Kinnaur to Garhwal Himalayan Trek | Sangla to Yamunotri Guided Route India

🕒 Travel Time: 6–7 hours
🗻 Altitude: 2,200 m
📈 Altitude Gain: 2,000 m

Travel on the legendary Delhi to Shimla toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage route famed for its scenic tunnels, pine forests, and panoramic Himalayan views. On arrival in Shimla, explore colonial-era architecture, temples, and lively bazaars that showcase the charm of Himachal Pradesh’s most iconic hill station.

🗻 Altitude: 2,200 m

Spend the day exploring Shimla, the summer capital of British India, known for its colonial charm and panoramic Himalayan views. Visit sacred temples like Jakhoo Temple, stroll along the Mall Road, and admire the architecture of Christ Church and the Viceregal Lodge. This relaxed day helps you acclimatize while enjoying the cultural richness of Himachal Pradesh.

🚗 Driving Distance: 170 km
🕒 Driving Time: 7–8 hours
🗻 Altitude: 2,130 m
📉 Altitude Loss: 70 m

Drive through pine-covered ridges and terraced hillsides as you make your way to Sarahan, a charming Himalayan town overlooking the Sutlej Valley. Famous for the stunning Bhimakali Temple, Sarahan is an important cultural and spiritual stop on the way to Kinnaur. Enjoy the panoramic views of snow-clad peaks and the peaceful atmosphere of this heritage town.

🚗 Driving Distance: 95 km
🕒 Driving Time: 5–6 hours
🗻 Altitude: 2,700 m
📈 Altitude Gain: 570 m

Travel deeper into Kinnaur as you leave Sarahan and drive along the Sutlej River through narrow gorges and dramatic cliffs. Arrive in the beautiful Sangla Valley, where the Baspa River winds through apple orchards, cedar forests, and traditional wooden villages. This valley is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most scenic gems, offering breathtaking mountain views and a perfect base for exploration.

🚗 Driving Distance: 22 km
🕒 Driving Time: 1 hour
🗻 Altitude: 3,450 m
📈 Altitude Gain: 750 m

Travel to Chitkul, the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibetan border, renowned for its wooden houses, Buddhist temples, and pristine alpine setting. Nestled on the banks of the Baspa River, Chitkul offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and meadows dotted with wildflowers. This remote Himalayan village combines natural beauty with cultural richness, making it one of the highlights of the Kinnaur Valley.

🥾 Trekking Distance: 10–12 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
🗻 Altitude: 3,700 m
📈 Altitude Gain: 250 m

Begin your Himalayan trek from Chitkul, gradually climbing through lush meadows, alpine forests, and shepherd trails. The route offers sweeping views of the Baspa Valley and snow-capped ridges as you ascend toward Doria Camp. Tonight’s campsite lies amidst pristine high-altitude landscapes, offering a perfect start to your Kinnaur–Garhwal trekking adventure.

🥾 Trekking Distance: 12–14 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
🗻 Altitude: 4,000 m
📈 Altitude Gain: 300 m

Leave Doria Camp behind as the trail climbs steadily into higher altitude terrain, with meadows giving way to rocky paths and glacial streams. The trek to Zupika Gad rewards you with dramatic views of snow-bound ridges and alpine valleys. Tonight’s campsite at Zupika Gad offers a true wilderness experience, surrounded by raw Himalayan landscapes under a canopy of stars.

🥾 Trekking Distance: 14–16 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 7–8 hours
🗻 Altitude: 4,700 m 
📈 Altitude Gain: 1,450 m 
📉 Altitude Loss: 750 m 
🏔️ Pass Altitude: 5,450 m (Barasu Pass)

This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. The trail climbs steeply to Barasu Pass (5,450 m), offering breathtaking views of the Garhwal Himalayas and distant peaks of Uttarakhand. After celebrating the high point, descend carefully to the alpine meadows of Lal Pathar, where you’ll set up camp amid wild, untouched landscapes.

🥾 Trekking Distance: ~14–16 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
🗻 Altitude: 3,500 m (Har Ki Doon)
📉 Altitude Loss: 1,200 m (from Lal Pathar 4,700 m to Har Ki Doon 3,500 m)

Descend into the breathtaking valley of Har Ki Doon, one of the most famous treks in the Garhwal Himalayas. Known as the “Valley of Gods”, Har Ki Doon is surrounded by snow-covered peaks, alpine meadows, and dense pine forests. The trail follows ancient shepherd routes and offers cultural encounters with remote villages, making this day both scenic and deeply enriching.

🥾 Trekking Distance: 12–14 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
🗻 Altitude: 2,600 m
📉 Altitude Loss: 900 m

Descend from the alpine meadows of Har Ki Doon into the charming village of Osla, known for its wooden houses and unique Garhwali culture. The trail winds through terraced fields, pine forests, and mountain streams, offering stunning views of the Swargarohini peaks. Staying in Osla gives trekkers a chance to experience authentic Himalayan village life and connect with warm local traditions.

🥾 Trekking Distance: ~14–16 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
🗻 Altitude: 3,600 m (Ruinsara Tal)
📈 Altitude Gain: 1,000 m (from Osla 2,600 m to Ruinsara Tal 3,600 m)

Ascend from Osla through dense forests and alpine meadows to reach the pristine Ruinsara Tal, a glacial lake surrounded by snow-draped peaks of the Swargarohini range. The trail is rich with rhododendrons, birch trees, and vibrant birdlife, offering a blend of natural beauty and cultural legends tied to the Mahabharata. Camping by the shimmering lake under starry skies makes this one of the most unforgettable highlights of the trek.

🥾 Trekking Distance: ~10–12 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
🗻 Altitude: 4,200 m 
📈 Altitude Gain: 600 m

Climb steadily from Ruinsara Tal along rugged moraines and alpine pastures to reach the base camp of Yamunotri Pass. This high-altitude campsite lies in the shadow of snowbound ridges, offering spectacular views of the Bandarpunch and Swargarohini peaks. The evening is spent acclimatizing and preparing for the upcoming crossing of Yamunotri Pass, one of the most adventurous segments of the trek.

🥾 Trekking Distance: 14–16 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 7–8 hours
🗻 Altitude: 3,300 m
📈 Altitude Gain: 950 m 
📉 Altitude Loss: 1,850 m
🏔️ Pass Altitude: 5,150 m (Yamunotri Pass)

This is one of the most adventurous and demanding days of the trek, as you cross the mighty Yamunotri Pass (5,150 m). The ascent offers awe-inspiring views of Bandarpunch, Swargarohini, and the Garhwal ranges, followed by a thrilling descent into Damni. This route combines high-altitude challenge with cultural significance, as Yamunotri is a revered pilgrimage site of the Char Dham, making the day both spiritually and physically rewarding.

🥾 Trekking Distance: 5–6 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
🗻 Altitude: 3,293 m
📉 Altitude Loss: 7 m

Descend on a scenic trail leading to the revered shrine of Yamunotri, the source of the holy Yamuna River and one of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites. Surrounded by thermal springs, snow-capped ridges, and lush forests, Yamunotri blends natural grandeur with deep spiritual energy. Pilgrims and trekkers alike are moved by the powerful atmosphere of this Himalayan sanctuary.

🥾 Trekking Distance: 13–14 km
🕒 Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
🗻 Altitude: 2,400 m
📉 Altitude Loss: 893 m

Descend along the sacred Yamuna valley, following forested trails, mountain streams, and pilgrim routes until you reach Hanuman Chatti, a vibrant settlement at the junction of the Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers. This is an important gateway for Yamunotri pilgrims, offering a mix of cultural vibrancy and Himalayan landscapes. It’s the perfect place to rest and reflect on completing one of the most rewarding treks in the Garhwal Himalayas.

🚗 Driving Distance: 220 km
🕒 Driving Time: 8–9 hours
🗻 Altitude: 340 m
📉 Altitude Loss: 2,060 m

Drive down from the Himalayas through winding valleys and river gorges to reach Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world. In the evening, witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti on the ghats, stroll across the iconic suspension bridges, and explore the vibrant atmosphere of this spiritual town on the banks of the Ganges.

🗻 Altitude: 340 m

Spend the day exploring Rishikesh, the spiritual heart of India and a true sanctuary of saints and sadhus. Visit sacred ashrams and temples along the Ganges, walk across the famous Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges, and soak in the town’s vibrant spiritual energy. In the evening, witness the soul-stirring Ganga Aarti ceremony, where chants, lamps, and the river itself create a mesmerizing atmosphere of devotion.

🚗 Driving Distance: 240 km
🕒 Driving Time: 6–7 hours
🗻 Altitude: 200 m 
📉 Altitude Loss: 140 m

Drive down from the Himalayan foothills, stopping in Haridwar, one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage cities on the banks of the Ganges. Visit its vibrant ghats, temples, and markets, and if time permits, witness the morning rituals along the river. Continue onward to Delhi, where your Himalayan journey concludes, leaving you with memories of mountain trails, spiritual encounters, and cultural discoveries.

🗻 Altitude: 200 m

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for your onward flight. Take with you unforgettable memories of the Himalayas — from Kinnaur’s wooden villages and Sangla Valley to Yamunotri’s sacred trail and the ghats of Rishikesh.