🌄️ Borasu Pass Trek – A Himalayan Epic from Har Ki Dun to Kinnaur

By ShepherdTrail – Where Every Trail Tells a Story

🌄️ Introduction: When Trails Become Legends

There are treks that make you pause, breathe, and smile—and then there are treks that transform you. The Borasu Pass Trek, tucked away in the high reaches of the Indian Himalayas, is one such transformative journey. Connecting the lush valleys of Har Ki Dun in Uttarakhand with the arid, stark beauty of Chitkul in Himachal Pradesh, Borasu Pass is not just a trek—it’s a Himalayan epic.

As someone who has walked many trails, Borasu has remained etched in memory not just for its panoramic grandeur but for its spiritual pull. It’s the kind of route where each bend whispers stories of ancient trade routes, local shepherds, and the raw, indifferent might of the mountains. It demands grit, but rewards you with silence and awe in return.

If you’re an experienced trekker looking to truly experience the wild pulse of the Himalayas, Borasu Pass (approx. 5450 meters / 17,880 ft) might just be your pilgrimage.

📍 Trail Overview: From Green Valleys to Glacial Boulders

This is not a beginner’s trail. It’s high-altitude, remote, and often snow-laden even in summer. But for those prepared, it’s a trail that gives more than it takes.

🧭 How to Reach Base Camp (Sankri)

• By Road: Sankri is about 200 km from Dehradun and can be reached by shared jeeps or private taxis. The drive via Mussoorie, Purola, Mori, and Netwar is scenic but long (8–9 hours). Buses also ply early morning from Dehradun.
• By Train: Nearest major railway station is Dehradun, well connected with Delhi and other north Indian cities.
• By Air: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is the nearest airport, about 215 km away.

🚐 ShepherdTrail Tip: Arrive in Dehradun a day early and start early next morning for Sankri. Roads can be slow due to landslides or weather conditions.

🗺️ Route Itinerary: Day-by-Day

🚌 Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri (200 km / 8–9 hrs)

A long but scenic drive takes you from Dehradun to Sankri—your launchpad to many of Uttarakhand’s classic treks. Lush forests, river crossings, and glimpses of the Yamuna and Tons Rivers accompany your journey.

🌿 ShepherdTrail Tip: This long but scenic drive can take up to 8–9 hours, depending on road conditions. Stay at a local homestay in Sankri to acclimatize and absorb local culture. We recommend reaching a day early if time allows.

🧼 Day 2: Sankri to Taluka to Seema (Drive + Trek ~12 km)

A short bumpy drive to Taluka (10 km), followed by a gradual hike through pine-scented forests along the Supin River. You’ll pass through the quaint village of Gangad before reaching the Seema campsite across a hanging bridge.

🧼 Day 3: Seema to Har Ki Dun (~11 km)

A classic trail into the cradle-shaped Har Ki Dun valley. Ancient wooden houses of Osla greet you en route, and mythological tales of the Pandavas echo through the meadows.

Camp at Har Ki Dun with snow-capped peaks guarding you through the night.

🧼 Day 4: Har Ki Dun to Ratha Tho (8–9 km)

Leave behind popular trails. The landscape starts shifting—dense forests thin out, and glacial streams trickle down. Ratha Tho is a lesser-known campsite used by shepherds and nomads.

🌌 ShepherdTrail Moment: Stargazing from this high-altitude camp is surreal. The sky feels a handspan away.

🧼 Day 5: Ratha Tho to Saunbhera (~8 km)

Cross rugged moraine fields and undulating grasslands. Few signs of civilization. The trail becomes tougher but also more enchanting. Saunbhera sits under the watchful eye of glacier-fed peaks.

🧼 Day 6: Saunbhera to Borasu Base Camp (~7 km)

Prepare for altitude. The air thins. Snowfields and glaciers become the norm. Camp at the base of the mighty Borasu Pass. Final gear check, early dinner, and rest.

🔥 Critical Note: This is your final reliable water source before crossing the pass. Ensure all bottles are filled.

🧷 Day 7: Base Camp to Borasu Pass to Bonga (15–16 km)

The toughest day. Begin early—usually around 3–4 AM. Steep ascent over snow and boulders leads you to the Borasu Pass. At ~5450m, views of both Garhwal and Kinnaur ranges await.

Descent is tricky—loose rocks, slippery snow, and glacier crevasses demand caution. Camp at Bonga, a meadow after the descent.

🧼 Day 8: Bonga to Chitkul (7–8 km) and Drive to Sangla

Your Himalayan odyssey ends as you descend into the welcoming valley of Chitkul, the last village on the Indian side of the Indo-Tibet border. Apple orchards, wooden homes, and Buddhist flags fluttering in the wind.

Take a break, have a thukpa, and drive to Sangla to celebrate your conquest.

🌿 Flora, Fauna & Folklore

🌺 Flora

In the early summer, the trail blooms with alpine flowers—rhododendrons, blue poppies, and dwarf irises. As you climb higher, moss-laced boulders and hardy grasses dominate the stark snowline landscape.

🐾 Fauna

The Govind National Park is home to Himalayan monals, musk deer, and even the elusive snow leopard—though sightings are rare. On our previous treks, we’ve heard distant howls and seen pugmarks—reminders that you walk amidst wild royalty.

🕉️ Folklore & Legends

Har Ki Dun valley is steeped in Mahabharata legends, believed to be the path the Pandavas took on their final journey to heaven. Borasu, once a trade link, carries the weight of yak caravans and whispered prayers.

ShepherdTrail Insight: It’s not just a landscape—it’s a living memory. Ask your local guide for stories—they’re better than any map.

⚠️ Seasonal Challenges & Comparisons

❄️ Snow & Weather

Even in June, snow lingers on the pass. Post-monsoon (September) offers crisper skies but colder nights. May treks often encounter soft snow and black ice—crampons or microspikes are highly recommended.

🧭 Compared to Other High Pass Treks

• Borasu vs. Bali Pass: Borasu is longer, higher, and wilder. Less trafficked.
• Borasu vs. Pin Bhaba: Borasu is more alpine, lacks village stops like Bhaba.
• Borasu vs. Rupin Pass: Less photogenic perhaps, but far more meditative.

Each pass tells its own story. Borasu, in ours, remains the most humbling.

🧳 Gear & Packing List

Beyond essentials, we recommend:

• Down Mittens + Hand Warmers
• Snow Goggles (essential for summit day)
• Trekking Thermos for warm drinks above 4000m
• Multi-layer Socks to combat cold toes
• Dry Bags to waterproof your gear

Trail Wisdom: The mountain doesn’t care how new your gear is—it cares how prepared you are.

📝 A Day from the Trail: Trekker’s Journal Entry

“3:30 AM. Stars above like scattered salt. The silence is sacred. I tighten my crampons. Ascent begins. Each step—laborious, breathless. 5:45 AM—we reach the pass. No words. Just wind, prayer flags, and tears. On the other side, Himachal unfurls like a forgotten story. We descend, quietly. Lungs burning, heart full. Borasu, you gave us everything.”

❗ Safety, Acclimatization & Permissions

• Spend at least a day in Sankri or Har Ki Dun to acclimatize.
• Always hire certified guides—especially for glacier navigation.
• Permissions for Govind National Park are required.
• No mobile signal after Sankri.
• Watch for symptoms of AMS: headache, nausea, dizziness.

🍲 Food & Water on the Trail

There are no food shops or huts after Osla. Our crew carries:

• High-calorie meals (khichdi, pasta, soups)
• Morning chai and hot porridge
• Filtered water, always

On one of our treks, a sudden snowstorm delayed us. Our stove and Hans Butane Canisters ensured warm soup under a rock shelter. Gear saves lives.

🌦️ Weather & Best Season

• May to Mid-June: Blooming valleys, challenging snowfields
• September to October: Golden landscapes, clear skies, bone-chilling nights

Avoid monsoon (July–August) due to landslides and overflowing streams.

🌱 Sustainability & Community

Borasu lies in an ecologically fragile belt. At ShepherdTrail:

• We carry trash bags for all waste
• We use reusable cutlery and water filters
• We employ local porters and guides, directly benefiting the economy

Every trek is an opportunity to give back.

🧡 Final Reflection: Where the Wild Still Roams Free

The Borasu Pass Trek isn’t just about crossing a physical barrier—it’s about immersing yourself into a world where wildness still has a voice, where the land shapes the pace, and where silence carries the stories of traders, pilgrims, and shepherds.

It’s a trail that humbles you, tests your resilience, and leaves you craving the crackle of mountain wind even after you’ve returned.

“There are treks that end when the trail ends. Borasu Pass isn’t one of them.”

📞 Planning to Trek Borasu Pass?

We operate small-group and custom-guided Borasu Pass Treks with certified local guides. If you’re planning your next high-altitude adventure:

👈 Call/WhatsApp us at 7340973455
🌐 Visit www.shepherdtrail.in for details

ShepherdTrail – Where Every Trail Tells a Story