Trekking in HImalayas - Kuari Pass Trek
Region: Garhwal Himalayas
Duration: 6 Nights 7 Days
Destination covered:
Rishikesh - Auli - Chitrakantha - Kuaripass - Dakhwani - Pana - Ramni - Ghat - Srinagar - Rihikesh
Altitude: 4268 m above sea level
Grade: Moderate Trek
Best Time: May to October
Kuari Pass was the way followed by Shipton and Tilman on their way to the Rishi Gorge and by other mountaineer's en path to the peaks on the Indo-Tibetan border. It is also known as the Curzon Trail, as the well-known former Viceroy of India also travelled this route. The path was named after Lord Curzon who was a keen explorer and it is said that the path was particularly improved so that he could do the trek. The crossing of the pass is a fitting conclusion to a trek that takes in three lesser passes and five major rivers - the Pindar, Kaliganga, Mandakini, Bheriganga and the Dhauliganga.
Lord Kurzon made the trek to Kuari pass , and since then it has come to be known as Curzon's trail. It is very popular among European and American Travelers.
In 1905 Lord Curzon reached Kuari pass from Ghat via Ramni. These days many trekkers favor to undertake the trek in the reverse direction. The major attraction of Curzon's trails is the royal view of the twin peaks of Nanda Devi , Kamet , Dronagiri and Hathi-Ghodi Parvat. The Pass (Khal) is approached through a narrow goat track at a height of 4265 mts. Standing at the Kwari-Pass facing north, the vision sweeps from the gorges of Trishul in the east to the peaks of Kedarnath in the west - the Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Nilkhantha, Kamet, Gauri Parbat, Hathi Parbat, Nandadevi, Bethartoli, Dunagiri, etc. all arranged in a fantastic arc- southwards the foothills stretch wave upon on to dim haze of the distant plains one of the most interesting trek in the Garhwal area.The trek passes through forests of oak and conifer, bamboo and birch, teeming with a variety of animals and birds life. A trekker might even be lucky enough to come across leopard pugmarks or a Himalayan black bear on this trail. Lord Curzon went up to the Kwari-pass in 1905 and hence the trek is named after him as "Corzon Trail".
You get really impressive views of the Himalayas - Trishul (23,496 ft/7,120 m) o Kedarnath (22,994 ft/6,968 m), Kamet's pyramid of granite (25,595 ft/7,756 m), Nilkanth (21,767 ft/6,596 m), the square-topped summits of Gori Parbat and Hathi Parbat, Badrinath, the icy crest of Dunagiri, Rishikot, Changabang (22,651 ft/6,864 m), Kedarnath and Chowkhamba (23,522 ft/7,128 m) and the famous twin peaks of Nanda Devi, (25,643 ft/7,740 m), surrounded by an awesome 19,800-foot (6,000 m) wall which forms a sanctuary.
Kuari Pass Itinerary
Day 01: Rishikesh - Auli (260 kms/8-9 hrs)
After an early breakfast drive to Auli (2750m) via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag and Nandprayag, the most famous confluences of Garhwal Himalayas. Lunch enroute. Arrival at Auli by evening. Upon arrival at Auli check in to Tourist Rest house. Dinner and overnight stay at TRH.
Day 02: Auli - Chitrakantha (3310 mts/10857 ft) 15 kms/6-7 hrs
Early in the morning one can see the magnificent view of Nanda Devi peak. After breakfast we will start our trek from Auli. Enroute we will cross the famous Bugyals (meadows) of Gorson and from here we can see the entire range of Nanda Devi sanctuary, along the Rishi Ganga. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 03: Chitrakantha - Kuaripass (3640 mts/11940 ft) - Dakhwani (3300 mts/10824 ft) 14 kms/5 hrs
In the morning after breakfast we will trek to Dakhwani via the Lord Curzon trail Kuaripass. The route is full of thrill. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 04: Dakhwani - Pana (2450 mts/8036 ft) 14 kms/5-6 hrs
In the morning after breakfast trek to Pana. Enroute we will find lush green meadows, water falls, snow clapped mountains and much more. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 05: Pana - Ramni (2550 mts/8364 ft) 17 kms/5-6 hrs
In the morning after breakfast we will trek to Ramni village. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 06: Ramni - Ghat (1330 mts/4363 ft) 15 kms trek/4 hrs - Srinagar
In the morning we will trek downwards to reach roadhead Ghat and from here drive to Srinagar (110 kms/3 hrs). dinner and overnight stay in hotel.
Day 07: Srinagar - Rihikesh (125 kms/4 hrs)
Morning after breakfast start journey to reach Rishikesh. Tour End.
