration
8 days
difficulty
moderate
trekking
52 kms
max altitude
12000ft
The trip between the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is definitely one of India's grandest cross-country treks. Whether you're hiking through dense pine and rhododendron forests or meandering through a hanging village, crossing massive glacial valleys or trudging through the narrow and steep gully of Rupin Pass, glissading down snow chutes to Ronti Gad or making your way to the top of a waterfall, every bend on the route feels like a gigantic theatre curtain unfurling, revealing stunning views steeped in a truly amazing palette of colours that leave you speechless.
day 1 Drive from Dehradun to Dhaula
Drive distance: 180 kms | Drive duration: 8-9 Hours
The journey begins in the state capital of Dehradun. The path will take you past the Kempty falls in Mussoorie, which are situated in high Himalayan rocks. As you cross Mussoorie, the Yamuna River runs alongside the road. Deep canyons on the sides give way to a canopy of blue pine forests that radiate a hazy perfume of woods as you move on. You should arrive in Dhaula village by the evening. Dhaula is a small village with a few houses and homestays. We'll spend the night in a local homestay, where you can hear the Rupin River pouring alongside you in the middle of the night.
The trail along the river
day 2 Dhaula - Sewa
Distance: 12 kms trek | Duration: 6-7 hours trek
The journey begins on a dusty trail that follows the valley's true right. You'll be able to see the Rupin River swerving in the canyons roughly 500 feet below you. Because we will be travelling on a shepherds' trail, you will most likely witness mule traffic and livestock escorted by local farmers along the way. The gradient of the journey is moderate, with gradual ascents and descents throughout. Rhododendron blooms cover the trail in red and bright pink during the late winter and spring seasons here.
First look of the waterfalls
day 3 Sewa - Jiskun
Trek distance: 14 kms | Trek duration: 7-8 hours
Get up early to see a stunning sunrise over the mountains. We begin the walk to Jiskun after a quick session of workout and stretching. The trail out of Sewa is narrow and rugged, winding through mixed farmland areas and tall oak woodlands. The first portion of the climb is somewhat steep before you begin descending through the forest to reach the Rupin stream.The Rupin River serves as a handrail for much of the journey. After crossing several brooks along the path, you enter a deep jungle with Deodar and Walnut trees a couple of hours into the trail.
The landscape shifts from potato and barley fields to a tangle of dark trees, adding to the surprise.
The trail enters a maze of Rhododendron trees over 3 hours into the trek, with a lovely mist of pine and deodar woods energising a new zeal for the journey ahead. The abundance of streams on the trail's last stretch is absolutely breathtaking. During the late winter and spring seasons, rhododendron blooms blanket the trail in crimson and vivid pink. The Rupin River runs alongside the region, which is surrounded by thick apple and apricot trees.
Hiking towards upper waterfall
day 4 Jiskun - Buras Kandi
Trek distance: 9 kms | Trek duration: 7-8 hours
The trek beyond Jiskun is both interesting and difficult. You descend to a beautiful wooden bridge across a minor river surrounded by lush Deodar and walnut trees. The Buras Kandi campsite is located just before the forest, in a lovely glade with a calm trickle of Rupin flowing through it. The Buras Kandi is an incredible site to set up camp and spend the night, nestled against a backdrop of Rhododendron blooms and cradling massive mountain ranges on all sides.
Dhanderas Thatch Camp
day 5 Buras Kandi - Dhanderas Thatch camp
Distance: 5 kms trek | Trek duration: 3-4 hours
. As you leave the campsite, you will find yourself strolling through a mixed woodland of oak, fir, and rhododendrons. Keep an eye out for the silver Bhoj trees ahead. Many people see them as sacred. The Rupin River, which snakes its way through the rocks, is a constant companion. On one side of the valley, the magnificent Rupin waterfall cascades down in three phases. As you continue on your journey, you will come across areas of the sacred Bhoj trees until you reach the forests. This is followed by a walk across broad green meadows filled with beautiful yellow flowers till you arrive at your day's campground, Dhanderas Thatch.
Beautiful villages of Dodra Kwar
day 6 Dhanderas Thatch camp - Upper Waterfall camp
Distance: 4 kms trek | Duration: 3 hours trek
Upper Waterfall Camp is located in a beautiful meadow on the banks of a softly running creek. You will be able to observe the stunning snow-covered mountain ranges and various streams rushing down through them, combining into the Rupin river and disappearing beneath your feet.
Wooden Bridge
day 7 Upper Waterfall camp - Rupin Pass - Ronti Gad Camp
Distance: 8 kms trek | Duration: 9-10 hours trek
This is possibly the longest and most exciting day of the journey. The difficulties come quickly after we begin our journey. The Rupin Pass gully is a narrow and steep half tube in the mountainside that is prone to losing stones and collapsing. It stretches for approximately 200 metres and takes anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the amount of snow and the speed of the trekkers. After crossing the snowline, prepare for another steep descent into an infinite meadow with a stream flowing gently through the mountains. The Ronti Gad Campground is located here.
Pure water of river Rupin
day 8 Ronti Gad Camp - Sangla Valley - Shimla
Distance: 13 kms trek, 225 kms drive | Duration: 5-6 hours trek, 7-8 hours drive
After breakfast, we begin our descent to Sangla. As you leave the Ronti Gad campground, the trail becomes a dusty shepherd's path. When you get at Sangla, take one last glance around at the massive mountains and say goodbye to one of the country's best cross-country hikes. Arrive at Shimla late at night.
Terraced fields with the backdrop of The Himalayas
Trekking may be exciting and enjoyable. However, it is also physically taxing and calls for strong physical condition.
For challenging and moderately difficult trails:
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