Quick answer: Kuari Pass is an Easy to Moderate trek with one hard day. The pass day is about 13 km and 8 to 9 hours, from Khullara (3,350 m / 10,991 ft) to Kuari Pass (3,815 m / 12,516 ft) and back, on snow in winter. If you can walk 4 to 9 hours a day and train for six weeks, a first-timer can do it.
Kuari Pass, the old Curzon Trail in Chamoli district, is sold by many operators as an easy beginner trek. That is mostly true, and the grade is fair: there is no technical climbing and no prior high-altitude experience is needed. But it covers about 35 km in four trekking days, and almost 40% of that comes on a single day. This guide shows where the effort sits, what changes in winter, and a six-week plan to get ready.
How hard is the Kuari Pass trek, really?
The trek is graded Easy to Moderate. In practice it has three easy-to-moderate days and one demanding one. Days 2 and 3 are short climbs through forest. Day 4 is long, cold and on snow from December to March; it is harder in winter, when snow slows the pass day. Day 5 is a long descent that tests the knees.
Compared with other winter treks, Kuari Pass asks for more stamina than technique. If you are used to long walking days, you will find it comfortable. If your longest walk so far is two hours in a city, the pass day is what you need to train for.
Kuari Pass difficulty, day by day
| Day | Route | Distance and time | Height change | How it feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rishikesh to Pipalkoti (1,883 m / 6,178 ft) | 215 km drive, about 9 hours | - | Long mountain drive |
| 2 | Dhak (2,050 m / 6,726 ft) to Gulling (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) | 6 km, 5 to 6 hours | About 850 m up | Steady forest climb, moderate |
| 3 | Gulling to Khullara (3,350 m / 10,991 ft) | 5 km, about 4 hours | About 450 m up | Short and easy-paced |
| 4 | Khullara to Kuari Pass (3,815 m / 12,516 ft) and back | 13 km, 8 to 9 hours | About 465 m up and down | The hard day: snow, wind, long hours |
| 5 | Khullara to Dhak, drive to Pipalkoti | 11 km, 6 to 7 hours | About 1,300 m down | Long descent, hard on knees |
| 6 | Pipalkoti to Rishikesh or Dehradun | 215 km drive, 8 to 10 hours | - | Long drive home |
What makes pass day hard?
- Length. 13 km and 8 to 9 hours is the longest walk on the trek. You climb first to Khullara Top, about 3.5 km out, then follow the ridge to the pass.
- Snow and ice. In winter you cross a broken bridge and a frozen stream, and the final ridge is a snow climb. Microspikes from your Free Trekking Gear make this much safer.
- Wind. The high ground is exposed. Wind makes 0°C feel far colder, so a windproof shell matters more than one extra fleece.
- No water on the way. There are no water sources on the summit route, so you carry all your water from Khullara. Take two 1-litre bottles, one insulated.
Is Kuari Pass harder in winter?
Yes. Snow on the forest trail and the ridge slows every step from December to March, and the cold drains energy. Here are the ranges on our trek page:
| Season | Day | Night | Trail |
|---|---|---|---|
| October to November | 10°C to 15°C | Around 0°C | Dry, clear skies |
| December to February | 8°C to 14°C | -14°C to -8°C | Thick snow, frozen stream |
| March to April | 13°C to 17°C | Around 0°C | Snow higher up, melting lower |
If you are worried about stamina, an October, November or April batch gives you the same views with easier footing.
How fast do you gain altitude?
You sleep at 1,883 m / 6,178 ft, 2,900 m / 9,514 ft, 3,350 m / 10,991 ft and 3,350 m / 10,991 ft again, and touch 3,815 m / 12,516 ft only for a few hours on Day 4. The gain from Gulling to Khullara is about 450 m, within the 500 m-a-night guideline above 3,000 m / 9,843 ft used by public health services. A headache, nausea or unusual tiredness at a new altitude can be an early sign of altitude sickness, so tell your trek leader about any symptom early; oxygen is carried at every camp.
A six-week fitness plan for Kuari Pass
Our trek page recommends starting at least six weeks before departure. This plan builds the one thing Kuari Pass needs most: comfort on a long day.
- Weeks 1 and 2: brisk walk or easy jog for 30 to 40 minutes, 4 days a week. Add 10 minutes of squats, lunges and calf raises twice a week.
- Weeks 3 and 4: work up to jogging 5 km without stopping, 3 days a week. Climb stairs for 20 minutes with a 5 kg backpack twice a week.
- Week 5: one long walk or hike of 10 to 12 km with a 6 to 7 kg backpack, plus two shorter runs. Walk downhill or down stairs slowly to train your knees.
- Week 6: one walk of 4 to 5 hours with your trekking shoes and daypack, then rest and stretch for the last few days before travel.
Trek leader Guddu Panwar's tip: "On pass day, the people who struggle are the ones who rush the first hour. Walk at a pace where you can still talk, eat something small at every break, and drink before you feel thirsty. Pass day is won by steady walking, not speed."
Who should think twice?
The minimum age is 8, and trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit, but trekkers above 60 should bring an ECG or TMT report, and everyone needs a medical certificate signed by a registered doctor. If you have knee trouble, use both trekking poles and consider offloading your backpack so the Day 5 descent is easier.
What it costs
The Kuari Pass trek costs ₹9,400 + 5% GST, which is ₹9,870 in total, or EMIs from ₹484 a month over 24 months. The fee covers meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 dinner, stays, permits, tents and the trek team. Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs from Rishikesh (or Dehradun) to Pipalkoti and back, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. A shared cab costs about ₹6,500 one way per 5–6 seat vehicle, split among the trekkers in it (roughly ₹1,100–1,300 per person each way). Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon shoes, -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes) needs a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge. Backpack offloading is ₹1,800 + 5% GST and a single tent ₹2,000 + 5% GST. Travel insurance is mandatory and not included. Full details and dates are on the Kuari Pass trek page and in our Kuari Pass cost guide.
See Kuari Pass dates and book | Brahmatal vs Kuari Pass | Kuari Pass weather by month | Kuari Pass in January | Kuari Pass vs Kedarkantha
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kuari Pass trek easy enough for a complete beginner?
Yes, if you prepare. Kuari Pass is graded Easy to Moderate, there is no technical climbing and no prior high-altitude experience is needed. Days 2 and 3 are short forest climbs of 6 km and 5 km. The one demanding day is Day 4, about 13 km and 8 to 9 hours from Khullara to the pass and back, on snow from December to March. If you can jog 5 km and finish a 4 to 5 hour walk with a daypack after six weeks of training, a first-timer can do it.
What is the hardest day on the Kuari Pass trek?
Day 4, from Khullara (3,350 m / 10,990 ft) to Kuari Pass (3,815 m / 12,516 ft) and back. It is about 13 km and 8 to 9 hours, the longest walk on the trek, and almost 40% of the total distance comes on this one day. In winter you cross a broken bridge and a frozen stream, the final ridge is a snow climb, and the high ground is exposed to wind. There are no water sources on the summit route, so you carry all your water from Khullara: two 1-litre bottles, one insulated.
How much training do I need before the Kuari Pass trek?
Start at least six weeks before departure. In weeks 1 and 2, walk briskly or jog for 30 to 40 minutes, 4 days a week, and add squats, lunges and calf raises twice a week. In weeks 3 and 4, work up to jogging 5 km without stopping and climb stairs for 20 minutes with a 5 kg backpack. In week 5, do one long walk of 10 to 12 km with a 6 to 7 kg backpack. In week 6, finish a 4 to 5 hour walk in your trekking shoes with a daypack, then rest and stretch before you travel.
Is the Kuari Pass trek harder in winter than in spring?
Yes. From December to March the forest trail and the ridge are under snow, which slows every step, and nights drop to -14°C to -8°C while days stay at 8°C to 14°C. The final ridge becomes a snow climb, and microspikes from your Free Trekking Gear make it much safer. In March and April, days are 13°C to 17°C, nights are around 0°C and snow is melting lower down. In October and November the trail is dry under clear skies. If stamina worries you, an October, November or April batch gives the same views with easier footing.
Can children do the Kuari Pass trek, and from what age?
Yes, from age 8, and trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian. Children who walk regularly manage Kuari Pass well, because the grade is Easy to Moderate and no technical skills are needed. Plan around the two long days: the 13 km pass day of 8 to 9 hours and the Day 5 descent of about 1,300 m, which is hard on the knees. Every trekker, including a child, needs a medical certificate signed by a registered doctor, and oxygen is carried at every camp, so report a headache or nausea early.
