Trek difficulty
Easy
Trek duration
6 Days
Trek altitude
12,516 ft
Group size
6-12
Trek distance
26 Km
Basecamp
Joshimath
Best Time
November to February
Pickup Point
Dehradun/Rishikesh
Kuari Pass is a 6-day trek covering an approximate distance of 22–33 km. It is famous for its mesmerizing scenery and rich culture. However, it is a moderate trek, which means it’s neither easy nor difficult. Hence, if you decide to experience the beauty with adventure to remember for life, the Kuari Pass Trek can be your chance. This trail has historical significance and is named after Lord Curzon. Let’s explore in detail about Kuari Pass trek.
Kuari Pass Trek is the oldest and most recommended trek. Hence, many trekkers opt for this trek. Not only is this trek extremely beautiful, but it also allows you to discover other cultures. Therefore, it’s a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural experience. Here are the key highlights that make the Kuari Pass Trek so special.
Day 1: Drive from Dehradun/Rishikesh to Joshimath
Day 2: Joshimath to Dhak (by drive) and then moves ahead to Gulling top through trekking.
Day 3: Gulling Top to Khullara Top.
Day 4: Trekking from Khullara Top to Kuari Pass and then return to Talli Forest camp
Day 5: Returning to Joshimath through Gurson Bugyal, Auli, and Tali forest camp.
Day 6: Joshimath to Rishikesh/Dehradun
The Kuari Pass Trek can be enjoyed in almost any season, making it a great choice for trekking lovers throughout the year. Each month has its own glow that makes you excited to do the Kuari Pass Trek. The trails change according to the weather, like in winter, the trek is covered with snow, and during spring, there is a picture-perfect painting of the scenery.
This season has much to offer, like bright sunny days, blooming green meadows, and clear skies. However, this is the popular season amongst trekkers. So, you may find it crowded. Trekkers find the weather more comfortable during the summer therefore, most of the hikers choose March to June for the Kuari Pass Trek. The nights are much colder than days, so be prepared accordingly.
Winters are the most adventurous as the temperature drops to freezing in this season. Hence, fewer trekkers are ready for such an adventure. Therefore, you may find the Kuari Pass trek much quieter. The peaks are covered with snow as well, and the trails are snow-dusted. The main challenge is the cold temperature, so take all the precaution measures with that.
This is the picture-perfect season for trekkers. During autumn, the glimpse of peaks will be crisp, and the meadows will turn golden brown. Hence, this will let you take the magnificent pictures of the Kuari Pass Trek.
In the spring season, the snow starts melting, although that can result in slippery trails in some areas. Therefore, be careful while trekking. During the spring season, you will see the famous flower of Uttarakhand known as Rhododendron (Buransh). The valley is painted with different shades of colour, especially at the time of sunset.
Day 1: Drive from Dehradun/Rishikesh to Joshimath
This is a 10–11-hour drive at an altitude of 6,725 ft. The first day of the trek starts from Rishikesh. All the hikers will be picked up from Rishikesh, and then the destination is Joshimath. However, you will pass through Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag, which are all famous locations in Uttarakhand.
Day 2: Joshimath to Dhak (by drive) and then moves ahead to Gulling top through trekking.
Your second day of trekking starts with a drive of 12km from Joshimath to Dhak, which can take 1 hour to cover. Moreover, after the drive, you will start your trekking journey from Dhak to Gulling Top, which is 5 km long, thus it can take a maximum of 4 hours. During the trek, you will experience an ice-capped mountain and get a chance to visit villages like Karchi and Tugasi.
Day 3: Gulling Top to Khullara Top.
This is a 5km long trek which takes around 5 hours to cover. On the 3rd day of your trek, you will see trails with greenery all over. Moreover, you will find flowers like rhododendrons and also notice oak trees. You will also get a glimpse of peaks like Nanda Devi and Dronagiri.
Day 4: Trekking from Khullara Top to Kuari Pass and then return to Talli Forest camp
The 4th day is a 10km trek, which can take 6 hours to cover. Today, you have to focus on your speed and try to move as fast as you can. Trekkers should carry their supplies with them as there will be no water source on the trek. The Khullara top offers you a 360-degree panorama of famous peaks like Neelkanth, Chaukhamba, and Nanda Devi.
Day 5: Returning to Joshimath through Gurson Bugyal, Auli, and Tali forest camp.
Here, you will visit places like Auli, which is famous as a ski destination. This is a 7-hour-long trek. However, this is last day of trekking as you will be returning to Joshimath.
Day 6: Joshimath to Rishikesh/Dehradun
After breakfast, collect all the beautiful memories with you. As you are going to Rishikesh. We hope you had a blast on your trip.
Inclusion
During The Trek
Exclusion
You will see some famous peaks like Nanda Devi (which is the 2nd highest peak in India), Hathi Parvat, Dronagiri, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, and Kamet.
In 6 days, you can complete the Kuari Pass trek.
This trek is 3,900 meters high, which is 12,795 feet above sea level.
While in Joshimath, you will stay in a homestay, so, will have proper washrooms over there. However, in the trek it depends on the campsites. Although there can be portable toilets. However, you should carry your toilet paper and wet wipes with you.
In Joshimath, you have a good network however, after starting the treks, there are fewer chances of getting a good connectivity of network. So, inform your family accordingly.
Testimonials
Radandi Shashank
“You are not just a mountain trek guides, but a true guardian of the journey. Your unwavering loyalty to our team, the mountains, and safety itself is extraordinary. Every step felt secure because of your dedication, integrity. And stayed committed to every trekker, through every challenge, with patience, care, and honesty. Huge respect to Subodh Jii n Aditi Mam!! Thank youu @thinairexpedition It was wonderful experience!!❤️❤️
67D3_KALYAN
Completing the Kedarkantha trek at an altitude of around 12,500 feet was not just a trek for us, it was a life-long memory, and a major reason for this unforgettable experience is our guide Shubhod Sir. From the very first day till the summit, Shubhod Sir guided us with immense patience, discipline, and genuine care. At every difficult patch, when our legs were tired and breathing became hard, his calm words, constant motivation, and confident leadership gave us the strength to keep moving forward. He never rushed anyone and always made sure that every member of the group was safe, comfortable, and mentally strong. Shubhod Sir’s knowledge of the mountains, weather, and high-altitude conditions was truly impressive. More than a guide, he felt like a protector and mentor who treated everyone like family. His positive attitude and humble nature created a sense of trust and confidence among all of us. We are also thankful to Atidhi Madam for her support and cooperation during the trek, which added to the smooth experience. Because of Shubhod Sir’s guidance and dedication, we successfully reached the summit with confidence and joy. We will always remember this trek with gratitude and respect. Truly blessed to have a guide like him. 🙏⛰️
Arvind Sahu
Wonderful experience totally worth it. At those price they provided services that no one could provides really enjoyed ❤️🎉
Kolanu Anirudh
This is my first trek in Uttarakhand(Kedharkanta) and Thin Air Expedition made it a memorable one Thanks for everything subodh bro you made it so special.
kanica kandpal
Completed the Gaumukh–Tapovan trek with Thin Air Expedition, and it was an exceptional experience from beginning to end. Instead of opting for a fixed-departure model, we chose a personally curated itinerary, as this was our first trek—and it turned out to be the perfect decision. The team was extremely thoughtful in planning each day’s distance, ensuring we were comfortably challenged without ever feeling overtired or exhausted upon reaching the campsites. Every campsite was carefully selected, offering not just safety and comfort but also breathtaking views that made each halt truly memorable. What stood out most was the level of personalization. The itinerary was clearly tailored to our pace and comfort, and the trek leader constantly shared insightful facts about the region, its geography, and cultural significance, adding depth and meaning to the journey. Overall, Thin Air Expedition delivers a highly personalized, well-paced, and enriching trekking experience. I would highly recommend them, especially for first-time trekkers looking for a safe, informative, and thoughtfully curated adventure.Sen
Raj Bahadur
I booked my trek with Thin Air Expedition on a friend’s recommendation, and it turned out to be a great decision. They managed travel and accommodation very smoothly, and everything was well organized throughout the journey. The team stayed in regular coordination, ensuring that stays and drivers were properly arranged each day. The entire trip was timely, hassle-free, and also pocket-friendly. I would definitely recommend Thin Air Expedition—you can trust them completely with your travel and trekking plans.
sachin aulakh
I recently completed the Kedarkantha Trek with ThinAirExpedition, and the entire experience was outstanding. The coordination, communication, and arrangements were excellent. The trek leaders were experienced and friendly, the support staff was humble, the stay was comfortable, and the food quality in such high altitude conditions was truly impressive. Their focus on safety and responsible trekking made the journey even better. I would definitely choose them again for my next Himalayan adventure! 🏔️✨
Aman rai
I recently completed a trek with the help of ThinAirExpedition, and the entire experience was very comfortable. From stay arrangements to travel from Rishikesh to Rishikesh, everything was well managed. The driver was extremely polite, supportive, and made the journey smooth and stress-free. Overall, a great experience and I would definitely recommend them.
Nitya Jaiswal
Kedarkantha was not just a trek, it was an experience that helped me reconnect with myself. Thanks to Thin air expeditions , I felt safe, cared for and encouraged at every step. The sunrise at the summit, the laughter around the campfire and the kindness of the guides will stay with me forever. If you're looking for a company that treats you like family on the mountains, this is the one.
Biswajit Sahoo
Subodh Sir making the trek so much of fun and intresting .. Awesome Experience with Subodh Sir
Anmol Verma
Overall trekking and accommodation was a very smooth experience. Our trek leader Mr. Ramesh was amazing and very helpful. He managed to make the trek look easy. Overall experience was 10/10. Would highly recommend.
Rishabh Singh Rana
Trek Guide Mr. Ramesh Ji is a very cool & good person. Trek journey became beautiful with the group and overall it became my one of the best experience.
aditi vaidya
I recently went on a trek with Thin Air Expeditions, and I can't get over the experience I had! I did the Phulara Ridge trek with Subodh sir, and it was an incredible experience. What made it even more special was that Subodh sir made sure I could bring my dog, Flake, a toy pom. His team and him took such great care of us, and it was clear that they truly care about their guests, human or canine! The group was amazing too. I met some wonderful people along the way, and we formed lifelong bonds. The whole experience was beautiful – from the breathtaking views to the friendly, supportive environment. I’ll cherish these memories forever! If you're looking for a SAFE, well-organized, fun, and caring trekking company, Thin Air Expeditions and Subodh sir are the ones to go with!
Anuja Vaidya
It was a wonderful experience with TAE on Phulara ridge trek, everything was on point the gears, food, trek guides and Subodh sir himself was an amazing leader who is the founder of TAE, he made sure the experience was amazing even for the first timers keeping safety the first priority. Also I took my Dog, Flake along with me for the trek and it was a great experience for her as well and her food and safety was well taken care of . 🐾 Would love to go back again with Thin air expedition. Thank you so much 🤗
Simran Samal
Phulara Ridge Trek – A Memorable Experience for me !!! Someone once told me, “Trips aren’t just about travel — they become a part of you.” I never really believed it, but this time, Phulara Ridge became exactly that for me. Our first campsite — the forest trail, the tents, the whole setting — gave me the first taste of what was to come. Everything was so thoughtfully arranged, it felt like nature itself had prepared that space for us. All thanks to our trek leader, Subodh bhai 🙌🏻. The next stop was magical in its own way. The campsite was picture-perfect, and we even ended up learning a bit of the local Uttarakhandi dance from Dev bhaiya (well… I tried to! 😄). In the evenings, we played games and spent such a good time that we forgot the weight of city life for a while. And finally, the Ridge: Honestly, we thought the weather would block the views, but Subodh bhai timed it so perfectly that the skies cleared for us. Walking on the ridge — one valley on the right, another on the left, clouds passing beneath us — felt surreal. We sat there for hours, just soaking it all in. It was pure peace. And yes, we even made tea there!!! 🫶🏻 (Of course, we made no mess, cleaned it all up, and left the space exactly the way it should be 😌). For me personally, trekking has always been like meditation — a way to quiet the noise and reconnect with myself. This trek with Subodh bhai and the team gave me exactly that: peace, perspective, memories for a lifetime, and inspiration. #SoGrateful 🙏🏻 Thank you, Subodh bhai and team, for making this such a soulful and unforgettable journey! Lastly Just one note for all: “In the end, we don’t conquer mountains; they help us discover who we truly are.” To anyone even considering it: please go with #ThinAir Expeditions to experience the rawness of trekking, the beauty of nature, and the joy of escaping city life for a while. You’ll come back not just with pictures, but with stories, stillness, and a piece of the mountains in your heart. All the best !!! ✌🏻
Netra Sharma
It was a wonderful experience with ThinAir Expedition. I went on my first trek to Phulara Ridge, and it was truly amazing. Our guide, Subodh ji, managed everything so well and remained patient throughout the trek. I enjoyed every moment and every spot. The place, the cook, and the helpers were all wonderful. The food and camps were awesome. I highly recommend joining ThinAir Expedition to experience the best of “pahadi” life!
Vaibhav Srivastava
Thin Air Expedition gave us the best experience while trekking. Everything was finely arranged and properly taken care of whether it was travel, food. Staff availablity. But the best part was free hand while trekking. Subodh led us beautifully taking in note that everyone reaches the base camp and everyone is doing well. Consulting our next phase keeping in mind the safety and gears. It was collectively very amazing. He gave us full free hand additionally it is our responsibility as well to take care of each other. We did so many activities had games and fun and he even taught us how to camp. How to set up it was fun. If it would've given me option I'll rate it 10. Thanks subodh and team and thin air expedition for such a memorable trip.
Somya Chaturvedi
I recently did the Phulara Ridge Trek with Thin Air Expedition, and it was my first trek ever truly an unforgettable experience! Everything was so well managed from safety arrangements and equipment to food and stay, I never had to worry about a thing. Our trek leader, Subodh, was extremely supportive, patient, and motivating, which made a huge difference for a first-timer like me. The food was simple, homely, and very satisfying after long trekking hours. Most importantly, safety was always the top priority. For anyone planning their first or next trek, I’d highly recommend Thin Air Expedition. Professional, caring, and passionate about making the experience memorable!
We're always ready for adventure
Trekking comes with uncertainty. Weather, terrain, and setbacks are part of the journey. We embrace them with resilience and openness—each challenge makes us stronger and more appreciative of nature's beauty.
We embrace low-noise trekking
We blend into nature, not the other way around. We avoid shouting, loud music, and noisy games. In silence, we hear birdsong, streams, and the wind—inviting peace, reflection, and a deeper connection with nature.
We protect the environment
We protect the environment by minimising waste, reusing resources, and picking up litter. We carry eco-bags, segregate waste, and inspire others to preserve trails. Sustainable trekking ensures these mountains remain beautiful for future generations.
We are self-sufficient
We carry our load as much as possible, manage our gear, and stay prepared for all situations. Self-sufficiency builds confidence, independence, and respect for fellow trekkers, support staff, and the trail itself.
We support each other
Trekking is not a solo act. We wait for each other, share burdens, and uplift teammates. By putting the group first, we build strong bonds and help everyone complete the trek joyfully.
We are fit and prepared
We train well before our treks. This helps us walk longer, handle emergencies, and contribute to the team. Fitness ensures we are never a burden and always ready to help when needed.
