Kuari Pass Trek

One of the most popular treks in the Himalayan region of India is located in the Garhwal Mountains near the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The Kuari Pass trek attracts thousands of explorers from all over the world every year. The route to Kuari Pass was once traversed by Lord Curzon in 1905, hence the Kuari Pass trek is often nicknamed “Lord Curzon’s Trail”. The trek passes through dense alpine forests of oaks and conifers, rhododendrons and birches teeming with diverse animal and bird life and YOU MAY BE SURPRISED to encounter a leopard pug or a Himalayan black bear on this trail. So the trek to Kuari Pass has all the elements of an adventure, often passing through steep ascents and descents, narrow and treacherous paths and gushing streams.

Moreover, the journey is worth the effort, as you will soon realize when you catch the picturesque silver horizon parallel to the pristine blue sky. Throughout the trek, you can easily enjoy the magnificent view of Trishul at 7120 meters, Chaukhamba at 6968 meters, Kamet’s granite pyramid at 7756 meters, Neelkanth at 6596 meters, Gauri Parbat and Hathi Parbat peaks, Badrinath with square peaks. , Dunagiri Ice Ridge, Rishikot, Changabang at a height of 6864 meters and the legendary twin peaks of Nanda Devi at a height of 7740 meters.

The trek to Kuari Pass starts from Selu Bagar which is the driving distance from the Ghat. The trail from Selu Bagar leads to Ghunni which is a short trek of about 2-3 hours. From Ghunni, the trail winds through a rich rolling landscape that is covered with several species of alpine trees and wildflowers. You will also come across the small village of Ramni, inhabited by a Himalayan tribe that lives a harmonious life full of colors and spirits. After that, the journey to Kuari Pass becomes strenuous as the trail continues to climb steeply to Jhinjhi village on the way to Vinayak Pass. The panorama of Nanda Ghunti and Chaukhamba can be framed all along the trail, from Ghunni to Jhinjhi, which passes through open grassland with stunning views of some of the Himalayan gems.

The path gradually passes through beautiful rhododendron forests, followed by pastures for sheep and cattle with a few nomadic huts. In the Vinayak pass, it is possible to visit the Ganesha temple, which is embroidered with a prayer flag. From Jhinjhi, the trail continues along the Birahi Ganga river and leads to Pana village. From Pana, the trek to Kuari Pass via Dakhwani intersects every element of nature, dense forest, streams, diverse landscape and wildlife making it truly surreal. The downhill trek from Kuari Pass goes to Tali and then to Joshimath via Auli.

The backdrop below the valley is the entrance to the imposing Rishi Gorge, once thought to be impenetrable. Gulling, Chitrakantha and Tali camps are the main attractions of the trek. The trails leading from Tali Top to Kuari Pass give the impression of the entire alpine expedition as one passage through snowy terrain. For beginners, the Kuari Pass trek can be a fascinating experience as the trek includes rock climbing, walking through dense forests and snowy trek.