Quick answer: Yes, December is a good month for the Kuari Pass trek. The trek page puts the trail under snow from December to March, with winter days of 8–14°C and nights of -14°C to -8°C. Trekkaro runs 17 December 2026 batches, including Christmas and New Year departures, at ₹9,400 + 5% GST (₹9,870) for 6 days from Pipalkoti.
This guide is for trekkers choosing a December date: what the snow and cold mean on each day, which batch fits your leave, what to book and cancel by, and who should pick another month. Figures come from Trekkaro's Kuari Pass trek page, its batch calendar and the Uttarakhand Health Department's high-altitude health advisory.
Is there snow on Kuari Pass in December?
December opens the snow season on Kuari Pass. The trek page describes December to February as the full snow trek: snow over the forests, the meadows and the trail itself, a frozen stream and icy sections on summit day, and high winds possible on the ridge. Trekkaro gives December to March as the window for a trail draped in snow.
Snow depth in a given week depends on that season's snowfall, and no one can promise it months ahead. What December does promise is winter cold and a trail that asks for microspikes and steady footing, which is why Trekkaro gives them out free on this trek.
The reason to go is the view. On a clear day the ridge looks out at Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Kamet, Dronagiri, Trishul, Bertholi, Hathi Ghodi Parvat, Mana and Neelkanth, and the trek page counts fourteen peaks in the full sweep. You see this from 3,815 m (12,516 ft), without going above 4,000 m.
How cold is Kuari Pass in December?
The trek page gives one range for winter (December to February): 8°C to 14°C in the day and -14°C to -8°C at night. Compared with October and November, when nights are around 0°C, December nights are 8–14 degrees colder. Your camps at Gulling (2,900 m) and Khullara (3,350 m) are where you feel it.
The page asks for 5 warm layers, a waterproof shell and good sun protection: thermals, fleece or woollen layers, a woollen cap, a balaclava and gloves. Carry an insulated bottle; it stops your water from freezing. Carry a power bank as well, because cold drains phone batteries fast. Sleeping bags are rated to -20°C, and tents are shared by three, with men and women in separate tents.
Free Trekking Gear covers the heavy items: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes. You pay a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge + GST.
Which December batch should you pick?
Every batch runs six days. Here is the December 2026 calendar, grouped:
| Group | Start dates | End dates | Label on the trek page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early December weekends | 5, 6, 12 and 13 Dec | 10, 11, 17 and 18 Dec | None |
| Weekend before Christmas | 19 Dec (Saturday) | 24 Dec | None |
| Christmas week, daily starts | 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 Dec | 25 to 30 Dec | Christmas |
| Saturday after Christmas | 26 Dec | 31 Dec | None |
| New Year, daily starts | 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 Dec | 1 to 5 Jan 2027 | New Year |
The early-December batches start on Saturdays and Sundays. A Saturday batch ends on Thursday and a Sunday batch on Friday, so either takes five weekdays of leave, including the Friday you travel home after a Saturday start. For a Saturday start, take the overnight Nanda Devi Express to Dehradun or add the Friday before. The eleven Christmas and New Year batches start daily, so match the start to your train or flight. 25 December 2026 is a Friday, so the 20 December (Sunday) batch needs four weekdays of leave, Monday to Thursday. Each batch takes a maximum of 20 trekkers, with one leader or guide for every 8, whatever the date.
If December does not work, the same winter temperatures and snow window carry into January (11 batches, two labelled Republic Day) and February (8 batches).
What snow and cold change on each day
Times are the trek page's standard figures; in snow, Day 3 goes slower.
| Day | Route | On foot and time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pickup (Dehradun Railway Station 6:30 AM or Jumping Heights, Tapovan, Rishikesh 8:00 AM), drive about 215 km to Pipalkoti, 1,883 m / 6,175 ft | None (about 9 hrs by road) | There is no ATM at Pipalkoti and cards are not accepted on the trail, so carry cash in small notes. Signal is patchy at Pipalkoti and little to none on the trail. |
| 2 | Drive 15 km to Dhak (2,050 m), trek to Gulling (2,900 m / 9,600 ft) | 6 km, 5–6 hrs | Water sources are limited; fill every bottle at Dhak. |
| 3 | Gulling to Khullara (3,350 m / 11,000 ft) | 5 km, about 4 hrs | In snow this short walk goes slower, and footing matters more than speed. |
| 4 | Khullara to Kuari Pass (3,815 m / 12,516 ft) and back | 13 km, 8–9 hrs | Start early. There is no water anywhere on the route: fill every bottle at Khullara and carry enough for the whole day. The first 3.5 km to Khullara Top cross a broken bridge and a frozen stream, so watch your footing on both. Expect icy patches; high winds are possible on the ridge. Take small steps and a short break about every 15 minutes. |
| 5 | Khullara to Dhak, drive to Pipalkoti | 11 km, 6–7 hrs | About 1,300 m of descent; use poles and short steps, as knees and thighs feel it late in the day. Drink water at every break. |
| 6 | Drive 215 km to Rishikesh or Dehradun | None (8–10 hrs by road) | Leave Pipalkoti before 6:30 AM; meals on the road are not included. Drop at Tapovan by about 7:00 PM and Dehradun Railway Station by about 9:00 PM; book onward travel for the next morning. |
The Day 2 climb of 850 m is the biggest of the trek. The Uttarakhand Health Department's high-altitude health advisory, written for travellers going above 3,000 m, advises no more than 800–1,000 m of elevation gain a day; this climb is within that limit, and you sleep at 2,900 m.
On foot, the trek adds up to 35 km. The same advisory says to descend if you feel unwell and not to climb further. Report chest pain, breathlessness, a persistent cough, dizziness or vomiting to your trek leader at once. Every camp has a first-aid kit, oxygen cylinders and a stretcher.
Booking and cancelling a holiday batch
Booking for any batch closes at 5 PM (India time) on the day before it starts. Bring a government photo ID, a medical certificate signed by a registered doctor and travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation; the insurance is mandatory and not included in the fee. Cancellation deadlines for the 25 December batch:
| Cancel by | Days before departure | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 25 November | 30 or more | 70% refund, or a 100% TrekCash voucher, free reschedule or transfer instead |
| 26 November to 10 December | 15 to 29 | 50% refund, or a 100% TrekCash voucher, free reschedule or transfer instead |
| 11 to 17 December | 8 to 14 | No cash refund; a 100% TrekCash voucher valid for a year, a free reschedule or a transfer to another trekker |
| 18 December or later, or no-show | 7 or fewer | No refund |
Who should pick another month?
- Anyone who does not want sub-zero nights. October and November nights are around 0°C, without the full snow cover, and the trek page lists 5 October and 9 November 2026 batches. March nights are also around 0°C, and its 8 batches are still inside the December-to-March snow window.
- Trekkers who cannot yet walk 8–9 hours in a day. The trek page asks for comfort walking 4–9 hours a day and at least six weeks of preparation.
- Children under 8, the trek's minimum age. Trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian.
- Anyone who needs to stay reachable. Mobile signal on the trail is little to none.
What it costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Trek fee | ₹9,400 per person |
| GST at 5% | ₹470 |
| Total | ₹9,870 |
| EMI | From ₹484 a month |
| Free Trekking Gear deposit | ₹3,000, refundable, plus ₹200 washing charge + GST |
| Backpack offloading (optional, up to 9 kg) | ₹1,800 + GST |
| Single tent (optional) | ₹2,000 + GST |
| Shared cab to Pipalkoti | About ₹6,500 per 5–6 seat vehicle one way |
The fee covers the stay at Pipalkoti, tents at Gulling and Khullara, meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 dinner, permits and forest camping fees, the trek leader and local guides. Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. With six people in a cab, ₹6,500 comes to about ₹1,083 each way per person; with five, about ₹1,300.
See Kuari Pass December dates and book | Kuari Pass in January | Kuari Pass weather by month | Treks in December
Frequently asked questions
How much does a December Kuari Pass trek cost in all?
The trek fee with GST is ₹9,870; with six people sharing, the Rishikesh–Pipalkoti cab adds about ₹1,083 each way, and Free Trekking Gear adds a ₹200 washing charge plus a ₹3,000 deposit you get back. That comes to about ₹12,240 per person with six in the cab, or ₹12,670 with five, plus GST on the washing charge. The deposit, transit meals and your own travel to Dehradun or Rishikesh are extra.
Can a first-time trekker do Kuari Pass in December?
Yes, if you prepare. Kuari Pass is graded Easy–Moderate, but December adds snow and nights down to -14°C, so train for at least six weeks and make sure you can walk 8–9 hours on summit day.
Where will I spend Christmas on a Kuari Pass batch?
On the night of 25 December, the 22 and 23 December batches camp at Khullara (3,350 m) and the 24 December batch is at Gulling (2,900 m). The 21 and 25 December batches are at Pipalkoti, and the 20 December batch ends that day with the drop in Rishikesh by about 7:00 PM.
Are there toilets at the Kuari Pass campsites in winter?
Yes. Trekkaro sets up eco-friendly toilet tents at every campsite on the trek, which means Gulling and Khullara. On the first and last nights you stay at Pipalkoti.
Where will I be on New Year's Eve on a Kuari Pass batch?
It depends on your start date. The 28 and 29 December batches spend the night of 31 December at Khullara (3,350 m), after summit day for the 28 December batch. The 30 December batch is at Gulling (2,900 m), the 27 and 31 December batches are at Pipalkoti, and the 26 December batch ends that day.
