Kuari Pass Trek 2024 | Kuari Pass Trek Guide 2024 | Kuari Pass Trek Complete Trek Guide | Kuari Pass Trek Best time to Visit | Kuari Pass Trek itinerary | Treks in Uttarakhand
Kuari Pass
Kuari Pass Trek, situated at an altitude of 3815 meters (12516 feet) above sea level, is one of the few winter treks done in Uttarakhand in which you get to see everything from rhododendron trees to lush green grass to snow-covered lakes. But despite this, the main attraction of the Kuari Pass trek is the amazing views of the highest snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas visible from this trek summit.
In fact, from the summit of Kuari Pass Trek, you get a close-up view of not just one but many snow-capped peaks whose height is 7000 meters and above. Apart from the Chaukhamba Range (7138 m) extending from Kuari Pass to Tibet, you will also get the Himalayan peaks like Kamet (7756 m), Mana (7272 m), Abal Gamin (7355 m), Dunagiri (7066 m) and Changbang (6864 m). Views of the highest peaks can be seen.
Apart from all these, some such peaks are also visible which extend from the Nanda Devi Sanctuary of the Himalayas to West Gangotri. Nanda Ghunti (6309 m), Hathi Ghoda Parvat (6727 m), Neelkanth (6500 m), Mukut Parvat (7242 m) and Rishi Pahar (6992 m) are some of the peaks which can be easily seen from here. Apart from the peaks visible from Kuari Pass, there is one more thing that makes this trek different from other Himalayan treks, and that is the different routes to start this trek.
Mainly, the Kuari Pass trek starts from Joshimath but later on, many other routes of this trek also open up. The main attractions of the Kuari Pass trek route are Gorson Bugyal and Auli. Gorson Bugyal is a huge grassland that comes during the Kuari Pass trek, where you can see the vast pastures in the Himalayas. Apart from this, who has yet to learn about Auli which is world famous for skiing, if you spend extra time during this track, you can also enjoy skiing in Auli during this track.
Despite all this, there are some more questions related to the Kuari Pass trek whose answers I will try to give you in this post….
01 Where does the Kuari Pass trek start?
02 How much time does it take for the Kuari Pass trek?
03 What facilities are available during the Kuari Pass trek?
04 Is Kuari Pass Trek safe?
05 How much does the Kuari Pass trek cost?
06 What is the best time to trek Kuari Pass?
07 What is the history of Kuari Pass?
08 How difficult is the Kuari Pass trek?
History Of Kuari Pass Trek
Kuari Pass, one of the famous winter treks of Uttarakhand, is also known as Lord Curzon Trek. This track was named after Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy of India during the colonial period in 1905. It is said that when Lord Curzon came to visit this area along with other British officers Eric Shipton and Bill Teelman, he discovered this trek for the first time, after which this track came to be called Lord Curzon Trek.
In 1905, Lord Curzon first started the trek from Ghat to reach Kuari Pass, after which he reached Ramni and from there he went to some smaller passes like Vinayak Pass, and Tali Top. After this, they cross five rivers Pindar, Kaliganga, Bheriganga, Dhauliganga and Mandakini and reach Kuari Pass. Even today, the Kuari Pass trek is very famous among European and American trekkers.
Kuari Pass Trek
Kuari Pass trek starting from Dhak village in Uttarakhand is one of the most famous winter treks of the Himalayas. Kuari Pass is one of the few winter treks in the Himalayas from where you not only get to see the highest peaks of the Himalayas like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Dunagiri, Hathi Parvat, Chaukhamba and Gauri Parvat, but it also gives you a view of the green mountains throughout the trek.
When you reach the summit of this track after crossing lush grasslands, dense forests, and villages nestled in the lap of nature, it is an experience that becomes difficult for you to describe in words. Although the height of the Kuari Pass trek is 3815 meters (12516 feet) above sea level, this trek is considered one of the best treks for beginner trekkers. It is said that Kuari Pass trek is known as the best winter trek but it is not that you should do this trek only during winter time.
This trek remains open for trekkers throughout the year. During the summer season, when the visibility increases, the views of the highest peaks of the Himalayas visible from the summit of this track are unforgettable. Whereas when you go for this trek during the monsoon season, the natural landscape here changes completely.
Yes, it is a different matter that during the monsoon season there is a slight increase in slippage, so you need to be extra careful. For this, whenever you go for this trek in monsoon, definitely take non-slippery shoes with you. It may take 6-7 days to complete the Kuari Pass trek, and the duration depends on how far your town or village is from Joshimath, the base camp of Kuari Pass. Now the question is whether this trek should be done solo or in a group.
So, if you are an experienced trekker and have completed many treks before, you can do this alone. You just need to have a proper track map of this track and you should have all the equipment related to trekking. Apart from this, if you are a beginner trekker then you should do this trek either with a local trek guide or a good trekking agency.
Kuari Pass Trek Route
Route 01 – (Curzon Trail) Ghat – Ramni – Sarkot – Jhenjipatni – Paina – Irani – Santoli – Dombhiti – Kuari Pass (Duration 06 days)
Kuari Pass is also known as Curzon Trail. Most of the trekkers who trek Kuari Pass use the same route as the Curzon Trail.
Route 02 – Joshimath – Auli – Gorsan – Kuari Pass (Duration 05 days)
The second most famous trek route for the Kuari Pass trek is via Auli. If you trek to Kuari Pass via Auli, then your entire trek passes through dense forests and bugyalas. If you trek Kuari Pass through this route, you can see huge Himalayan mountains from Gelgarh to Kuari Pass.
Route 03 – Joshimath – Mirag – Tugasi – Khulara – Kuari Pass (Duration 05 days)
Starting from Joshimath, this trek route for Kuari Pass takes you to Kuari Pass via Mirag, Tugasi, Khulara, and Gelgarh.
Route 04 – Tapovan – Khulara – Kuari Pass (Duration 05 days)
This trek route for Kuari Pass starting from Tapovan is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Joshimath. Although this is the shortest route to Kuari Pass, it also involves the maximum amount of climbing during the entire trek. Therefore, there is a lot of fatigue during this trek route.
Kuari Pass Trek Itinerary
Day 01 – Rishikesh – Joshimath (Distance 250 Kms)
We assume that your Kuari Pass trek journey will start from Rishikesh. On the first day of the Kuari Pass trek, you can use government and private bus services to reach Joshimath from Rishikesh or you can also reach Joshimath by shared taxi. Apart from this, if you are doing this trek with a private trekking agency, then they already arranged a taxi or cab service for you at a certain place in Rishikesh.
After this, after reaching Joshimath from Rishikesh, you can stay in the guest house here for a night’s rest. Whereas if you are doing this trek with a trekking agency, then they make arrangements for your night rest and food in advance.
Day 02 – Joshimath – Chitrakhana – (Drive – 12 Kms / Duration 01 hr) – (Trek – 06 km / Duration 4-5 hr)
Your trekking starts on the second day of the Kuari Pass trek. After reaching Joshimath from Rishikesh, leave for Dhak village early the next morning with the help of a taxi. The distance from Joshimath to Dhak village is about 12 kilometres, for which it may take you about 01 hours. After reaching Dhaka, you start your trek to Kuari Pass. After trekking about 06 kilometres, you reach Chitrakhana where you can pitch a tent and enjoy overnight camping.
On the first day of your trek, you trek up to a height of about 3310 meters and from here you start seeing snow-covered Chaukhamba mountains. The thing to note here is that if you are doing this trek with any tracking agency then they will tell you about the entire trek routine in advance. The concerned trekking agency also makes arrangements for your accommodation and food during the entire trek.
Day 03 – Chitrakhana – Tali Top (Trek – 06 km)
On the third day of the Kuari Pass trek, wake up early in the morning and start your trek from Chitrakhana to Tali Top. The distance from Chitrakhana to Tali Top is approximately 06 kilometres, which you can easily cover during the daytime.
Today you start your trek from a height of 3310 meters and reach a height of about 3500 meters. After reaching Tali Top, you can enjoy camping by pitching your tent in the open grassland here.
Day 04 – Tali Top – Khulara – Kuari Pass – Khulara – Tali Top (Trek – 15 Kms)
The fourth day of the Kuari Pass trek is the most important because on this day you have to summit the Kuari Pass and return. You should start your trek early in the morning from Tali Top because today you have to trek a total of 15 kilometres which includes both ascent and descent. Today, you start your trek early in the morning from Tali Top and reach the summit of Kuari Pass via Khulara Top.
Once you reach the summit of Kuari Pass, you get unforgettable views of Nanda Devi (7816 m), the highest peak in the Himalayas located in India. After stopping for some time at Kuari Pass, you have to start the trek again to descend. From Kuari Pass you return to Tali Top on the same day and it is here that you have to rest for the night.
Day 05 – Tali Top – Auli – Joshimath (Trek- 8 Kms) – (Drive- 13 Kms)
On the fifth day of the Kuari Pass trek, you can reach Joshimath via Auli. Today you have to trek about 08 kilometres down the road on the banks of Rishi Ganga river, after which you reach Joshimath with the help of a taxi. And stay overnight in any guest house of Joshimath.
Day 06 – Joshimath – Rishikesh (Distance 250 Kms)
Today is the last day of your Kuari Pass trek. Today, you can wake up early in the morning and use a government or private bus service from Joshimath to Rishikesh, apart from this you can also reach Rishikesh with the help of a taxi and cab. After reaching Rishikesh, you can leave for your city or village from here.
Best time for Kuari Pass trek
Although Kuari Pass is one of the most famous winter treks of Uttarakhand, yet you can go for this trek anytime throughout the year. But during the monsoon season, the risk of slips and landslides increases here, so it would be better if you ignore this trek during the monsoon season.
For the rest of the year, it depends on you when and at what time you want to trek Kuari Pass. Being famous as a winter trek, it is believed that the time from December to March is considered the best time to trek Kuari Pass. Apart from this, if you want to do this trek other than winter, you can go for this trek at any time of the year except the months of monsoon season.
However, there is a lot of snowfall here in winter and the facilities available here also become very limited. But if you are doing this trek with a good tracking agency then you will not have to think much about the facilities available here. Otherwise, if you are doing this trek on your own or with a trekking guide, then while doing this trek, you should have all the safety materials related to trekking according to the weather.
Otherwise, if you like photography, then after the monsoon, the months of September and October are also considered very good for the Kuari Pass trek.
Kuari Pass Temperature
01 Kuari Pass Temperature in Summer
From April to June month – Maximum: around 5℃ / Minimum: around -1℃
02 Kuari Pass temperature in monsoon
From July to September month – Maximum: around 5℃ / Minimum: around 0℃
Note: It is better not to trek Kuari Pass during monsoon season.
03 Kuari Pass Temperature in Winter
From October to February month – Max: around 0℃ / Min: around -15℃ and below
Kuari Pass Trek Cost
Many trekking agencies in India organise Kuari Pass trek summits throughout the year. Almost all trekking agencies have experienced trek guides who can help you complete the trek safely. It takes you 05-06 days to complete the Kuari Pass trek, in which the time and cost of travelling from your hometown to Rishikesh will be additional.
Almost all trekking agencies offer Kuari Pass trek for Rs 7000/- to Rs 12000/-. The cost of the Kuari Pass trek also depends on what facilities the agencies provide you during the trek. Therefore, whenever you do this trek with any trekking agencies, you must get complete information from them about the itinerary and the facilities available during the trek.
Apart from this, if you want to do this trek on your own then first of all if you have prior experience of trekking then only do this trek on your own otherwise you can do this trek with a trekking agency or a local trek guide. It will be better.
Note:- 01 The cost of the Kuari Pass trek is different for almost all trekking agencies.
02 All the costs mentioned above are approximate and we do not take any responsibility for this.
Tips for Kuari Pass Trek
01 identity card
02 muffler
03 water bottles (3-5 litres)
04 Dry fruits and packet food
05 Warm clothes (sweater/jacket/pullover)
06 Poncho/Rain Coat (for rainy season)
07 sunglasses
08 Extra battery for torch/power bank/camera
09 Camping gear if possible. (mat/sleeping bag)
10 Waterproof bags to protect electronic items from rain.
11 Lemon and salt or electrolyte powder/drink (Electral/Gatorade/Glucon D)
12 Trekking Shoes / Trekking Paint / Quick Dry T-Shirt / Cape
13 whistle (for emergency)
14 First Aid Kit:- Scissors, Sunscreen (SPF 50+), Band-Aids (Water Proof), Analgesic Spray (ReliSpray, Volini), Antiseptic Liquid (Savlon, Dettol), Antiseptic Powder (Povidone-Iodine based powder like Cipladine, Savlon) ), bandage, cotton, crepe bandage etc.
15 medicines:- Fever, headache, motion sickness, loose motion, vomiting and acidity etc.
16 Kuari Pass Trek Make sure to check the weather before starting the trek.
17 If you do not have experience of trekking in the mountains, then you can take a local guide with you.
18. Before starting the trek, do not forget to get information about the itinerary of the tracking agency with which you are doing this trek.
19 Before starting the trek, be sure to get information about the rules related to the Kuari Pass Trek.
20 If you are not doing this trek with any trekking agency, then you must take a local trek guide with you.
21 If you are not an experienced trekker then do not do this trek alone even by mistake.
22. You do not get any kind of mobile network during the trek. Also, you will not have the facility to charge your electronic devices, hence you must carry extra batteries and power banks during the trek.
23. The trek becomes slippery during monsoon season so take extra caution during this time.
24. Before going on a trek, check the weather once and keep clothes and accessories accordingly.
(Note:- Before taking any kind of medicine, please consult your doctor.)
Hotels in Kuari Pass
In recent years, Kuari Pass Trek has become very popular among tourists, due to which crowd of tourists can be seen here at most times of the year. For this reason, small and big hotels, house stays and camping sites have been built in the surrounding villages.
Apart from this, many online hotel booking websites also provide room booking services for Joshimath. If you are doing this trek with any trekking agency, then they make complete arrangements for your stay and food during the Kuari Pass trek. Otherwise, if you are doing this trek on your own, then you will have to carry your own accommodation and food arrangements during your entire trek.
How to reach Kuari Pass
How to reach Kuari Pass by Air
The nearest airport to Kuari Pass is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. From Dehradun, you can reach Joshimath with the help of a taxi/bus. After reaching Joshimath, you can trek to reach Kuari Pass. You will get regular flights to Dehradun from major cities of India.
How to reach Kuari Pass by Rail
Haridwar Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Kuari Pass. The distance from Haridwar to Kuari Pass (Joshimath) is approximately 276 kilometres. From Haridwar, you can easily reach Kuari Pass (Joshimath) with the help of bus, taxi and cab. Apart from this, you can also reach Kuari Pass (Joshimath) very easily by coming to Rishikesh from Haridwar.
Haridwar Railway Station is very well connected to almost all the major railway stations of India.
How to reach Kuari Pass by Road
Joshimath, the nearest town near Kuari Pass, is very well connected by road. To reach Joshimath you will have to reach Rishikesh. Therefore, whenever you are planning to trek Kuari Pass, you will have to come to Rishikesh first. After reaching Rishikesh, you can easily reach Joshimath with the help of bus, taxi and cab. Rishikesh is well connected by road to almost all the cities of the country.
Regular bus services to Rishikesh are available from Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh and many other cities of India. If you want to come to Kuari Pass in your vehicle, then you can easily reach Kuari Pass from Rishikesh via Joshimath.
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