Kuari Pass Trek 4N/5D
from Varanasi

Kuari Pass Trek 4N/5D

<p>The Kuari Pass Trek, historically known as Lord Curzon's Trail, is one of the most celebrated and scenically magnificent treks in the Garhwal Himalayas. Named after the British Viceroy Lord Curzon who traversed this route in the early 20th century and was said to be awed by its beauty, the trail to Kuari Pass (3,640 metres) offers what many mountaineers consider the finest panoramic view of the central Himalayan peaks accessible without technical climbing equipment.</p><p>The trek begins in Joshimath — the gateway town to Badrinath, Auli, and several major trekking routes — and winds through a sequence of increasingly dramatic landscapes: dense forests of oak and rhododendron, open alpine meadows, high-altitude bugyals (grassy plateaus), and finally the windswept saddle of Kuari Pass with its extraordinary 180-degree mountain panorama. On a clear day at the pass, trekkers can see Nanda Devi (7,816m — India's second highest peak), Trishul (7,120m), Dronagiri (7,066m), Hathi Parbat, Bethartoli Himal, Kamet (7,756m), and numerous other giants arrayed in a breathtaking arc across the northern horizon.</p><p>The route from Joshimath takes trekkers through the village of Dhak and up to the camping sites at Gulling and Khullara, both of which offer exceptional mountain views and peaceful, uncrowded camping in pristine alpine settings. The descent from Kuari Pass via the skiing meadows of Auli adds a unique dimension — Auli is India's premier ski destination and its meadows, seen from above, present a sweeping green carpet in summer, transforming to white in winter.</p><p>The Kuari Pass Trek is uniquely positioned as a multi-interest journey. Pilgrims visiting Badrinath or Hemkund Sahib often extend their trip with this trek, using Joshimath as a common base. Adventure seekers find the moderate-to-challenging terrain and high altitude rewarding. Nature lovers are captivated by the biodiversity of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve buffer zone through which parts of the trail pass. Photographers find the high-altitude morning light and cloud-draped peaks endlessly compelling.</p><p>Best attempted between February and June and from September to November, the Kuari Pass trek rewards those who choose it with a mountain experience that is both grand in scale and intimate in detail — a journey that embodies everything that makes Uttarakhand's high Himalayas so special. Our knowledgeable local guides, born and raised in these mountains, bring the trail alive with stories of the peaks, the passes, and the people who call this extraordinary landscape home.</p>

• ✓ Accommodation in guesthouses and tents on quad-sharing basis throughout the trek
• ✓ All vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner through Day 6 breakfast
• ✓ Morning tea, evening snacks, and hot soup on camping nights
• ✓ Experienced trek leader, certified guide, and support staff
• ✓ Forest permits, entry fees, and all necessary trekking permissions
• ✓ Kitchen, dining tent, and toilet tent setup at all camps