Moderate
Valley of Flowers Trek
- 6 days
- 12,000 ft
- Chamoli
A monsoon walk through a protected alpine flower valley
Next departure
Ask about dates
₹12,500 / person
4.9(500+ reviews)
GARHWAL HIMALAYAS · CURZON TRAIL
Kuari Pass Trek
The Curzon Trail with Grandest Views of Nanda Devi and the Garhwal Himalaya.
6 Days / 5 Nights
Duration
Moderate
Difficulty
12,516 ft (3,815 m)
Max Altitude
Dec – Mar & Apr – Jun
Best Season
A TREK THROUGH HISTORY
Walk the Legendary Curzon Trail
The Kuari Pass Trek, famously referred to as the “Curzon Trail,” is one of the most scenic treks in the Garhwal Himalayas. Historically traversed in 1905 by Lord Curzon during British exploration of the Garhwal borderlands, this route remains one of India's most celebrated high-ridge treks.
From ancient forests and charming meadows like Gorson Bugyal to staggering amphitheater views of Mt. Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Dronagiri, Kamet, Neelkanth, and Hathi-Ghodi Parbat, this trek offers a harmonious blend of pristine natural beauty, moderate gradient, and rich Himalayan heritage.
Curzon Trail Ridge
Historic high-ridge pass traversed by Lord Curzon in 1905 with 360° panoramas.
Alpine Meadows & Oak Forests
Enchanting walks beneath ancient silver birch, rhododendrons, and wide meadows.
Fairytale Winter Campsites
Camp in snow-dusted glades at Gulling & Khullara beneath starry Himalayan skies.
DETAILED PLAN · 5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS
Kuari Pass trek itinerary
A well-paced 6-day Curzon Trail journey through oak forests, alpine meadows, and the panoramic 12,516 ft summit pass.
Day1Arrival in Joshimath / Pipalkoti
Distance: Basecamp check-in
Arrival & Orientation: Check-in by 1 PM
Accommodation: Homestay / Guest Lodge in Joshimath / Pipalkoti
- Upon reaching Joshimath / Pipalkoti, check into your designated Yeti Adventure homestay accommodation.
- The rest of the day is at leisure to rest, explore the local mountain market, and acclimatize to the higher altitude (6,150 ft).
- Evening briefing session with your NIM-certified mountain leader: trail orientation, medical pulse oximeter and blood pressure check, and gear verification.
- A warm, nutritious Garhwali vegetarian dinner will be served followed by an early night's rest.
Note:
- Standard check-in time is 01:00 PM.
- Airtel and Jio offer reliable 4G mobile connectivity in Joshimath and Pipalkoti.
- Cloakroom facility is available at our basecamp for storing excess city luggage.
Day2Drive from Joshimath to Tugasi | Trek to Guling Campsite
Distance: 14 km drive / 4 km trek
Drive & Trek: 45 mins drive + 5 hrs trek
Accommodation: Guling Alpine Campsite (9,678 ft / 2,950 m)
- After an early morning breakfast, board your vehicle for a scenic 45-minute mountain drive to Tugasi Village (2,100 m / 6,890 ft), the official trailhead.
- Leave the tarmac road behind as the trail winds on dirt paths through tiny Himalayan hamlets with traditional slate roofs and stepped barley terraces.
- The village clearing soon transitions into lush green forest canopies of ancient oak, pine, and scarlet rhododendron.
- Reach the serene clearing of Guling campsite by early afternoon and settle into your premium 4-season alpine tents.
- Enjoy a freshly cooked hot lunch followed by an acclimatization walk around the meadow, evening soup, team bonding games, dinner, and starlit overnight camping.
Note:
- Fresh mountain water sources are available along the trail before reaching Guling.
- Guling campsite features dedicated eco-friendly dry bio-toilet tents with complete privacy and hygiene.
Day3Trek from Guling to Khullara Base Camp
Distance: 6 kms
Duration Trek: 6–7 hrs
Accommodation: Khullara High Alpine Campsite (10,564 ft / 3,220 m)
- Post breakfast, receive morning briefing regarding trail terrain, breathing pace, and steady altitude gain.
- Trek upward from Guling towards Khullara through enchanting forests of silver oak, walnut, and towering conifers.
- En route, enjoy your packed lunch at a scenic clearing while taking in the first dramatic vistas of Mt. Dronagiri, Hathi Parbat, and the Chaukhamba massif.
- Break above the forest line onto the wide, open alpine meadows of Khullara basecamp by late afternoon.
- As twilight settles over the Garhwal peaks, witness an unforgettable golden sunset followed by crystal-clear stargazing under pristine Himalayan night skies.
- Dinner and overnight stay in winter-grade tents at Khullara basecamp.
Note:
- Khullara campsite is one of the coldest points on the trail; keep at least 4–5 warm layers handy in your daypack.
- Carry insulated water bottles to prevent water from freezing overnight.
Day4Summit Day: Trek to Kuari Pass (12,516 ft) & Return to Khullara
Distance: 6 kms roundtrip
Summit Push & Return: 7 hrs
Accommodation: Khullara High Alpine Campsite (10,564 ft)
- Pre-dawn alpine start with hot energy tea and porridge. Briefing session with summit turnaround timings.
- Ascend steadily along the legendary Curzon Ridge, crunching through pristine winter snowfields in December to March.
- Reach the summit of Kuari Pass (12,516 ft / 3,815 m) as the first golden rays illuminate the great Himalayan ranges.
- Gaze into the sacred Nanda Devi Sanctuary with an awe-inspiring 360-degree amphitheater of peaks: Mt. Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, Dronagiri, Kamet, Lampak, and Hathi-Ghodi Parbat.
- Spend ample time taking photographs, celebrating your achievement, and soaking in the silence before descending back to Khullara basecamp.
- Arrive at camp for hot lunch, tea, celebratory evening snacks, dinner, and well-earned rest.
Note:
- Yeti Adventure provides microspikes and snow gaiters for all trekkers during snowy conditions.
- Carry UV-protected sunglasses to prevent glare and snow blindness on the open high ridge.
Day5Trek from Khullara to Tugasi | Drive to Joshimath / Pipalkoti
Distance: 12 km trek / 14 km drive
Descent & Drive: 6 hrs trek + 45 mins drive
Accommodation: Homestay / Guest Lodge in Joshimath / Pipalkoti
- Enjoy a warm breakfast with mountain views before beginning your steady, gentle descent towards Tugasi Village.
- Retrace your steps through the golden oak glades and meadows, enjoying a relaxed pace with plenty of time for photography.
- Enjoy packed lunch en route at a scenic forested clearing.
- Arrive at the Tugasi roadhead where your vehicle awaits to transport you back to Joshimath / Pipalkoti.
- Check into your comfortable homestay, enjoy hot showers, collect stored luggage, and gather for a trek completion celebration dinner and debriefing.
Note:
- Trek completion certificates are awarded by your mountain leaders during the celebration dinner.
- Comfortable homestay beds and charging facilities are available.
Day6Check-out & Farewell / Drive to Rishikesh
Distance: End of tour / 250 km drive
Departure: Check-out by 10 AM
- Enjoy a relaxed mountain breakfast and check out from your accommodation by 10:00 AM.
- Trekkers with self-arranged travel are free to continue their onward journeys in Uttarakhand.
- For trekkers opting for the Rishikesh package, board the morning shared vehicle for the return journey along the Alaknanda river via Devprayag, reaching Rishikesh / Haridwar by late evening (07:30 PM – 08:30 PM).
Note:
- Standard check-out time is 10:00 AM.
- If booking return trains or flights from Rishikesh/Dehradun, please schedule departures after 09:30 PM.
Route map & altitude profile
Panoramic illustrated route map of Lord Curzon’s trail from Joshimath (6,200 ft), Dhak trailhead (6,890 ft), Gulling camp (9,678 ft), Tali top (11,155 ft), Khullara camp (10,564 ft) to Kuari Pass summit ridge (12,516 ft).
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Transparent Inclusions & Guidelines
What's Included?
- Experienced NIM-certified trek leader & local support staff
- All nutritious veg meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 6 morning tea
- Accommodation: 2 Nights homestay in Joshimath/Pipalkoti, 3 Nights alpine tents
- Nanda Devi National Park / Forest entry permits and camping fees
- Group trekking equipment (tents, sub-zero sleeping bags, toilet tents)
- Safety gear: Microspikes, gaiters, emergency oxygen cylinder & medical first-aid kit
- Cloakroom facility available at base camp for extra luggage
What's Not Included?
- 5% GST applicable on package total
- Surface transport to and from Joshimath (included if choosing Rishikesh package)
- Personal expenses (bottled water, snacks, warm beverages at homestays)
- Travel or medical evacuation insurance
- Personal backpack offloading (available at ₹1,600 / max 10 kg)
- Any costs arising from unscheduled delays due to landslides or weather
FITNESS & ELIGIBILITY
Who is this trek for?
- Nature lovers and mountain photographers
- Trekking enthusiasts seeking panoramic peak vistas
- Beginners with good cardiovascular fitness
- Families and small curated adventure groups
- Trekkers wanting the quintessential Himalayan winter snow trek
Cardio Benchmark:
Run 5 km comfortably in under 33 mins or cycle 15 km in 45 mins.
Photo gallery
Genuine trail & expedition photos from our Kuari Pass Curzon Trail batches.
Nanda Devi and Dronagiri Ridge PanoramaMountains
Winter Snow Trail Along Alpine RidgeTrail
Ancient Oak & Rhododendron ForestTrail
Alpine Camp at Khullara SnowfieldCamps
Summit Ridge at Kuari Pass (12,516 ft)Ridge
Golden Hour Alpenglow on Mt. DronagiriMountains
Experience
the Majesty of Kuari Pass
Retrace Lord Curzon's footsteps, gaze directly at the summit wall of Mt. Nanda Devi, trek across crisp winter snows and sleep under galaxies of Himalayan stars.
Plan Your TrekWHY TREKKERS LOVE IT
Highlights of Kuari Pass Trek
From panoramic Himalayan views to beautiful meadows, here's what makes this trek truly special.
Panoramic Views of Nanda Devi
Witness Mt. Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Dronagiri, Kamet, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, and Hathi-Ghodi dominating the skyline.
Snow Trails in Winter
Vast meadows blanketed in powdery white snow from December to March, ideal for beginner snow trekking.
Beautiful Meadows & Oak Forests
Traverse through ancient golden oak, rhododendron groves, and the rolling expanse of Gorson Bugyal.
Read to extra fun miles: Sunset Bliss Gulling
Rich Himalayan Culture
Experience timeless Garhwali heritage in traditional stone-and-timber hamlets like Tugasi and Dhak.
TRAVEL & LOGISTICS GUIDE
How to Reach Joshimath & Best Seasons
Essential transit instructions and seasonal weather intelligence from our Uttarkashi operations team.
By Air
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (272 km from Joshimath). Regular direct flights connect from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. From Dehradun, take a shared cab or bus to Rishikesh.
By Train
The closest railway station is Yog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK) or Haridwar (HW) (250 km from Joshimath). Major trains including the Vande Bharat and Jan Shatabdi connect daily from Delhi.
By Road
From Rishikesh, take the all-weather Badrinath National Highway (NH-7) along the Alaknanda river passing Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag to Joshimath (9-10 hours).
Seasonal Trail Intelligence
Winter Snow (Dec – Mar)Day 8°C / Night -10°C
Snow-covered oak glades, frozen water bodies, and pristine snowfields across Gorson Bugyal. Requires 5–6 warm layers and microspikes (provided).
Spring & Autumn (Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov)Day 16°C / Night 2°C
Crimson rhododendron blooms, emerald alpine pastures, crystal-clear skies with uninterrupted panoramic vistas of Mt. Nanda Devi.
FAQs
Everything you need to know about trail logistics, weather, and preparation for Kuari Pass.
What our trekkers say
Verified trail reviews from our Kuari Pass batches.
Kabir Malhotra
Gurugram
“Standing at Kuari Pass with Mt. Nanda Devi rising right ahead was spiritual. Yeti Adventure's local Joshimath crew paced the trail perfectly through the winter snow.”
Dr. Suniti Rao
Hyderabad
“The ancient oak and rhododendron forest walk to Gulling campsite felt like another world. Warm meals at sub-zero temperatures and meticulous safety checks throughout.”
Tenzin Norbu
Dehradun
“Lord Curzon knew what he was doing in 1905! Unmatched 360-degree vistas of Dronagiri and Kamet. Having local Garhwal leaders made every ridge and campsite feel like home.”
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Ready for the Kuari Pass trail?
Walk the historic Curzon Trail with certified local mountain leaders. Uninterrupted vistas of Mt. Nanda Devi and authentic Himalayan care.