Bali Pass Trek

A Grand Pass Crossing High on Adventure

Dates Full? Check out the Goechala trek instead

A legendary and thrilling trek that takes you close to the 3rd highest mountain in the world!View the trek here

low-preview-350c9b20 7568 4392 a981 14fa7770a3a7 trek difficulty icon350c9b20 7568 4392 a981 14fa7770a3a7 trek difficulty icon

TREK DIFICULTY

Difficult

low-preview-4902f37f 15b9 4b5d ace9 ad71d477a4e9 trek duration icon4902f37f 15b9 4b5d ace9 ad71d477a4e9 trek duration icon

TREK DURATION

8 days

low-preview-c67b49bd 854f 4450 a803 a24db9f283fd highest altitude iconc67b49bd 854f 4450 a803 a24db9f283fd highest altitude icon

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

16,207 ft

A Grand Pass Crossing High on Adventure

A Rare Adventure Among Big Mountains

There aren’t many treks that let one experience the raw grandeur of a Himalayan pass crossing. Connecting Har Ki Dun valley with Yamunotri, the Bali Pass is an exhilarating trail.

Almost an exploration on its own. It traverses the confluence of Tons and Ruinsara rivers, the undisturbed serenity of the Ruinsara Valley and the lush meadows of Devsu Thach.

Watch these videos to get a glimpse of the trek

About the Bali Pass Trek
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
Hear from our trekkers themselves
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault

Bali Pass - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Bali Pass - Ruinsara Tal trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Expert Speak

Dushyant Sharma, Slope Manager

low-preview-fae09d2b 6bc6 4120 955f 085630559548 dushyant sharma  slope managerfae09d2b 6bc6 4120 955f 085630559548 dushyant sharma  slope manager

Dushyant Sharma, Slope Manager

Dushyant Sharma, a former Slope Manager and Trainer at Indiahikes, had over 6 years of experience leading more than 100 treks, including tough ones like Warwan Valley and Pin Parvati Pass. Known for his safety expertise, leadership, and storytelling, he also hosted the popular Hindi series "Chalein Trekking with Dushyant Sharma".

What I Like Like About Bali Pass Trek

What I Like Like About Bali Pass Trek

low-preview-fae09d2b 6bc6 4120 955f 085630559548 dushyant sharma  slope managerfae09d2b 6bc6 4120 955f 085630559548 dushyant sharma  slope manager

Dushyant Sharma, Slope Manager

Dushyant Sharma, a former Slope Manager and Trainer at Indiahikes, had over 6 years of experience leading more than 100 treks, including tough ones like Warwan Valley and Pin Parvati Pass. Known for his safety expertise, leadership, and storytelling, he also hosted the popular Hindi series "Chalein Trekking with Dushyant Sharma".

1. The ancient villages of Osla and Gangad take you back in time.

On day one, the ancient villages of Gangad and Osla strike a chord with unique village cultures and folklore. The ancient temples at Osla have riveting Himachali architecture that can keep you absorbed for a long time.

2. The alpine meadows of Devsu Thach in middle of the Ruinsara Forest are a grand surprise of the trek.

The setting of Dev Thach is picture-perfect. A thriving meadow surrounded by tall trees with Swargarohini and Kalanag looming in the background makes for a perfect setting. It makes for a very tempting spot to camp.

3. The trail from Devsu Thach to Ruinsara Lake, meandering next to the Ruinsara River

This is a beautiful and tricky stretch. The valley is narrow and one can be excused for comparing it with Rishi Gorge from Nanda DeviSanctuary, although it isn’t as difficult as the latter. The array of alpine flowers across the riverbank is astonishing.

4. The Ruinsara Lake is a special glacial lake

Resting amidst the beautiful mountain ranges of Swaragrohini, the lake is serene and calming. The meadows around are neat and untouched. One can experience a sense of tranquillity all around the lakeside.

5. The challenging approach to Bali Pass

Like most Himalayan pass crossings, it is best done in either pre or post-monsoon seasons. In June and July, the higher regions of the past are covered in snow while in post-monsoon season, it is a drier, rockier approach. Trekkers who enjoy high altitude pass traverses will find themselves totally at home.

Trek Trivia

Spotlights and Orange Glows in the Forests of Bali Pass Trek

Most of the trail for Bali Pass is similar to that of Har ki Dun. However, for Har ki Dun, the majority of the time you are walking on the left side of the Ruinsara-Tons river and the right side of Bali Pass. These two trails meet at a point. 

After this, beyond Boslo village towards Rain Basera, you face a steep descent through dense forest. As Bali Pass is filled with adventure in its truest sense, proper technique and guidance are needed to climb down the narrow path here. 

However, on this path, you see something magical. Sunlight takes on different colours and forms. The reason for this is the different kinds of canopies formed by the various trees here. The spruce trees, for instance, with their needle-like branches and leaves, break the sunlight into what seems like countless small spotlights falling on the ground. If you look up from under the golden oak trees, sunlight appears like an orange bulb above you. And it is through this ‘enchanted forest’ that you get to walk in the Bali Pass trek.

low-preview-db9cca70 b960 4788 8a3b fca90e2c9ff9 hampta chaitrav  flora ia%402xdb9cca70 b960 4788 8a3b fca90e2c9ff9 hampta chaitrav  flora ia%402x

The Thunderous Ice- and Rock-falls in Bali Pass Trek

Beyond the Thanga meadows in the Bali Pass trek, a narrow gorge shows you how untamed nature is. Here, you get to witness what is known as icefall and rockfall. On one of the mountains around you, you will be able to see a very rocky and steep cliff. Here, the snow that has accumulated, tumbles down the entire cliff, taking rocks along with it. 

In the daylight, it is a humbling, yet, fascinating sight. During the nighttime, though, this fall is not visible in the pitch darkness. But, you can hear the heavy rumbling of the rocks creating a thundering sound effect. If you are a light sleeper, you might even get woken up by this sound!

If you get to view it in the dark, the rocks clashing with each other at times create sparks. And from afar, this gives you the illusion of a matchstick being lit. 

This is when you see that nature is alive and the mountains are making their presence felt.

How to prepare for your trek

Watch these videos to be fully prepared for your trek
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

We are known for our safety
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault

We are known for our pioneering safety practices in trekking. Microspikes, oximeters, and BP checks became standards thanks to us. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with—everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are pioneers of treks in India
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault

More than 30,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow.

Our treks are transformative
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.

Sustainability is at the heart of our operations
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault

For us, sustainability is not just writing on the wall. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

FAQs