KUARI PASS TREK
KUARI PASS TREK
Among the several things that Lord Curzon did in India, the hands-down winner is exploration and popularising of a marquee trek route starting from Joshimath to Kuari Pass in the Garhwal Himalayas. At an altitude of 4264 meters, Kuari Top is like an amphitheatre where some of the stalwart peaks of Himalayas take stage. The 7000 meters club includes the Kamet (7756m),Trishul (7120m), Chaukhamba (7128m), and the great divine peak of Nanda Devi (7817m) and its twin Nanda Devi East (7434m). More peaks make an equally imposing appearance – Nanda Ghunti, Hathi Ghoda Parbat, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Mukut Parbat, Mana, Rishi Pahad, and Changbang, to name a few. The Kuari Pass Trek gives you a chance to view this impressive skyline of these mighty mountains from close quarters.
Trek Highlight
- Experience altitude of 12,516 ft and views of the mighty Dronagiri, Chitrakantha, Chaukhamba and Tali top
- Capture the breathtaking scenic views of India’s second-highest peak - the Nanda Devi
- Through the trail you can simply treat your eyes on the spectacular views of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers in their glory.
- 'The Kuari pass trek passes through the thick alpine forests of oak and conifer, Rhododendron and birch, teeming with a variety of animals like leopard pugmarks or a Himalayan black bear and birds life.
Day 01: Dehradun to Joshimath
You will begin your journey with us from Haridwar. Starting the drive from Haridwar from the appointed pickup point (Haridwar railway station), we will take the fabled Badrinath Road.
If you are enthusiastic about cultural sightseeing and adventure water sports, you may like to arrange a brief stay at Rishikesh, an hour’s drive away from Haridwar where the Ganges is wild and strong availing golden opportunities to raft and adventure. We will be crossing Rishikesh and conveniently arrange pickup from there too. Alternatively, you can arrange your stay at these awesome places on your way back after the trek as well.
The nine hour drive to Joshimath will surely be long and arduous, but you are never going to run out of mesmerizing views. The great river running with us on parallel will get wilder and more fascinating as we trudge uphill. We will be passing by the panchprayag or the five holy confluences of Ganga—Devaprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag, and Vishnuprayag.
So, keep your cameras on the ready and remain awake for most of the journey!
Day 02: Joshimath – Gulling Top
A host of ice peaks will greet us at Joshimath which will be more inviting this morning than in the dusk of our arrival to the base camp on day one. After an early breakfast on this day, we will head off to Dhak village in the Joshimath tehsil, a rocky drive of 45 minutes. From here our trek will commence. Look out for the gentle slopes of the Sleeping Lady Mountain of Joshimath on this drive. The gentle ups and downs of this mountain seem to form an outline of a lying lady.
The trek flags off from Dhak along a steady ascent. The dirt trail steers away from the main road and rises towards Tugasi village. There are a couple of sharp T-turns on this trail after which the walk takes place on a level ground followed by gradually ascending soft slopes. The terrain is mostly rough here. Leaving out the terrace farming lands, there is no affluence of greenery, but offers a sweeping view of the Garhwal frontier all around. Look out especially for the bright silvery sun-dazed stream of Dhauli-Ganga snaking it way in the abyss, and the Vishnugad-Tapovan Hydroelectric Power Station. You are not likely to find any snow in this zone.
Twenty to twenty-five minutes into the trek, you will be reaching village Kharchi, where you can fill your bottles and take some rest. The trail continues from the village on the same rocky path, keeping the valley to the left. The ascent id steep and encounters a couple of switchback turns, finally reaching the Lower Tugasi area. You can find the trail forking into two here and must take the one curving along a hydro run flour mill. Approximately 10 minutes from here you will reach the Upper Tugasi region, marked with a handful of wheat fields, flower beds, and thatched roofed huts. You can also find little streams coming down in this area.
Continue on this path, maintaining a steep climb, leaving the farmland behind and you will find the awe-inspiring sight of Dronagiri peak hauntingly rising at a distance. We will be pitching tents in the open meadows overlooking Dronagiri and fringed around with oak forests.
You can ask your trek leader to take you on an acclimatization walk to Gulling Top point this afternoon to enjoy the snow laden forests in your own way. Also, brace up for a mesmerizing vista of the Dronagiri peak caught in the shimmer of morning light from this camp site the next dawn.
Day 03: Gulling Top to Tali Forest Camp
Wake up in time next morning to start on a 5 hour journey deeper into the forest of Talli. After the exacting climb of last day, the trek today will be less arduous. The gradients of ascent is relatively smooth and will allow you an enjoyable hike.
Twenty minutes into the trek, you will come to a green clearing overlooking the magnificent snow peaks. After a few moments of rest, the climb must continue crossing a little stream to enter a mixed forest slowly thickening with oaks and rhododendrons. If you are coming in late March you might still find some white and pink blossoms. Except rhododendrons, you can find walnut and some other varieties of conifers in here.
At the height of winter’s splendour, you can find everything in the forest coated with a cover of snow. In the thickening snow, light, and shade of the conifer forests of Gulling, your second camp on the trek will be pitched.
Along this path, the Hathi-Ghori peaks will be manifesting gloriously along with Dronagiri now somewhat flipped to the side.
Day 04: Tali forest camp to Kuari pass and back via Khullara top
Fourth day is the summit day, likely to span 10-11 hours depending on the group’s pace. You need to gear up appropriately for high snow and squalling wind on the ridges today. There is going to be no water source found on the way today,so carry enough to sustain you through.
In the first phase, the trek will move up to the Khullara top—a moderate ascent of 3.5 km. You will need to traverse a broken bridge and a stream frozen at the heights of winter, followed by a ridge climb to the high pass, severely strenuous and made more challenging with the snow. Every 15 minutes, you are welcome to take a break and catch your breath. At Jhandi Dhar, a suitable rest point 2 hours into the trek, you can afford a long break. Lunch will be had on the way or after reaching the templeat the base of the Kuari high pass.
Make sure to crampon your shoes properly. Trek the Himalayas will provide you good quality crampons, but you are requested to bring your own gaiters. You can also buy gaiters from the market of Joshimat at reasonable prices.
The climax of this trek comes with a visual bang exposing a host of Garhwal behemoth peaks, unveiling—Kedarnath Peak, Kedardome, Chaukhambha, Balakun, Neel Kantha, Mukut Parvat, Kamet, Abhi Gamin, Mana I, Ghori Parvat, Hathi Parvat, Dronagiri, Kalanka, Changabang, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti.
The magnificence of this vision is incomparable.
Day 05: Tali forest camp - Joshimath via Gurson bugyal (11150 ft) and Auli (9680 ft)
Today we will advance towards Auli—the skiing capital of India, and one of the most famous in south Asia. Exploring the beautifully snow patched rolling valleys of Gorson Bugyal, we will come down to Auli through a sweetly enjoyable journey.
Traversing the Bugyals of Gorson is completely free of any arduous and hassling climb, mainly on a smoothly rolling terrain, though the snow of high winter might leave the place a tad desolate. In the thaw season of March, skiing is a big activity here.
Upon reaching Auli, a eady cable-car ride will take you to Joshimath, floating over the magnificent ski resort, the softly undulating snow covered slopes and browning pine forest fringes.
Day 06: Joshimath to Dehradun
256 km drive, approx 10 hrs
- Ride will commence at 6 am, reaching destination at around 6 pm
- Breakfast and Lunch will be on the way at a roadside inn, exclusive of charges
Inclusions :-
1.Accommodation. (Guest house, Home stay, Camping)
2.Meals while on trek (Veg.+ Egg)
3.Trek equipments (Sleeping bag, mattress, Kitchen & dinning tent, crampon, utensils, tent)
4.All necessary permits and entry fees.
5.First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.
6.Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.
Exclusions :-
1.Any kind of personal expenses.
2. Food during the transit.
3. Insurance.
4. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
5. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head
Cancellation and Refund Policy
A. Change/Cancellation of Booking by the participantA.1.1. Process – The cancellation process is completely automated. Please login to you’re Mountain Hike account and find relevant instructions on your dashboard. You can choose your preferred mode of refund (Instant/Cash) as per the policy below and your refund would automatically be processed by the system.
A.1.2. Replacement of participant(s) – Our system allows you to seamlessly replace any of the participants in your booking through the Mountain Hike login account dashboard. Please note that this feature is applicable only when the status of the Booking is “Paid” and there are at least 5 days remaining prior to the departure date (departure date minus 5). If you are unable to replace a participant through your dashboard, then, drop an email to themountainhike@gmail.com the screenshot of the error. The new participant needs to print, sign, scan and send the undertaking form to themountainhike@gmail.com
Please note that the replacement would not be applicable on any Volvo/Train transport booked for the original participant. The same would be automatically cancelled. This is simply because the seats booked in such transport mediums are not transferrable.
A.1.3. Cash Refund: Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers. Also, the cash refunds would not be applicable in case of shifted batch bookings & if the status of the Booking is “Booked”.
The Refund of the amount would be processed as per deduction guidelines outlined below:
- Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date – 5% deduction
- Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure – 50% deduction
- Less than 15 days of departure – No Cash Refund
All cancellation refunds will be processed back to the bank account or the credit card account from which the event fee has been paid. The amount for refund processing would always be calculated basis the net amount paid* for booking the event w.r.t the Base Price of the event (excluding additional components like transport, insurance, rent, portage, etc.).
A.1.4. Voucher Refund: This option is available for all types of bookings including the bookings made under promotional offers.
The Mountain Hike would offer you a short term voucher that would enable you with a flexibility to book any other The Mountain Hike event using the voucher. The option of claiming a voucher is available till 5 day prior to the departure of the event. The Refund of the amount would be processed as per deduction guidelines outlined below:
- Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date – No deduction
- Less than 5 days prior to departure – No Refund
The amount for refund processing would always be calculated basis the net amount paid* for booking the event w.r.t the Base Price of the event (excluding additional components like transport, insurance, rent, portage, etc.). Please note that the voucher issued would not include the service tax amount paid while making the booking. However, when you use the voucher to book again on our website, service tax would not be applicable on the voucher amount. Validity of the voucher would be 10 months from the date of issue.
*Net Amount Paid would be the amount paid to The Mountain Hike Ak at the time of booking after adjusting for all rebates provided by applying vouchers.Please note that any additional transport bookings are completely non-refundable, be it cash or voucher refund. For e.g. If you have booked Monal Top Trek by paying a base prices of INR 6,950 along with the transportation from Dehradun to Village Wan and back, and with portage and insurance, then in case of postponement or cancellation, only the base price of INR 6,950 would be considered for calculations of refund as per the slabs defined above or for the matter of issuing a voucher (for postponement cases). The additional transport fee deposited is completely non-refundable.
A.2. In case of Cancellation or change initiated by The Mountain HikeThe Mountain Hike reserves the right to cancel your booking or change any of the facilities, services or prices described in our brochures or website. We will endeavour to advise you of any changes known at the time of booking. We plan the arrangements for your events many months in advance and may occasionally have to make minor changes..Transport timings and carriers shown or communicated on our website are for guidance only and are subject to change.
However in the field of adventure activities, there are many variables beyond our control like weather conditions, landslides, road situations and any other force majeure conditions. Circumstances amounting to “force majeure” include any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not even with all due care, foresee or forestall such as (by way of example and not by way of limitation) war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, industrial disputes, actual or threatened terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks and pandemics, ban by local authorities, acts of God, unavoidable and unforeseeable technical problems with transport for reasons beyond our control or that of our suppliers, closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other actual or potential adverse weather conditions, and any other similar events. In such situations we might be forced to change the itinerary or even cancel an event. In case of a change /cancellation, you will have the choice of either:
Accepting a replacement event from us of equivalent or similar standard and price (at the date of the change), if we are able to offer you one; or Cancelling your event, in which case you shall receive a full refund*, including all the components paid by you (transport, base fee, taxes).
*The refund would always be in the form of a voucher (validity 6 months) if the change or cancellation arises from circumstances amounting to “force majeure” or from any other reason beyond our control. However, for cancellations made otherwise (low participation due to cancellation by other participants), the participant would have a choice between voucher of 6 month validity or cash refund. Please note that in case you have made the booking using a voucher, cash refund would only be made for the part paid in cash. However, we will reactivate your consumed voucher with an additional validity of 6 month.
A.3 In case of changes/cancellation of the event after departureA.3.1. When the change or cancellation arise from circumstances amounting to “force majeure” or for any other reason beyond our control The Mountain Hike shall not be liable to refund the amount already deposited.
A.3.2. When the change or cancellation arising otherwise: We will, wherever possible, make suitable alternative arrangements. If we are unable to make such alternative arrangements, or you reject the same for good reason then we will return you to your point of departure and refund you for any unused services, as appropriate. The refund would be primarily made in the form of a voucher (6 month validity). However, in case the participant desires, the same amount can also be refunded in cash.
A.4. In case of drop out by the participant in between the event We shall not be liable to make any refund in such situation. The participant would also have to pay additionally for unplanned expenses on planning and executing the retreat of the participant on actual basis. In case suitable arrangements for retreat are not possible, The Mountain Hike reserves the right to deny such drop out in between the event.
A.5. In case of early return from an event In situations wherein the participant(s) return early from the event due to the event being completed earlier than estimated or wherein due to force majeur conditions, the participant(s) had to return early, in such cases, any extra service(s) availed or extra night(s) accommodation booked, etc., the participant will have to bear the expenses incurred.
A.6. In case of Emergency Evacuation While we do have first aid and experts available on all our events but still there might be situations under which an emergency evacuation might be needed. We are committed to make a safe evacuation for you in case of an emergency. We would make necessary and adequate arrangements for your evacuation till the nearest road head that is well connected by road, and would also help you in boarding a vehicle to the nearest Hospital or any other facility so required. Any additional expenses incurred, that of porters, vehicle, ambulance, hospitalization, or any other expense incurred for evacuation, would be covered by the participant