Day 01
Dehradun to Dhaula - 426 kms
Our train Doon express was 5 hours late. We reached Dehradun at 1130 hrs,our driver and our tenth member my friend Gajendra were already waiting for us at DDN. Hiraks friend came to meet us at railway station and brought lunch for all of us. We had our lunch at Judo and through Sankri, checkpost at Netwar we reachd Dhaula at 2215. Our guide joined us at Netwar. Our guide already arranged a home stay for us at Dhaula. After some briefing and introductory speech we commenced our dinner and slip into our sleeping bags.
Day2
Dhaula to Alikhadd - 11kms
Start at 0830 Hrs and Ends at 1330 Hrs
Weather was not in our favour. Moment we finished our breakfasts it started raining. Still our team leader sticked to the plan and left Dhaula at 0830 hrs. Rain wasnt heavy so our windcheaters were enough to resist, but few of us took out our Ponchos as well.
Trail after 4km is bit tough, inclination results in heavy breathing. This was a trail where we met a local lady Mrs Meena Rawat, coincidentally she was our guide Yogaraj's love interest in past. To tease Yogaraj that lady was flirting with one of our member, and we had great fun teasing him.
Trail today was moderate through dense forest, through small villages. Apple, aadun and akhrot gardens on both side of the trails. We saw tents and banners of India Hikes and Biket adventures at Sewa village. There was a beautiful temple made of wood around 40ft high wooden structure. Many shields n cups hanging over the main door of temple and many coins pressed on the walls.
We had our lunch at Sewa. It was a perfect camp site but our guide Yogaraj planned something else for us, he said, "not here we are going to camp at Alikhadd." Few more kilometres of down trail through the woods and suddenly we hear the sounds of running water. Few more steps we came out of the trees and standing on the banks of a stream cascading over huge boulders. Its a perfect stream for rafting. Its Rupin river. We reached at 1330 hrs and pitched our tents there. By the time we reached sky was clear no more clouds, sun was smiling at us, we tried to dry all our wet clothes and ponchos. Best thing happned was Golden Trouts. Few localites were catching fish they gave us fresh golden trouts. After a nice warm dinner we all slip into our sleeping bags.
Day 03
Alikhadd to Jakha - 13kms
Start at 0830 Hrs and Ends at 1530 Hrs
Beautiful sunny morning to start. First few kilometres Up trail through woods. We reached a road point from where u can get vehicles. This part was the easiest trail of around 4km which you can cover as fast as possible.
Again after few kilometres we were back in woods and streams. We left the road head near Barota village, there are few houses in that village and an old tea house with a shop. One thing noticed here was the cost of items, either at MRP or less than MRP, even in that remote village they were not charging extra amount from customers, otherwise at other tourist places they will charge you extra amount in the name of freezing charges or carrying charges etc etc.
Few more metres and again we were back on road head. This was one of the biggest village in that area, many shops and state govt office was there. Our guides love interest who left us at Sewa also reside here at Jiskun. A small drink break and again back on trail. From this village 1km down trail and u reach a beautiful wooden bridge. We had our lunch here, meanwhile our porter friends were busy collecting Linguda. Linguda is a local plant used as vegetable.
They served us in dinner. Trail after lunch was too tough, inclination was too much. We reached Jakha around 1530 hrs. Our guide arranged a homestay at Jakha. After little rest few of us decided to hang around the village. There is a beautiful temple at Dhara around 300m from Jakha. Two wooden structured temples side by side studded with coins, shields and trophies. Cricket is pretty famous in that part, all those shields and trophies are from different cricket tournament and matches held there. Spent an hour in that village Dhara ...click click click and then back to pavillion.
Hot maggi was served as evening snacks. Followed by health checkup , antakshari and for dinner local veggie Linguda collected from jungle earlier that day.
Day 04
Jakha to Bhuranskandi - 5.5km
Start at 0830 Hrs and Ends at 1230 Hrs
Today's target was Dhanderas Thwatch. 00Km from Jakha. We left Jakha around 0830hrs. Day started with tough inclination, as soon as we were out of the village trail was moderate to walk. After few kilomMeter we saw a small valley river passing by and a small wooden bridge over it. Guide signed us to proceed on that trail. Coming down the trail was bit tough, trail...actually it was not a trail it was edge of the mountain from where u have to go down and reach that bridge to crossover the river stream.
After few more metres of crossing the river we found a tea stall which is also a campsite. Bhurans kandi starts here...we took a short tea break and again back on track. Suddenly it started drizzling, we were under woods somehow proceeding but it turned into heavy shower. We were lucky to get a shelter there, a small ruined hut at right time right place.
Looking at the shower guide and our team leader decided to camp at Bhuranskandi. Due to bad weather we were forced to camp here. Todays target was Dhanderas thwatch but we pitched our tents here. It was a laziest day small trail to walk, lot of evening snacks, a heavy dinner and early bed ..ah not bed...sleeping bags.
Day 05
Bhuranskandi to Upper waterfall 08km
Start at 0730 Hrs and Ends at 1300 Hrs
We left early as weather was unpredictable. We left Bhurans kandi around 0730 hrs. Just 02 km trek and we reached India hikes camp site of Dhanderas Thwatch. Awesomeplace to camp...small valley with mountains both side and waterfall in front where we have to reach.
Ascending trail comprising of small streams, glaciers and snow patches. From that valley to the top of the water fall you can see in the picture above. After crossing 3 glaciers we reached lower water fall where we had our packet lunch, then we proceeded towards upper waterfall. We reached upper waterfall around 1300hrs.Beautiful place, already there are many tents pitched by India hikes and biket adventures team. We pitched our tents beside them. We gained a lot of altitude today as we covered two days trail in one day. We all were so hungry that we had second lunch today. Day ended with lot of photography and nice warm dinner. By evening weather changed and showered all night.
Day 06
Upper waterfall to Sangla kandi 16kms
Start at 0630 Hrs and Ends at 1450 Hrs
Next morning I unzipped my tents gate and it was all white, whole ground all the tents, snow everywhere. Last night rain and drop in temperature resulted this beauty. I started shouting and calling everyone. Immediately took out my camera and started clicking.
Today was our final day to reach the highest point of Rupin pass. We started around 0630 hrs and the ascend was too much towards Ratapheri. It took us one hour to reach Ratapheri. Weather condition worsened completely covered with black clouds and thundering. It can rain any time, as we reached Ratapheri clouds broke and it started raining actually not raining it was snowfall. One of the Best day of my life never witnessed so much of snow. Walking on the snow during snowfall cant explain inwords how i was feeling. As we reached near the Rupin pass highest point was just 300 metres ahead but the ascend was around 70 degree. It really showed us how tough it can be walking on the snow with your back pack in full capacity. We reached top of Rupin Pass at 0950 hrs. The weather today wasn't clear like we found in final day of Ronti saddle. After a small briefing by our guide and offering puja to the mighty lord. We stareted descending. Best idea todescend is to slide. We all enjoyed sliding down, but very careful about your body balance because with backpack its little risky to control. Last part of the trail today was not at all pleasant, completely muddy and slippery. After few kilometres we reached a meadow known as Sangla kandi, pitched our tents. We descended alot today no more high altitude sickness to anybody. Day ended with special dinner with desertdescend is to slide. We all enjoyed sliding down, but very careful about your body balance because with backpack its little risky to control. Last part of the trail today was not at all pleasant, completely muddy and slippery. After few kilometres we reached a meadow known as Sangla kandi, pitched our tents. We descended alot today no more high altitude sickness to anybody. Day ended with special dinner and desert made by Yograj our guide.
Day 07
Sangla kandi to Sangla
Start at 0830 Hrs and Ends at 1230 Hrs
Last day of our trek going to end at Sangla. After a heavy breakfast we start our trek today around 0830 hrs. Trail today was like walking on planes with small ascends and descends. There is a beautiful bridge at the entrance of the village. Actually its not entrance its backside of the village, for trekkers it is entrance. There are many restaurants, hotels, shop even a government hospital is there. Its a town not a village. Pretty nice place to stay for a day or two. Apple gardens, mountains all around and a river are x-factors of this town. Our stay was arranged in Hotel Hansraj. We arranged a grand lunch for our support team. After bidding goodbye to them we returned to our hotel rooms and complete bed rest. Finally our trek ended today. Great experiences, few proud moments standing on the highest point with Indian flag always proud feeling. Once again we completed our trek in time and left with two buffer days we kept for natural calamities. Our return journey bookings were scheduled two days later so we decided to visit nearby places.
Day in Chitkul: India's last village near china border.
Day in Rekong Peo.
Day well spent in Shimla.
Dehradun to Dhaula - 426 kms
Our train Doon express was 5 hours late. We reached Dehradun at 1130 hrs,our driver and our tenth member my friend Gajendra were already waiting for us at DDN. Hiraks friend came to meet us at railway station and brought lunch for all of us. We had our lunch at Judo and through Sankri, checkpost at Netwar we reachd Dhaula at 2215. Our guide joined us at Netwar. Our guide already arranged a home stay for us at Dhaula. After some briefing and introductory speech we commenced our dinner and slip into our sleeping bags.
Day2
Dhaula to Alikhadd - 11kms
Start at 0830 Hrs and Ends at 1330 Hrs
Weather was not in our favour. Moment we finished our breakfasts it started raining. Still our team leader sticked to the plan and left Dhaula at 0830 hrs. Rain wasnt heavy so our windcheaters were enough to resist, but few of us took out our Ponchos as well.
Trail after 4km is bit tough, inclination results in heavy breathing. This was a trail where we met a local lady Mrs Meena Rawat, coincidentally she was our guide Yogaraj's love interest in past. To tease Yogaraj that lady was flirting with one of our member, and we had great fun teasing him.
Trail today was moderate through dense forest, through small villages. Apple, aadun and akhrot gardens on both side of the trails. We saw tents and banners of India Hikes and Biket adventures at Sewa village. There was a beautiful temple made of wood around 40ft high wooden structure. Many shields n cups hanging over the main door of temple and many coins pressed on the walls.
We had our lunch at Sewa. It was a perfect camp site but our guide Yogaraj planned something else for us, he said, "not here we are going to camp at Alikhadd." Few more kilometres of down trail through the woods and suddenly we hear the sounds of running water. Few more steps we came out of the trees and standing on the banks of a stream cascading over huge boulders. Its a perfect stream for rafting. Its Rupin river. We reached at 1330 hrs and pitched our tents there. By the time we reached sky was clear no more clouds, sun was smiling at us, we tried to dry all our wet clothes and ponchos. Best thing happned was Golden Trouts. Few localites were catching fish they gave us fresh golden trouts. After a nice warm dinner we all slip into our sleeping bags.
Day 03
Alikhadd to Jakha - 13kms
Start at 0830 Hrs and Ends at 1530 Hrs
Beautiful sunny morning to start. First few kilometres Up trail through woods. We reached a road point from where u can get vehicles. This part was the easiest trail of around 4km which you can cover as fast as possible.
Again after few kilometres we were back in woods and streams. We left the road head near Barota village, there are few houses in that village and an old tea house with a shop. One thing noticed here was the cost of items, either at MRP or less than MRP, even in that remote village they were not charging extra amount from customers, otherwise at other tourist places they will charge you extra amount in the name of freezing charges or carrying charges etc etc.
Few more metres and again we were back on road head. This was one of the biggest village in that area, many shops and state govt office was there. Our guides love interest who left us at Sewa also reside here at Jiskun. A small drink break and again back on trail. From this village 1km down trail and u reach a beautiful wooden bridge. We had our lunch here, meanwhile our porter friends were busy collecting Linguda. Linguda is a local plant used as vegetable.
They served us in dinner. Trail after lunch was too tough, inclination was too much. We reached Jakha around 1530 hrs. Our guide arranged a homestay at Jakha. After little rest few of us decided to hang around the village. There is a beautiful temple at Dhara around 300m from Jakha. Two wooden structured temples side by side studded with coins, shields and trophies. Cricket is pretty famous in that part, all those shields and trophies are from different cricket tournament and matches held there. Spent an hour in that village Dhara ...click click click and then back to pavillion.
Hot maggi was served as evening snacks. Followed by health checkup , antakshari and for dinner local veggie Linguda collected from jungle earlier that day.
Day 04
Jakha to Bhuranskandi - 5.5km
Start at 0830 Hrs and Ends at 1230 Hrs
Today's target was Dhanderas Thwatch. 00Km from Jakha. We left Jakha around 0830hrs. Day started with tough inclination, as soon as we were out of the village trail was moderate to walk. After few kilomMeter we saw a small valley river passing by and a small wooden bridge over it. Guide signed us to proceed on that trail. Coming down the trail was bit tough, trail...actually it was not a trail it was edge of the mountain from where u have to go down and reach that bridge to crossover the river stream.
After few more metres of crossing the river we found a tea stall which is also a campsite. Bhurans kandi starts here...we took a short tea break and again back on track. Suddenly it started drizzling, we were under woods somehow proceeding but it turned into heavy shower. We were lucky to get a shelter there, a small ruined hut at right time right place.
Looking at the shower guide and our team leader decided to camp at Bhuranskandi. Due to bad weather we were forced to camp here. Todays target was Dhanderas thwatch but we pitched our tents here. It was a laziest day small trail to walk, lot of evening snacks, a heavy dinner and early bed ..ah not bed...sleeping bags.
Day 05
Bhuranskandi to Upper waterfall 08km
Start at 0730 Hrs and Ends at 1300 Hrs
We left early as weather was unpredictable. We left Bhurans kandi around 0730 hrs. Just 02 km trek and we reached India hikes camp site of Dhanderas Thwatch. Awesomeplace to camp...small valley with mountains both side and waterfall in front where we have to reach.
Day 06
Upper waterfall to Sangla kandi 16kms
Start at 0630 Hrs and Ends at 1450 Hrs
Next morning I unzipped my tents gate and it was all white, whole ground all the tents, snow everywhere. Last night rain and drop in temperature resulted this beauty. I started shouting and calling everyone. Immediately took out my camera and started clicking.
Today was our final day to reach the highest point of Rupin pass. We started around 0630 hrs and the ascend was too much towards Ratapheri. It took us one hour to reach Ratapheri. Weather condition worsened completely covered with black clouds and thundering. It can rain any time, as we reached Ratapheri clouds broke and it started raining actually not raining it was snowfall. One of the Best day of my life never witnessed so much of snow. Walking on the snow during snowfall cant explain inwords how i was feeling. As we reached near the Rupin pass highest point was just 300 metres ahead but the ascend was around 70 degree. It really showed us how tough it can be walking on the snow with your back pack in full capacity. We reached top of Rupin Pass at 0950 hrs. The weather today wasn't clear like we found in final day of Ronti saddle. After a small briefing by our guide and offering puja to the mighty lord. We stareted descending. Best idea todescend is to slide. We all enjoyed sliding down, but very careful about your body balance because with backpack its little risky to control. Last part of the trail today was not at all pleasant, completely muddy and slippery. After few kilometres we reached a meadow known as Sangla kandi, pitched our tents. We descended alot today no more high altitude sickness to anybody. Day ended with special dinner with desertdescend is to slide. We all enjoyed sliding down, but very careful about your body balance because with backpack its little risky to control. Last part of the trail today was not at all pleasant, completely muddy and slippery. After few kilometres we reached a meadow known as Sangla kandi, pitched our tents. We descended alot today no more high altitude sickness to anybody. Day ended with special dinner and desert made by Yograj our guide.
Day 07
Sangla kandi to Sangla
Start at 0830 Hrs and Ends at 1230 Hrs
Last day of our trek going to end at Sangla. After a heavy breakfast we start our trek today around 0830 hrs. Trail today was like walking on planes with small ascends and descends. There is a beautiful bridge at the entrance of the village. Actually its not entrance its backside of the village, for trekkers it is entrance. There are many restaurants, hotels, shop even a government hospital is there. Its a town not a village. Pretty nice place to stay for a day or two. Apple gardens, mountains all around and a river are x-factors of this town. Our stay was arranged in Hotel Hansraj. We arranged a grand lunch for our support team. After bidding goodbye to them we returned to our hotel rooms and complete bed rest. Finally our trek ended today. Great experiences, few proud moments standing on the highest point with Indian flag always proud feeling. Once again we completed our trek in time and left with two buffer days we kept for natural calamities. Our return journey bookings were scheduled two days later so we decided to visit nearby places.
Day in Chitkul: India's last village near china border.
Day in Rekong Peo.
Day well spent in Shimla.
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