Our Kilimanjaro team is presently trekking towards Lava Tower, a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation at 15,160 feet. After which, they’ll descend to the Barranco Camp at 13,060 feet, to camp for the night. 

This moderate-difficult trekking day is crucial for acclimatisation. Climbing to above 15,000 feet and then camping at a lower altitude allows the body to acclimatise well to the high altitude. 

Apart from witnessing the striking volcanic rock formation, the team will also trek through a strange but beautiful Senecio Forest with Giant Tree Groundsels rising to 30 ft all around you in a grassy landscape. It almost feels like you are walking in some alien land here.

We’re eagerly waiting to hear the details of today’s trek. And we’ll update all interesting insights that we receive from the team here.

Kilimanjaro trekkers climb to Lava Tower, a tall volcanic rock formation at 15,160 feet

It’s a big day today. It’s the first day of the trek to Mt. Kilimanjaro! This morning, 16 experienced trekkers started their journey from Moshi to Machame Gate, the starting point of the trek.

It's a tough Day 1. Trekkers cover a distance of 10 km through a dense rainforest into a misty moorland. They’ll gain about 4000 feet of altitude today when they reach their camp at Machame. 

To start on the right foot, the entire team gathered at Moshi yesterday. Operations Manager Ravi Ranjan, who is leading the team, gave them a strong briefing before heading out on the trek

Trekkers at Moshi, Tanzania, excited to start trekking to Kilimanjaro. Photo by Ravi Ranjan.

Out of seven established routes to the summit, our team is taking the Machame route. This route has the right mix of adventure and dramatic changes in scenery, with cultivated fields, rain forests, moorlands, alpine deserts full of rock and scree, and finally arctic snowfields and glaciers. 

We'll be sharing updates from their trek in this space. Stay tuned!

BIG UPDATE: Trekkers start their trek to Mt. Kilimanjaro today!

This is a report by Lay Naik, who went on a recce of the Pin Bhaba Pass trek before the season began. The recce team conducted the recce between July 1st and July 2nd, trekking 50 km over a span of two days. Please note that the recce team is highly acclimatized and trained to cover the trek this quickly. The otherwise recommended itinerary can be found on this page.

Yesterday, I returned from the recce of the Pin Bhaba Pass trek. I was blown away by the mesmerising beauty of the entire trek. I can totally agree that this is The Grand Cross Over Trek 

Day 1 ( 22 km )  - Kafnu (8275 ft ) to Phutsirang (13520 ft)  (via Mulling and Karah Campsite) 

Day 2 ( 28 km ) - Phutsirang (13520ft) to Mudh(12420 ft) (via Pin Bhabha summit and  Mangrungse) 

1. To get an idea about the entire geography of the  trek 

3  Document tricky sections on the trek where safety plays a crucial role. This year we got late snow and the Pin Bhaba Pass trek goes to 16,000 ft. This is why we are expecting snow on the trail. 

5. Spot water sources at the campsite (whether they are available and potable) and on the trail 

6. List possible challenges, and come up with solutions to mitigate those challenges

7. Build a relationship with the locals of Mudh

We started our Trek from Kafnu on 1st July at 8.40 am. Our target was to reach Phutsirang by 6.30 pm. The weather forecast was cloudy on Day 1 and on Day 2 we only had a window of 4 hours of clear sky. 

We started the trek by entering a forest section. What an amazing forest! It was an incredible experience of walking silently in that forest with the sound of birds chirping and the river flowing. I hadn't been to such a beautiful forest section so far. I was speechless. 

The dense forest on the Pin Bhaba Pass trek

You hear the birds chirping, and the Bhaba river flowing nearby

Immediately after the forest section, we ended up in meadows. And soon we reached Mulling. 

The best part of trekking in Himachal Pradesh is that you can camp in the meadows. What a setting!   

Just before Karah, I got a view of the whole valley. It reminded me of Kashmir meadows. It feels like you can just keep walking anywhere. It's lush green all around. 

A stunning view of the valley just before Karah. It reminds you of Kashmir meadows.

After crossing the stream which had decent flow, we had lunch. Then we started ascending to Phutsirang. 

The blooming has started all tiny flowers Gereniums, fleabae, potentila, forget-me-nots, and their natural hybrid versions.

Flowers blooming on the meadows of Pin Bhaba Pass trek.

We reached Phutsirang around 6.45 pm, pitched our tent, took a breath and said thank you to the mountain God for being kind to us.

A rare sight of snow at the Phutsirang campsite.

we started our day at 4.45 am. From 14,600 ft till the pass we found snow. But earlier to the snow section, for almost 300 m we loose rocks and scree. I found this to be the most difficult part of climbing to the pass. 

Once the snow fields started, the climb got much easier due to the microspikes.  

Trekking on snow to reach the pass is easier with microspikes.

A charming sight of sheep in search of greener pastures

We reached the Pass at 8 am. Spent an hour there soaking in the sun. With our DIY kits, we even made chai and kheer. Trust me, it was amazing! 

Thanking the mountain Gods for good weather and blue skies.

The snow made it much easier to climb the pass. I am saying this in comparison to rupin gully, where there were only rocks during pass crossing, which added tp the difficulty. 

I climbed a little higher on the pass to take in the view of Pin Valley. And the colours totally caught my attention.  Red, yellow, different shades of brown, and far away there was also a tinge of green. I had never imagined Pin Valley to be so colorful.  I was expecting it to be a barren desert. 

Descending into the Pin Valley covered in snow.

We started descending from the pass at 9 am.

For the first 3 km, we slid down on the snow. Then we reached the mouth of a stream. From here the trail was a path of stones. And each stone was tinged in a different colour. I was in awe! 

I was so curious about these stones. They didn't look like sedimentary rocks because they were in trans-Himalayas. At the same time, I wondered, how are there so many different colors?

"Most likely these are Quartz Arenites(sandstone). Pin Valley is a very rich geological place.

This entire region of Spiti is the remains of the Tethys Sea. You can easily see the rock strata from different geological eras. A lot of marine fossils have been found at Langza.

In fact the village of Mudh holds an important place for geologists as Moravian(present-day Czechia) geologist Ferdinand Stoliczka studied the rock layers at Mudh in the 1860s and currently, it is known as the Mudh Series or Mudh Formation," shares Trek Leader Diptarka Gupta.

This experience made me feel like I was in a whole different world. 

I enjoyed descending on the stones, rocks and pebbles. 

We reached Mangrungse around 11 am. From there, we continued our trek to dwalder.  There we took break to eat and started again. 

The nearer I was getting to Mudh, the brighter the colours of the rocks became. 

All the four campsites of this trek -- Mulling, Karah, Phutsirang and Mangrungse -- stole my heart. I am unable to pick a favourite.  

We reached Mudh by 4.45 pm. The last 4 km were tiring. But the moment we entered Mudh, green fields of green peas refreshed our eyes. 

Note: Trek Leader Lay Naik completed this recce with Guide Sahil. All photos are shared by Lay Naik. 

A mind-blowing recce of Pin Bhaba Pass trek

The Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal trek is nestled in the Govind Pashu Vihar National park situated in the Western range of the Garhwal Himalayas. This region is known for its biodiversity, rich flora, and fauna. The upper reaches of this national park are restricted to protect the snow leopards in India. 

But the Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal trek is accessible. It’s best to do this trek in spring, summer and autumn. In peak winters the trek is closed due to heavy snow in the valley. 

The trek moves alongside the Thamsa river into the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park. Photo by Gautam Doshi

The Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal trek is almost 64 km long. It takes you through two valleys — Har ki Dun and Ruinsara. This trek climbs to the maximum altitude of 11,850 ft when you trek through the Ruinsara Valley. 

What’s the difficulty rating for Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal 

Har Ki dun- Ruinsara Valley Trek is a moderate trek level 3 on a difficulty level ranging from easy to difficult. 

You start from Kotgaon which is at an altitude of 6,455 ft. You reach a maximum altitude of 11,850 ft at Ruinsara Valley on day 6  (via Har Ki Dun at 11,700 ft on day 4). 

In terms of terrain, for the most part, it is an easy hike through the valley.

But there are 2 big reasons why we rate the trek as a moderate one. They are: 

– The long-distance you cover every day:  Expect to hike an average of 10 km a day

– The lack of multiple exits:  There is only one. The way into the valley is the only way out. So this makes evacuations a bit challenging. 

Having said that it is still a trek that can be done by fit first-timers.

You will need at least 4 weeks of solid preparation for this trek. You can begin preparation by going for brisk walks and then doing brisk jogs to improve your cardio. Your target should be to cover 5 km in 35 minutes comfortably by the start of the trek.

Trekking to Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal in winter is a bit more challenging. The snow in the valley raises the difficulty of the trek. Photo by Jothiranjan

What are the difficult sections on Har ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal trek

The good news is that the Har Ki Dun – Ruinsara Valley trek does not have too many sections that pose a challenge in terms of terrain. The long distances covered on the trek might tire you, but there aren’t many tricky areas on the trail that will test you too much.

Here are the only sections where you’ll need to be extra cautious:

Overhangs above Ruinsara Gad while trekking towards Swarnadhara

There are several sections on the trail from Rainbasera to Swarnadhara, where you have to traverse overhangs above the fast-flowing Ruinsara river. These are narrow uneven trails. If you’re trekking in a snowy season, you might have to navigate over steps cut across snow bridges. This could make you prone to slips and falls.

Safety Advice: Tread carefully on these sections. Avoid any form of distractions, especially talking to other trekkers. Do not look towards the valley. Do not hold the hands of other trekkers. Do not use mobile phones or cameras in these sections. Take short, firm steps to navigate these sections. Ideally, step on snow bridges only where their footholds.

River crossings with a rope and pulley system (if bridges have been washed off)

The entire Har Ki Dun – Ruinsara Valley trail is laid out along the length of the Thamsa river and the Ruinsara gad. There are hardly any sections where you’re not accompanied by a river/stream.

This means you’re constantly crossing rivers and streams on this trek. Most of the time, there are wooden / cement bridges that help you across.

But it is not uncommon to see wooden bridges washed off by the river. In such cases, you may have to get across the river with a rope and pulley system.

Although Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal trek is long, and has the challenge of trekking long distances in a day, the trek is doable if your preparation is in place. For this trek, ensure you work well on your stamina. Make it a habit to go for long walks and runs. It will orient your body to long distances. 

Despite its share of difficulties here's what makes Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Tal special for us. 

How difficult is Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal trek

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a high-altitude trek in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s commercially popular as the Sonamarg-Vishansar-Naranag trek. Trekkers usually take six to seven days to complete this most picturesque trek in the Kashmir Valley.

The moderate-difficult trek offers majestic views of new alpine lakes, glaciers, meadows, peaks, and passes. If you see the Kashmir Great Lakes trek photos, I bet they will surprise you.

Preeti, an avid trekker, was allured by the idea of high-altitude lakes. She decided to do the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek with Indiahikes. Despite heavy rain on Day 3, one of the most difficult days of the trek, she completed it and enjoyed every bit of it. 

Here below is our conversation with Preeti, who recalled her memories and shared experiences from the majestic trek. 

Q. Why did you choose the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?

I do a Himalayan trek once a year, and while selecting this year’s trek, I saw pictures and read about the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. The beauty of high-altitude lakes was inviting.

As part of my physical training, I worked out regularly at the gym, focusing on exercises like running, walking on an incline, cycling, cross-training and stretching. 

Mental preparation, as the name suggests, is a state of mind. One knows that he/she is going into cold weather at a high altitude with less oxygen, limited food supplies and will be walking for hours disconnected from the rest of the world. But sitting in the comfort of our homes in the city and just knowing the facts is sometimes not enough. You have to constantly remind yourself to be consciously aware of what you are about to get into.

If you are not sure about your fitness for this trek, doing a short trek (1-3 days) can help you get a reality check on both your physical and mental preparation.

Q. What kind of equipment do you think is necessary for this trek?

Things like trekking poles are totally person-specific. Some people rely on walking sticks, and some just can’t walk with them. It is up to every trekker to understand what their body wants and not just mimic others. On the other hand, there are some things that you cannot compromise on, like trekking shoes, a raincoat, a waterproof cover for your rucksack, a rucksack with good back support, and a headlamp if possible. Plan what you need in advance, as sudden shopping could increase your Kashmir Great Lakes trek cost.

Q. What were the major highlights of the trek for you?

Day 3 was a major highlight because it was the most difficult yet most rewarding day of the trek. Apart from the sheer beauty of the trek, I would say, my guide Altaaf stood apart from the crowd for his ability to manage and look after the whole team of trekkers and cooks.

Also Read: 8 Surprising Eye-Openers About Day 4 Of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Q. What made Day 3 the most difficult day?

It started raining the moment we left the campsite and didn’t stop until we reached the next camp eight hours later. The trail became slippery and slushy and was not fit for walking in some places, which slowed our pace. We had to figure out alternate trails most of the time by either walking on the slope where there was grass, on the rocks, or finding a less traveled trail wherever possible. 

At one point, we were monkey-climbing on all fours, grabbing bushes, and running uphill. I wonder if we would all have landed in the lake below if those bushes were not there. All this makes it difficult to do the Kashmir Great Lakes trek solo.

Q. What were your most memorable moments?

Sitting by Lake Vishansar in the evening and looking at the reflections of the mountains above it.

Being served hot paranthas at Gadsar Pass during heavy rain on Day 3.

Sitting on top of a ridge at almost 13,000 feet, with no visibility below because it was all filled with clouds. Slowly, when the clouds parted, we could see the twin Gangabal lakes. One of them is reflecting the clouds above, and the other is shimmering because of sunlight.

Also Read: Kashmir Great Lakes - Trek Accounts From The Exploratory Team

Q. Do you have any suggestions for future trekkers?

Prepare well, both physically and mentally, and listen to what your body tells you.

Kashmir Great Lakes trek best time and other details

The best time to do this gorgeous alpine lake trek is from July to mid-September. Indiahikes offers a seven-day trek to the Kashmir Great Lakes. This trek starts from Shitkadi in Jammu & Kashmir and takes you to the highest altitude of 13,715 ft.  Check out our Kashmir Great Lakes Trek package for more details and visit our upcoming treks page to seal the best deal.

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is safe for both domestic and international tourists. Indiahikes has been running safe and successful treks in Kashmir for over a decade. Indiahikes’ green trails co-coordinator Izzat Yaganagi, who was part of the Kashmir Great Lakes exploratory team, shared her experience, “Kashmir is magical. Once on the trek, it’s complete wilderness. We felt protected by four army camps. There was no feeling of trouble or fear.”

“The army folk were very warm and welcoming. They made us chai, played music, and were very happy to meet people from different places. We felt very safe among them.  If there is any hint of trouble near the army camp, we wait at the camp. Only once the army gives us a green signal, do we move ahead. The army officers are strict about rules. They ask for proof of identification for all trekkers to ensure there are no infiltrators,” she added.

2. How long is the trek to the Great Lakes of Kashmir? 

Located in the central Kashmir valley, this trek is approximately 42 miles (68 km) long. If you see the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek map, it’s easy to spot the lakes surrounded by the mighty snow-clad mountains. Treks like these are a testament to the fact that Kashmir is the true paradise on earth.

Preeti, an avid trekker, shares her experience of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek in a conversation with our co-founder Sandhya UC.

How Difficult Is Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

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Hampta Pass is one of the most popular treks in Himachal Pradesh. It is a dramatic pass crossing that takes you from Kullu to the Lahaul side. 

Every year, hundreds of trekkers plan to do this trek. They register many months in advance. 

However, Trekkers have many questions about the Hampta Pass trek -- How difficult is Hampta Pass? What is the weather like on Hampta Pass? How fit do I need to be for the Hampta Pass trek?

This blog tells you exactly what's difficult about the Hampta Pass trek, the weather, why it's rated as Moderate | Level 3 (Read more about our difficulty levels here)  and how you should prepare for it. This article will discuss the difficulty of the Hampta Pass trek. 

Many reasons come into play to grade a trek. 

Based on these, the Hampta Pass trek is classified as a Moderate trek of Level 3. 

The Hampta Pass trek is Moderate | Level 3 in difficulty. There are a few reasons for rating Hampta Trek as Moderate | Level 3. 

The first reason is that it climbs a very high altitude quickly, i.e.14,000 feet. 

During the drive from Manali to Jobra, you gain an altitude of 3,000 ft. Later, in the next two days, you will reach 14000 ft. 

It's a rapid altitude change, and consequently, there are many cases of altitude sickness on this trek. Most of the time, we identify the symptoms initially and provide medication; however, that's not always possible. 

Exiting is not easy on this trek, so once you get deep into the trek, especially from a place like Balu ka Ghera. You have to exit through the valley by trekking, as roads are not easily accessible. Therefore, the chances of AMS are high, so it's essential that you read about altitude sickness before you go on this trek. 

Tricky sections on Hampta Pass are another reason for rating this trek as Moderate | Level 3. After crossing the pass, you reach Lahaul, which has a desert-like and rocky terrain. It also has overhangs overlooking the river. 

Before crossing passes, there are some river crossings and some overhangs. Our team will be fortifying these sections with ropes or stationing themselves there to help you cross them.

How Fit Do I Need to be for The Hampta Pass Trek?

Fitness plays a critical role in successfully finishing any trek. Even if you are a beginner, your fitness can smooth your experience. So ensure you get fit for at least a month and a half before the trek. 

To be fit for the Hampta Pass Trek, set a target of running 5 km in 35 mins for you to achieve, this will help you to do the trek comfortably. So, you will be able to trek without any issues if you achieve this target at least two weeks before your trek. Also, working on your core muscles, legs, and upper body is essential because you will carry your backpack while trekking uphill. So, add squats and planks to your fitness routine. 

What is the weather and temperature on the Hampta Pass Trek?

Many trekkers ask about the weather and temperature of the Hampta Pass Trek -- is it going to be too rainy? Am I going to feel too cold? Is it going to snow on the trek?

Here's an interesting fact: Hampta Pass is actually one of our colder treks. This is because the entire trek is in a very narrow valley on both sides of the pass. Picture it as a tunnel with a lot of wind blowing through it. So you tend to feel much colder on the Hampta Pass trek compared to the Uttarakhand treks. 

Hampta Pass is a high-altitude pass crossing at 14,000 ft. The campsites on either side of the pass are also very high. So Balu ka Ghera and Shea Goru are about 12,000-12,500 ft. That's the height of Kedarkantha peak. 

This means both are alpine camps above the treeline. You are surrounded by rocks and snow patches. So these camps are a lot colder than the lower campsites. 

Hampta Pass is done between June and September. June and September are colder months than July and August. 

You'll find a lot of snow in June, which makes the wind blowing through the valley colder. 

July and August are warmer as it's raining, and snow is washed away. You see multiple flowers blooming at this time. 

September again gets cold as it marks the onset of winter. From September onwards temperature starts declining, almost 1-2 degrees every week! You might see the first snow coming in October's first week. 

Expected Temperature on the Hampta Pass Trek

On Hampta Pass, you can expect the temperature to be between 13-18 degrees Celsius during the day. It's comfortable weather. 

In the evening, the temperature drops. You can expect something between 8-13 degrees. 

Further, into the night, the temperature will drop to around 3-4 degrees at the lower campsites. At the higher camps, it can drop to sub-zero levels in June and September. 

If it's raining or snowing, the temperature will be lower.

Truth is, yes, it is the monsoon, and it will rain on the Hampta Pass trek. But it doesn't rain every day. In fact, that rarely happens. And it also does not rain all day. It usually rains or drizzles only for a few hours, depending on local weather conditions. 

But do not worry about these. We suggest you always carry your rain gear with you. In case it rains heavily, our team will take a call on whether to be stationed at the same camp for an extra night or to proceed further or return. This doesn't often happen, but be prepared for it. We suggest keeping a buffer day in your itinerary to have an extra day for such situations. So, that's all you need to remember to prepare for the Hampta Pass trek. 

At this point, you must also understand that the Hampta Pass trek is proceeding towards the rain-shadow region of Lahaul.

Snow at Hampta Pass will be present almost until the end of July. The snow starts melting after the end of July. You will see snow patches there. If required, our team will give you microspikes and Gators to attach to your shoes to walk on the snow, so there is nothing to worry about. 

What is the Best Time to do the Hampta Pass Trek?

The best time to do the Hampta Pass is between June and September. Some people may even take you there in May. But it's not recommended in May as you'll find a lot of snow on the trail. Some people also plan for the trek in October. Although a beautiful month, you have a high chance of encountering the first snow in October. 

So June to September is a solid season to do the trek. And the trek goes through transitions throughout these months! A person who has trekked in June may not even recognise the trek in September. 

In June, you see a lot of snow in the valley of the Hampta Pass trek. You'll witness a good amount of snow till the beginning of July.

Then, you'll encounter rain throughout the season in July and August. It brings out the flowers and lush green on the trek. Hampta Pass is like the Valley of Flowers of Himachal Pradesh in August! So if you want to see flowers, that's when you should go.

In September, the rain decreases, but the colours are dramatic.

So choose a time depending on what you want to see on the trek. If you wish to see snow, then plan early in the season. If you want to see greenery, later in the season is a good time.

This brings us to the end of this article on the difficulty of the Hampta Pass trek. Although Hampta Pass is one of the most enjoyable and popular Himachal treks, it is a trek that will challenge you to its fullest. Make sure you prepare well for it mentally and physically.  

If you have any questions about hampta pass, head out and ask them on our community forum. This is a community space or trekkers to ask questions, seek advice, and share their thoughts, opinions and experiences. It is also a space for you to personally participate and help other trekkers with your expertise. 

How Difficult Is The Hampta Pass Trek?

How Difficult Is The Hampta Pass Trek Fitness fit snow

Gaumukh Tapovan is an adventure trek situated around 18 km from Gangotri and is a holy pilgrimage site for many. It also serves as a fantastic trail for trekkers.

Gaumukh or Gomukh or Gomukhi is the site where the Gangotri glacier terminates and it is at this place where river Bhagirathi originates. River Bhagirathi is one of the major streams of Ganga river. The name literally means the ‘mouth of the cow’. 

 Tapovan in Sanskrit means penance - tapas and this ‘van’ - forest of penance is considered a place where sages and ascetics came to meditate and find spiritual awakening.

Gaumukh, or Gomukh is one of the holiest lands in Uttarakhand as it is the source of the holy Ganga River. It is the second-largest glacier in India.  

Gaumukh holds a very religious significance in Hindu mythology and is a pilgrimage location where pilgrims come to visit the Gangotri holy shrine and see the Gomukh - the pout of the Gangotri glacier and the emergence of the holy Ganga river.  Gomukh is mentioned in the Puranas. It is said that, a shepherd lost his sheep and reached near a glacier in Gangotri, the snout of which exactly looked like the face of a Cow, and thus it got its name 'Gomukh’.

Tapovan is associated with Lord Rama and the epic Ramayana. This place was once used by sages for meditation, penance and spiritual awakening. Tapovan is famous for its big mountain views. You see some of the most historic Indian mountains right from its base. 

Mount Shivling is an extraordinary mountain to view. The peak is poised with such a  beautiful gait and framework which makes it look elegant and mesmerising.

The three Bhagirathi sisters - I, II and III are cradled within one space and you are in awe to see these huge mountains with full view right from the base to the summit. 

Mount Meru  is a sacred  five peak mountain  which has a lot of significance in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist culture. It is considered to be the centre of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. The 5 peaks symbolize the central axis of the universe much like  the vertebral column of the human body and how the spinal cord acts as the central axis that keeps the body upright. 

The panoramic sunrises and sunsets are unmissable. You will be able to see the sun rays cascading slowly and steadily from the tip of the Mount Shivling until the entire peak is shimmering in sun bathed gold. As the sun sets, you will see the blanket slowly being lifted up until its the next day.

Mt. Shivling and Mt Meru is the backdrop. Image from Indiahikes Archive.

Why should you do the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek  

Gaumukh Tapovan is a trek for all who love to experience mountains. It is a definite addition to the bucket list.  

There are many other 6000+ metre mountains you’d like to see, but this trek provides you an opportunity to witness some of the most intricately carved mountains by Mother Nature all close to each other. The cultural significance of these mountains just further enhances the whole grandeur of what you are experiencing. It definitely is one trek that cannot be missed. 

This article gives you a thorough detail on what is Gaumukh Tapovan and why it is so famous.

What is Gaumukh Tapovan

Last week, when I wrote about Roopkund and how it impacted Indian trekking, trekkers loved the story. Over 35,000 of them read it. They connected to almost every line of the story. Many of them wrote back to me saying they had goosebumps. 

Today, I have another magnificent story for you, about an all time favourite trek — the Rupin Pass. 

If you don’t know about it, Rupin Pass is one of the most popular treks in India. Even more popular than a classic trek like Goechala. Not only trekkers from India, but trekkers from all over the world flock to Rupin Pass. It is one of the flagship treks of Indiahikes and of trekkers in our country. 

Trekkers crossing the Rupin waterfall. Picture by Vishwas Krishnamurthy

Just like last time, I’m going to assume the role of a third person and narrate the stories of Rupin Pass and how our founders, Arjun Majumdar and Sandhya UC, brought out Rupin Pass to the world. I hope I can capture their feelings in this story.

Below are the topics that will be addressed in this article -
1. What’s so special about the Rupin Pass Trek? 
2. The True Birth of Indiahikes 
3. How Rupin Pass became as popular as it is today  
4. The Birth of a Trekking Community 
5. What Impact Did Rupin Pass Have On Trekking? 
6. What Impact Did Rupin Pass Have On Indiahikes?

What’s so special about the Rupin Pass Trek?

“If you ask me Rupin Pass would easily be in my top 3 treks to do in our country. It is hard to find a trek that has superb scenic beauty, great adventure, the thrill of an expedition and a deep rooted culture experience, all in one trek,” Arjun tells me quietly, almost like revealing a secret.    

“Even though I have done this trek a couple of times, I am still taken in by the scenic surprises it throws up. For a long time it was my most favourite trek,” observes Sandhya. 

The Rupin Pass story begins in 2008, interestingly, much before Roopkund happened, much before Indiahikes was born…

“Rupin Pass was an absolutely unknown trek in our country. If very few had heard of Roopkund, then almost no one had heard of Rupin Pass,” starts Arjun, as I sit to dig out the history of this famous trek. 

“When I did the Rupin Pass trek in 2008, it was not the trek that we had originally started out to do,” reveals Arjun. And just with his first line, I am hooked.

“You may not know this, but we had set out to explore a completely different trek. It was the Barua Pass.

“At that time, it was not easy to set up a trek. Hardly a handful had done these treks in our country, information was sketchy. There were no phone connections in the interiors of the Himalayas. Yet, we had heard that the Barua Pass was a splendid trek to do. 

“We were struggling to set up the Barua Pass trek. Our local contacts in the region were difficult to get in touch with. Finally, in the last few weeks of heading towards the trek, we pulled out of Barua Pass, and focused our energies on our next option, the Rupin Pass,” reveals Arjun.

I must reveal something to you here. Barua Pass is nothing but the now popular Buran Ghati trek! I’ll cover that in another story.

“But Rupin Pass was not easy to set up in such short notice. When we arrived at Naitwar village, our original local contact person was nowhere to be seen. In his place was a person who claimed he had done the Rupin Pass — yet seemed very hazy about it. With light fading fast and not too many options, we quickly rounded up a few folks as porters for the trek, and hurried towards Dhaula, the starting point of the Rupin Pass trek,” says Arjun. 

As he narrates this, I can picture a motley team of 5-6 trekkers, porters and helpers headed into dense jungles, where Dhaula sits. 

“The entire trek was fraught with surprises — some not very happy ones and not the scenic types. Our porters refused to work, our local guide hardly knew what to do. At one point, we almost came to the verge of abandoning the trek,” Arjun continues.

“But we eventually got to climbing the waterfall, heading over to the vast snowfields, cutting steps with our ice axes below the pass, and then making our way through the Rupin gully to the pass. These were moments of pure adrenaline.

“It was one of the most exhilarating treks we had done!”

“In those days, we didn’t use microspikes. It was just our trekking boots. People wonder how we did treks then. But that’s how it was. You worked with what you had,” chips in Sandhya.

“After returning from Rupin Pass, and enduring the kind of problems that we did on the trek — the lack of dependable people, the need for good trekking gear, the big void of information — I was more than ever determined to solve them. I didn’t think trekking could ever evolve in our country if everyone faced such big challenges of people, equipment, and information to mount a trek. 

“While everyone knows Roopkund is the trek that started Indiahikes, you could say, the thought to finally launch Indiahikes was firmed up after I got back from Rupin,” Arjun surmises.

Here's the thrilling backstory of how one of India's all time favourite treks - the Rupin Pass trek was expored by our Founders.

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