Drive: 290 km; 8-9 hrs
Altitude: 2,100 ft (640 m) – 6,150 ft (1,875 m)
Accommodation: Hotel/Resort
Meals: Dinner
We commence our journey from Dehradun around 6:30 am, aiming to arrive in Joshimath by evening. The drive will lead us through several towns of great significance, such as Rishikesh, Srinagar, Devprayag, and Rudraprayag, two of the renowned Panchprayags, each holding its own religious and spiritual importance. Upon reaching Joshimath in the evening, we will check into our hotel. This is where we’ll make final preparations for tomorrow’s trek, ensuring that we are fully ready for the adventure ahead.
Drive: 7 km, 15 min
Trek: 5 km, 3 hrs
Altitude: 6,150 ft (1,875 m) – 6,890 ft (2,100 m) – 9,186 ft (2,800 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
After breakfast, we drive to Dhak, towards the road to Tapovan. The trek begins from Dhak. The trail goes uphill towards our right away from the road. Over half of the path is open and without shade. We pass two villages on the way. We enter a forest about a kilometre before reaching the campsite of Guling. The camp has views towards the peak of Dunagiri. We can enjoy the tranquillity and natural beauty of the place once we arrive at the campsite.
Trek: 5 km, 4 hrs
Altitude: 9,186 ft (2,800 m) – 10,990 ft (3,350 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Like in previous days, we will have a healthy breakfast in the morning and begin our today’s trek. The trail today has a gradual slope up. We walk among Oak, Rhododendron, Himalayan Birch and Pine forests. Khullara is an open meadow with astounding views of surrounding peaks like Dunagiri, Hathi and Ghodi, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kamet, Mana, Nilgiri. We will set up our campsite at khullara and stay there for tonight.
Trek: 10 km, 6 hrs
Altitude: 10,990 ft (3,350 m) – 12,532 ft (3,820 m) – 11,515 ft (3,510 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
We will have an early breakfast and start walking uphill towards the pass. We will reach a ridge, cross it and take a left. The path leads us away and towards our right to the pass. We spend some time here and then head back along the same way till we reach the ridge again. From here instead of heading down towards Khullara, we walk along the ridge towards Taali. We reach a small hillock with flag, named Chitrakantha. From here we get This spot has stunning panoramic views. We can see the peaks including Chaukhambha, Neelkanth, Mana, Hathi, Ghodi and Dunagiri. We walk down the other side and proceed towards our campsite. Taali is located inside the forest and is closed from all sides.
Trek: 7 km, 3-4 hrs
Drive: 7 km, 15 min
Altitude: 11,515 ft (3,510 m) – 6,150 ft (1,875 m)
Accommodation: Hotel/Resort
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
On this day, the walk is easy. The forest clears away soon. We pass by Taali Lake, which is often frozen in winter. As we keep traversing towards Auli, the view of Nanda Devi peak becomes clearer towards our back. After crossing Gorson Bugyal, a large meadow, we enter a forest. A short walk further, the skiing destination of Auli presents itself. A vehicle will take us back to Joshimath from here where we will check into the Hotel.
Drive: 290 km, 9-10 hrs
Altitude: 6,150 ft (1,875 m) – 2,100 ft (640 m)
Meals: Breakfast
We leave from Joshimath and reach Dehradun by early evening.
Kuari pass is open 8 months of the year except during rainy months, i.e. July and August. It also closes during peak winter months for 2 to 3 days when there’s heavy snowfall .
The last ATM is in Joshimath which is a big city in Uttrakhand. A simple google search will reveal the nearest ATM in your location.
There’s scarcity for network connection in Kuari pass but there are some points where you might find good network for communication.
You will find good network and internet connection at Joshimath, Dhak village, Tali (beyond the lake facing the valley), Auli and Gulling. VI, Airtel, BSNL and Jio are mostly available in this part of Uttarakhand.
You will get good network connectivity at Khullara campsite towards the edge facing the valley but no internet whatsoever.
Joshimath is the last point which has an electrical connection.
However, after starting the trek, you will not find electricity until you reach Auli.
We strongly suggest you bring additional batteries and powerbanks for your electronic devices.
For minor issues, the nearest medical care can be found in Joshimath and Chamoli. However, for major emergencies, the nearest hospital is in Srinagar or Dehradun which is an 8-9 hours drive from the basecamp.