Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek Guide 2024: History, Highlights, Best Time, How to Reach and Itinerary

The Curzon path is named after Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, who once hiked up to Kuari Pass. The Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek, one of the top hikes in the region, offers breathtaking vistas of the Garhwal Himalayas. The rich green fields, dense forests, and distant settlements seen along the way make it a worthwhile walk.

Trekkers may also see peaks like Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Kamet, Gauri Parbat, and many others among the snow-clad mountains, verdant meadows, and crisscrossed river streams. The walk, which gains a height of 3850 m, is suitable even if you are new to hiking because it is an easy to moderate hike. Not only that, but the breathtaking scenery and unforgettable experience of the hike will stay with you.

The spectacular vistas of the Nanda Devi summit on the Kuari Tapovan Trek captivate tourists. Kuari Mountains is a mountain range in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli District that is a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The hike begins at Joshimath, a prominent trekking destination.

The walk is roughly 50 kilometres long, with the starting point at Rishikesh. The temperature at Kuari Pass may reach 29 degrees Celsius in the summer and -8 degrees Celsius in the winter.

This journey is also a well-known winter walk that gives spectacular views of the snow-clad Kuari pass throughout the peaks and valleys of the trek track, which includes snow-covered meadows and frozen lakes.

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History of Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek 

Lord Curzon, Eric Shipton, and Bill Tilman utilised the Kuari Pass Trek in their early expeditions of the area in 1905, and it became renowned. The Kuari Pass trip is also known as The Curzon Trail (named after Lord Curzon, the previous British Viceroy of India), and it is stated that the trail was carefully renovated so that he could complete the walk.

In 1905, Lord Curzon travelled from Ghat to Kuari Pass through Ramni, passing via a few minor passes (Vinayak Pass, Tali Top) and five main rivers: the Pindar, Kaliganga, Mandakini, Bheriganga, and Dhauliganga. This hike is quite popular among European and American tourists.

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Area	Chamoli District ,Uttarakhand
Duration	9 Days
Best Season	April, June, September, November ,March.
Grade	easy
Altitude	4150 meters
Approximate km	66 K.M

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Highlights of Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek 

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Location of Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek 

Kuari is a mountain range in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district that is a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The pass, which is 4265 metres above sea level, has traditionally been a focus of interest for all hikers and is noted for its particular natural majesty.

The pass is a beautiful place to relax and take in the scenery, with views of peaks such as Kedarnath (6,940 metres), Chaukhamba (7,138 metres), Neelkanth (6,596 metres), Kamet (7,756 metres), Gauri Parbat (6,708 metres), Hathi Parbat (6,727 metres), Nanda Devi (7,816 metres), Bethartoli (6316 metres), and Dunagiri (2,400 meters).

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Best Time to Visit Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek 

This hike is best done between April and June, and between September and November. This hike is also possible from November to March.

Summer temperatures range from 19°C to 29°C (April to June).
The beginning of the summer season, around April, is the finest time to start trekking.

Monsoon (July to Mid-September): Consider not to  trek during the monsoon season since roads stay closed due to rain and landslides are more likely.

It’s also a fantastic time to go hiking. This time of year is characterised by lush foliage all around.

Winter (November to March) -8 °C to 12 °C: Trekking here gets a bit more challenging during the winter season due to heavy snowfall.

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How to Reach Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek 

By Air:-

The closest airport to Dehradun is Jolly Grant Airport, which is only 25 kilometres from the city. There are regular flights from New Delhi to this airport. 

By Train:-

Dehradun railway station can be used for traveling by train. Nanda Devi Express and Dehradun Express are nighttime trains that depart from Delhi. People frequently choose trains to flights since trains allow them to experience the scenery in all its grandeur, they are also less expensive, and they will undoubtedly let you enjoy your journey to Dehradun. 

By Road:-

Regular bus service is accessible from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate, which operates state buses that are safer than private buses. From the Dehradun Bus Stand, take a taxi or bus to Joshimath.

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Itinerary of Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek 

Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh

In the morning, take the train to Haridwar. When you arrive in Haridwar, check into your accommodation. Haridwar is one of the seven most important sacred towns for Hindu believers. People believe that Lord Vishnu’s footsteps were discovered on the shore of the holy Ganga River, endowing it with hallowed status.

Haridwar, located at the base of the majestic Shivalik Hills, is the city from where the Ganges River passes through the Himalayas and begins its lengthy journey of (2000 kilometres) via many towns in India, eventually ending at the Bay of Bengal.

The channel of the sacred and life-giving river Ganga, also known as Maa Ganga, was home to one of the world’s most primitive civilizations. When you get to Haridwar, you must visit the famed ‘Ghats,’ which are located by the banks of the River Ganga and where millions of devotees come to offer their prayers and take a holy plunge in the hallowed Ganges.

Haridwar serves as a gateway for travellers to the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri, which are located higher up in the rising Himalayas. All of them are major sites, and every Hindu is expected to visit these hallowed sanctuaries in order to obtain salvation. Kumbh Mela, one of the most important celebrations for Hindus, is celebrated in Haridwar. It has the greatest number of parishioners on the planet.

Continue on to your next destination, Rishikesh. By car, it will take around 45 minutes to get to Rishikesh. Visit the Ganga river bank in the evening to witness and participate in the stunning and stirring Aarti with noises and chanting. Rishikesh is well-known for its scenic beauty and great spiritual experience.

Surrounded by the Shivalik Range of the Himalayas, it is said that when Raibhya Rishi undertook rigorous meditation on the banks of the sacred Ganga River, God Vishnu emerged as “Hrishikesh,” which is now well known as Holy city “Rishikesh”. Spend the night in a hotel.

Day 02: Rishikesh – Joshimath (245 kms/8-10 hrs)

Drive to Joshimath, passing through the famed Garhwal Himalayan convergences of Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag, and Nandprayag. When you arrive at Joshimath, check into your hotel. Dinner and stay at Joshimath in a hotel.

Day 3: Joshimath-Auli-Gorson Bugyal

We’ll leave for Auli after an early breakfast. One of the best ski resorts in the nation, it is also well-known for its ropeway link from Joshimath. Meet our trekking crew and trek to Gorson Bugyal, a breathtaking high altitude meadow defined for its beautiful view and undying  meadows and budding wild flowers (3 kilometres).

It is a comforting trek with altitudes ranging from (2591 metres to 3049 metres) and you can see loads of fabulous Himalayan peaks while on the way of the trail. Overnight stay in tents 

Day 04: Gorson – Tali (9 kms /5 to 6 hours)

The route from Dhakwani continues to rise through the forest until we cross above the treeline. While on the route, you may rest in the middle of gorgeous surroundings and enjoy taking photos of the spectacular surroundings at the pass.

The route from the pass ascends farther till you reach the summit. Views of the Dronagiri summit are spectacular from this vantage point. Following that, the route descends to a point where it splits into Tali and Tapovan.

If you continue up the route to Tali, you’ll come to a crest with a temple and prayer flags. The majestic Nanda Devi summit can be seen from here. The route continues past farms before entering a woodland and leads to the Tali campground. Spend the night in the tents.

Day 05: Tali – Kuari Pass base

Begin your walk from Tali to the Kuari Pass base on this day. The path gradually ascends to the peak above Tali. The path winds across a large meadow just beneath the pass, with spectacular views of the Himalayan Range. The Chaukhamba range, Narayan Parbat (5965m), and Neelkanth (6596m) are to the north of Joshimath, while the Abi Gamin (7355m), Kamet (7756m), and Mana peak (7272m) stretch towards the Tibetan border.

The prominent Himalayas in the Bhiyundar valley and Hem Kund area are Doonagiri (7066 meters), Rataban (6166 meters), Hathi Parbat (6727 meters), Ghori Parbat (6708 meters), and Nilgiri Parbat (6474 meters), which dominates the summits to the north of the Nanda Devi Reserve. The Kuari Pass (3840 meters) is a rather easy hike, followed by an hour of descent to the base camp at Khulara.

Read more: Kedartal Trek

Day 06: Kuari Pass base – Kuari Pass – Khulara

The Kuari Pass trip is also known as the “Curzon path.” The walk in this section of the region is relatively difficult, but it is worthwhile since you get amazing views of the towering snow-covered mountains while on the route, which is a visual delight.

Day 7: Khulara-Tapovan-Joshimath

Today, we’ll make our way down to Tapovan. After that, it’s just about an hour’s journey to Joshimath. After arriving at Joshimath, you may unwind and rest in the hotel.

Day 08: Joshimath – Rishikesh

We’ll leave after a hearty breakfast for Rishikesh. We’ll stop for lunch on the way. When you arrive in Rishikesh, check into your accommodation and recuperate. Evenings are free to go about and visit the markets, as well as to buy local items. We will spend the night at the hotel.

Day 9: Rishikesh to Delhi

Move to Haridwar railway station in the morning and board an AC train to Delhi at 06:05 a.m. Arrival in Delhi at 11:45 a.m.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) for Kuari Pass Tapovan Trek