Kuari Pass Trek

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About Tour Package

Kuari Pass is famous as a winter trek in Uttarakhand, India. Located in the Chamoli district, the trail begins from the quaint village of Dhak and passes through beautiful forests and meadows before reaching the high-altitude Kuari Pass. It’s an easy to moderate trek, suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. Covering a total distance of around 33 kilometers as a round trip, the route reaches a maximum altitude of 12,516 feet (3,815 meters) and rewards trekkers with breathtaking views of Mt. Nanda Devi and other majestic peaks of the Uttarakhand Himalayas.

Kuari Pass trek is a journey through meadows, forests, and snowfields, offering something special in every season. In winter, the trail turns into a pristine white wonderland, perfect for those seeking the magic of snow. During other seasons, the landscape comes alive in vibrant hues, each telling its own story through changing colors and moods. Whether you are a nature lover or an adventure seeker, Kuari Pass offers an unforgettable experience amidst the stunning landscapes of Uttarakhand.

The trail takes you through ancient oak and rhododendron forests, across expansive meadows like Gorson Bugyal, and ultimately rewards you with jaw-dropping views of some of the most iconic peaks in the Indian Himalayas.

Kuari Pass offers stunning view of India’s 2nd highest mountain Mt. Nanda Devi (7817 m), which is not just clearly visible but is closer than ever. You can spot other Himalayan peaks like Chaukhamba (7014 m), Kamet (7756 m), Hathi Parbat (6727 m), Gauri Parbat (6708 m), Neelkanth (6500 m), Mana (7274 m), Deoban (6855 m), Trishul (7120 m), etc., clearly and closely on this trek. Such breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks are not common on most treks in Uttarakhand.

Read further to understand the itinerary, best time to visit, trek difficulty, and essential tips, and make your experience of trekking in Uttarakhand even more memorable.

Region

Uttarakhand

Base camp

Joshimath

Duration

6 Days

Grade

Easy to Moderate

Distance

33 km

Altitude

12,500 ft/ 3800 m

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath

Drive Distance: 250 km

Drive Time 9-10 hours

Altitude 6,150 ft

Highlights A scenic drive with a view of the Uttarakhand Himalayas

Joshimath is 250 km away from Rishikesh, which takes around 9-10 hours to reach. We will start our journey early in the morning to cover the distance in daylight and have ample time to acclimatise to higher altitudes. The road journey will be filled with incredible Himalayan mountain views, rivers and their confluence, which, in the Sanskrit language, is called “Prayag”. During our drive, we will encounter 4 out of 5 prayags. First, we will come across “Devprayag” (the last one), where the Alaknanda River meets Bhagirathi to form the holy river Ganga. Next, we will see Rudraprayag (4th), where Alaknanda meets the Mandakini River. At Karnaprayag (3rd), Alaknanda meets the Pindar river. Lastly, at Nandprayag(2nd), Alaknanda meets the Nandakini river. We will spend the night at Joshimath and get recharged for the trek the next day.
Tip
It is advised that trekkers reach Rishikesh on Day 0, which is a day prior, to avoid delays. The bonus point is that by reaching Day 0, you can take a short tour of Rishikesh. Another option is to experience thrilling water activities available, like river rafting in Rishikesh.

Day 2: Drive from Joshimath to Dhak Village and Hike to Gulling Top

Trek Distance: 5 km

Trek Time 2-3 hours

Altitude Gain 2,850 ft ↗

Altitude 9600 ft

Dhak village is 11.1 drive away from Joshimath, which takes approx 45 mins – 1 hour to cover. After this short drive to Dhak village, our trek starts towards Gulling Top via Tugasi village, our first campsite.

The trail will be a bit steep from the beginning as we hike up and a few abrupt “T” turns will add fun to the twisting ways. The route towards Gulling is filled with trees of oaks, maple, pine, and walnuts, giving you a chance to enjoy fresh nuts right off the tree. The gulling top is a vast open field providing beautiful views of various snow-covered mountain peaks like Mt. Dronagiri.

Look out for the sparkling stream of Dhauli Ganga in the nearby chasm and Vishnugad Tapovan Power Station on the way. We will reach the upper Tugasi region via Kharchi village and, after another short hike, be welcomed by a calm forest and colourful bed of flowers at Gulling Top, given the season you decide to trek.

After our hike for the day, we will stretch and enjoy a delicious hot dinner.

Day 3: Trek from Gulling to Khullara Top

Total Trek distance & Time: 6 km, 4 hrs

Altitude Gain 12,500 ft

Today, we will cover the most anticipated trek part, the Summit Top. Though the climb is technical, it is steep, and during winter, snow takes the difficulty a level up. The way to the summit is through ridge walking via two ridges, though it is not a narrow walk. The first ridge will be inclined as we go upwards, and the second one open up to an open space at the top. From the top, you can spot all the peaks mentioned before, like Mt. Nanda Ghunti and Trishul, but a closer look just hits differently. The summit provides you with perfect and closer views of the Himalayan ranges.

Day 4: Trek from Khullara to Kuari Pass Back to Khullara

Trek Distance: 5 km (to & fro)

Trek Time 7-8 hours

Altitude Gain 1,500 ft ↗

Altitude ~12,516 ft

We will cover the most awaited part of the trek today, which is the summit of Kuari Top and Kuari Pass. Both Kuari Top and Kuari Pass are at the same altitude at a short distance between them. The trek today will be long but worth every step. After a steep climb of 1.5 km, you’ll walk on a ridge famously known as “Lord Curzon Trail”. Our trek will continue on this ridge and inclines, finally leading to Kuari Top. From here, you can clearly see many peaks like Dronagiri, Hathi Parvat, Chaukhamba, Neekanth, and so on. After a short descent from the top and a few kms, you’ll reach Kuari Pass. The trail remains the same for both Kuari Top and Kuari Pass, as both are at the same altitude. You will see the trail covered in thick sheets of snow during winter, with enchanting scenery of the surroundings. Be prepared with warm layers of clothing and all the necessary items to enjoy the snow the best. We will retrace back to our campsite – Khullara, and rest well after today’s moderate hike.

Day 5: Trek from Khullara to Joshimath

Trek Distance: 12 km

Trek Time 5-6 hours

After taking a well-deserved rest, we will start our descent back to Joshimath via the same route, enjoying everything all over again. It will take us around 5-6 hours to reach back. From Dhak, we will take a taxi back to Joshimath. It will be 1 hour drive only. Upon reaching back, you are free to take a stroll through the town or rest and relax your muscles.

Day 6: Drive back from Joshimath to Rishikesh

This is the final day of the trek, with only a drive of around 9–10 hours. We are expected to reach Rishikesh by 8-9 p.m., although this may vary depending on the road conditions along the route.

Drive Time	9-10 hours
Altitude	6,150 ft
Highlights	A scenic drive with a view of the Uttarakhand Himalayas

Trek Time	2-3 hours
Altitude Gain	2,850 ft ↗
Altitude	9600 ft

Altitude Gain	12,500 ft

Trek Time	7-8 hours
Altitude Gain	1,500 ft ↗
Altitude	~12,516 ft

Trek Time	5-6 hours

Package Features List

Include Features

Transportation from Rishikesh to Joshimath and back
2 night stay in a guest house and 3 night stay in tents on triple and quad sharing basis
Meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 6 breakfast
All the required forest and camping permits
Sleeping bags, Mattresses, Tents, and dining tent
First aid kit with oxygen cylinder
Certified Trek Leader
Trek completion certificate

Exclude Features

Live Medical Test & Fitness Certificate (Mandatory)
Meals during the transfer
5% GST
Any items not mentioned in the inclusion
Personal backpack offloading (can be arranged at additional fee of INR 3,000 per bag upto 12kg)
Any expenses arising from emergencies or personal expenses
Double sharing stay (available at an additional cost of INR 1500 per person for the entire trek)

Frequently Asked & Question

In the autumn months (September to October), daytime temperatures typically range between 10 °C to 15 °C, while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 0 °C to -5 °C. However, temperatures vary with altitude. As you ascend the trail, you’ll notice different temperatures at campsites like Gulling and Khulara and in trails above them. During the winter months (November to February), the trail is blanketed in snow. Daytime temperatures generally range from 5 °C to 10 °C, while nighttime temperatures fall below freezing and can drop to -10 °C or even lower. During the summer months (March to June), daytime temperatures range from 8 °C to 20 °C, while nighttime temperatures remain between 5 °C and 8 °C. Please note: Temperatures depend heavily on current weather conditions. Continuous rain or strong cold winds can make it feel much colder than usual. Therefore, trekkers are strongly advised to carry properly insulated woollen clothing in their backpacks.

Nanda Devi Peak and Dronagiri Peak, these peaks can be clearly visible if the weather is good. But the view of Hathi Parbat is the mountain that will take your breath away as it seems like it is just standing right in front of you.

No, there are no charging points during the trek and we would like to suggest that you should charge all your gadgets one night before going on the trek at Joshimath.

You will get snow at Kuari Pass from late November or early December till February.

The nearest ATM to the Kuari pass is in Joshimath. But we would suggest you take some cash from Rishikesh as it will be safer for you.