5D/4N

Duration

Moderate

Grade

6/10

Physicality

25 Km

Trail Length

3850 m/12630 ft

Highest Point

Winter Kuari Pass trek:

For group tour dates check the booking calendar (green marked dates) available on this page.
Private/customised treks for your own group/family is open as per your preferred date. TREK FEE will be same for a group of 8 to 10 persons i.e. ₹ 11,950 + 5% GST per person (Joshimath to Joshimath). For lower or higher number of group members, TREK FEE will increase or decrease respectively.

About the trek:

Winter Kuari Pass trek is an essential snow trek for trekkers and adventure seekers during November to April. The trail offers you exquisite panoramic views of the central Garhwal peaks and delightful snow to walk upon. The circuit from Joshimath doesn’t involve crossing the Kuari pass and approachable during winter and spring, when the snow conditions deter trekking along Kuari Pass on Curzon’s trail.

Although you can’t see Nanda Devi from the pass itself, you can witness a vast panorama starting from north east and moving from right to left. All major peaks of Badrinath valley and finally stretching to Kedarnath valley peaks on west. Dronagiri, Changabang, Rishi, Mukut, Kamet, Abi Gamin, Mana, Hathi, Ghoda, Neelkanth and Chaukhamba massif to name a few! You will see the unmistakable Nanda Devi from Tali and Gurson Bugyal.

view-from-winter-kuari-pass-trek-after-fresh-snow — Winter Kuari Pass trek: A view from Pass (PC: Ayan)

standing-at-kuari-pass — @ Kuari Pass (~ 3850 m/12630 ft)

nandadevi-dronagiri-winter-kuari-pass-trek — Dronagiri (L) and Nanda Devi (R), PC : Pratik

Starting from October weather becomes clear and you can view mesmerising vista throughout the trek. On a regular winter in starts snowing between late November to early December. As the winter progresses, deposited snow increases and reaching a maximum during February. Exquisite campsites add more charm and delight. You will camp inside conifer forest at Tali.

walking-on-snow-at-gurson-bugyal-winter-kuari-pass-trek — On the way to Auli over Gurson Bugyal

snowing-at-tali-forest-camp — Tali Forest Camp: Snowing in mid November

This is not all! Once the tree line ends, landscape switch into fur flung meadows. From Khullara to Kuari pass, you will walk on these grassy slopes. Towards the end of the trek, you will cross Gurson Bugyal, a prominent meadows of the Himalayas.

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath – 10/11 hours – 250 Km. Lodge accommodation.
Day 2: Drive to Dhak (7000 ft) – 10 Km – 30 minutes. Trek to Upper Guling (9,650) ft – 6 Km – 4 hours. Camp.
Day 3: Upper Guling (9,650) ft to Kuari Pass (12,630 ft) – 5 hours – return to Lower Khulara (11,100 ft) – total 12 – Km – 8/9 hours. Camp.
Day 4: Lower Khulara to Auli (8600 ft) via Gurson Bugyal – 8 Km – 4/5 hours. Drive to Joshimath – 14 Km – 45 mins. Lodge/hotel.
Day 5: Drive from Joshimath to Rishikesh- 250 Km – 10 hours. Haridwar is another hour from here ~ 1 hour.

You need to reach Rishikesh on Day 1 morning by 6 am latest or the night before. Similarly book your return tickets from Rishikesh on Day 5 evening, 8 pm evening or later.

Note:

From Oct 2018, due to an order from Uttarakhand High Court, one is NOT allowed to camp on alpine meadows/grasslands, locally called “Bugyal”. In this trek our high camp will be at Khulara. We will visit Kuari Pass and return. Itinerary duration will remain same, 5 days, Haridwar to Haridwar including 3 days of trek.
If you wish to attempt Pangarchulla peak along with Kuari Pass, then you will require one more trekking day. Tali Forest camp to Pangarchulla is an arduous trek around 10/12 hours. Check here our Pangarchulla peak trek with Kuari Pass trek for details.

Altitude and distance profile graph for Winter Kuari Pass trek

Below graph will give you an idea of places and corresponding altitude, day wise elevation, ascents and descents on the trail.

winter-kuari-pass-trek-distance-and-altitude-graph-chart — Kuari Pass trek: Altitude Vs Distance profile

Clothing and expected temperature in Kuari Pass trek during winters:

It is important to carry proper clothing in winter as the campsite temperatures are sub zero in winter.

Winter: From November the daytime temp remains cool and nights are cold. Late night/early morning temperatures will be minimum as you camp higher. At Lower Khullara and Tali Jungle Camp temperature may go down to -10° C/-15° C as winter progresses during December to February. Though inside tent the temperature will be somewhat 8°C to 10°C warmer than outside but still can be freezing.

Three layers of clothing is mandatory in the campsite while outside tent.

a) A thermal base layer (warm woolly-cot material).
b) A heavy jacket (Double layer or Fleece jacket ) as middle layer.
c) A windproof cum waterproof with hood as the outer layer.

You will not require the thermal base layer from May to October.

Don’t forget to check and download the “list of things that you need to carry during Winter Kuari Pass trek“.

Spring & Summer : Day time weather remains warm and pleasant. Night/early morning temperatures at camp sites can be from 10°C (lower camps) to 2°C (higher camps)

Access to Winter Kuari Pass trek base (Joshimath):

We will arrange a pickup from Rishikesh to Joshimath and drop from Joshimath to Rishikesh/Haridwar. This will be shared by the team members on actual basis and paid directly to the driver.

The fare is as per following:
Rishikesh to Joshimath: ₹ 7500 for a Tata Sumo/Bolero and ₹ 10500 for a Tempo Traveller, one way.

Above is NOT included in TREK FEE.

To reach the trek base Joshimath independently/public transportation check the details in GETTING THERE TAB.

Why treks with HT?

Expertise:	10 years on ground experience
Support staff:	Qualified local & office staff
Group size:	Small groups up to 15
Insurance:	Travel insured trek and tour itinerary
Easy Bookings:	25% Booking Deposit

Duration: 3 days of trek; Rishikesh to Rishikesh in 5 days.

Prerequisite: Prior trekking experience is desired with good physical fitness.

Highest Point: Kuari ~ 3850 m/12630 ft

Grade: Moderate

Physicality: 6/10

Trail Length: 25 Km

Seasons: November to April (Winter & Spring)

Access: Trek starting point (trek base) is Joshimath, 275 Km from Haridwar.

Rail station: Haridwar (STN Code: HW)

Airport: Delhi, Dehradun (Airport Code: DED)

Map:

Upcoming scheduled dates for Winter Kuari Pass trek:

You can check the scheduled Fixed Departure dates in the calendar available inside Booking Form or inside REGISTER NOW form. Tour starting Dates are highlighted as per our itinerary (Day 1 of 5 days itinerary).
At present BOOK NOW functionality is disabled. You can get all the information in your email by submitting the REGISTER NOW form.
If you are a group of people and available dates are not matching then you may select Custom date mode (by clicking the Select your custom date) and fill in the displayed form.
You can also check all the available dates at a glance in our TREK CALENDAR.
Trekkers need to reach Haridwar on Day 1 morning (latest by 6 am). Return to Haridwar on Day 7 late evening (8-9 pm). Arrange your tickets for inward journey and return accordingly.

DEPARTURE LOCATION	Rishikesh
REPORTING TIME	6:00 AM for a prompt departure to Joshimath (Day 1)
RETURN LOCATION	Rishikesh
RETURN TIME	Approximately 6:00 PM (Day 5)

How to reach Joshimath (The trek base):

Often it is convenient to reach Rishikesh anytime on Day 0. Either you can fly to Dehradun (DED, Jolly Grant airport) which is only 1 hour drive (~ 20 km) from Rishikesh. Otherwise you can get Uttarakhand state transport volvo bus services (morning and overnight) from ISBT Kashmiri Gate Delhi to Rishikesh (5/6 hours). Arrange your stay in Rishikesh accordingly.

Nearest Rail station: Haridwar (Station Code: HW) or Rishikesh (STN Code: RKSH, YNRK)

Nearest Airport: Delhi, Dehradun (Airport Code: DED)

We will arrange a pick up and drop from Rishikesh to Joshimath and back. This will be shared equally by the team members on actual basis. You pay directly to the driver/transporter. The fare is approx ₹ 7500 for a Tata Sumo/Mahindra Maxx one way. These can accommodate 5 to 6 people. Similarly a Tempo Traveller charges ₹ 11,000 one way, which can accommodate 12 people. This is NOT included in the TREK FEE and payable directly to the driver.

If you want to reach and return from Joshimath by public vehicle then:

You will get Uttarakhand State Transport (often referred to as “Roadways”) and privately operated buses from Rishikesh Bus Station. Buses start early in the morning and take approx 10 hours.

How to reach Rishikesh:

For the treks in Garhwal, sometimes it is convenient to reach Haridwar. Rishikesh is another 25 Km from here and is considered a gateway to Garhwal Himalayas. You can fly or by train reach New Delhi as per your convenience from any part within India.

You can reach Rishikesh from New Delhi by train or bus (~ 5/6 hours)

Day 1

Drive from Haridwar to Joshimath – 10/11 hours – 275 Km

Day 2

Drive to Dhak (7000 ft) – 45 minutes; Trek to upper Guling (9,650) ft; 4/5 hours

Day 3

Upper Guling to Tali Forest camp (11,100 ft) - 4 Km- 4 hours

Day 4

Tali Forest camp (11,100 ft) to Kuari Pass (12,630 ft) and back - 14 Km - 8/10 hours

Day 5

Tali to Auli ( 8600 ft) via Gurson Bugyal - 7 Km - 4/5 hours

Day 6

Drive from Joshimath to Haridwar – 275 Km - 10/11 hours

P.S.: Distances and altitudes are approximate and may not be exact.

TREK FEE: ₹ 11,950 (Joshimath to Joshimath) + 5% GST

Inclusions:

2 night’s accommodation at Joshimath (Day 1 & Day 4) in lodge on sharing basis.

Car drop from Joshimath to trek starting point and pick up from trek end point to Joshimath back.

All meals during the trek (From Day 1 dinner to Day 4 dinner). Regular Indian style nutritious vegetarian food during the trek (including occasional eggs), breakfast packed/hot lunch (depending upon the time you reach a campsite), snacks, dinner along with coffee/tea/soup.

Excellent Trekking Guide(s), who will be a local to this particular area and has profound knowledge of the trekking trails around.

Specialised Cook, Support staff, Porters/Packed Animals for carrying the central logistics of the trek.

Stay in tents on twin sharing basis during the trek.

Camping equipment like Sleeping bag, Carry mattress, Gaiters, Micro spikes/Crampon. (Bring your own sleeping if you have a high altitude specific personal Sleeping Bag. This is always better for hygienic reasons.)

Kitchen tent, dinning tent and toilet tent as required during the trek.

All permit fee, camping charges, forest levy required for the trek.

Basic Medical & First Aid kit.

Travel insurance cum Medical Insurance Policy covering high altitude trekking tours (For Indian nationals it is included in the TREK FEE, up to 60 years of age). It covers your trek as well as your return journey to Haridwar for a maximum duration of 7 days.

Exclusions:

Transportation from Rishikesh to Joshimath and return. A Tata Sumo fare is ₹ 7500 and Tempo Traveller ₹ 11,500 one way. Usually this is shared by trekkers in the group and comes around ₹ 3000 per person i.e. ₹ 1500 one way. You pay directly to the driver sharing equally with the other team members.

We assume that you will carry your personal Rucksack/Backpack with all your personal belongings. If you want to offload your Rucksack and be carried by our horse then you need to pay an additional ₹ 1200 for the entire duration of the trek. The Rucksack should not weigh more than 10 Kg.

Any tip or gratuity to the HT support staff.

Anything which is NOT mentioned in the “Inclusions” or personal in nature.

Booking:

We assume that you have read and understood our “Terms & Conditions” (https://himalayatrekker.com/terms-and-conditions) before Booking a trek/tour.
To reserve your place in a scheduled Fixed Departure trek or a Customised/Private trek pay 25% of the TREK/TOUR FEE as the initial “Booking Deposit”. You can pay by Net banking/Draft/Cheque/Credit/Debit/AMEX cards. This will ensure your participation in the desired trek and we will reserve your place in the scheduled date. You need to pay the remaining amount at least 15 days before Trek Starting Date.
If you book a Trek/Tour before 14 days or less from Trek/Tour Starting Date, you need to pay the full TREK/TOUR FEE.

Cancellations:

“Booking Amount” i.e.25% of the TREK/TOUR FEE is Non-Refundable at any stage.
If in case you are not able to make it due to unavoidable reason(s), we provide you avery flexible choice of Shifting to another trek within next one year. One year is counted from the starting date of the trek/tour you booked initially with us.
In case you postpone your trip you need to informminimum of 15 days before the trek/tour starting date. (Though we suggest to inform us earlier if known)
In case you postpone a trek/tour before 15 days of the scheduled Trek/Tour Starting date or prior, you may shift to another group of the same trek/tour scheduled in the same season or within next one year. You may shift to another suitable route also. For changing any, you need our approval first. Your request must be in written communication through your registered email with us.
If you cancel/postpone a trek/tour from14 days to 8 days before tour starting date, your Booking Amount is Non-Refundable. We will not take any request of shifting dates. We will charge 50% of the amount as Cancellation Charges and process refund of remaining 50%. You may also shift to another group within next year but 25% Booking Amount will be deemed as Cancellation Charge and the rest amount will be transferred to the shifted group.
If you cancel a trek/tour 7 days (i.e. a week) before Trek/Tour Starting Date or later, there will be NO REFUND.
In case of any unforeseen incident including but not limited to natural calamities like flood, earthquake, landslide, forest fire or any political unrest, if we are compelled to cancel the trek/trip, you will be entitled to redeem the full amount for the same/similar kind of trek/trip within next one year.