• 1 Week trek
• Camping
• Easy Grade Treks in Himalayas
• Easy Snow Treks
• Fall Treks
• Garhwal Treks
• Spring Treks
• Uttarakhand
• Winter Treks

Winter Kuari Pass trek:

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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?