The Kuari pass trek, also referred to as the Lord Curzon trail trek, is surely one of the most popular and finest treks in the Indian Himalayas and rightly so. According to us only thing missing on this trail was the ‘adventure element’ so we modified the regular itinerary a bit and added an exciting stage to this trek where you get to climb a challenging but doable Himalayan peak called Pangarchulla (4700 m). This peak can be climbed by ‘fit’ first time trekkers also but with some hard work put into it.
Pangarchulla peak poses challenges which keep on changing with seasons. Beginning of the season (Apr – May) the climb involves navigating through deep snow while later in the season (Oct – Nov) difficulty comes in the form of bouldering and traversing scree slopes. Our guides will run a small course on climbing techniques to get you to know more about the sport and get comfortable with it. They will put ropes for safety (if required) and will assist people throughout the climb. One is not required to have any prior climbing experience/knowledge.
We will meet at Haridwar railway station at 7 a.m and from here board a vehicle and be driven up to Auli. This is a long but interesting drive. You will for most part of the journey drive along the Ganga & Alaknanda rivers. Enroute you will be crossing the holy towns of Devprayag & Rudraprayag. Evening relax at the beautiful lodge. Overnight in the lodge in Auli.
After an early breakfast we drive a short distance (5 kms) to reach the starting point of the trek. From here we start hiking through the Auli meadows (popular for skiing) and get very close views of the famous Nanda Devi Peak and many more big Himalayan giants. After the Auli meadows we get into a forest section and will walk through an enchanting mixed forest abundant in bird life. Once out of the jungle we will walk on the beautiful meadows of Gurson, every moment in this place is going to delight you. Beauty of these meadows is something to be experienced. From Gurson we descend for a short time and again get into a beautiful forest section having oaks, deodars, maple and chestnut trees.
We will reach Tali, a campsite used by many trekkers on this trail but will continue hiking and in about a couple of hours reach the magnificent campsite at Khulara where we camp for the night. It’s a beautiful open meadow where you camp and get very good views of the big wall of mountains in front. If it’s a clear night star gazing is going to be fun. Overnight in tents.
Today we go through a series of ascents on meadows which keep on getting better as we move up. Walking on golden, green and other hues of grass is just bliss. The mountain air is crisp and the views brilliant! You are sure to catch a shepherd with the sheep and the dog. Do spend some time with them. The views are going to be great throughout so we keep our cameras handy. We will reach Kuari pass in about 3 hours or so.
Our guide might give you the option of not going to the actual pass (which is nearby) and instead climb another vantage point with better views so take a call depending upon what you feel like doing. After spending sometime at the vantage ridge/Kuari pass we will start walking towards our base camp for the climb to Pangarchula peak. Today you will get to view many big and renowned Himalayan peaks like Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Neelkanth, Haathi-Ghodi, Kamet, Mana, Dronagiri, etc. Overnight in tents.
We will wake up early (depending upon the conditions and the season, the lead guide will take a call on what time we start but usually it will be 5:00 a.m) and after a quick breakfast start climbing up the slopes of the mountain to reach a ridge which will lead us to the top. The climb is demanding but not technical in nature. You will in patches be walking on uneven terrain of boulders, scree and rocks. Early season we will have to negotiate through deep snow that’s why we recommend an early start as it is easier to walk on hard snow.
But the effort is going to be rewarded manifold with views which are surely unparalleled. Views around dawn are the best which is why we insist on an early start today. From the route leading to the summit and the top you get to see a set of big mountains which you otherwise don’t get to see from Kuari pass region, mountains like Nanda Devi, Trishul, Changbhang and many more. Also very attractive is the views of the surrounding valleys in all directions. After capturing the views in our camera we start walking down to the base camp.
Once at the camp we celebrate our success and relax. Depending on what time we get to the base camp we might also decide to walk down to Khulara so that we reach Auli early tomorrow and get time to sort out our luggage and relax in the comforts of the beautiful lodge. Overnight in tents.
After a leisurely breakfast we start climbing down towards the road linking Joshimath to Niti-Malari valley. We will walk all the way down to Dhak a small market place on this road. Walk today is again a completely enjoyable experience with us walking through interesting forest sections and couple of scenically located villages. We will make short stops at Tugasi & Karchi village and spend time interacting with people and getting to know more about their way of life. From Dhak we will board the waiting vehicles and drive to Auli where a hot shower followed by a sumptuous meal awaits us. Overnight at the lodge.
After breakfast drive down to Haridwar. Trip ends here.
Transport Options (Delhi – Dehradun – Delhi)
For travel to Dehradun and back one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport DED, and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Indigo , Alliance Air , Spice Jet , Air India and Vistara Air.
There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Dehradun that cost about Rs. 1200- 1500 per person. These buses depart from ISBT Delhi every 30 mins. or so and take about 8 hrs to cover the distance. The same is also applicable on the return journey. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.
Weather Details
Located at an elevation of 2189.31 meters (7182.78 feet) above sea level, Uttarakhand has a Temperate highland tropical climate with dry winters climate (Classification: Cwb). The city’s yearly temperature is 23.67ºC (74.61ºF) and it is -2.3% lower than India’s averages. Uttarakhand typically receives about 92.31 millimeters (3.63 inches) of precipitation and has 110.55 rainy days (30.29% of the time) annually.
Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications
The best seasons are March to June (spring/summer) and September to early January (autumn/winter). For snow, December to early March is ideal.
It’s a moderate-level trek, suitable for beginners with decent fitness. There are gradual ascents and manageable distances each day.
The trek usually takes 5 to 6 days, depending on the itinerary. The total trekking distance is approximately 33–35 km.
Yes, during winter months (December to March), the trail is often covered in snow, offering a stunning white landscape.
Essentials include warm layers, waterproof jackets, trekking shoes, a daypack, thermals, gloves, and sunglasses. A detailed packing list is usually shared by trek organizers.
Yes, forest entry permits and local permissions are required. These are typically arranged by the trekking company.