Kuari Pass In 1905, Lord Curzon reached Kuari Pass (4652 m). Kuaripass means "door way”. He made the trek, and since then it is also known as the Curzon trail. The Kuari pass is one of the most beautiful trek, famous for the enchanting view of the snow clad peaks of Neelkanth (6596m), Kamet (7756m), Mukut Parbat, Mana, Nilgiri Parbat, Trishul (7120m), Hardeol, Dronagiri, Rishi Pahar, Kalanka, Chaukhamba (7128m), Lampak, Changabang (6864m) , Ronthi , Bithartoli, Kamet (7757m) and others. On a clear day most of the time you are trekking in the company of these mountains giving you a thrilling experience of the mighty Himalaya.
Kuari Pass trek goes through farmlands to tricky terrains, open fields to dense forests, and stream crossings to frozen rivers. If you are going there for the first time, you might find yourself in trouble. There are several diversions on the way to the top, due to which unexpected injuries may happen, so it certainly will not be a good idea going there without a guide. As you will get closer to your destination, you will feel a shift in the landscape. The trail will bend at a sharp curve, and treelines will disappear. You will find it difficult to cover the rest distance without proper guidance. Kuari Pass trek comes under moderately difficult trek. If you are thinking to do this trek, you need to be medically fit.
Day 01: Rishikesh to Ghat to Chefna
After an early breakfast drive to Ghat & Nandparyag (1331mt) and then to Chefna (the starting point of the trek) via Devprayag, Rudraparyag, Karnparyag and Nandparyag, the most famous confluences of Garhwal Himalayas. Lunch enroute. Arrive Ghat in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay in tents/hotel.
Day 02: Chefna to Ghuni
After Breakfast and begin the trek. It's a nice walk next to the river followed by an ascent through coniferous and mixed forests. The walk by a wooded ridge takes us to a village called Ramni (2550m). It is a typical Garhwal village with friendly people and attractive houses with heavy slate roofs and paved alleys surrounded by fertile fields. It has a solar-powered electricity scheme. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Day 03: Ghunni to Jhinjhi Village
The day requires an essential early start not only to negotiate the long days but also to acquaint beautiful Himalayan views. The trails winds up to the ridge top towering high above the campsite at Ghunni. After crossing the ridge you will come to an open meadow with stunning views of some of the Himalayan jewels i.e. Nanda Ghunti, Chaukhamba and an awesome view of Ramni and Ghunni settlements just lower down the valley. From here the trail continues to climb gently, passing through beautiful forests of Rhododendron, followed by pasture grasslands for sheeps and cattles with some nomadic huts. The trail from this point climbs with a couple of switch backs which again becomes gentle and takes you to an open meadow with gorgeous views of Nanda Ghunti peak. Continue with the trail which is more or less gradual finally takes you to Vinayak Pass. The pass is marked with a Ganesha temple with a prayer flag. From here you will get to see some excellent view of Himalayas and first glimpse of Kuari pass at a distant. From the pass the trail starts to drop down gently and in point in times becomes steep, which continues to drop passing through Sem Kharak and finally takes you to the village of Jhinjhi. Dinner and overnight in the tents.
Day 04: Jhinjhi Village to Panna Village
The day’s walk starts with an aroma of living style and culture of people of Jhinjhi village. The trail continues to descend through the village finally comes to the valley floor and brings you to a high suspension bridge over river Birahi Ganga. After crossing the bridge you get to the true right of the valley. The trail now climbs steeply with zig zags initially and later with some false summits finally to the ridge. Again some compensating views of the nearby settlements and some Himalayan peaks are really appreciable. From this point path is gradual and passes through a beautiful forest of Rhododendron finally go past Kaliagad to the settlement at Pana. A final ascend of less than a kilometer will bring us to the campsite above village of Pana. Dinner and overnight in the tents.
Day 05: Panna to Dhakwani
The trail is well distinctive above the camp site passing through a forest of Rhododendron with a couple of fall summit and finally takes you to the ridge. Now trail continues gradually through the forest to an open meadow of Sartoli which serve as camping site as well as pasture land for a sheep & cattle. This is an ideal place to view Kuari Pass dominating the horizon. Initially the trail from Sartoli starts to descend gradually for a couple of kilometers but in the later part the final descend to the side stream is very steep with loose moraine (The guest are required to use their trekking poles during this stretch). Cross over the side stream and start a steep ascend with a series of switch backs to the ridge top. From here trail traverses slightly with a couple of ascend again and finally takes you to another side stream just under Dhakwani. From this point it’s about a half an hour climb to the campsite at Dhakwani. Dinner and overnight stay in the tents.
Day 06: Dhakwani to Kuaripass to Tali
This day requires an early start in order to get a magnificent view at the pass. The trail from Dhakwani continues to climb through the forest until we cross the tree line. From this point the path traverses to the left of the valley just under the pass and continues with a series of switch backs straight to the pass. Oh what a fabulous, stunning, magnificent views of greater Himalaya is waiting to be admired. Take your time, relax and enjoy photography at the pass. The trail from the pass slightly ascends to a hump. From where you will find an excellent view of Dronagiri peak. After this the trail descends to a point with a bifurcation to Tapovan & Tali. Continue on the trail to Tali which leads to a ridge with temple and prayer flags. From here the Great Nanda Devi peak comes in view. The trail goes past through pasture land and enters the forest and finally leads to the campsite at Tali. Dinner and overnight in stay in tents.
Day 07: Tali to Auli to Joshimath
This morning is the morning at ease. The trail from Tali is a gradual climb across mountain ridge. This trail is narrow and requires cautious walking until it reaches Gorson meadows. From here it’s all Himalayas all around. Great Nanda Devi peak is utmost admirable and dominating amongst the many. The crossing of Gorson meadow is real fun and most enjoyable walk. Finally the man made concrete contractions could be seen from a distant marks the village of Auli. It’s time to say bye to the ponies and porters. Board a Jeep to town of Joshimath which is 13 kms drive. Joshimath is a happening market place and serves as a supply to nearby villages. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.
Day 08: Joshimath to Rishikesh
Early morning after breakfast drive to rishikesh and departure to your next destination.
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