Kuari Pass: One of the best treks in the Garhwal Himalayas
I was pursuing my master’s degree from Delhi University and while scrolling through my friend’s Instagram profile, I happen to come across the beautiful pictures of Kuari Pass. Stunned and speechless, I immediately pinged my friends regarding the same. Before getting into the world of trekking, Kuari Pass is the first difficult to moderate I wanted to attempt. Before Kuari Pass, I did a couple of treks like Chopta, Dayara Bugyal, Triund. All thanks to my friends. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to trek to this beautiful trek because I doubted myself. A dear friend of mine told me about High Altitude Mountain Sickness and snow blindness.
Honestly, I was gargled by her words. I didn’t know what it was about, so I quickly researched it. Uttarakhand has charming treks when I went to explore Kuari Pass, I got to know a lot more about the treks in Uttarakhand. I believe it’s not about going to Dehradun, Mussoorie and then come back to city life. Well everyone has their way of traveling. According to me, I like to explore the uncharted routes and hidden trails. Though Kuari Pass has gained a lot of popularity over the years. It starts from a beautiful village called Dhak which is like a few kilometers away from a tranquil town Joshimath. The trail ahead of Dhak village is full of rough patches of stones and moraines and in some parts, it had steep ascents. My heart panted, tired, and exhausted at the fact that I had to cover too much distance.
It is quite an eye-opener, for a first-timer witnessing the streamflow, trekking amidst the snowcapped mountains, hearing reverberance of the river. In short, everything was bewildering and breathtaking. It snowed at that time, and after reaching the second base camp Khullara, where I was completely lost into the charismatic aura of the Garhwal Himalayas. I don’t exactly remember the names of the particular mountains standing right in front of me. They were huge and everything looked perfect to me because I haven’t seen such pleasing views. The entire trail goes through Rhododendron trees, oak trees, and alpine forests. And most importantly the astonishing campsites. You cannot stop gushing about it. Even though I was dumbstruck at the Khullara campsites, I was blown away at the Kuari Pass top.
This trek is like an Orchestra, with too many surprises on the way. Reaching the top wasn’t easy. It was so steep that I almost gave up. The snow made it worse. Being a newbie, I barely had trekking shoes, proper clothes, and all the essential trekking equipment. I was left behind, and one of the localite helped me pass through a large chunk of snow. The adrenaline rush was soaring so high, there was sweat in my palm. The way was long. It is all about the mind, there is no limit. As I was approaching the pass, I was closer to the mountains. Here is an anecdote: that reminds me of this trek. Call it horrifying and exciting. The snow made it extremely difficult to walk through the passage and with one wrong step going awry you would just fall and die. And the worst part I stumbled upon the snowy route, fell and leg got stuck. By the time people came to rescue, my one leg got buried under snow. It froze completely and was entirely numb. It was fun but terrifying at the same time.
I reached Kuari Pass in few hours after battling the long fight with snow (treading in snow). It sucks out your energy and sometimes you feel, your lungs can no longer pump up more oxygen. The chilly wind sips inside your as if someone is trying to a knife inside ready to take out the flesh. Such raw experience that too for the first time in my life made me a tougher person and learn a lot of things. Coming back the view from Kuari Pass. I ran out of words to describe the ethereal beauty.
I got to witness the 360 views of the entire Garhwal Himalayas that are some of the highest mountains of Uttarakhand like Kamet, Nanda Devi, Dunagari, Trishul, Neelkanth, Hathi Godi, Bertholi, and Mana. Remarkable and sensational in every sense, the way to the Kuari Pass is very rewarding. Imagine you standing amidst the white carpet of snow surrounded by the mountains. The landscapes resembled the ones which we saw in movies like the Chronicles of Narnia. But that exists in reality. Kuari Pass was the trek that completely gave me a shocker. Whenever I think of Uttarakhand, treasure this magical trek because of this trek I chose to trek further in the Himalayas. It tested my patience and my mental strength.
Someday the North Wind would bestow dusty storms upon the sky and the mountains
To you, with love Kuari Pass.
A moment to remember!!
Day 1: Haridwar to Joshimat (12 hr drive; discovery hike will arrange the pickup from Haridwar railway station at 6.30 am)
Day 2: Joshimat (6900ft) to Gulling (9800ft) via Dhak 7km,
Day 3: Gulling (9800ft) to Khullara (10400ft), 6km
Day 4: Kullara (10400ft) to Tali Lake (11030ft) via kauri pass (12500ft), 11 km
Day 5: Tali Lake (110300ft) to Joshimat (8600 ft), 6km
Day 6: Joshimat to Haridwar (Departure day)
NOTE: stay will be in 3 men tent in all the days except joshimat
Day 1: Haridwar to Joshimath
Estimation time of completion: 10 hrs drive
Estimation distance of drive: 243km
Tip: get ready to make memory
Our trek starts at Joshimath. We get there from Haridwar by taking a scenic drive. The drive is consistently alongside Alaknanda River – an important tributary to the Ganga. The road is marked by high mountains and the valleys of Garhwal which make the passing view absolutely stunning.
Day 2: Joshimath (6900ft) to Guling (9800ft)
Estimation time of completion: 6 hrs
Estimation distance of trek: 6 – 7 km
Tip: carry sufficient water at least 2 liters or refill from the small villages pass by your way
Pic Credit: Shubham Shet
Once we are at Joshimath, we now have to get to Guling. We drive to Dhak which will take a good part of an hour. Once at Dhak, we take the dirt trail leading to Tugasi Village off the main road.
Even during the winter season, there is very less or almost no snowfall which makes these mountain ridges quite plain. During this climb to Guling, you will see the Dhauli Ganga River passing. The trail is well maintained and raised into a continuous elevation. After about 20 minutes, you will find a rain shelter pointing out that you are now close to the Kharchi Village. At this pointer, i.e. the rain shelter, we take a sharp right.
Upon noticing the valley on your left, you will know you are on the right path. Do enjoy the view of the valley in all its glory. As we continue for the next 45 mins on a path which is well defined by its hairpin bends, we will come upon Lower Tugasi. We then take the road past the flour mills and then turn a left to ascent on to Upper Tugasi.
The path again here is made of multiple switchbacks or hairpin bends. At this point, you will notice multiple fields of wheat, poppy and beautiful flowers. Adding to this beauty are the various streams that you will pass through. These are utilized by the water-based flour mills in Tugasi hence cannot be potable.
Pic Credit: Abhishek Kumar
We should be at Upper Tugasi in less than 2.5 hours and the path is only going to get steep. While we pass through various small villages at regular intervals, you will notice Dronagiri in the far-off mountains. After 20 more minutes of climbing to cross the last village on the trail, you will find a water source near the last hut of the village has potable water that you can use to replenish your canteens.
Getting to Guling after a small break should take us fair bit of climbing for the next two hours. You will again be passing through a similar setting of mountains and valleys around you. Do not miss out on the splendid view you are leaving behind as you escalate towards Guling.
When the Oaks begin to appear in the stunning mixed forest, to get to the Guling campsite, which is set amidst a patch within the forest, we will have to climb through a narrower path and ascend higher. If you turn around from this point towards the Himalayas, you will be able to see the Hathi and Godha Parvats in all their magnificence.
Day 3: Guling (9800ft) to Khullara (10400ft)
Estimation time of completion: 4 hrs.
Estimation distance of trek: 6 – 7km
Tip: fill ample water 2 liters at least or refill it from the small stream on your way
View of Himalays from Kullara campsite
From Guling, after a night of well deserved rest, we climb towards Khullara which is a campsite for Chitrakantha. The climb is not as steep as Day 2 and is also lined with some pretty terrific views. Once we cross through the forests for an hour or so, we will come to a clearing.
While we climb through the forests surrounded by oaks, do notice the Dronagiri on the left.
Pic Credit: Abhishek Kumar
We will be approaching a second clearing as well where we can wish to rest if necessary. Also during this entire journey, there are various streams that you can use to refill and enjoy fresh mountain water.
The journey in its entirety is very life-affirming given the fact that it’s surrounded by beautiful and eye-widening mountains. You will certainly notice the peaks of Hathi and Ghoda mountains. Between you and these peaks lies a beautiful view of the entire valley in waves of mountains. Once at Khullara campsite, we would settle and camp for the night within a clearing.
Day 4: Khullara (10400ft) to Tali Lake via Kuari Pass (12500ft)
Estimation time of completion: 9 hrs.
Estimation distance of trek: 10 – 12 km
Tip: carry sufficient water at least 2 liters from the campsite or refill from streams on your way
Tali lake Pic Credit: Deeksha Mittal
From Khullara we will be ascending towards the Chitrakantantha. After a trek from Khullara for about 90 minutes we would come upon the Lord Curzon trail and move out of the tree linings.
This makes way to the opening up of the Himalayas on a complete eagle eye view of the mountains. It’s immensely satisfying to see the peaks of Dronagiri, Nilgiri, Hathi Ghoda,Chaukhamba and Neelkanth on one side while straight ahead the Trishul and parts of Nanda Devi are unmissable. From this point, a climb of 40mins should take us to the top of Kuari. A slowly descending path for another 40 mins should bring us to the ever famous Kuari pass.
Our next destination would be to reach Jhandi top. This takes about one hour of moderate climbing towards the ridge rather than turning towards Khullara. The backpedal is quite scenic and beautiful than the Kuari pass. We would have to descend towards the Chitrakantha meadows which is simply put a trail among the woods.
Pic Credit: Anangsha
The thick woods and tall trees would cover the mighty mountains although visibility is not affected. In about 75 minutes we should reach Chitrakantha. From this point of view, the scenery is amazing furthered by the all-round sight. You will be able to see the whole valley from up here but Dronagiri will be the highlight of this landscape portrait.
We will now move down towards Tali through a very thick forest that is abundant with oaks, pine trees, and rhododendrons.
The forest is thick during the season that there is hardly any sunlight passing through the branches. With a small stream flowing close by, Tali is located right in the middle of the woods. We will take around 40 minutes to reach this point and will be camping here.
Day 5: Chitrakantha/Tali Lake (11030ft) to Auli (8600ft) Drive to Joshimath
Estimation time of completion: 6 hrs.
Estimation distance of trek: 4- 6 km
Tip: No water source carry at least 2 liters of water from the campsite
Pic Credit: Abhishek Kumar
Beginning of the day we will be ascending towards the Tali Lake for about 40mins. The climb is quite small and given the lake being elevated, it has a magnificent view of the mountains. For the next 20 mins, we will have a steep climb to conquer which will take us from the lake towards an overhanging pathway cutting through the cliff.
We will take this trail to get to Tugasi. The contrast is set by the valley underneath you while the rhododendrons hover over you to take you closer to lower and then Upper Tugasi. At Gorson Bugyal, which we tend to reach after around 40 mins, the rhododendrons recede.
We will be trekking through Gorson Bugyal which is a quite a beautiful walk in itself and descend gradually towards Padiyar. Slowly, the oak forests begin to form the pathways and the walk of around 150 mins should bring us to Padiyar. The temple is around 15 minutes walk ahead and should form a nice resting spot before we continue.
Pic Credit: Abhishek Kumar
From the temple, the walk is easy and downhill. After around 15 mins of walking, it should bring us to Upper Auli which has a Ski Lift and 1000 feet underneath it lays Auli. We walk for another 90 minutes slowly descending ourselves along the meadows wherein we will make it to Auli surrounded by small’s hamlets and settlements.
On reaching Auli, we will be moving towards GMVN, walk to the exit and take a drive back to Joshimath from where we would depart to Haridwar.
Hiking Shoes
Type: Depending on Terrain & the difficulty of the Trek, you will to choose the right kind of Grip & Sole for the Shoe. We recommend that you check for water-resistance & a deep yet flexible sole for the all factors that you will face
Importance: Your legs need to be well taken care of by the shoes over the course of the Trek. Different Terrains pose different threats & the right kind of shoe will make all the difference in the world.
Backpack
Type: This purely depends on the kind of Trek you are undertaking
- Short Treks (1 – 3 Days) – 15litres to 20litres
- Long Treks (3 – 10 Days) – 40litres to 60litres
Importance: Your Backpack is as important as your Shoe. Your entire journey will be with the Backpack full of your belongings and all the essentials you need. We recommend that you test the back and choose according to the Trek, your height & comfort it provides.
Daypack
Type: This is 10 liters – 15 liters Daypack Backpack you need to have with you for the Summit.
Importance: Your Daypack will be for those Summit days and shorter days when you just need your essentials with you.
Clothing
Padded Jacket – You will need 1 pair of the Jacket for Summer & Winter. Ensure that the jacket is wind-resistant & capable of keeping your warm up to -10 degrees.
Fleece Jacket – You will need 2 pairs of the Fleece Jacket. Make sure it’s Cotton or contains more Cotton.
Thermals – You will only require 1 pair of this in the Winter, Summer is optional. It should also be made primarily of Cotton. This will keep your warm during the nights when the temperature usually tends to drop.
Trek Pants – Exclusively meant for Trekking, you will need minimum 2 pairs of Trekking Pants with you always. Ensure it is made of Cotton & provides you maximum comfort to you and is durable.
Collared T-shirts – Carrying 2 – 3 pairs are normally recommended. The collar will help keeping the neck from being too exposed to the Sun and being Sun-burnt.
Sun Caps – At high Altitudes, the Sun might be harsh and direct exposure of your head to the sun is not something we would recommend. Carry Sun Caps in case these situations arise to keep your head cool.
Woolen Caps – The nights get very cold in the Mountains and you must protect your ears and head from the cold winds. Woolen caps are essentials during the nights to keep your ears and head warm.
Water-proof Gloves – You will need water-proof gloves as you move towards colder and wet parts of the Trek. Keep your hands clean & warm without getting them wet and most importantly to give you the grip and firmness you need.
Trek Accessories
- Trekking Pole: The Trekking/Hiking Pole saves you almost 60% of your energy when you are climbing a steep slope during high altitude conditions. We make it mandate to carry a Trekking Pole with you for our Treks.
- Head-lamp or Torch: A Head-Lamp is something we make mandate too for our Treks. Carrying this will help you see better in dark places. In case, you are unable to procure a Head-lamp then we suggest carrying a Torch.
Daily essentials
Toiletries: We recommend that you carry all your Toiletries essentials and all other cosmetic & personal requirements by yourself to avoid borrowing. (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Lip-balm, Moisturizer, Face-wash, Other creams & essentials, Toilet roll, Sanitary Pads, etc.)
Bottles & Boxes: We recommend that you carry all your own Water Bottle, we suggest two 1litres bottles that you will need. And also, your own Boxes to eat the food we provide for both convenience and hygienic purposes.
Mandatory Documents to bring:
Carry these document mentioned below and hand them over to the trek leader at the base camp. You need to bring one copy of Disclaimer and one photocopy & Original copy ofGovernment Photo ID.
You also need to bring the Medical certificate approval from the doctor that you are physically fit for high altitude point.
Kuari Pass: One of the best treks in the Garhwal Himalayas
I was pursuing my master’s degree from Delhi University and while scrolling through my friend’s Instagram profile, I happen to come across the beautiful pictures of Kuari Pass. Stunned and speechless, I immediately pinged my friends regarding the same. Before getting into the world of trekking, Kuari Pass is the first difficult to moderate I wanted to attempt. Before Kuari Pass, I did a couple of treks like Chopta, Dayara Bugyal, Triund. All thanks to my friends. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to trek to this beautiful trek because I doubted myself. A dear friend of mine told me about High Altitude Mountain Sickness and snow blindness.
Honestly, I was gargled by her words. I didn’t know what it was about, so I quickly researched it. Uttarakhand has charming treks when I went to explore Kuari Pass, I got to know a lot more about the treks in Uttarakhand. I believe it’s not about going to Dehradun, Mussoorie and then come back to city life. Well everyone has their way of traveling. According to me, I like to explore the uncharted routes and hidden trails. Though Kuari Pass has gained a lot of popularity over the years. It starts from a beautiful village called Dhak which is like a few kilometers away from a tranquil town Joshimath. The trail ahead of Dhak village is full of rough patches of stones and moraines and in some parts, it had steep ascents. My heart panted, tired, and exhausted at the fact that I had to cover too much distance.
It is quite an eye-opener, for a first-timer witnessing the streamflow, trekking amidst the snowcapped mountains, hearing reverberance of the river. In short, everything was bewildering and breathtaking. It snowed at that time, and after reaching the second base camp Khullara, where I was completely lost into the charismatic aura of the Garhwal Himalayas. I don’t exactly remember the names of the particular mountains standing right in front of me. They were huge and everything looked perfect to me because I haven’t seen such pleasing views. The entire trail goes through Rhododendron trees, oak trees, and alpine forests. And most importantly the astonishing campsites. You cannot stop gushing about it. Even though I was dumbstruck at the Khullara campsites, I was blown away at the Kuari Pass top.
This trek is like an Orchestra, with too many surprises on the way. Reaching the top wasn’t easy. It was so steep that I almost gave up. The snow made it worse. Being a newbie, I barely had trekking shoes, proper clothes, and all the essential trekking equipment. I was left behind, and one of the localite helped me pass through a large chunk of snow. The adrenaline rush was soaring so high, there was sweat in my palm. The way was long. It is all about the mind, there is no limit. As I was approaching the pass, I was closer to the mountains. Here is an anecdote: that reminds me of this trek. Call it horrifying and exciting. The snow made it extremely difficult to walk through the passage and with one wrong step going awry you would just fall and die. And the worst part I stumbled upon the snowy route, fell and leg got stuck. By the time people came to rescue, my one leg got buried under snow. It froze completely and was entirely numb. It was fun but terrifying at the same time.
I reached Kuari Pass in few hours after battling the long fight with snow (treading in snow). It sucks out your energy and sometimes you feel, your lungs can no longer pump up more oxygen. The chilly wind sips inside your as if someone is trying to a knife inside ready to take out the flesh. Such raw experience that too for the first time in my life made me a tougher person and learn a lot of things. Coming back the view from Kuari Pass. I ran out of words to describe the ethereal beauty.
I got to witness the 360 views of the entire Garhwal Himalayas that are some of the highest mountains of Uttarakhand like Kamet, Nanda Devi, Dunagari, Trishul, Neelkanth, Hathi Godi, Bertholi, and Mana. Remarkable and sensational in every sense, the way to the Kuari Pass is very rewarding. Imagine you standing amidst the white carpet of snow surrounded by the mountains. The landscapes resembled the ones which we saw in movies like the Chronicles of Narnia. But that exists in reality. Kuari Pass was the trek that completely gave me a shocker. Whenever I think of Uttarakhand, treasure this magical trek because of this trek I chose to trek further in the Himalayas. It tested my patience and my mental strength.
Someday the North Wind would bestow dusty storms upon the sky and the mountains
To you, with love Kuari Pass.
A moment to remember!!
Day 1: Haridwar to Joshimat (12 hr drive; discovery hike will arrange the pickup from Haridwar railway station at 6.30 am)
Day 2: Joshimat (6900ft) to Gulling (9800ft) via Dhak 7km,
Day 3: Gulling (9800ft) to Khullara (10400ft), 6km
Day 4: Kullara (10400ft) to Tali Lake (11030ft) via kauri pass (12500ft), 11 km
Day 5: Tali Lake (110300ft) to Joshimat (8600 ft), 6km
Day 6: Joshimat to Haridwar (Departure day)
NOTE: stay will be in 3 men tent in all the days except joshimat
Day 1: Haridwar to Joshimath
Estimation time of completion: 10 hrs drive
Estimation distance of drive: 243km
Tip: get ready to make memory
Our trek starts at Joshimath. We get there from Haridwar by taking a scenic drive. The drive is consistently alongside Alaknanda River – an important tributary to the Ganga. The road is marked by high mountains and the valleys of Garhwal which make the passing view absolutely stunning.
Day 2: Joshimath (6900ft) to Guling (9800ft)
Estimation time of completion: 6 hrs
Estimation distance of trek: 6 – 7 km
Tip: carry sufficient water at least 2 liters or refill from the small villages pass by your way
Pic Credit: Shubham Shet
Once we are at Joshimath, we now have to get to Guling. We drive to Dhak which will take a good part of an hour. Once at Dhak, we take the dirt trail leading to Tugasi Village off the main road.
Even during the winter season, there is very less or almost no snowfall which makes these mountain ridges quite plain. During this climb to Guling, you will see the Dhauli Ganga River passing. The trail is well maintained and raised into a continuous elevation. After about 20 minutes, you will find a rain shelter pointing out that you are now close to the Kharchi Village. At this pointer, i.e. the rain shelter, we take a sharp right.
Upon noticing the valley on your left, you will know you are on the right path. Do enjoy the view of the valley in all its glory. As we continue for the next 45 mins on a path which is well defined by its hairpin bends, we will come upon Lower Tugasi. We then take the road past the flour mills and then turn a left to ascent on to Upper Tugasi.
The path again here is made of multiple switchbacks or hairpin bends. At this point, you will notice multiple fields of wheat, poppy and beautiful flowers. Adding to this beauty are the various streams that you will pass through. These are utilized by the water-based flour mills in Tugasi hence cannot be potable.
Pic Credit: Abhishek Kumar
We should be at Upper Tugasi in less than 2.5 hours and the path is only going to get steep. While we pass through various small villages at regular intervals, you will notice Dronagiri in the far-off mountains. After 20 more minutes of climbing to cross the last village on the trail, you will find a water source near the last hut of the village has potable water that you can use to replenish your canteens.
Getting to Guling after a small break should take us fair bit of climbing for the next two hours. You will again be passing through a similar setting of mountains and valleys around you. Do not miss out on the splendid view you are leaving behind as you escalate towards Guling.
When the Oaks begin to appear in the stunning mixed forest, to get to the Guling campsite, which is set amidst a patch within the forest, we will have to climb through a narrower path and ascend higher. If you turn around from this point towards the Himalayas, you will be able to see the Hathi and Godha Parvats in all their magnificence.
Day 3: Guling (9800ft) to Khullara (10400ft)
Estimation time of completion: 4 hrs.
Estimation distance of trek: 6 – 7km
Tip: fill ample water 2 liters at least or refill it from the small stream on your way
View of Himalays from Kullara campsite
From Guling, after a night of well deserved rest, we climb towards Khullara which is a campsite for Chitrakantha. The climb is not as steep as Day 2 and is also lined with some pretty terrific views. Once we cross through the forests for an hour or so, we will come to a clearing.
While we climb through the forests surrounded by oaks, do notice the Dronagiri on the left.
Pic Credit: Abhishek Kumar
We will be approaching a second clearing as well where we can wish to rest if necessary. Also during this entire journey, there are various streams that you can use to refill and enjoy fresh mountain water.
The journey in its entirety is very life-affirming given the fact that it’s surrounded by beautiful and eye-widening mountains. You will certainly notice the peaks of Hathi and Ghoda mountains. Between you and these peaks lies a beautiful view of the entire valley in waves of mountains. Once at Khullara campsite, we would settle and camp for the night within a clearing.
Day 4: Khullara (10400ft) to Tali Lake via Kuari Pass (12500ft)
Estimation time of completion: 9 hrs.
Estimation distance of trek: 10 – 12 km
Tip: carry sufficient water at least 2 liters from the campsite or refill from streams on your way
Tali lake Pic Credit: Deeksha Mittal
From Khullara we will be ascending towards the Chitrakantantha. After a trek from Khullara for about 90 minutes we would come upon the Lord Curzon trail and move out of the tree linings.
This makes way to the opening up of the Himalayas on a complete eagle eye view of the mountains. It’s immensely satisfying to see the peaks of Dronagiri, Nilgiri, Hathi Ghoda,Chaukhamba and Neelkanth on one side while straight ahead the Trishul and parts of Nanda Devi are unmissable. From this point, a climb of 40mins should take us to the top of Kuari. A slowly descending path for another 40 mins should bring us to the ever famous Kuari pass.
Our next destination would be to reach Jhandi top. This takes about one hour of moderate climbing towards the ridge rather than turning towards Khullara. The backpedal is quite scenic and beautiful than the Kuari pass. We would have to descend towards the Chitrakantha meadows which is simply put a trail among the woods.
Pic Credit: Anangsha
The thick woods and tall trees would cover the mighty mountains although visibility is not affected. In about 75 minutes we should reach Chitrakantha. From this point of view, the scenery is amazing furthered by the all-round sight. You will be able to see the whole valley from up here but Dronagiri will be the highlight of this landscape portrait.
We will now move down towards Tali through a very thick forest that is abundant with oaks, pine trees, and rhododendrons.
The forest is thick during the season that there is hardly any sunlight passing through the branches. With a small stream flowing close by, Tali is located right in the middle of the woods. We will take around 40 minutes to reach this point and will be camping here.
Day 5: Chitrakantha/Tali Lake (11030ft) to Auli (8600ft) Drive to Joshimath
Estimation time of completion: 6 hrs.
Estimation distance of trek: 4- 6 km
Tip: No water source carry at least 2 liters of water from the campsite
Pic Credit: Abhishek Kumar
Beginning of the day we will be ascending towards the Tali Lake for about 40mins. The climb is quite small and given the lake being elevated, it has a magnificent view of the mountains. For the next 20 mins, we will have a steep climb to conquer which will take us from the lake towards an overhanging pathway cutting through the cliff.
We will take this trail to get to Tugasi. The contrast is set by the valley underneath you while the rhododendrons hover over you to take you closer to lower and then Upper Tugasi. At Gorson Bugyal, which we tend to reach after around 40 mins, the rhododendrons recede.
We will be trekking through Gorson Bugyal which is a quite a beautiful walk in itself and descend gradually towards Padiyar. Slowly, the oak forests begin to form the pathways and the walk of around 150 mins should bring us to Padiyar. The temple is around 15 minutes walk ahead and should form a nice resting spot before we continue.
Pic Credit: Abhishek Kumar
From the temple, the walk is easy and downhill. After around 15 mins of walking, it should bring us to Upper Auli which has a Ski Lift and 1000 feet underneath it lays Auli. We walk for another 90 minutes slowly descending ourselves along the meadows wherein we will make it to Auli surrounded by small’s hamlets and settlements.
On reaching Auli, we will be moving towards GMVN, walk to the exit and take a drive back to Joshimath from where we would depart to Haridwar.
Hiking Shoes
Type: Depending on Terrain & the difficulty of the Trek, you will to choose the right kind of Grip & Sole for the Shoe. We recommend that you check for water-resistance & a deep yet flexible sole for the all factors that you will face
Importance: Your legs need to be well taken care of by the shoes over the course of the Trek. Different Terrains pose different threats & the right kind of shoe will make all the difference in the world.
Backpack
Type: This purely depends on the kind of Trek you are undertaking
- Short Treks (1 – 3 Days) – 15litres to 20litres
- Long Treks (3 – 10 Days) – 40litres to 60litres
Importance: Your Backpack is as important as your Shoe. Your entire journey will be with the Backpack full of your belongings and all the essentials you need. We recommend that you test the back and choose according to the Trek, your height & comfort it provides.
Daypack
Type: This is 10 liters – 15 liters Daypack Backpack you need to have with you for the Summit.
Importance: Your Daypack will be for those Summit days and shorter days when you just need your essentials with you.
Clothing
Padded Jacket – You will need 1 pair of the Jacket for Summer & Winter. Ensure that the jacket is wind-resistant & capable of keeping your warm up to -10 degrees.
Fleece Jacket – You will need 2 pairs of the Fleece Jacket. Make sure it’s Cotton or contains more Cotton.
Thermals – You will only require 1 pair of this in the Winter, Summer is optional. It should also be made primarily of Cotton. This will keep your warm during the nights when the temperature usually tends to drop.
Trek Pants – Exclusively meant for Trekking, you will need minimum 2 pairs of Trekking Pants with you always. Ensure it is made of Cotton & provides you maximum comfort to you and is durable.
Collared T-shirts – Carrying 2 – 3 pairs are normally recommended. The collar will help keeping the neck from being too exposed to the Sun and being Sun-burnt.
Sun Caps – At high Altitudes, the Sun might be harsh and direct exposure of your head to the sun is not something we would recommend. Carry Sun Caps in case these situations arise to keep your head cool.
Woolen Caps – The nights get very cold in the Mountains and you must protect your ears and head from the cold winds. Woolen caps are essentials during the nights to keep your ears and head warm.
Water-proof Gloves – You will need water-proof gloves as you move towards colder and wet parts of the Trek. Keep your hands clean & warm without getting them wet and most importantly to give you the grip and firmness you need.
Trek Accessories
- Trekking Pole: The Trekking/Hiking Pole saves you almost 60% of your energy when you are climbing a steep slope during high altitude conditions. We make it mandate to carry a Trekking Pole with you for our Treks.
- Head-lamp or Torch: A Head-Lamp is something we make mandate too for our Treks. Carrying this will help you see better in dark places. In case, you are unable to procure a Head-lamp then we suggest carrying a Torch.
Daily essentials
Toiletries: We recommend that you carry all your Toiletries essentials and all other cosmetic & personal requirements by yourself to avoid borrowing. (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Lip-balm, Moisturizer, Face-wash, Other creams & essentials, Toilet roll, Sanitary Pads, etc.)
Bottles & Boxes: We recommend that you carry all your own Water Bottle, we suggest two 1litres bottles that you will need. And also, your own Boxes to eat the food we provide for both convenience and hygienic purposes.
Mandatory Documents to bring:
Carry these document mentioned below and hand them over to the trek leader at the base camp. You need to bring one copy of Disclaimer and one photocopy & Original copy ofGovernment Photo ID.
You also need to bring the Medical certificate approval from the doctor that you are physically fit for high altitude point.
Available Dates For
Treks
Must read about the Trek
Temperature Chart
Rainfall Chart
