The Kuari Pass trek follows Lord Curzon's legendary 1905 route through the Garhwal Himalayas — one of the most celebrated high-altitude trails in India. In winter, the entire route is blanketed in 3–7 feet of fresh powder, transforming the oak and rhododendron forests and wide ridgelines into a spectacular snow wilderness.
The standout feature is the unobstructed 270° panoramic view from Kuari Pass (3,650m): Nanda Devi (7,816m), Kamet (7,756m), Dronagiri (7,110m), and Chaukhamba (7,138m) all visible simultaneously. Very few treks in the world offer this concentration of 7,000m+ peaks in a single view. Graded Moderate, it suits trekkers with some prior experience or good fitness.
4 Himalayan Giants in One View
Nanda Devi, Kamet, Dronagiri & Chaukhamba — all 7,000m+ peaks — visible simultaneously from Kuari Pass.
Lord Curzon's 1905 Route
Trek the historic trail walked by Viceroy Curzon over 100 years ago — a legendary Himalayan itinerary.
3–7 ft Deep Snow
Dramatic winter snowfall coats the entire route — forests, meadows and ridgelines in pristine white.
270° Panoramic Ridge Walk
Walk along open ridgelines with sweeping views in all directions — one of India's best ridge treks.
Ancient Bugyals & Oak Forests
Trek through centuries-old forests and ancient alpine meadow trails under a canopy of fresh snowfall.
Wilderness Ridge Camping
Camp on snow-covered ridges at 3,000m+ with the full Himalayan amphitheatre as your evening backdrop.
Delhi / Haridwar to Joshimath (1,875m)
Overnight drive or train to Haridwar, then drive 9–10 hrs to Joshimath — the gateway to Kuari Pass. Snow peaks visible from the road as you ascend into the Chamoli district. Overnight at guesthouse.
Joshimath to Dhak → Trek to Gulling (2,800m)
Short drive from Joshimath to Dhak village, then begin the trek up through oak and rhododendron forests heavy with snow. Camp at Gulling — first views of the ridge ahead.
Gulling to Tali Camp (3,000m)
Trek through stunning winter forests with snowfall accumulation increasing rapidly. Emerge above the treeline to open ridges. First proper Himalayan views including Hathi Parbat and Ghori Parbat.
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast at Gulling camp
- 8:00 AM: Trek begins through deep snow forest
- 10:30 AM: Emerge above treeline — big views begin!
- 12:30 PM: Packed lunch on open ridge
- 2:30 PM: First sight of Nanda Devi — breathtaking
- 3:30 PM: Arrive Tali camp (3,000m)
- Evening: Hot soup, mountain photography session
Tali to Kuari Pass Summit (3,650m)
The crown jewel. Summit Kuari Pass at 3,650m for the legendary 270° panorama — Nanda Devi (7,816m), Kamet (7,756m), Dronagiri (7,110m) and Chaukhamba (7,138m) all visible at once. Camp near the pass.
- 5:30 AM: Pre-dawn start to catch sunrise on the pass
- 6:15 AM: Alpenglow on Nanda Devi — unforgettable
- 8:30 AM: Reach Kuari Pass summit (3,650m)
- Nanda Devi, Kamet, Dronagiri, Chaukhamba all visible
- 11:00 AM: Packed breakfast at the pass
- 1:00 PM: Descend to high camp near treeline
- Evening: Bonfire, hot drinks, share the summit stories
Khulara to Auli Meadow (2,519m)
Descend through snow-laden forests to the world-famous Auli ski resort — a broad alpine meadow at 2,519m with another jaw-dropping view of the Nanda Devi massif. Camp or stay at the resort area.
Auli → Joshimath — Rest & Buffer Day
Descend to Joshimath. Hot showers, warm meals and a chance to visit the ancient Shankaracharya monastery. Buffer day for weather contingencies. Overnight at Joshimath guesthouse.
Joshimath → Haridwar → Delhi
Post-breakfast drive back to Haridwar (9–10 hrs). Connect to Delhi by evening train or bus. Kuari Pass plants a deep impression — the panorama of four giants stays in your mind forever.
Included
Not Included
Standing at Kuari Pass at sunrise with four 7,000m giants glowing pink in the alpenglow — I will never forget that moment as long as I live. The snow was perfect, the guides knew the route flawlessly, and the camps were far better than expected. A masterpiece of a trek.
I'd done Dayara last winter and wanted something more challenging. Kuari Pass delivered everything — deeper snow, more dramatic ridges, and that panorama at the top that no photograph can truly capture. The MilesNPeople team was exceptional throughout. Already booked Roopkund for next year!
Moderate fitness is required. You should be able to walk 5–8 hours a day with a daypack in cold conditions. Prior trekking experience is recommended but not mandatory if you are physically active. Start cardio training 6–8 weeks before — stair climbs, jogging, and long walks are ideal prep.
On clear winter days, the views are extraordinary and arguably the best of any moderate Himalayan trek. You can see Nanda Devi (7,816m — India's highest), Kamet (7,756m), Dronagiri (7,110m), Chaukhamba (7,138m), Mana Parbat, Hathi Parbat and Nilgiri Parbat simultaneously from the pass.
Daytime: -2°C to +5°C on the ridge. Nights at camp: -15°C to -20°C. We provide sleeping bags rated to -20°C. Essential clothing: good down jacket (700 fill), thermal base layers (top and bottom), waterproof gloves, balaclava, waterproof boots with insulation, and waterproof shell jacket.
Kuari Pass is longer (7 days vs 5), higher (3,650m vs 3,408m), and graded Moderate vs Easy. The big difference is the peak views — Kuari offers an unmatched panorama of 4 giants over 7,000m. Dayara is better for first-timers; Kuari is the natural step-up for those who want a bigger challenge and more dramatic scenery.
Joshimath is 280km from Haridwar (9–10 hrs drive). Our pickup is from Haridwar railway station at the assembly time (usually 5 AM). Delhi to Haridwar: overnight Shatabdi or Jan Shatabdi (4.5 hrs) or Volvo bus (6 hrs). We provide transport from Haridwar to Joshimath and back included in the package.