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The Kedartal trek is for lovers of adventure. It is for those trekkers who have done a considerable amount of Himalayan treks and now want to push themselves. It is a difficult trek, with a truly magical experience to give in return for all the effort. 

The trek climbs to the glacial Kedartal lake, sitting amid a cauldron of big mountains.  Famous mountains of our country rise in front of you in this cauldron – Mt Thalaysagar, Mt Bhrigupanth, Manda Parvat, Mt Jogin, and Mt Gangotri.  You camp in the shadow of the mighty Mt Thalaysagar and Mt Bhrigupanth. 

Very few treks bring you so close to such big mountains. And fewer still allow you to spend so much time in their proximity. The closest we can think of is Goechala, and that is a big statement to make.

The trail is also extremely remote. There is no human habitation at this altitude. And you find very few trekking groups on this trail. This solitude, when seen in comparison to a lot of other unfortunately crowded trails, is a blessing.

The trail, however, has a lot of challenges.  You start the trek at around 11,000 ft and climb to over 16,000 ft. This altitude gain happens in 3-4 days. Climbing boulders, and navigating steep ascents and descents on tricky terrain becomes infinitely more challenging when you are also trying to catch your breath. This needs sufficient physical and mental preparation.

This preparation and hard trekking are rewarded amply on this trek – there are lovely bhoj forests, vast high altitude meadows and then there is the indescribable serenity of the Kedartal lake.  You complete the trek having a very high feeling of accomplishment.

Before we begin, here are some quick facts about the Kedartal trek:

The Kedartal Trek lies in the state of Uttarakhand. It begins and ends at the pilgrim town of Gangotri. It is approx. 30 km trek hiked over 4 days (7 days including a drive to and from the trek, and an acclimatization day) in the Himalayas. It is a difficult trek (more on this ahead on this page) that should be attempted only by experienced trekkers.

It lies in the Greater Himalayas and is known for its brilliant big mountain views of peaks like Mt Thalay Sagar, Mt Bhrigupanth, Manda Parvat, Mt Jogin and Mt Gangotri.

Includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.

Get to know what is included in your trek fee here

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 Kedartal 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.

Watch these videos to prepare for your Kedartal trek

Study this map to get a visual cue of the Kedartal trek.

You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek.

Trekkers must carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek. 

While getting to Gangotri, we recommend you arrive a day earlier and stay at Dehradun (Day zero). Our vehicles can pick you up at Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun (on Day 1). Staying at Dehradun gives you a well-deserved rest for the night. Plus some bonus sightseeing.

Indiahikes organises transport from Dehradun to Gangotri. The pick-up is at 6.00 am from Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun. The cab fare is Rs 9,000 for an SUV and Rs 14,000 for a Tempo Traveller (seats 10-12). This is not included in the trek fee. It is to be shared amongst trekkers and paid directly to the driver. 

You will reach Gangotri at around 5.00 pm. The trek begins at Gangotri the next morning.

On your return from the trek, you can get off at Mussoorie. If you do not want to get off at Mussoorie, the final stop of the vehicle is at the Hotel Grand Legacy Dehradun. You reach Dehradun between 6.00 and 7.00 pm. 

Indiahikes organises transport from Gangotri to Dehradun. The cab fare is Rs 8,000 for an SUV and Rs 14,000 for a Tempo Traveller (seats 10-12). This is to be shared by trekkers and paid to the driver directly. You will reach Dehradun by 6.00 pm. 

If you are travelling further from Dehradun, keep a couple of hours as buffer time in case of delay. Book your further travel from Dehradun post 8.00 pm. If you are travelling to Delhi, you can choose to go back by Mussoorie Express or Nanda Devi Express.

Arjun Majumdar, the Founder of Indiahikes, went on this exploratory trek almost a decade ago. He is a veteran of the trekking community in India. He’s an expert when it comes to the trek. Here’s Arjun talking about one of The Best Trek For Summit Views countries.

What I Like and Don't Like About the Kedartal Trek

We rate the Kedartal trek as “difficult”. There are three reasons why the Kedartal is considered difficult.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

When it comes to Kedartal, here are the factors why we rate it as a difficult trek.

| Note:  In the Indiahikes Kedartal itinerary, we have an added acclimatization day at Gangotri to avoid this risk.

Knowing what difficulty you will face each day will be helpful in your preparation- 

On your way from Gangotri to Bhoj Kharak, the trail tests your body, as the whole trail is a steep ascent. You gain over 3,500 ft of altitude this day alone. 

On top of this ascent, you cross landslide zones, crawl under a boulder with bagpack on and finally climbing near vertical spider wall 6-7 metres tall. Rain anytime on the trek makes the rocks slippery, adding a level of difficulty here. 
From Bhojkharak to Kedar kharak, there's only one challenging section, which is 700 to 800 meters long. This section includes both a landslide zone and a rockfall zone. Initially, you have to descend to the river, which will be tough due to loose soil and rocks. Then, you'll walk alongside the river, where the path is narrow, and the river flows heavily. After that, you have to ascend through loose rocks, sometimes on a narrow path suitable for only one foot. Throughout this 800-meter section, there's a risk of rockfall, so you can't stop for a break.

And on the way from Kedar Kharak to Kedartal, you walk through multiple boulder sections, which are more challenging in the early morning when there's frost on the boulders, making them slippery and difficult to cross.

While on one side you have a big boulder, on the other side you have a steep drop, with the river flowing at the bottom. Navigating these sections requires sure-footedness and measured footsteps. This comes in only with prior experience. (Read more here – Safety on Kedartal Trek – Terrain).

Since Kedartal is a difficult trek, at Indiahikes, we have set up different processes to register for the trek. This is to ensure your safety as well as the rest of the team.

Prior approval from Indiahikes’ Trek Coordinators is a must for this trek. Once you register for Kedartal, the Trek Coordinator will get in touch with a questionnaire to be filled and guide you through the process.

The mandatory requirements for the trek are prior trek experience in the Himalayas (preferably above 14,000 ft) and good physical fitness (you must be able to cover 5 km in 35 minutes. To know how to get fit for Kedartal, click here).

Yes, it is safe to trek to Kedartal, but with adequate experience and technical know-how.  This is important because the Kedartal trek is rated as difficult, with challenging steep sections set at very high altitudes. So, it is not a trek to be taken lightly.

You need to be physically fit. Prior experience of trekking in the Himalayas helps in being mentally prepared for a difficult high altitude trek like Kedartal.

Also, it is not a trek that you can do by yourself. You need a guide, who is technically skilled and is prepared with equipment like ropes, helmets, and harnesses, for this trek. You might need these for the spider wall section on Day 2 of the trek. There is also a rockfall section from Bhoj Kharak to Kedar Kharak where technical skills help.

These sections must be done only with the help of technical safety equipment and a competent technical safety team. Do not attempt this without the necessary technical assistance.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

Summer is the most popular time to do the Kedartal trek as a big attraction in early summers is to find the Kedartal lake completely frozen. This is a rare sight. You don’t get to see a frozen lake right in the middle of huge mountains.

In contrast, the view of Mt Thalaysagar and Mt Bhrigunath with the blue sky and snow-capped mountains is exceptional!

Another big attraction at this time is the presence of snow on the trail. In May, you’ll find a good amount of snow after Kedar Kharak on the way to the summit. You will also find patches of snow before you reach Kedar Kharak, especially in the shadows of the mountains, patches where direct sunlight cannot reach.

While the presence of snow makes the trek challenging, it also adds an extra dose of adventure to the trek.

But here’s something you must keep in mind while trekking to Kedartal in summer – the months of May-June are susceptible to bad weather. Remember that the trek lies in the lap of the Greater Himalayas, and at such altitude, you can expect it to snow even in summer.

When it snows the campsites turn completely white. The white powdery snow glistens in the summer sun. It is something to watch out for.

Look how the Kedar Kharak campsite looks when it snows in the summer.

By the end of June, the arrival of monsoons is imminent. This makes the trail prone to landslides and rockfalls. The trek becomes a risky proposition to undertake.

Therefore, at Indiahikes, we wind up the summer season by June.

Rain/Snow in summer: The weather is quite unpredictable and volatile during the summers. The weather changes unannounced and it could abruptly start raining or even snowing.

Day Temperature: The day temperatures are pleasant at an average of 15 – 20 °C | Night Temperature: Nights can get cold, with the mercury dropping close to zero degrees. When it rains or snows, expect the daytime temperature to drop below 10 °C.

Number of warm layers recommended in Summer: 3-4 warm layers

The setting shifts radically if you happen to trek to Kedartal in autumn. In September-October, the summer haze and clouds clear up to reveal brilliant mountain views.

After the monsoon, when the sky shakes off all the clouds and becomes squeaky clean, you see the best views of the mountains around. And there are many mountains to look at.

Being in the Gangotri region, this trail is surrounded by big mountains in all directions. Getting to see these mountains from such close quarters against the backdrop of a clear sky brings tears to many trekkers’ eyes.

Even the views can’t get any better than at the summit. The lake now completely still looks a shade of blue or emerald green depending on the weather. When the water is still you’ll see a complete reflection of mighty Mt. Thalaysagar reflecting in its blue-green waters.

Another thing to watch out for during autumn is the snow plumes. When heavy winds blow at the top of the mountain, the snow is dispersed in the air to form a shape resembling a plume on a hat. Hence the name snow plumes.

Although the trek is quite desolate, the little bit of vegetation does add colour to the trail. The silver birch trees turn a golden shade of yellow, while the trunk shines in the bright autumn sun.

Kedar Kharak campsite is one such campsite. Pause here to experience this riot of colours. The shrubs on the sides of the mountains also turn into autumn colours of yellow, brown and maroon.

It’s also the time you’ll see the mountain goats – the Bharal. Though this is their natural habitat, it is rare to see them. The probability of sighting them is higher in autumn. Keep an eye out along the sides of the mountains feeding on the shrubs. Keep your fingers crossed too.

An important thing to note during the autumn season is the lack of reliable water sources on the trail. Water sources en route tend to dry up. Therefore always leave camp with 2-3 litres of water.

From October, any precipitation comes down as snowfall in the higher camps. When it snows, expect 3-4 inches of snow. The initial bouts of snow tend to melt away in the sun. By the end of October, the cold increases manifold, water sources freeze and trekking becomes untenable.

Day Temperature: Days can be quite warm with temperatures going as high as 20 °C | Night Temperature: The evenings at the campsite can get cold. Don’t be surprised if the temperatures fall below zero at night. Expect the overall temperatures to fall by 3-5 °C every couple of weeks as the season progresses.

Kedartal in Autumn (mid-September to mid-October)

Number of warm layers recommended in Summer: 4-5 warm layers

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend on the last day. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Kedartal trek.   

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.
| Pro tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.

1 passport-size photograph. This is required to obtain the trekking permits

Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.  

Before you purchase any gear, make sure you visit the Crosstrek Rental store, where you can get custom-made high quality gear at 5% of the buying cost.

You can rent trekking shoes, backpacks, padded jackets, trekking poles, rainwear and headlamps for less than Rs 1400 for the entire duration of your trek. Visit our Crosstrek Rentals store here.

Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.

Trekking shoes with ankle support (Available on rent)

Backpack with rain cover (Available on rent)

Warm layers (Padded jackets available on rent)
- 3 layers if you're trekking in spring, summer and monsoon (1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 4 layers if you're trekking in autumn (1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 5 layers if you're trekking in winter (1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)

3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)

2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)

Sun cap, preferably with flaps (Available for purchase)

Waterproof gloves (Available for purchase)

Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of Woollen)

Rain jacket + pants / poncho (Poncho is available on rent)

Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)

Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (Lunch box is available on rent)

Two water bottles or Hydration Pack (Water bottles are available on rent)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low impact sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your own personal backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kedartal Trek

Over 20,000 people trek with Indiahikes each year and vouch for our

Click Here For Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools.

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 10 km in under 60 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 10 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 4-5 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 2 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 10 km in less than 60 mins.

You must be able to run 10 km in 60 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too. 

Over 20,000 people trek with Indiahikes each year and vouch for our unmatched

safety standards. See what they have to say below. Click to read more.

We go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However,  trekking with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments from your end. Here are our eligibility criteria:

Complete information on the Kedartal trek. Trek details, experiences, maps, photos, videos, when to go, what to take, how difficult is the trek etc. 

Kedartal Trek 2024 - A Rare Adventure Among Big Mountains -  Treks In Uttarakhand - Indiahikes

kedratal kedar tal kedaartal kedaartaal ked kedartal tal gangotri kedar kedarta

If there is a trek in India that surprises you at every turn, it has to be the Rupin Pass trek. This trek is like an orchestra, building momentum with surprises in scenery every hour. You’ll never see it coming. Allow us to take you through the trek.

To begin with, Rupin Pass is a high altitude mountain pass, climbing to 15,250 feet. The adventure and thrill of ascending to such an altitude in the Indian Himalayas makes it a terrific trek on its own. And then come the surprises.  

The surprises begin even before the trek, on your drive from Rohru over the Chainsheel Pass. Unpaved roads wind uphill through forests, changing views by the minute. The forest is so unique that you will want to step out of your vehicle now and then to admire it. At around 11,000 feet, you burst out of the forests into grasslands. These grasslands stretch far and wide. They last until you reach the Chainsheel Pass. 

On the first day of your trek, the hanging village of Jakha, perched on a ridge, takes you by surprise. The next day, the sudden appearance of the tall and dark coniferous forest about an hour outside Jakha is jaw-dropping. The abrupt end of the forest and the sudden appearance of a snow bridge below you (if early in the season) are equally mind-boggling. 

We are yet to get to Day 2, where the islands of Saruwas Thatch and a sudden view of the famous Rupin Waterfall catch you by surprise. Even though you have heard the waterfall is tall, its sheer 1,500 ft drop takes you by surprise. 

The perfectly “U” shaped glacial valley of Dhanderas Thatch, with hundreds of waterfalls streaming down, make you marvel at how such formations naturally exist. The following day, climbing to the top of the Rupin waterfall over its numerous snow bridges is unexpected. Then, out of the blue, you get to the upper waterfall campsite, with the Rupin river calmly gliding alongside your camp. 

After a long climb from the upper waterfall camp, you step into the vast snowfields of Rata Pheri. It is an alpine setting that is least expected. 

From the edges of Rata Pheri, the first sight of the Rupin gully leaves you in awe, accompanied by an adrenaline rush. When you realise you have to climb the gully to get to the pass, it is an adventure that trekkers least expect. 

The climb to the knife-edged Rupin Pass, the vast slides on the snow after that, and the long grassy descent to the last Ronti Gad campsite are new surprises on the other side. 

The Rupin Pass trek is so full of quick scenery changes that it leaves trekkers breathless until the end. Only when you reach the road at Sangla, do the surprises finally end. 

Count the sudden scenery changes as you do the Rupin Pass trek. It is a unique combination of high-altitude adventure with stunning changes in scenery —a combination so rare that it makes the Rupin Pass one of the top treks to do in India. 

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.  

Hikophilic

LIGHTSKY MOTION PICTURES

Use this section to learn about the Rupin Pass 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. 

Study this map to get a visual cue of the Rupin Pass trek.

➤ Stay facility: The stay at Jiskun and Jakha will be in a lodge, and the rest of the days during the trek are in tents (2 per tent).

➤ Documents required: A copy of your photo id is mandatory for entry at forest check posts on the trek. Since Jiskun will have limited facilities to photocopy, do not leave this till the end. These documents will be part of the Safety Check-in done by the trek leader when you arrive at the base camp.

➤ Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: We have a cloakroom facility available at the Rohru basecamp for extra luggage. It will cost Rs 200 per 10 kg bag. Anything beyond 10 kg is considered second luggage and will be charged accordingly. After the trek, your cloakroom luggage will be handed over to you in Rampur.  

You are going on a Himalayan trek, where there are several unpredictable factors. It's best to book flexible flight tickets, which you can reschedule if required. These are available for a small added cost with most travel companies.

Download the GPX file for your Rupin Pass Trek

We go to great lengths to ensure you have a safe trek. So here’s a GPX file to help you navigate without getting lost.

Arjun Majumdar, the Founder of Indiahikes, went on the Rupin Pass trek much before he started Indiahikes. He is a veteran of the trekking community in India and one of the earliest to trek Rupin Pass and put it on the maps of our country. Here’s Arjun talking about the trek full of surprises.

What I Like and Don’t Like About the Rupin Pass Trek

10 Surprising Twists on the Rupin Pass Trek

The Rupin Pass trek is rated as a moderate-difficult trek. At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather, ease of access to and exits from the trail etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

The Rupin Pass takes you to a height of 15,279 ft. Trekking to 15,000+ ft brings its share of challenges. By that sheer altitude itself, it takes the trek to the moderate-difficult category. The route from Jiskun to Dhanderas Thatch is more or less straightforward. However, from Dhanderas Thatch onward is where the route gets challenging. In summers there are snow bridges to cross and vast snowfields of Rata Pheri to navigate before the steep ascent to Rupin gully. 

The same sections during autumn might require setting up ropes or pulleys to cross as there are no snow bridges and river flows with a strong force. Moreover, irrespective of the season, the pass crossing is a difficult day that takes close to 10 hours from Upper Waterfall to Ronti Gad across Rata Pheri and Rupin Pass. 

It is these factors that lead to us at Indiahikes rating this trek as a moderate-difficult trek. Therefore, planning your safety is one of the factors that are of utmost importance while trekking

Cardiovascular endurance – Target 10 km in 60-70 minutes before the start of the trek
On the Rupin Pass trek, you have to cover around 10 km on the undulating trail for 6 days. This requires a good amount of endurance. You can begin by jogging every day. Start slow and increase your pace every day. Swimming, cycling and stair climbing without too many breaks in between can help too.

To be prepared for a high-altitude trek, you should have a combination of distance and speed targets.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include, altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

The Rupin Pass trek climbs beyond 15,000 ft. Like any other classic high-altitude trek, Rupin Pass is open for trekking only for a few months in a year. There are mainly two seasons when you can do the Rupin pass trek - Summer and Autumn. During summer, the trek can be done from mid-May to the end of June. While in autumn it can be done from mid-September to mid-October. These are the best times to do the Rupin pass trek.

Summer is traditionally the favourite time to trek to Rupin Pass. It's popular in summer because of the fantastic snow experience the trek offers.

Rupin Pass is one of those rare treks which has lots of snow bridges. Almost every summer, you will find your first snow bridge right after the forest section beyond Jakha, surprisingly, right below the forests. From here the snow sections start and go on in patches until Dhanderas Thatch.

The famous 3 stage Rupin Waterfall also has a massive snow bridge that you use to climb the waterfall. This snow bridge stays the whole summer.

Until the last week of May, the section of the trek from Dhanderas Thatch to Ronti Gad is mostly under snow cover. This makes it an exquisite snow experience.

The snowfields of Rata Pheri in May look no less than a white moonscape. The pass climb and the snow slides on the other side are also experiences to cherish during the summer months.

The first half of June is our favourite period to trek Rupin Pass. This is the time when we get a wonderful combination of greenery and snow. The snows have melted till the meadows of Dhanderas thatch.

The meadow is in resplendent green with wildflowers blooming. This along with the snow experience of the upper reaches takes the cake for us!

But do not lose heart if you trek the second half of June. The upper stretches from Rata Pheri to Ronti Gad are still under snow.  The gully climb and the snow slides go on the whole of summer.

This setting changes in the next season of the Rupin Pass trek.

Presence of snow: You will find snow from the Lower Waterfall campsite in the month of May. During June, you can expect snow from Upper Waterfall.

Day time: Between 13 °C and 17 °C | Night time temperature: Will drop to zero at higher campsite

Rupin Pass in Summer (mid-May to end of June)

No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers 

The autumn season brings in a whole new set of attractions on the Rupin Pass trek.

The monsoons are just fading and the entire valley from Jiskun has turned green. Hundreds of waterfalls appear out of nowhere all along the trail.

The meadows of Saruwas Thatch and Dhanderas Thatch are blooming with wildflowers.

As we move towards October, you’ll see the valley turning golden from the green that it was a few weeks ago. The snow is mostly missing in the Autumn season but the beauty and adventure of the trek don't let you feel the absence of snow.

Somewhere around the middle of October, the first snows of the season hit the pass. This makes trekking Rupin pass dangerous and difficult.

At Indiahikes, we wind up the autumn season by the mid of October.

Presence of snow: You can expect frost at the campsite of Upper Waterfall. There are chances of snowfall at the Rupin Pass when weather goes bad. 

Day time: Between 12 °C and 16 °C | Night time temperature: Will drop to zero to -4 to -5 °C at higher campsite

Rupin Pass in Autumn (September - October)

No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers

Diamox (1 Strip): Keep the medicine handy with you. Watch out how you feel closely. Do not ignore signs like nausea, indigestion, restlessness, or fatigue. Do not take this on your own. Contact your trek leader, and he will guide you on what to do next. Read this short article to learn to recognise these symptoms. 

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

| Pro tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  

You can rent trekking shoes, backpacks, padded jackets, trekking poles, rainwear and headlamps for less than Rs 1400 for the entire duration of your trek. Visit our Crosstrek Rentals store here.

Warm layers (Padded jackets available on rent)
- 3 layers if you're trekking in spring, summer and monsoon (1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 4 layers if you're trekking in autumn (1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 5 layers if you're trekking in winter (1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)

Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (Lunch box is available on rent)

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 32 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 32 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 32 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

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