Region: Garhwal Himalayas
Duration: 8 Nights 9 Days
Destination covered: Rishikesh - Ghat - Ramni - Jhinjipani - Panairani - Kuari Pass - Auli - Joshimath - Rishikesh
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 - Ghat
Morning after breakfast drive to Ghat (1331 mts) by covering approx 220 kms (7-8 Hrs). Arrive Ghat and overnight stay in tents.
Day 02: Ghat - Ramni
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Ramni (1982 Mt) by covering approx 10 kms (4 - 5Hrs). Arrive and overnight stay in tents.
Day 03: Ramni - SEM Kharak - Jhinjipani
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Jhinjipani (2015 Mt) via Sem Kharak by covering approx 13 kms. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 04: Jhinjipani - Panairani
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Panairani (2043 Mt) by covering approx 12 kms. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 05: Panarani - Dhakwani
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Dhakwani (2486 Mt) by covering approx 13 kms. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 06: Dhakwani - Kuari PassMorning after early breakfast start trekking (10 km / 4-5 Hrs)) to cross Kuari Pass (4268 Mt). From the Pass you can have a breathtaking view of Nanda Devi, Dronagiri Chaukhmba and other numerous peaks of Garhwal Himalaya. Overnight stay in tents on the other side of the pass.
Day 07: Kuari Pass - Tali
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Talii crosing through the medows and pine forest.Arrive and set the camp for over night stay.
Day 8: Tali - Auli - Joshimath
Morning after breakfast starts trekking to reach Auli. (12 kms/4 - 5 hrs to reach Auli (2519 Mt). En route cross the famous bugyals (meadows) of Gurson and will also get views of the route leading to the famous Nanda Devi sanctuary, along the Rishi Ganga. Auli has one of the longest ski slopes and one can also have a panoramic view of the Nanda Devi group of peaks. Further drive to Joshimath. Overnight stay in Hotel.
Day 9: Joshimath - Rishikesh
Morning after breakfast start journey to reach Rishikesh (275 km Drive). Tour End.