Uttarakhand · India
Kuari Pass
The grandstand of the Curzon Trail
The trek
A historic ridge crossing on the old Curzon Trail, with a grandstand view of Nanda Devi, Dronagiri and Kamet.
Kuari Pass is the trek the early British surveyors and viceroys used to fall in love with the Garhwal Himalaya, and the route still carries the name of one of them — the Curzon Trail. More than a century later it remains one of the great viewpoint walks of India, a crossing whose whole purpose is to set you on a ridge directly opposite the giants of the inner sanctuary.
From the pass and the camps below it, the panorama is almost theatrical: the unmistakable bulk of Nanda Devi, the second-highest mountain in India, with Dronagiri, Kamet, Hathi-Ghoda and the Chaukhamba massif ranged around it like a court. Trekkers stand on the snow line and simply watch the light move across twenty named peaks at once.
The trail climbs through oak and rhododendron forest and broad clearings such as Gulling and Tali, with snow on the ground from December into April and crisp, clear skies in the autumn. The grade is gentle and the days are unhurried, which makes Kuari Pass a superb choice for fit beginners who want the biggest possible views for the most modest possible effort.
Highlights
- A grandstand panorama of Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet and Hathi-Ghoda
- The historic Curzon Trail, walked by surveyors and viceroys a century ago
- Forest and meadow camps at Gulling and Tali
- Reliable winter snow and clear, crisp autumn skies
- Huge Himalayan views on a gentle, beginner-friendly grade
From
₹11,499
per person
- Free reschedule up to 21 days out
- Small groups, certified mountain leaders
- Oximeter, oxygen & evacuation plan on every route
Day by day
The itinerary
6 days from Joshimath. Tap any day to read the detail — distances and altitudes are planning figures and may shift with conditions.
A long day on the pilgrim road up the Alaknanda valley, following the river through the sacred confluences of Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag where the great tributaries meet. The route then climbs steadily, past Chamoli, to Joshimath at around 6,150 ft, the historic mountaineering town and winter seat of Badrinath set high above the river. You overnight here in a lodge, well placed to begin acclimatising for the trek. It is a full day on the busy mountain highway, so an early start helps you reach the town before nightfall.
What's included
- Twin/triple-sharing tents and a lodge night in Joshimath
- All meals on the trek (veg, freshly cooked)
- Certified trek leader, guides and support staff
- Microspikes, gaiters and safety equipment
- First-aid, oximeter and emergency oxygen
Not included
- Transport to and from Joshimath
- Personal trekking gear and insurance
- Anything not listed under inclusions
In the field
The country you'll walk
Ready when you are
Walk Kuari Pass with us
Small groups, honest briefings and a crew that has done this route many times over. From ₹11,499 per person.
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