Ruinsara is a holy lake present in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarkashi district at an elevation of 3500 meters. It is near River Supin’s source and at the base of Black Peak. It is famous for its green grasslands, alpine vegetation and Rhododendrons. This place is related to Hindu Mythology and villagers believe and tell that Pandavas took this route for their ascent to Heaven through Swargarohini and they roamed in the forests here during their exile period of 14 years. On this trek you will go through some of the most beautiful Himalayan villages with wooden houses and temples in which they worship their God. Explore the culture followed by these villagers and know them in close proximity
8 days
Daily Tour
English, Hindi
Unlimited
Sankri base camp can be reached in 8 to 10 hours from Dehradun. You can take a cab from Dehradun railway station at 6:30 in the morning. It’s a picturesque drive to Sankri, you will get fetching views through your window, and the drive will be through Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainbagh, Damta, Newman, Purola, Mori, Netwar these are beautiful places in the Himalayas. Sankri lies in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarkashi district, it is a village with a mini market famous for wooden huts which serve delectable food. The village offers a beautiful view of the sun setting behind the greater Himalayas. The peaks of Swargarohini shimmer in the evening sun, standing tall over the ridges beyond Sankri. We rest at night in a guest house or in camps.
Take morning breakfast and then leave for Taluka by taxi, it is 11 km away from Sankri when you reach there take a short break and start your trek towards Cheludgad, the trail takes you through dense pine forest, varieties of animals live in this region as it is rich in Flora and Fauna. The trail is rough and is not in a very good condition. You’ll come across a spot where you can climb down to a tributary of River Thamsa. Look for a wooden bridge to cross this river, which is just below Datmir village. After crossing the tributary, you’ll reach a camping ground in a couple of minutes. From here, facing the inner part of the valley, locate two trails, one moving upwards and another going straight ahead. Take the second route straight ahead. As the essence of past is still alive in the mountains, walking ahead, you will witness harvest fields of potato, millet, and maize will fall on the way giving the whole stretch a ranch house feel. We continue our hike and after about an hour’s walk, the quaint village of Osla unfolds itself. Seema is a tiny settlement opposite to the river from Osla. We set camp here or stay in a hut with a local family in the village.
Morning at breakfast and with hot lunch camp side Trek Start to Devsu Bugeyal on a gradual ascent that offers excellent views of the snow-covered mountains and vast valleys with huge waterfalls. Now, go through thick forest of Pines and Oaks, walk under the shade of trees with crumbling sound of leaves. This place has rich alpine vegetation and it is home to a number of Himalayan birds and animals which can be spotted on the way to campsite. As you cross the mountain bend, you are greeted with the sight of the Har Ki Dun peak and Hata Peak, below which is Har-ki-Dun valley. The campsite is now only 4 km away through pine forests and meadows.
Reach Devsu Bugyal after a steep uphill trek, there you will witness the alluring greenery and undulating meadows all around. This is a great place for camping with amusing views of Kala Nag (Black Peak). Setup the tents and spend your night comfortably there.
Leave the campsite of Devsu Bugyal and head towards Ruinsara Lake, the trek is long so carry lunch to have in middle of the trek. After ascending you will be mesmerised by the close views of mountains covered in snow with cascading waterfalls. The trail is totally loaded up with silver birch or Bhoj Patra trees and is generally rough. Post rainstorm this lake is encompassed with greenery while after witer it would seem that a high frigid lake with huge pieces of ice in the middle. There is a stark difference in the vegetation with pine and fir giving way to birch and rhododendron. Ruinsara lake is a lovely lake surrounded by meadows and rhododendron bushes.
The area is home to a number of rare species of Himalayan birds Animal and around area Bhojpatra Tree and Dinner and overnight Ruinsara lake camp side stay at tent!!
Today you can rest at this campsite or explore the nearby areas. Ahead lies a campsite Thanga, cross a river to reach there it is on the way to Bali Pass.
The lake is surrounded with unmanned peaks but the trail ahead goes to the famous Bali Pass trek. Further walking into the trail will lead you to the Kyarakoti Glacier which is the base camp of the challenging Back Peak aka Kalanag. You can also see the hanging glaciers of Swargarohini from this lake. It will be the best campground of this adventure as you will be encompassed with a floor covering of grass on the ground. Encompassed by a cover of trees, with snow loaded mountains ahead and the dark blue sky above. In case you're fortunate you can recognize some Himalayan winged creatures like Monal and Pheasant, and creatures like dark jaguar and Himalayan bear.
On Ruinsara lake start with breakfast and Pack lunch Trek Start to Ruinsara Lake on a gradual ascent that offers excellent views of the snow-covered mountains and vast valleys with huge waterfalls. Today the trail will take you back in time as we trek to the ancient village of Gangaad. The trail will continue between the forests full of Chir Pine, Needle pine, various ferns and flowering trees. While you will walk on this trail you will see the trekkers going for the Har Ki Dun trek on the parallel side of the trail. Converse with local people, about their town, their history, their sustenance and culture.
The course will keep on taluka a similar route as the day you started. It will generally take 3-4 hrs on a normal pace. The vehicles will take you from Taluka to Sakri and you reach in the late evening. You can get some neighborhood made items in Gangaad, for example, Wool, Honey, Herbs, Organic Rajma, Red rice and so on.
Day 2. Reach Taluka, take a small break there. The trek ends here vehicles will be arranged for Sankri
On your 8th day, you will drive from Sankri to Dehradun that will take around 10 to 11 hrs to reach so that the drive will start early in the morning.
The trek to Ruinsara Lake concludes today as we leave Sankri and reach Dehradun by late afternoon on this day.