Ruinsara Lake Trek
Ruinsara is a glacial lake at the base of Kalanag, also known as Black Mountain, at an elevation of 3,500 metres. Because of the mythical Mahabharata tales, it is considered sacred. It’s near the Supin River’s headwaters. Ruinsara Lake is 1.7 kilometres long, flanked on all sides by green meadows and magnificent mountains, offering a tranquil and pristine atmosphere for nature lovers. The Govind National Park in Uttarkashi is home to the Ruinsara Lake hike, which is renowned for its rich flora and fauna. The lake is surrounded by dense, untouched meadows that are used as pastureland by shepherds. After that, the trail proceeds to Bali Pass. The high Himalayan hills that ring Ruinsara Lake have stunning views. The Swargarohini ranges, Bandarpoonch, and Black peak can all be seen from afar. Because of the stunning scenery, this trek is well worth doing.
Itinerary
Our meeting point is the Dehradun Railway Station or ISBT, where we will meet and then travel to Sankri. You can eat your breakfast at Kempty Fall, which is a popular picnic spot with a waterfall. At Purola, you can stop for lunch in the middle of your trip. It’s a beautiful drive to Sankri; you’ll get beautiful views out your window as you pass through Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainbagh, Damta, Newman, Purola, Mori, and Netwar, all of which are beautiful Himalayan towns. Sankri is a village with a mini-market in Uttarkashi district’s Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its wooden huts that serve delectable food. Here you’ll find apple orchards and plenty of greenery.
After breakfast, take a taxi to Taluka, which is 11 km from Sankri. Once there, take a quick break before beginning your trek to Cheludgad. The trail passes through thick pine forest, where a variety of animals live due to the region’s rich flora and fauna. The trail is difficult to navigate and in poor shape. Trees follow you on your journey through the thick jungle, and Langoors can be seen dangling from one tree to the next. Birds can be seen chirping and unusual species of birds can be found. This is where Uttarakhand’s state pigeon, the “Himalayan Monal,” can be found.
Today’s hike is 7 kilometres long, so bring a packed lunch. Begin climbing towards Devsu Bugyal, where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, vast valleys, and cascading waterfalls. Now stroll through a dense forest of Pines and Oaks, under the canopy of trees with the sound of leaves crumbling. This location has abundant alpine foliage and is home to a variety of Himalayan birds and animals that can be seen on the way to the campsite. After a steep uphill climb, you’ll arrive at Devsu Bugyal, where you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery and undulating meadows. This is a fantastic camping spot with spectacular views of Kala Nag (Black Peak). Set up the tents and spend the night there peacefully. If you don’t have enough time to get to Cheludgad camp, there is a campsite 2 kilometres ahead of Taluka near a stream that serves as the campsite’s water supply. Set up camp, eat dinner, and sleep in tents.
Leave Devsu Bugyal’s campsite and head towards Ruinsara Lake; the trek is long, so bring a lunch to eat in the centre. You will be mesmerised by the near views of snow-covered mountains and cascading waterfalls as you climb. The road is muddy and some sections are slick, so proceed with caution; after this segment, you must cross a bridge over Supin. This holy Lake is surrounded by peaks and provides breathtaking views of pristine mountains – Black Top, Swargarohini (I) (II) (III), Bandarpoonch, and the Ruinsara range – after a steep climb. Pitch the tents in the perfect place and retire for the night after a delicious meal.
Today, you can relax at this beautiful campsite or go exploring in the surrounding areas. A campsite called Thanga is located ahead, and you must cross a river to get there. It is located on the road to Bali Pass. You will travel to Swargarohini’s and Black Peak’s base. The Dhumdar Kandi Pass route is also accessible (5,490 m). Return to the campsite after visiting these locations.
Retrace your steps back to Devsu Bugyal, where you’ll be greeted by the same breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and deep valleys. Arrive at the campsite, pitch your tent in the middle of the meadow, eat tasty food, and sleep in tents.
Begin your descent to Taluka from Devsu Bugyal, passing through Seema, your Day 2 campsite. Arrive in Taluka and take a short rest. The trek will come to an end here, and buses will be arranged to take you to Sankri. Proceed to the hotel Swargarohini in Sankri, where arrangements will be made.
Leave early for Dehradun so that you can arrive around 6:00 p.m.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Transportation: Dehradun to Taluka and back by Bolero/Traveller.
- Accommodation: Stay from Sankri to Sankri is included. Accommodations include a guest house or permanent camp at Sankri and camping tents at the campsites, all on a triple-sharing basis.
- Meals: All meals from Dinner at Sankri on the Arrival Day to breakfast at Sankri on the Last Day are included. We provide simple, nutritious, and healthy food daily on the trek. *Note: Meal variety is subject to change depending on availability.
- Typical items included in the meals are:
- Breakfast: Wake-up Tea/Coffee, Biscuits, Aloo Paratha with Achaar, Boiled Egg, Bread with Butter/Jam, Fruit, etc.
- Lunch: Roti/Chapati, Rice/Chawal, Manchurian Rice, Salad, Dal (Rajma), Mixed-Veg, Kofta Curry, etc.
- Snacks: Tea, Coffee, Pakoda, Finger Chips, Veg Cutlet, Maggi, Soup, Popcorn, etc.
- Dinner:Roti/Chapati, Rice/Chawal, Matar Paneer, Mixed Dal, Salad, Papad, Sweets (Gulab Jamun, Jalebi), Fruit Custard, etc.
- Permit: Forest permit charges are included.
- Tent & Sleeping Bag: Quality tents, mattresses, and sleeping bags are provided in the camps, along with a liner.
- First Aid Kits: Carried by our trek leaders and guides. Emergency medical issues are addressed with utmost care.
- Adept Trek Leaders and Team Members: Our local Himalayan team includes professional trek leaders with mountaineering qualifications and familiarity with the local terrain. The team also includes well-trained guides, cooks, and helpers.
Cost Excludes
- Food During Road Journey: Meals between Dehradun and Sankri are not included.
- Backpack Offloading Charges: An additional charge of Rs-350/- per bag per day for offloading, with a maximum weight limit of 10 kg per backpack.
- *Note: Suitcases/trolleys/duffel bags are not allowed. Offloading during the trek is subject to prior arrangement.
- Stay & Unplanned Transport: Accommodation in Dehradun or any unplanned transportation, which is not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Personal Expenses: Any kind of personal expense is not included in the cost.
- Rescue Cost: Expenses for any trekker needing to be sent back or rescued.
- Others: Anything not listed in the inclusions.