The Kuari Pass trek, perched at an altitude of 4264 metres in the Chamoli area, is a trekker's fantasy. All around summits of kamet (7756m), Trishul (7120m), Chaukhamba (7128m), and the majestic heavenly peaks of Nanda Devi, this trek features several of the most grandiose mountainous regions (7817m).

Other peaks that stand out in the bright cosmic sky are Nanda Ghunti, Hathi Ghoda Parbat, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Mukut Parbat, Mana, Rishi Pahad, and changbang. The Kuari Pass trek allows you to have a short view of this spectacular vista of massive peaks. Around December, Kuari Pass gets its first ever snowfall. After then, Kuari Pass snowfall renders it a wonderful snowy walk. It offers all that a hike should include: large stretches of grasslands, primitive wooded trees, and gorgeous snow-clad summits as a setting.

 

At a staggering height of 12,516 ft, Kuari Pass holds a unique position that makes it different from all the other trek routes. The view of mountains, streams, ridges, forest and the pass that the trek route has to offer are all found in this one single trek.

The Kuari Pass trek distance is of 33 km long. From the very first day, the panoramic sight of rich green meadows in front of the snow-covered Nanda Devi sets the mood for the entire trek and as the route comes in to view gradually you are accompained by nature's rare bounties all the way . This trek is every trekker’s paradise for the view that it offers as well as for the it entails.

Best time to visit Kuari Pass Trek

Kuari Pass with its rich variety makes for a wonderful trip. Every season adds its unique brush stroke to the body of the pass dressing it with gorgeous colours. This makes the trek alluring for all the trekking months of the calendar that is, leaving aside the monsoon season. Having said that, since it’s a crossover trek, late winters or early summers takes the edge as the most preferable season.

 

The best time to do Kuari Pass trek is in the spring months. With little to light snowfall, it is the Spring season that brings out the fascinating character of the trek trail. With enough snow en route, the pass reaches its full glory in this season. During the springs you get to experience the sight of the bushes clothed with bright pink rhododendron flowers laid out in the golden meadows and the bugyal, with the snow-covered valleys in the background.

The streams are trickling with fresh water from the melted snow they receive in the winters and the forest and the pine, oak, maple, and birch trees get an extra coat of its vibrancy as the spring adds new life to them.

Also, in the spring season, nature itself goes through a transformation. The sound of the birds chirping in the forest, the sight of white herds of sheep grazing in the lavish green grass with the imposing snow-topped mountains as the backdrop offers a sense of peace and serenity in any traveller’s mind.

At night, the star-studded sky above the dark dense forest of oak with the soft glow of the tents in the campsite against the silence of nature is euphoric in all its sense.

 

In the Spring season, the temperatures are not at all harsh but has a soft chill in the air. With temperatures ranging from 12 to 2 at Joshimath – the lowest campsite during this trek and -5 at Khullara, the highest campsite, the usual vagaries of wind and temperature, are quite bearable.

In spring, the kuari Pass temperature hovers between 10 to -3 degree Celsius and so it is obvious for all trekkers to carry heavy woollen garments. Kuari pass temperature in December is quite chilly as at night it even plummets down to below zero. Moreover the ascent is quite steady and gradual and because of the low incline it is quite easy to get accustomed to the temperature change. Therefore it is a perfect trek for a beginner and also for trekkers of every age group.

What makes Kuari Pass trek special ?

Lord Curzon, a government diplomat, also being an avid traveller and explorer chose this trek route to explore and marvel at the beauty of the Garhwal regions of the Himalayas in 1905, giving this trek route an alternate name – Lord Curzon's Trail. The trek starts from Auli, which is famous for its ski slope and the enthralling views of the snow-covered Nanda Devi, standing at a height of 7,816 meters, and that’s just the first day.

The Kuari Pass trek from Auli is around 9.4 km away. The view of Nanda Devi from Auli is special for the fact that you get a clear view of the whole Nanda Devi Mountain along its entire outline against the bright blue sky without the hindrance of any trees or vegetation, revealing its monumental stance right in front of you.

The trek offers you a view of beautiful snow-capped mountain ridges and along with that the rare view of isolated mountains like Mt Dronagiri, Mt Neelkanth, and Mt Hathi Ghoda, standing tall and forming a contrasting silhouette against the crimson sky. This is a special Kuari Pass Trek feature.

 

Next in the trek, you get to experience the beauty of Gorson Bugyal, one of the most beautiful high altitude meadow, from where you can perceive the real height of the Nanda Devi. Apart from the mountains as a specialty, nature has poured all its beautiful features in this Kuari Pass trek as it is one of those treks where you get to hike through the meadows and the forest along with the mountains as well.

The stretches of dense oak forest and rhododendron trees and the path traversing through these forests will let you dive deep in all of nature’s beauty, the sound of the birds tweeting and flapping around takes away all the fatigue of the hike. The forests are laid out in undulating terrains and the sun is softened by the vegetation adds warmth to the hike. The oak forests stand out in the hike for its rich flora and fauna and the way the sun rays peek through the leaves and hit the ground in all its golden glory. Even the campsites being in the forest or close to it, makes you feel at one with the nature.

In the end, on reaching the highest point of the trek, it’s a view that’s worth remembering. While you climb through the ridge to the top, you get to see mountains opening up in the horizon right in front of you one after the other. With you standing on top of the summit surrounded by different mountains of the Garhwal Himalayas, you look down upon vast stretches of valleys and forests with gushes of white streams of pure water flowing down from the melting snow of these peaks.

How to reach Kuari Pass

 

Although in proper terms, the trek commences from Auli. Your journey with us starts from Haridwar as it is the most accessible location of the trek route. Haridwar is a religious site and a city with a high population. It is well connected by road and railway commencing from all the major cities every day.

That being said, being a religious site, train seat bookings to Haridwar are subject to availability, so it is better to book beforehand. Other than that, you can always take a deluxe bus ride of 5 hours from Delhi to Haridwar or one from Dehradun to Haridwar for1 hour 20mins, whichever deems convenient for you. You can contact our team to arrange for a pickup From Haridwar to Joshimath.

Tips for Kuari Pass trek

Fitness: With the Kuari Pass difficulty being labelled as easy to moderate, you need basic fitness. The incline being low and the climb or the decent being not quite steep, you need to stay healthy. Maybe to have smooth trekking experience, you can practice waking up early and jogging, one month before the trek to build up your stamina and get yourself used to 5-7 km of the trek that you will experience every day in this trip.

Clothes: Since it’s a gradual climb from 8,600 ft to 12,516 ft in spring, you might experience a range of temperatures from 10 to -3 degree Celsius in the entire trek. So, along with your usual trekking equipment, it’s advisable to pack your heavy winter clothes. During the trek, the trick is to wear the clothes in layers so that you can put on or remove them according to your wish.

With all said and done, its time for you to prepare yourself to visit the Pass and gather an unforgettable experience as it makes you live the sight you perhaps envisioned in your childhood as you stand right in front of the mountains looking at you from the horizon taking you away to a different world altogether.