Kuari Pass

Assemble at the Haridwar Railway station by 6.00 AM.We hit the road early to reach joshimath by approximately 6pm in the evening. As we wind our way across the beautiful Dev Bhoomi, we pass through bustling towns, and glimpse the winding rivers and sacred prayags or confluences; while reading a book, listening to music, singing along, getting acquainted with your fellow trekkers, or simply sleeping it off till we reach our destination. Once you unwind at the guest house in the evening, you may want to take a stroll through this humble, spiritual town that has many tales of religion and spirituality: many of which are true and many of which are legends. Sip on some chai and munch on some pakoras while listening to the stories of Shankaracharya and the wishing tree from a local Garhwali.

Time to gear up! We begin our trek from today by taking a short but scenic car ride for 7km till the village of Dhak. The ascent begins as soon as we hit the dirt road from Dhak. A steep climb awaits us as we trek on narrow forest trails; which means attempting to get your body acclimatised quickly and watching your every move! The spectacular mountains can be seen in delightful hues; varying from greens to Browns to the whites of the snow-capped peaks in the distance. In the winters, a snowy carpet awaits you at regular intervals or constantly, depending on the weather. Tiny hamlets perched precariously can be seen on your way: one such village is the picturesque Tugasi. Here, we stop for a quick rest and then plough on towards Gulling. After a steady climb through steep trails, we reach our campsite in lling which is situated at an incline. Surrounding you are magnicent views of the Nanda Devi and the Dronagiri peaks!

From Gulling, we will once again get onto a steep climb, as we wend our way, slowly but surely, towards the Tali forest camp. We pass through thick coniferous forests interspersed with oaks and rhododendrons; the state ower of Uttarakhand. In the summer, the entire forest is in full bloom, whilst in the winters, layers of snow cover the forest floor: each unique in its own beauty. However, one must be careful while treading on the snow as it tends to get a tad slippery. Farther on, the terrain opens up to picture-perfect Bugyals or meadows. We then get to behold the glistening Tali lake. It's pristine waters reflecting the skies, amidst a backdrop of jagged peaks. We head to our campsite where, if time permits, we can all forget the self-respecting adults we are, and indulge in carefree childishness by playing in the snow!

We brace ourselves for the upcoming, yet welcoming challenge of prevailing over the tough terrain in order to reach the coveted prize, i.e, the Kuari Pass. A gradual ascent through the milky snow or patches of green & brown terrain, takes us to Khullara which is another breathtaking spot either fabulous views. As we continue up from an open patch of land in Khullara, the climb gets steeper. Suddenly a vast expanse of flat ground covered in snow or grass stands before you. We cross this gorgeous stretch of terrain & climb farther till we reach Kuari Pass. Powerful winds make it piercingly cold! However, the frigid temperature cannot dampen the sweet taste of victory! Congratulations are in order & a well-deserved break. Get amazed at the ginormous peaks of Nanda Devi, Neelkantha, Dronagiri, Ghori Parvat, amongst others. Engage in some exhilarating snow-gliding before we descend for Tali top. An incredibly successful day can only end in fun and laughter, topped off with a bonre to warm yourself and savour some delicious food.

The return to Dhak and Joshimath makes it a bitter-sweet experience as we reluctantly start descending while passing by the lake, the Bugyols and meandering streams. Ensuring that we are sure-footed while climbing down makes it easier to marvel at the mighty mountains with the sun rays glancing off the snow to create poetry in vision. The paths get narrower & as we near Dhak, reality sets in that we have left behind a slice of heaven. We look upon the celestial sights one last time before turning our backs to them & step into our cars to travel back to Joshimath. Why not continue to explore the sights and sounds of Joshimath before we depart for Haridwar tomorrow.

Time to say farewell as we bid goodbye to all the captivating places that you have visited throughout the trek to reach the magnificent Kuari Pass. As we leave behind the glorious snow or the lush greenery, depending on the season; exult in the fact that this trek is yet another feather to your cap! Lively discussions ensue with your new-found friends, as we continue to travel, stopping on the way for tea and lunch. If we are able to reach Haridwar by 6pm, you may want to witness the famous Ganga Aarthi at Har ki Pauri. We say goodbye and we hope you join us again for another exiting trek in the future!