Maximum altitude: 12750 feet
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 6 days
Kuari Pass trek distance: 33 kilometers
Trail type: Round trail that starts and ends at Joshimath
Rail head: The nearest rail head to the base camp is Haridwar.
Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Snow Season: December to April
Service from: Haridwar to Haridwar (transportation included)
Base camp: Joshimath
Best season: November to March (winter trek)
Region: Uttarakhand
Who can participate:- The trekker should be at least 10 years of age.- Freshers can register for the trek, but previous trekking experience is a plus.- The trekker should be fit and have enough stamina to cover a distance of at least five kilometers in just 30 minutes.- The climber should have the capacity to carry a backpack of around 10 to 15 kilograms.
Drive from Haridwar to Joshimath
Altitude - 6724 ft
The journey to the Kuari Pass trek will start with a drive from Haridwar at 6.30 am in the Tata Sumo or a similar vehicle.
You can enjoy your breakfast and lunch on the way to our base camp in Joshimath while relishing the remarkable views of the surrounding cities.
It will be relatively a long and arduous journey to drive from Haridwar to Joshimath. However, you are not going to be disappointed with the striking views of the confluences of different rivers, like Ganga-Devaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, Vishnuprayag, and Nandprayag.
Check in the base camp in Joshimath and rest for the day.
The fundamental highlight of the Kuari Pass trek is the view of Nanda Devi, along with the other mighty mountains, like Dronagiri, Neelkanth, Hathi Ghoda, and Chaukhamba.
The name Kuari Pass was coined by Lord Curzon in 1905 when he trekked from Ghat, Gwaldam to Kuari Pass.
It is also said that a Japanese traveler attempted to climb Nanda Devi on the Kuari Pass trek with her daughter but disappeared on the climb.
The mountaineering ascent to Mount Nanda Devi is banned as the Indian Army had planted some nuclear devices on the mountain in 1965 to protect them from enemies but could not find it again. Hence, trekking to Nanda Devi can be risky as the explosions can be life-threatening and could affect people right up to Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Delhi.
The Kuari Pass trek can also be experienced by seasoned trekkers or beginners to have an experience in trekking.
There are plenty of checkpoints on the Kuari Pass trek, so you must carry all the necessary documents to access the routes to the Kuari Pass.
The Kuari Pass was first discovered during British rule in India.
The pass remains undiscovered before the Britishers due to an underlying belief in the presence of a local deity.
There are innumerable tips that trekkers should keep in mind while going on a trek to prevent themselves in any circumstances. Although the Kuari Pass trek ranges from easy to moderate level on the scale of difficulty, you should keep the following significant tips into consideration:
Avoid trekking to the Kuari Pass during the monsoon season as the route becomes muddy and slippery.
Have proper control of your body as you need a balanced body to go on the Kuari Pass trek.
Build enough stamina and make your legs strong by jogging for at least a month before going for the Kuari Pass trek so you can travel a distance of at least five kilometers in just 30 minutes.
Pack light with the essentials, trekking gear, and personal medical kit for comfortable and effortless trekking.
Carry a pair of body thermals (both upper and lower) to protect yourself in case of extreme cold conditions.
Wear comfortable trekking shoes that provide a good grip and support when climbing the steep ascents on the Kuari Pass trek.
Walk at a comfortable pace and maintain discipline while walking as the trek is not a race but an experience of gorgeous natural views.
Keep the mountains clean, and do not litter the place with plastic, wrapper, or any other garbage.
Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated at all times during the trek or have a packet of ORS to replenish the body salts lost during the trek.
Keep re-energizing your body with healthy snacks, like dry fruits, protein bars, and much more.