Region :- Uttarakhand
Duration :- 6 Days
Grade :- Moderate
Max Altitude :- 12,763 Ft.
Approx Trekking Kms :- 33 Kms Approx
Kuari Pass Trek
Out of the several things that Lord Curzon did in India, the best one is exploration and popularizing of a marquee trek route starting from Joshimath to Kuari Pass in the Garhwal Himalayas. At an altitude of over 4264 meters, Kuari Top is like an amphitheatre where some of the stalwart peaks of Himalayas take stage. The 7000 meters club includes the Kamet (7756m),Trishul (7120m), Chaukhamba (7128m), and the great divine peak of Nanda Devi (7817m) and its twin Nanda Devi East (7434m). More peaks make an equally imposing appearance – Nanda Ghunti, Hathi Ghoda Parbat, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Mukut Parbat, Mana, Rishi Pahad, and Changbang, to name a few. It gives you a chance to view this impressive skyline of these mighty mountains from close quarters.
Rishikesh To Rishikesh
12,763FT / 3890 Meters Approx
33 Kms Approx
Note : Normally Trekkers are expected to carry their personal luggage on their own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule.
Charges of offloading backpack:-
INR 2000/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance
INR 2500/- if you inform us after reaching Rishikesh
The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 KGS. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.
The trek begins from Joshimath, in the Chamoli district of Himalayas, which has evolved into the hub for trekkers and pilgrims in this part of the Himalayas. Confluences of several rivers – the Pinder, Kaliganga, Nandakini, Birehiganga amp Dhauli Ganga give make up the Pancha-Prayag – namely, Devprayag, Karnaprayag, Devprayag and Rudraprayag. The trek then proceeds through small remote Himalayan villages. Walking along the Curzon trail through these villages is a great way to get acquainted with the life of the mountain folks. The trees are ablaze in the yellow-orange colors of autumn, striking a deep contrast to the blue-brown mountains and the snow caps. On this trek one walks through gorgeous jungles of Oak and Deodar trees. And these jungles, of course, are house to some wildlife. Pug marks of leopards or Himalayan black bears can be sighted in the forests. Rhododendron trees, which bear flowers of a fiery red color, are also found in abundance in these mountains.
The truly refreshing part of the trek is while walking through the luxurious Himalayan meadows, called Bugyals in the local tongue. The beauty and serenity of a Himalayan meadow is an experience no one should miss out on. The most remarkable is the Gorson Bugyal, consisting of vast undulating green pastures. On this trek you will also visit Auli, which is famous for its beautiful skiing slopes in the winter kuari pass.
The trek takes you up and down a few other lesser passes – the Vinayak pass and Tali top, eventually taking you to the highest point in the trek – the Kuari Top at which is at 13990 feet. This trek is not too difficult, and pays huge dividends for the physical effort with the most mesmerising views of some of the best mountains in the Himalayan Range. The sight of the Nanda Devi Massif is the highlight of this trek. So if you want to have some fun in the meadows and on the snowy slopes of the Garhwal Himalayas, pack your rucksacks and head on towards Haridwar. Our team will take you on the Curzon Trail to Kuari Pass, while you feast your eyes on the spectacular sights.
Day 1: Rishikesh to Joshimath
Day 2: Joshimath – Gulling Top
Day 3: Gulling Top to Tali Forest Camp
Day 4: Tali forest camp to Kuari pass and back via Khullara top
Day 5: Tali forest camp – Joshimath via Gurson bugyal and Auli
Day 6: Joshimath to Rishikesh
If you are enthusiastic about cultural sightseeing and adventure water sports, you may like to arrange a brief stay at Rishikesh
The Ten hour drive to Joshimath will surely be long and arduous, but you are never going to run out of mesmerizing views. The great river running with us on parallel will get wilder and more fascinating as we trudge uphill. We will be passing by the panchprayag or the five holy confluences of Ganga—Devaprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag, and Vishnuprayag.
Look out for the gentle slopes of the Sleeping Lady Mountain of Joshimath on this drive. The gentle ups and downs of this mountain seem to form an outline of a lying lady.
The terrain is mostly rough here. Leaving out the terrace farming lands, there is no affluence of greenery, but offers a sweeping view of the Garhwal frontier all around. Look out especially for the bright silvery sun-dazed stream of Dhauli-Ganga snaking it way in the abyss, and the Vishnugad-Tapovan Hydroelectric Power Station. You are not likely to find any snow in this zone.
Continue on this path, maintaining a steep climb, leaving the farmland behind and you will find the awe-inspiring sight of Dronagiri peak hauntingly rising at a distance. We will be pitching tents in the open meadows overlooking Dronagiri and fringed around with oak forests.
Wake up in time next morning to start on a 5-hour journey deeper into the forest of Talli. After the exacting climb of last day, the trek today will be less arduous. The gradient of ascent is relatively smooth and will allow you an enjoyable hike.
Twenty minutes into the trek, you will come to a green clearing overlooking the magnificent snow peaks. After a few moments of rest, the climb must continue crossing a little stream to enter a mixed forest slowly thickening with oaks and rhododendrons. If you are coming in late March you might still find some white and pink blossoms. Except rhododendrons, you can find walnut and some other varieties of conifers in here.
Fourth day is the summit day, likely to span 10-11 hours depending on the group’s pace. You need to gear up appropriately for high snow and squalling wind on the ridges today. There is going to be no water source found on the way today,so carry enough to sustain you through.
Make sure to crampon your shoes properly. Trek the Himalayas will provide you good quality crampons, but you are requested to bring your own gaiters. You can also buy gaiters from the market of Joshimat at reasonable prices.
The climax of this trek comes with a visual bang exposing a host of Garhwal behemoth peaks, unveiling—Kedarnath Peak, Kedardome, Chaukhambha, Balakun, Neel Kantha, Mukut Parvat, Kamet, Abhi Gamin, Mana I, Ghori Parvat, Hathi Parvat, Dronagiri, Kalanka, Changabang, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti.
Today we will advance towards Auli—the skiing capital of India, and one of the most famous in south Asia. Exploring the beautifully snow patched rolling valleys of Gorson Bugyal, we will come down to Auli through a sweetly enjoyable journey.
Traversing the Bugyals of Gorson is completely free of any arduous and hassling climb, mainly on a smoothly rolling terrain, though the snow of high winter might leave the place a tad desolate.
Upon reaching Auli, an eady cable-car ride will take you to Joshimath, floating over the magnificent ski resort, the softly undulating snow-covered slopes and browning pine forest fringes.
256 km drive, approx 10 hours
Ride will commence at 6 am, reaching destination at around 6 pm
Breakfast and Lunch will be on the way, exclusive of charges
Note: On Day 6, you’ll reach Rishikesh between 6 pm and 7 pm. You can book your travel any time after 8 pm.
