Kuari Pass Trek 2026–27: Complete Guide (Itinerary, Best Time & Difficulty)
Winter & Autumn Trekking · Uttarakhand
Quick answer: The Kuari Pass trek — the historic “Lord Curzon Trail” — is a 5–6 day, easy-to-moderate trek to about 12,500 ft from Joshimath in Uttarakhand. It’s known for the widest Himalayan panorama of any accessible trek, lining up Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet and Chaukhamba. It works in two seasons: autumn (September–November) for clear views, and winter (December–April) as a snow trek, since the trail stays accessible even in thick snow.
We run Kuari Pass departures from our Dehradun base in both the autumn and winter windows. Here’s everything — altitude, itinerary, best time, difficulty and the views.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Max altitude (pass) | ~12,500 ft (≈3,815 m) |
| Base town | Joshimath (~6,150 ft) |
| Duration | 5–6 days (travel included) |
| Trek distance | ~30–33 km round trip |
| Difficulty | Easy–Moderate |
| Best time | Sep–Nov (autumn) · Dec–Apr (snow) |
| Views | Nanda Devi · Dronagiri · Kamet · Chaukhamba |
What is the Kuari Pass trek?
Kuari Pass (“doorway” in the local tongue) is a classic Garhwal Himalaya trek in Chamoli district, topping out around 12,500 ft. It follows the route Lord Curzon explored in 1905 — hence the “Lord Curzon Trail” — from Joshimath through Gorson Bugyal and the meadows and oak forests above Auli to the pass itself. What sets it apart is the view: few accessible treks line up as many major peaks in one panorama.
Kuari Pass trek itinerary (5–6 days)
- Day 1: Drive to Joshimath (~6,150 ft); acclimatise overnight.
- Day 2: Drive to Dhak village, trek to the first forest camp (Gulling/Chitrakantha area).
- Day 3: Trek to Khullara / Tali camp through meadow and forest.
- Day 4: Summit day — Khullara to Kuari Pass (~12,500 ft) and back; the main event, ~6–7 hr round trip.
- Day 5: Descend to Joshimath (or Auli).
- Day 6: Drive back.
Exact camps and 2026–27 dates are on our Kuari Pass itinerary page.
What is the best time for the Kuari Pass trek?
Kuari Pass has two sweet spots. September to November is autumn at its clearest — golden forests and sharp views. December to April turns it into a snow trek, and because the trail stays accessible even in thick snow, it’s one of the dependable winter options in Uttarakhand (crampons needed on the summit section). For the wider seasonal comparison, see our best winter treks in India 2026–27 guide.
How difficult is the Kuari Pass trek?
Kuari Pass is graded easy-to-moderate. The gradients are gentle for most of the route and the camps are well spaced, which makes it genuinely beginner-friendly. The one demanding part is the long summit day to the pass and back. It’s a great first high-view trek, and a natural companion to the summit-focused Kedarkantha Trek.
Temperature, cost and packing
Autumn daytime temperatures are around 10–15°C; in winter, days sit near 5–10°C and nights can drop to 0 to −10°C at altitude. Cost is in a similar range to other six-day Uttarakhand treks — contact Divine Trail for exact 2026–27 Dehradun-departure pricing. Pack warm layers, a down jacket, waterproof boots, gaiters for snow, and sun protection; we provide tents, cold-rated sleeping bags, crampons and meals.
Pair it with
Kuari Pass combines well across a season with the frozen-lake Brahmatal Trek or the short Chopta–Chandrashila summit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the altitude of the Kuari Pass trek?
The Kuari Pass trek reaches a maximum altitude of about 12,500 ft (around 3,815 m) at the pass, starting from Joshimath at roughly 6,150 ft.
How difficult is the Kuari Pass trek?
Kuari Pass is graded easy-to-moderate. The gradients are gentle and the camps well-spaced, making it beginner-friendly, though the summit day to the pass is long. No technical climbing is required.
What is the best time for the Kuari Pass trek?
Kuari Pass has two best windows: autumn (September–November) for clear views and golden forests, and winter (December–April) for a snow trek, as it stays accessible even in thick snow.
How many days is the Kuari Pass trek?
The Kuari Pass trek is typically 5–6 days including travel, starting and ending at Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, over a round-trip distance of around 30–33 km.
Which mountains can you see from Kuari Pass?
From Kuari Pass you get a wide panorama of Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet and Chaukhamba — one of the broadest mountain views of any accessible Uttarakhand trek.
