Living in the mountains mostly in places that are not easily accessible the people of the district have been able to preserve their culture, folklore, folksongs and folkdances, the last, a distinctive feature of the district, being seasonal, traditional and religious, some of the better known being described below.....Read More

KUARI PASS TREK IN GARHWAL HIMALAYA- INDIA

Famous mountaineer Mr. Shipman writes in his book Nanda Devi about crossing the Kuari pass. "The top of the pass was reached by 7 o'clock (am) of a clear, cold morning and we were privileged to see what must be one of the grandest mountain views in the world." This is a moderate trek, which offers most enchanting view of the Indian Himalaya. On the way, one experiences village life, culture, pristine wilderness, wild life and great Himalayan rannge. On a clear day one can see mountains like Nanda Devi (7816m), Dunagiri (7066m), Kamet (7756m) and many more. ** Ask for details for longer version of this trek 'LORD CURZON TRAIL'

A short part of Kuaripass Trek is also possible. 5 or 6 days Trek from Haridwar to Haridwar North Face Trek Kuaripass

Kuaripass Winter / Summer Trek Short Version ::

TINERARY

DAY 01. RISHIKESH\ JOSHIMATH. DRIVE; 9-10 HRS. OVERNIGHT : HOTEL.

Early morning after breakfast drive to Joshimath. The entire drive is along the Alaknanda river till we reach Joshimath. Enroute stop at Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, and Nanda prayag, the most famous confluences of Garhwal Himalayas. Arrive Joshimath and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight hotel.

DAY 02. JOSHIMATH/ AULI\ TALI.TREK: 5-6 HRS. OVERNIGHT : CAMP.

Early morning enjoy the sunrise on the Nanda Devi peak. After breakfast drive to Auli. Arrive Auli and commence the trek to Tali. The entire trek today is gradual ascent. ArriveTali and camp. Meals and overnight camp.

DAY 03. TALI\ KUARI PASS BASE. TREK:4-5 HRS. OVERNIGHT : CAMP.

Morning after breakfast trek to the base of Kuaripass. Enjoy the trek through the meadows with one of the best Panoramic views of the Himalayas. Packed lunch. Arrive & camp. Dinner & Overnight camp.

DAY 04.KUARIPASS BASE\KUARIPASS\ KHULARA. TREK 6-7 HRS. OVERNIGHT : CAMP.

Morning after breakfast start negotiating the pass. Enjoy the panoramic view of greater Himalayan peaks .Explore the area and trek down to Khulara village. Arrive and camp. Dinner and overnight camp.

DAY 05. KHULARA\TAPOVAN\ JOSHIMATH. TREK AND DRIVE: 4 HRS & 2 HRS.OVERNIGHT: HOTEL

Morning after breakfast trek to Tapovan village on the road head. Explore the village and have a refreshing bath in the hot springs. Later drive to Joshimath. Arrive Joshimath and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 06. JOSHIMATH\RISHIKESH. DRIVE 8-9 HRS. OVERNIGHT : HOTEL.

Return drive to Rishikesh. ArriveRishikesh. Tour terminates upon arrival at Rishikesh.

ALTITUDE: JOSHIMATH:196 MTS., AULI:3030 MTS., KUARIPASS :4268 MTS.,

BEST TIME : APRIL TO JUNE & OCT TO MID OF DECEMBER. GRADE: MODERATE.

Long Route Kuari Pass Trek Part Itinerary long version

Day 01: Rishikesh To Ghat 9-10 hours :

A wonderful trek through beautiful countryside, following a trail that winds through a series of pastures and shepherd camps, with superb views of the Indian Himalayas and the crossing of the Kauri Pass where views can be had of towering Nanda Devi (7816m).

Day 02: CHEFNA TO GHUNI 3-4 hours :

After Breakfast and begin the trek. It's a nice walk next to the river followed by an ascent through coniferous and mixed forests. The walk by a wooded ridge takes us to a village called Ramni (2550m). It is a typical Garhwal village with friendly people and attractive houses with heavy slate roofs and paved alleys surrounded by fertile fields. It has a solar-powered electricity scheme. Night stay and meals in camp at Ghuni.

DAY 03: TREK TO SEMKHERK MEADOW (2,600m approx.)5-6 hours :

This is a long but rewarding day. From the campsite you climb steeply for 1,000ft/300m on a good zigzagging track to emerge on open grassy grazing meadows. Snow peaks begin to emerge above the forest to the north. The path continues up through forests of rhododendron, pines and oak with more pastures for summer grazing with shepherds huts. You may meet flocks of sheep and goats moving along the track. The highest point, reached in 2¼ hours from the camp, at 3,064m/10,053ft, is the Ramni Pass, also called Binayak Top. From here it is possible to make out the Kauri Pass, which we will cross on Day 8. From now on there may be a chance to see the multi-coloured monal pheasant but they are very shy, being hunted by the locals for the pot. You then trek gently down across more pastures and open glades, then into lovely forests of horse chestnuts and walnut trees with waterfalls. From here, the trek is a zigzag descent to Camping place. Camp overnight at Semkherk.

DAY 04: TREK TO KALIAGHAT(2700m approx.)-6 hours :

Day starts with a descent to the colourful village of Jhinjhi. The trail carries on down past small farms through woods to the spectacular suspension bridge at 1,840m/6,037ft across the Birehi Gorge, currently inhabited by a large number of monkeys. From here its a very steep climb back to 7,382ft/2,250m, where the track eases after a one and a half-hour ascent. From here the path is almost flat passing through fine rhododendron forest with long-tailed magpies flitting about. There are many streams and waterfalls as the route contours round many deep ravines. If you look down to the deep gorge below you can see the landslide and the Gauna Lake, which burst and flood the whole of the Ganga Valley down to Rishikesh in 1898. After going round the head of a horseshoe valley you reach two lovely rivers cascading down under the path. From here there is a short climb to a spot called Kaliaghat, which is a good campsite near the village of Pana. Camp overnight

DAY 05: TREK TO DHAKAUNI VIA SARTOLI (11,000ft/3353m approx.) - 5-6 hours :

This is another long, but spectacular day. The route traverses above the village and then starts a steep climb up into a rhododendron forest with many zigzags. It is a broad, well made track and after a number of small summits a Col is reached at 9,842ft/3,000m. The path now descends gently, traversing along the valley to open meadows with views across to the Kuari Pass. The track then traverses down around the side of the valley, across several streams, before it plunges down a very steep and loose section, much of which has been washed away by the monsoons - an awkward and loose descent. At the bottom, you will see that the river has cut through a deep rocky, dramatic gorge to your right. This is wild country and there are no settlements where blue sheep and the Himalayan black bear are said to be roaming here. From the river, it is a very steep climb of about 3,000 feet (900 m) with a small break about half the way up to cross a large stream. A final climb brings you above the tree-line to the campsite on the large pastures where sheep and goats graze in summer, with the Kauri Pass towering above. Camp overnight.

DAY 06: TREK ACROSS KAURI PASS (KUARI KHAL) (12,000ft/3,658m) TO BASE CAMP 3-4 hours 5-6 hours to Tali :

It is a short day today so that we can take lots of breaks on the pass to enjoy the spectacular views. We aim to cross the pass so that you will have the benefit of the clear early morning the following day. The climb up to the pass is made on a zigzag track to the top. We still have little more to walk and gain height. Highest point the trail is 4000m which is half an walk from the pass towards Tali. Here we await the spectacular views of the morning. After seeing the view and spending little time at the top, we walk down to our camp which across the small stream. Camp overnight.

DAY 07: EXCURTION TO PANGARCHULLI PEAK (5000m) :

For the keen types among you, it is worth getting up early to go up to the top of Pangarchuli for the dawn views of the Himalaya. Frank Smythe, who came this way in 1931 en route to Kamet (25,443ft/7,757m), the second highest mountain in this region, summed it up beautifully. "We breasted the slope and halted, silent on the path. No words would express our delight. The Himalaya were arrayed before us in a stupendous arc". Some of the mountains seen are Kamet, Nilkanth (7,141m/23,425ft), Dunagiri (7,067m/23,182ft) and Changabang (6,864m/22,516ft), with even Nanda Devi herself visible if you walk along the ridge for a while. The blinding vision of snow peaks make all the effort worthwhile, for it is often said that this is one of the greatest mountain views in the world. We walk back to camp for hot lunch and over night in tents.

DAY 08: TREK TO AULI. (8,250ft/2,500m/), DRIVE TO JOSHIMATH :

Most of summer treks finish in Auli and early summer/early winter treks finish in Tapovan because of the icy conditions on the trail to Auli. It is a 3-4-hr walk to either place. It is a gradual descent to Auli down through woods and pastures and we meet our car waiting for us at Auli to drive us to Joshimath which, although having none of the elegance of its sister hill resorts, does have a charm and beauty of its own. It is the site where the famous Adiguru Shankaracharya attained enlightenment before beginning his campaign for the unification of India and the revitalization of Hinduism. There is a temple here called the Na Singh where the statue of Na Singh involves a legend that when the arm of the idol finally breaks, the road to Badrinath will be blocked. The arm gets smaller every year! It is the centre of the Indian ski scene, and the cable car up to the resort of Auli starts in the middle of Joshimath. Overnight in the Hotel.

DAY 09: DRIVE TO RISHIKESH (10 hours) :

Trip end at arrival in Rishikesh. Per Person Just :: 25000 INR (Group of 4 or more)