The Kuari Pass trek is the classic winter-and-spring walk above Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, following the old bridle path that the British called the Lord Curzon Trail. It is a short, forgiving Himalayan trek that still hands you a front-row view of Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet and the Hathi-Ghoda peaks from a broad grassy pass, without the long, punishing days that bigger climbs demand.
The Kuari Pass sits at about 3,800 m (roughly 12,500 ft) in the Garhwal Himalaya, reached over about 25–33 km in five to six days from the base town of Joshimath. It is graded easy to moderate, runs in snow from December to March and clear weather from April to June and September to November, and passes through the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
About the Kuari Pass trek
Kuari means “doorway” in the local Garhwali sense, and the pass is exactly that: a saddle on the ridge that separates the Dhauli and Alaknanda valleys. It was mapped and popularised by British surveyors and climbers, and Lord Curzon walked part of it in 1905, which is why guides still call it the Curzon Trail.
The walk is gentle by Himalayan standards. You climb through oak and rhododendron forest, cross the wide meadows of Gorson Bugyal, and camp at open clearings such as Chitrakantha and Tali before the final push to the pass. The reward is the skyline: Nanda Devi (India’s second-highest peak), Dronagiri, Kamet, Hathi Parbat and Ghoda Parbat (the “elephant and horse”), Chaukhamba and Trishul.
| Base town | Joshimath, Chamoli district, about 1,875 m |
|---|---|
| Road-head / start | Dhak village (about 12–15 km from Joshimath); Auli traverse is an alternative |
| Pass altitude | About 3,800 m (about 12,500 ft); operators quote figures between roughly 12,516 and 12,763 ft |
| Total distance | About 25–33 km, depending on the route variant |
| Duration | 5–6 days including drive-in and drive-out from Joshimath |
| Grade | Easy to moderate; a good first Himalayan pass for fit beginners |
| Region | Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Garhwal Himalaya |
Best time to do the Kuari Pass trek
This is a rare trek that runs for most of the year. Winter gives you snow underfoot and a white pass; spring and autumn give you clean air and sharp mountain views. The one window to avoid is the monsoon, roughly July and August, when Uttarakhand’s slopes are slick and prone to slides.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | December–March | Snow on the trail and pass; cold nights well below freezing; the classic “snow trek” |
| Spring | April–June | Melting snow, rhododendron in bloom, clear skies and comfortable days |
| Monsoon | July–August | Best avoided: rain, leeches and landslide risk on the approach roads |
| Autumn | September–November | Crisp air, stable weather and the widest mountain views of the year |
How to reach the trailhead
Everything funnels through Joshimath, and then a short road transfer to Dhak village where the walking begins. Plan a full day of driving to reach Joshimath, and start early: the mountain road slows sharply after dark.
- By air: The nearest airport is Dehradun (Jolly Grant), from where it is a long day’s drive to Joshimath.
- By rail: The convenient railheads are Rishikesh and Haridwar; both are on the wider network with trains from Delhi and other cities. Check live running on the IRCTC or NTES portals before you book.
- By road: From Rishikesh the route runs on NH7 through Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Chamoli to Joshimath. Shared jeeps and state buses run this corridor; a private taxi is faster and more flexible.
| From | Distance | Typical drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh railway station | About 250 km | 8–10 hours |
| Haridwar Junction | About 273 km | 9–11 hours |
| Dehradun (Jolly Grant) airport | About 290 km | 9–11 hours |
| Joshimath to Dhak road-head | About 12–15 km | Under an hour |
A word of caution on the roads. The Rishikesh–Joshimath highway is being widened and is landslide-prone in and after the monsoon; delays and diversions are normal. Drive by daylight, keep a buffer day, and confirm road status locally before setting out.
The route, day by day
Most operators run a five-to-six-day plan from Joshimath, walking from Dhak up through the forest and meadows to the pass and back. The day breakdown below is a common version; distances and camps vary a little between operators and with snow conditions.
- Day 1 — Rishikesh/Haridwar to Joshimath: The long drive in. Rest and let your body begin to adjust to altitude.
- Day 2 — Joshimath to Dhak, trek to Gulling/Chitrakantha: Short road transfer, then a forest climb through oak and rhododendron to the first camp.
- Day 3 — to Khullara/Tali: Steady ascent onto open meadow, with the Gorson Bugyal grasslands and first big peak views opening up.
- Day 4 — summit day to Kuari Pass and back: An early start for the pass at about 3,800 m, then return to camp. This is the long day, roughly 10 km round trip.
- Day 5 — descend to the road-head, drive to Joshimath: Retrace the meadow and forest, then transfer back.
- Day 6 — Joshimath to Rishikesh/Haridwar: The drive out.
Fitter groups sometimes add the Pangarchulla summit push, which extends the trek by a day or two and raises the difficulty well beyond the pass itself. Treat that as a separate, harder objective.
Difficulty, altitude and AMS
The Kuari Pass trek is graded easy to moderate. The gradients are kind and the daily distances short, which is why it suits fit first-timers. The real challenge is altitude: you sleep above 3,000 m for two or three nights and touch about 3,800 m on summit day.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can affect anyone, regardless of fitness. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cardinal symptom is headache, usually with loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue or nausea, appearing 2–12 hours after arriving high. The CDC advises ascending no more than about 500 m (1,650 ft) of sleeping altitude per night once above 3,000 m, and adding an extra acclimatisation night for every 1,000 m gained.
The CDC’s golden rules are simple: know the early symptoms, never climb higher to sleep while you have any symptoms of altitude illness, and descend if symptoms get worse despite rest. Carry the standard preventive medication only after talking to a doctor, keep hydrated, and tell your guide early if you feel unwell.
Permits and forest fees
Part of the trek lies inside the buffer zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, so a forest entry permit and camping fee apply. In practice, registered trekking operators arrange these permits and pay the fees to the Uttarakhand Forest Department on your behalf; independent trekkers should register at the forest check-post and are usually required to hire a local guide.
Exact fees change and are collected at the check-post, so treat any quoted figure as an indicative planning estimate and reconfirm with your operator or the Forest Department before you go. Foreign nationals typically pay a higher rate than Indian citizens. Standard biosphere rules apply: carry out all waste, no plastic littering, no open fires, and stay on the marked trail.
Where to stay
You sleep in tents for the trek nights; hotels only matter for the Joshimath ends of the trip. Joshimath has a spread from basic lodges to comfortable mid-range hotels, and the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) runs government rest houses in the region. Nearby Auli, the ski resort above town, has pricier options.
The ranges below are indicative planning estimates for a double room per night as of September 2026, and swing with season, so book ahead for winter and the autumn peak.
- Budget lodges (Joshimath): roughly ₹800–₹1,500.
- Mid-range hotels (Joshimath): roughly ₹1,800–₹3,500.
- Higher-end / Auli resorts: from about ₹4,000 upward.
If you want a base for the wider region and a slower first day, read our Auli travel guide, and our overview of the hill stations of Uttarakhand for where to add a few days on either side of the trek.
What it costs
Most people do this trek on a fixed-departure package from an organised operator, which bundles camping, meals on the trail, permits, guide and porter or mule support. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for a five-to-six-day trip; treat every figure as indicative and reconfirm current rates before booking.
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Organised trek package (guide, camping, trail meals, permits) | ₹9,000–₹16,000 |
| Train/road travel to and from Rishikesh or Haridwar | Varies by origin and class |
| Shared taxi/bus, railhead to Joshimath (each way) | ₹700–₹1,500 |
| Hotel nights in Joshimath (before/after) | ₹800–₹3,500 per night |
| Rented gear, tips and extras | ₹1,500–₹3,000 |
Assumptions: shared trip, no flights, standard camping. A private or custom trip costs more. Prices you cannot reconfirm should be treated as planning estimates only.
What to pack
Pack for cold nights whatever the month, because you camp high. Layering is the rule: a base layer, a warm mid-layer, and a windproof and waterproof outer shell.
- Waterproof trekking boots with ankle support, already broken in.
- Insulated jacket, fleece, thermals, waterproof trousers, warm hat and gloves.
- Sunglasses (UV), sunscreen and lip balm; the snow-glare is strong.
- Headtorch, refillable water bottle, personal first-aid and any regular medicines.
- For December–March: heavier down layer, gaiters and microspikes/crampons as advised by your operator.
Practical tips
A few things smooth the trip:
- Mobile network and cash: Signal is patchy on the trail and stops near the pass. Draw cash and pay for supplies in Joshimath; do not rely on UPI or ATMs higher up.
- Nearest hospital: Joshimath has basic medical facilities; serious cases are referred downhill. Buy travel and medical insurance.
- Solo and women trekkers: The trek is popular and generally considered safe in a group; solo trekkers must still hire a registered guide for the biosphere section.
- Acclimatise: Spend the arrival day resting in Joshimath rather than pushing straight up.
On Joshimath itself: the town has been in the news for land subsidence. In early 2023 cracks appeared in hundreds of buildings, and the district administration declared it a subsidence-hit zone; Joshimath sits on the debris of an old landslide. Down To Earth reported in 2025 that parts of the town had subsided by more than 30 cm over two years and that scientists want continued monitoring. In practice the main bazaar, the highway and the Auli ropeway have kept working and treks run as normal, but it is worth knowing the context, choosing accommodation sensibly, and following any local advisories.
If you enjoy this walk, two other Uttarakhand snow treks make natural next steps: the beginner-friendly Kedarkantha trek, and the summer-only Valley of Flowers trek for its alpine blooms.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the Kuari Pass?
The Kuari Pass sits at about 3,800 m, roughly 12,500 ft, in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. Trekking operators quote figures between about 12,516 and 12,763 ft. It is well below the altitude of a Pangarchulla summit push, which some groups add on as a separate, harder objective.
Is the Kuari Pass trek suitable for beginners?
Yes. The Kuari Pass trek is graded easy to moderate, with short daily distances and gentle gradients, so it suits fit first-time Himalayan trekkers. The main challenge is altitude, not steepness. Prepare with some cardio beforehand and allow the arrival day in Joshimath to acclimatise.
What is the best time to do the Kuari Pass trek?
December to March gives a true snow trek with a white pass; April to June and September to November give clear skies and the widest mountain views. Avoid July and August, the monsoon months, when the approach roads are landslide-prone and the trail is wet.
How do I reach the Kuari Pass trailhead?
Reach Joshimath first, the base town in Chamoli. The nearest railheads are Rishikesh (about 250 km) and Haridwar (about 273 km), and the nearest airport is Dehradun. From Joshimath it is a short drive to Dhak village, where the walk begins. Plan a full day for the drive in.
Do I need a permit for the Kuari Pass trek?
Yes. The trek enters the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve buffer zone, so a forest entry permit and camping fee apply. Registered operators arrange these with the Uttarakhand Forest Department; independent trekkers register at the check-post and usually must hire a local guide. Fees change, so reconfirm before travelling.
Is Joshimath safe to visit after the 2023 subsidence?
The main market, the highway and the Auli ropeway have kept operating, and treks run as usual. Land subsidence affected specific wards, and monitoring continues, so follow local advisories, pick accommodation sensibly and treat the town as a transit base rather than a long stay.
Last updated and sources
The Kuari Pass trek is for fit walkers wanting big Himalayan views without a hard climb; go in the snow of December–March or the clear autumn of September–November.
Last updated: 25 September 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: CDC Yellow Book 2026, High-Altitude Travel and Altitude Illness; Down To Earth on Joshimath subsidence (2025); Scientific Reports, analysis of Joshimath subsidence; Indiahikes Kuari Pass trek notes; how to reach Joshimath by train. Verified against multiple operator itineraries for distance, days and campsites. Accessed September 2026.
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