Uttarakhand trek
Kuari Pass Trek
The Curzon Trail, with Nanda Devi on the horizon
Kuari Pass is a moderate trek near Joshimath in Uttarakhand, part of the old Curzon Trail, reaching about 12,500 ft with wide views of Nanda Devi and Dronagiri. It takes about 6 days from Rishikesh, and works most of the year outside the monsoon, with snow from late December to March.
- Max altitude
- About 12,500 ft (3,815 m)
- Duration
- About 6 days from Rishikesh
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April, snow from late December to March
- Base
- Karchi or a nearby village above Joshimath
- Getting there
- Rishikesh or Dehradun, then a long drive to Joshimath
Kuari Pass trek: View of Himalayan Peaks Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Kamet, Mana, Gori Parbat and Hathi Parbat from Kuari Pass
Photo 1 of 2
Why people pick Kuari Pass
- Some of the widest big-mountain views on a beginner-friendly trek
- Can end at Auli, the ski slopes above Joshimath
- Oak and rhododendron forest in the lower sections
Route, day by day
The usual shape of the trek. Exact camps and timings vary by operator and conditions.
Fitness
Moderate. Winter snow makes the pass day slower.
What to carry
- Trekking shoes with ankle support, broken in
- Three warm layers and a waterproof jacket
- Headlamp, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Two water bottles
- Personal medicines and a small first aid kit
- Original photo ID
Safety and altitude
- Climbing too fast is the main cause of altitude sickness. Keep the acclimatisation day the route plan includes.
- A headache, nausea, dizziness or unusual breathlessness above about 2,500 m are warning signs. Stop going higher, and descend if they get worse.
- Summit timings depend on the weather. Turning back on a bad day is a normal mountain decision, not a failed trek.
- Mention asthma, blood pressure, heart conditions or recent illness in your brief, and check with a doctor before a high-altitude trek.
- Ask your written quote who leads the group, what first aid and oxygen is carried, and what happens if someone cannot continue.
Kuari Pass questions
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- Duration
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- Duration
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