Tour overview

To begin with, Kuari Pass is a 4-day trek (6 days when you include the travel days from Rishikesh).  The trek starts from Dhak, a small village near Joshimath in the Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand.  It is situated in the Nanda Devi National Park.

Kuari Pass is an easy-moderate trek, which makes it easy enough for someone starting out in the Himalayas.

Included

  • Accommodation – Stay is included from Day 1 to Day 5 (Dhak to Auli). You will be staying in Guest house at Auli and camping on remaining days of the trek (3 per tent).
  • Meals – All meals from dinner at Dhak on Day 1 to breakfast at Auli on Day 6 are included. We provide simple, nutritious vegetarian food on all days of the trek.
  • Camping charges – All trekking permits and forest camping charges are included.
  • Trekking equipment – High-quality tents, sleeping bags, ice axes, roped, microspikes, gaiters etc. as required.
  • Safety equipment – First aid, medical kit, oxygen cylinders, stretchers etc.

Not Included

  • Transport to and from the base camp – We will arrange shared taxis for trekkers to pick you up from Rishikesh and drop you back. This will cost approx. Rs. 6,000 per 5-6 seater vehicle one way. You will have to share this cost with the other trekkers
  • Food during transit to and from the base camp
  • Backpack offloading charges – Rs. 1000+ 5% GST for the entire trek. The backpack cannot weigh more than 9 kg. Suitcases/strollers/duffel bags will not be allowed.
  • Anything apart from inclusions

Day 1 (Pick-up Day): Rishikesh to Tapoban

The Kuari Pass trek begins at Karchhi. This is around 7 kms from the basecamp, Tapoban (3 kms from Dhak). The drive from Rishikesh to Tapoban is a beautiful one. The route is along tributaries of Ganga. The road goes along hugging the mountain side and you see the forests and valleys of Garhwal below you.
Altitude: 6,900 ft
Time Taken: 8-10 hour drive from Rishikesh

Day 2: Drive from Tapoban to Karchhi, then trek to Akhrotghetta

Altitude: 6,900 ft (2,103 m) to 9,396 ft (2,864 m)
Time taken: 5-6 hours trek from Dhak to Guling
Trek gradient: Moderate. Continuous ascent – steep for the first 20 minutes followed by 45 minutes gradual ascent. Steep again for 60-70 minutes followed by a mix of gradual and steep ascents for 1.5-2 hours
Water sources: Carry 2 litres of water. There is one water source around 2.5 hours into the trek, after you have crossed Upper Tugasi village.
The trek begins with an ascending, dirt trail that leads away from the main road, towards Tugasi village. This is the trail going inside the village. You will reach a T point where you need to take a sharp left. The trail goes through a series of level walks and gradual ascents along farms. The mountain ridge here is barren with few or no presence of snow-fall in winter season. Look out below for Dhauli-Ganga River forging its way past Vishnugad-Tapovan Hydro Power Station. The trail is well defined and meanders along the mountain ridge with a series of steep and gradual ascents. Observe a rain shelter at a distance ahead on the trail. This shelter is the first landmark of the trek before reaching Kharchi Village. This takes around 20 minutes to reach.

Day 3: Akhrotgetta to Khullara

Altitude: 9,396 ft (2,864 m) to 11,125 ft (3,391 m)
Time taken: 3-4 hours
Trek gradient: Moderate. Moderate ascent all the way to Khullara
Water sources: You can refill your water bottles from streams along the trail.
The trail today ascends all the way to Khullara but it’s not as steep as the previous day. Within 40 minutes of starting from Guling, you reach the first clearing. You will be surrounded by oak forests on all sides. Continue on the trail leading into the forest. You will reach the second clearing after about an hour. All this time, you will cross small streams along the trail. The water in them is clean and you can drink it.

Day 4: Khullara to Chitrakantha/Tali via Kuari Pass

Altitude: 11,100 ft (3,352 m) to 11,503 ft (3,506 m) via 12,516 ft (3,815 m)
Time taken: 8 hours
Trek gradient: Moderate. Steep climb for 1-1.5 hours followed by a moderate ascent for 1.5 hours. Slight descent for about 40 minutes to Kuari Pass. Descent for about 1.5 hours followed by 1 hour ascent easing off into a moderate descent for about 2 hours.
Water sources: You can refill your water bottles from streams along the trail.
The trail from Khullara begins to climb steeply out of the tree line. In 1-1.5 hours you reach a ridge, which is a part of Lord Curzon’s trail. From here 360 degree views of the Himalayas open up before you. On one side you see Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Nilgiri and Hathi Ghoda peaks. Straight ahead of you are Trishul and parts of Nanda Devi. Continue on this trail to reach the upper grasslands of Kuari Pass.

From the ridge, trek up to Kuari top. This is a moderate climb with a few switch backs. It will take you 40 minutes to reach the top. A gradually descending trail from here will bring you to Kuari Pass in about 40 minutes. From Kuari Pass, retrace your way back to the ridge. Once you reach the ridge, walk along ahead instead of turning towards Khullara. An hour’s moderate climb will bring you to Jhandi top, which is on top of the ridge. The views from Jhandi top are even better that what you get at Kuari Pass.

From Jhandi Top, start descending towards the Chitrakantha meadows. This is a forest trail and the mountains get hidden behind the tall trees. You will reach Chitrakantha in 1-1.5 hours. From Chitrakantha, you get 180 degree views of the mountains. Dronagiri is again very prominent here.

Day 5: Chitrakantha/Tali to Auli

Altitude: 11,503 ft (3,506 m) to 8,790 ft (2,679 m)
Time taken: 4-5 hours
Trek gradient: Moderate. Gradual ascent for about 40 minutes followed by a 20 minutes steep climb. Around 45 minutes of gradual ascent which eases off into a descending trail for about 3 hours.
Water sources: You can refill your water bottles at Padiyar and once you enter Auli.
Begin the trek today with a moderate climb to Tali lake. This should take you around 40 minutes. At Tali lake, you’re above the tree line so you start getting mountain views again. A 20 minutes steep climb from Tali lake brings you to an overhanging trail which cuts through a cliff. Continue on this trail. You can spot Lower and Upper Tugasi villages way below in the valley and also see rhododendron forests form above. After about 40 minutes of moderate ascent, the overhanging trail ends abruptly at Gorson Bugyal.

At Gorson Bugyal, the trail turns sharply to the left. Wide mountain views open up to the right and behind you. You will trek across the entire length of Gorson Bugyal, which gives you enough time to savour the views. This is a lovely, descending walk. In 2-2.5 hours you will reach Padiyar. From here, the trail enters an oak forest. Within 15 minutes you reach Padiyar temple. You can take a break here if you wish.

Day 6: Drive from Joshimath to Rishikesh

Please note, the Kuari Pass trek has issues related to availability of water in the natural water sources. Campsites may vary at times depending on availability of water.