The doorway
Kuari Pass means "the doorway": the gap in the ridge that opens onto the giants of Garhwal.
After the pass · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Kuari Pass is a winter snow trek with one camp and one big view: the giants of Garhwal, led by Nanda Devi.
3,814m
Height of the pass
7,816m
Nanda Devi, in view
30km
Walking, over 3 days
−15°C
Coldest winter nights
💪 Moderate (BRS 3)❄️ Snow: Dec–Mar⛺ 1 camp, 2 nights
Day by day
Five days, step by step
The Bikat Adventures plan, Joshimath to Joshimath.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Arrive in JoshimathGuesthouse in town2,040 m🛏️ Joshimath
- Day 2Joshimath → Tugasi → KhullaraShort drive, then lunch at Gulling8 km · about 7 h🛏️ Tents at Khullara · 3,362 m
- Day 3Khullara → Kuari Pass → KhullaraThe doorway and backAbout 12 km · 5–7 h🛏️ Tents at Khullara
- Day 4Khullara → Gulling → Tugasi → JoshimathDown, then a short drive10 km · 6–7 h🛏️ Joshimath
- Day 5Joshimath → Rishikesh / DehradunThe drive home
Stories and nature
The Curzon Trail
Lord Curzon's route
Lord Curzon explored this route, and it is still known as the Curzon Trail.
The giants
Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Hathi Ghoda, Kamet, Chaukhamba and Trishul, all from one pass.
When to go
A winter trek
Bikat runs it from December to March, when the trail is under snow.
Dec–Feb
Deep snow; −5 to −15 °C at night up high.
March
Days about 5–12 °C, nights near or below freezing.
Cost
₹9,500 + 5% GST with Bikat. Dehradun transport is ₹3,000 extra.
Plan your trip
Getting to Joshimath
Joshimath is the base town; groups meet there on day one and drive up to Tugasi the next morning.
- Rishikesh / Dehradun🚌 Long drive up the Alaknanda valley
- Joshimath🚙 Short drive
- Tugasi
Hardest part
Day 2: 800 m of climbing to Khullara with a full pack.
Altitude sickness
Headache, sickness or dizziness? Tell your leader, rest, and go down if it gets worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bring cash
Joshimath has the last ATMs, and they can run out of cash. Draw what you need in Rishikesh. Trekkaro
Little phone signal
Signal in Joshimath, and a weak one at Guling, the first camp. None on the rest of the trail. Himalayan Hikers
No charging
No charging points on the trek. Charge everything in Joshimath the night before. Himalayan Dream Treks
Carry water
There is no water on the route to the pass. Fill every bottle at Khullara. Trekkaro
Toilets
Camps have dry-pit toilet tents. Bring your own toilet paper. Bikat Adventures
Permits and papers
Operators get the permits, and the cost is in the trek fee. Carry ID and a medical certificate. Bikat Adventures
Offloading
Bikat charges ₹1,200 to have your backpack carried for the trek. Bikat Adventures
Bus or taxi
Buses from Dehradun to Joshimath take 12–13 h and cost ₹500–700. A taxi starts at about ₹3,500. Bikat Adventures
Nearest hospital
Joshimath, with basic facilities. Himalaya Shelter
Rescue
The team carries you down to the road head, then a car takes you to a hospital. You pay, unless insurance covers it. Bikat Adventures
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device. Items with a red price can be rented.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trekkaro: Kuari Pass things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Dehradun before you leave
DecathlonBuy · thermals, socks, fleece, gloves, torch, polesPlot 1591, Haridwar Bypass Road · Website
Himalayan Dream TreksRent · shoes, jackets, bags, trek pants, ponchos, poles, torches, power banks, gaiters10 B Mothorowala Road, Dharampur · +91 80896 93825 · Website
Joshimath at the start of the trek
Bikat AdventuresRent · shoes, poles, fleece jacket, rucksack · for Bikat trekkers, handed over in Joshimath on day 1Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 7 operators with a Kuari Pass page in October 2026. Start points differ: Joshimath, Tugasi, Pipalkoti or Rishikesh, so compare what each price covers.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.