Kuari Pass Trek: The Majestic Himalayan Winter Trek

Short Itinerary for Day 1

DRIVE FROM RISHIKESH TO JOSHIMATH

• Altitude: 2050m/6750ft

• The journey takes approximately ten hours to cover the distance of 256 kilometers. 

• Trekkers will be picked up from Rishikesh by 6:30 AM.

• All sights of interest are some distance away, including Joshimath, which is another long journey.

• During the trip from Rishikesh to Joshimath, you will encounter various towns, each showcasing its beautiful scenery. 

Detailed Itinerary for Day 1:

The trek begins in Rishikesh, where transportation will be provided for pick-up at Rishikesh and will subsequently move on Badrinath Road. Suppose you are the kind of person who loves sightseeing as well as fun and adventure in the water you may choose to have a short stay in Rishikesh either before starting the trek or at the end. The journey from Rishikesh to Joshimath will take approximately a 10-hour trip and may become monotonous and tiring. However, you will never be short of breathtaking views along the way. The magnificent river that runs along with us will become more exciting as we begin our ascent. We will pass through Prayag, also known as the four prayags or four confluences of the Ganga.



Short Itinerary for Day 2:

Drive from Joshimath to Dhak and Trek to Gulling Top 

• Altitude: 2,900m/9,600ft

• The route will take you from Joshimath to Dhak village covering a distance of 12 kilometers (2,050m/6750ft)

• Here the trails consist of gradual as well as steep ascents and also a passage through several villages.

• Satisfy yourself with the appetizing hot Lunch on the campsites

• One of the many breathtaking mountain ranges in Dronagri, Hathi Parvat, and Gori Parvat will eventually be visible from this viewpoint.

• Starting from Dhak village, the trek to Gulling top campsite will be an easy (5 km) hike.

• There will be magnificent views of the peaks, the open grasslands, and more as you trek.

Detailed Itinerary for Day 2:

Upon arriving in Joshimath, we will be greeted by a stunning array of snow-capped peaks. Breakfast, which will be served early on this day, will be enjoyed before we depart for Dhak village, which lies in the Joshimath Tehsil & involves a bumpy ride of about 45 minutes. This shall mark the beginning of our trekking. It takes almost five hours to cover this trek, and those en route shall keep looking toward the gentle hills making up the beautiful mountains in Joshimath during the trekking period. The peaceful slopes seem to form the figure of a lady

lying in bed, otherwise known as the sleeping lady.

The trek begins at Dhak and ascends to a significant elevation. The dirt trail diverges from the road going up in the direction of Tugasi village. This particular trail has some sudden and sharp turns. As you walk, the terrain gradually slopes upward, starting gently before rising more steeply. This place, however is mostly rugged mountains. In the background left of the terrace farms, this area is devoid of much vegetation. Nevertheless, one can gaze beyond the wide terrain towards the Garhwal boundary that exists in each direction. If you see the thin bright streak glittering in the sun like a silver snake disappearing in the deep gorge, then it is the Dhauli-Ganga river. Also, watch out for the Vishnugad Tapovan power station, which is a hydroelectric project. You will not find any sign of snow in the region.

Approximately twenty to twenty-five minutes into the hike, you will reach Kharchi village, where you can refill your bottles and take some time to relax. Moving further, there is a trail at Kharchi on a deteriorating path and a valley extends on the right side. The ascent is quite abrupt with many switchbacks and abates when it gets to the Lower Tugasi area. It looks like a split in the trail as one now has two options to follow- one leads to a hydro-powered flour mill. In less than ten minutes, an upper region decorated with flower beds, wheat fields, and thatched houses can be reached. There are also a few streams flowing throughout the region.

Follow this route with a steady climb leaving the farmland to the left, and you will reach a place that has an awesome Dronagiri mountain which looks terrifying and rises vertically from a distance. After this, we will set-up our tents on open meadows with views of Dronagiri on the head and the oaks all around. The next day at dawn from this campsite you will witness the most spectacular sight of Dronagiri Peak with golden rays of sunlight falling on it.

Short Itinerary for Day 3:

• Altitude: 3,350m/11,000ft

• Approx 5 hours for a 5.5 km distance.

• A hike will lead you through the deep jungle, mostly red and white oak, rhododendrons.

• You will be spellbound after observing the beauty of this dark forest as well as nature walks.

• Do not forget to remain behind our guide and enjoy the tasty lunch that has been prepared at the camp.

• Sleep in tents for 1 night.

Detailed Itinerary for Day 3:

The next morning, try to wake up at a reasonable hour, as we will be going for a five-hour hike into the dense forests of Talli. After a couple of the previous days of difficult vertical gains, you will find any climb today quite manageable. The rest stops for refreshments are not overly strenuous, allowing you to take a stroll.

Hiking for about 20 minutes and then you’d reach an open, grassy patch with a view of the beautiful snow-capped peaks. After resting for a little while, it is necessary to go on, crossing over a little river, and then enter the thickening gorge of mixed woods inhabited by oak, and many other rhododendrons. If you visit the area in late March, then there is a chance that there will be some white and pink flowers. Apart from these plants, other varieties of conifers and walnut trees can also be found in the area.

As winter progresses into its most beautiful slides, one can find in the forests every part of them, harvested with snow. In this descriptive thickening of light and shade, coniferous forests of Gulling the second camp is set up during your trek behind this snow line.

Along this route, the Hathi-Ghori peaks are expected to already summit in clouds with the splendor of Dronagiri which now is a little towards the right

Short Itinerary for Day 4:

• Altitude: 3,800m/12,500ft

• Around 7 – 10 km Trek 5 – 6 hrs

• Satisfactory breakfast is served, right before you move on the foot trail.

• The statement lower portion consists of a steep ascent, while the upper portion features a gradual incline with a clearer description of the climbing process.

• The wide meadows have summer grass ranging from golden yellow to bright green color. They lie dormant and melt into plush snow in the winter months.

• The journey towards Khullar summit leads to a bridge that has collapsed over a frozen stream (12200 feet)

• From the broken bridge, the journey will commence toward Kuari which is located at an elevation of 12,500 feet.

• Bring along a water bottle filled with adequate water, as there is no water source the whole way up.

Detailed Itinerary for Day 4:

The summit day falls on the fourth day of the trek which is likely to be between ten and eleven hours, depending on the pace of your group. The weather would be very unpleasant today, so great care must be taken to dress well for the heavy snow and blizzarding weather conditions along the slopes. There will not be a single source of water in the coming days, so ensure you have enough water to last your needs throughout.

The fourth day is the summit day which requires 10 – 11 hours depending on the pace of your group members. You must dress knowing the fact that there will be high snow and strong snow winds on the slopes today. There is, therefore, no possibility of any water source within the next few days, therefore it is essential to carry enough water to meet your needs.

The initial phase of the trek will lead you to the Khullara summit, moderate in difficulty and 3.5 kilometers in length. There, an uninterrupted bridge and winter streams need to be crossed before another ridge ascends to the highest point and here snow will make it extremely difficult as well as tiresome to the body. Breaks are allowed approximately every fifteen minutes to rest. In Jhandi Dhar, an ideal place to rest at a distance of two hours into the hike, it can be possible to take even the headache of resting for some amount of time. It is possible to have a midday meal at either the temple or on the way to the temple during the trek.

Make it a point to make sure your shoes are properly fastened or tightened before setting off for a trek. Moreover, gaiters will be provided by us. 

The peak of this trek is a burst of views of how many Garhwal huge mountains can be seen. The iconic  Chaukhambha, Balakun, Neel Kantha, Mukut Parvat, Kamet, Abhi Gamin, Mana I, Ghori Parvat, Hathi Parvat, Dronagiri, Kalanka, Changabang, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti ranges.

Go in despair over a steady bridge and over streams that seem to remain like ice in the harshest winter, now followed onto ridges where the terrain Gained elevation up to the highest point and now became very hard as it was covered by snow. After every interval of 15 minutes, one is allowed to rest and breathe also. In Jhandi Dhar, an additional opportunistic location for a two-hour snooze further into the trail is also recommendable – the list of places. Lunch can be consumed slightly in between the trek or after arriving at the temple at the down base of the Kuari high-regarded pass.

Ensure that you lace your shoes properly so that they do not loosen. For this endeavour, the Himalayan Daredevils shall guide you. 

Short Itinerary for Day 5:

• Altitude: 2,050m/6,750ft

• Breakfast at Camp.

• Lunch: A packed lunch is provided during the journey.

• Once there, it is also possible to have meals and snacks in Joshimath.

Detailed Itinerary for Day 5:

This day, we set forth towards Auli, which is regarded as the skiing capital of India and one of the finest in South Asia. At Auli on the way back, we will try out some wonderful excursions to marvelous snowfalls shed valleys which lead towards Gorson Bugyal. Strolling around the Bugyals of Gorson does not involve too much strenuous climbing where mainly walking on a flat surface. However, during the summer and winter months, the high snowfall can make the place a bit dull. In March, when winter snow begins to melt, skiing becomes a popular activity.

Upon arrival at Auli, the only way to get to Joshimath is through a cable car that glides over and beyond a gently sloping, white cosy ski resort, surrounded by a thick layer of pine trees all faded out with the onset of autumn.

Short Itinerary for Day 5:

• Altitude: 12,000 ft – 12,000ft

Early wake-up for departure as the ride will start at six o'clock getting to the last destination by eight o’clock in the evening. After that, you may book the tickets back to your home town.