Quick answer: Yes, Kuari Pass works in November if you want the views and milder cold rather than snow. The trek page gives October–November days of 10°C to 15°C and nights around 0°C, and keeps full snow cover for December to March. Trekkaro lists 9 November 2026 batches at ₹9,400 + 5% GST (₹9,870) for 6 days.
This guide is for trekkers choosing between a November batch and a winter one, and for anyone whose leave falls around Diwali or Guru Nanak Jayanti. Every date and figure below is from the Kuari Pass trek page.
What does Kuari Pass look like in November?
The route is the same in every month. On Day 2 you drive 15 km from Pipalkoti to Dhak (2,050 m) and walk to the forest camp at Gulling (2,900 m). Day 3 goes on to the meadows of Khullara (3,350 m). Day 4 climbs the ridge to the pass at 3,815 m (12,516 ft) and comes back to Khullara. From the top the trek page counts fourteen peaks across a 180° view, among them Nanda Devi, Kamet, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Dronagiri.
What changes is the ground underfoot. The trek page says October and November open the season and adds: "What these months do not promise is the full snow cover that defines the winter trek, so if snow is the main reason you are coming, wait for December." It describes December to March as the months when the forest between Gulling and Khullara lies under thick snow.
Nobody can promise snow or no snow on a given date. Book November for the walk and the panorama; for a snow trek, book December to March.
How cold is Kuari Pass in November compared with winter?
The trek page gives temperatures by season. November sits in its October–November band.
| Season on the trek page | Day | Night | Snow, as the page describes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| October–November | 10°C to 15°C | Around 0°C | Outside the main snow months; full snow cover not promised |
| December–February | 8°C to 14°C | -14°C to -8°C | Forest, meadows and trail under snow |
| March–April | 13°C to 17°C | Around 0°C | Snow retreats from the lower trail; rhododendrons bloom |
By these figures a November night is 8 to 14 degrees warmer than mid-winter. Nights are still cold: the page's best-time answer says that in October, November and April "the nights at camp are still cold", and it warns that on the ridge to the pass "the wind on the high ground can be strong".
Before you leave, check the district forecasts and warnings from the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun centre.
November 2026 batch dates
The trek page lists nine November departures, all on Saturdays and Sundays, and all shown as available on 16 October 2026.
| Start | End | Holiday marked on the page |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 1 Nov | 6 Nov | None |
| Sat 7 Nov | 12 Nov | Diwali |
| Sun 8 Nov | 13 Nov | Diwali |
| Sat 14 Nov | 19 Nov | None |
| Sun 15 Nov | 20 Nov | None |
| Sat 21 Nov | 26 Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| Sun 22 Nov | 27 Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| Sat 28 Nov | 3 Dec | None |
| Sun 29 Nov | 4 Dec | None |
The two last batches cross into December: their summit day (Day 4) falls on 1 and 2 December. Each batch takes at most 20 trekkers, with one trek leader or guide for every 8. Booking closes at 5 PM India time the day before a batch starts.
What to plan for on each day of a November batch
- Day 1, Rishikesh or Dehradun to Pipalkoti (1,883 m). The shared cab leaves Dehradun Railway Station at 06:30 AM or Rishikesh (Jumping Heights, Tapovan) at 08:00 AM for a drive of about 215 km. There is no ATM at Pipalkoti, so bring enough cash from Rishikesh, Dehradun or your home city, in small notes: cards are not accepted on the trail.
- Day 2, Dhak (2,050 m) to Gulling (2,900 m), 6 km, 5–6 hrs. A 15 km drive takes you to Dhak. Fill every water bottle you have before you start walking: water sources on this trail can be limited. Put on warm layers before sunset.
- Day 3, Gulling to Khullara (3,350 m), 5 km, about 4 hrs. About 450 m of climbing through forest, past a small stream, to open meadows. Keep drinking water through the afternoon.
- Day 4, Khullara to Kuari Pass (3,815 m) and back, 13 km, 8–9 hrs. You start early and go prepared for snow, icy streams and strong wind. There are no water sources anywhere on this route. Fill all your bottles at Khullara and carry enough for the whole day, up and back. The first 3.5 km include a broken bridge and a stream that freezes in winter, so watch your footing on both. On the ridge the group takes short breaks every 15 minutes. At the top, pull on a layer before the wind chills you.
- Day 5, Khullara to Dhak, 11 km, 6–7 hrs, then cab to Pipalkoti. A long downhill day: about 1,300 m down from Khullara to Dhak. Drink water at every break, even when the downhill feels easy.
- Day 6, Pipalkoti to Rishikesh or Dehradun, about 215 km, 8–10 hrs. The cab leaves before 6:30 AM, reaching Rishikesh (Tapovan) around 7 PM and Dehradun Railway Station around 9 PM.
From Day 3 you sleep above 3,000 m. The Uttarakhand Health Department's advisory for pilgrims going above 3,000 m asks for no more than 800–1,000 m of elevation gain a day, 5–10 minutes' rest for each hour of trekking, and descending if you feel unwell. The biggest single-day climb on this itinerary is Day 2's 850 m, and the sleeping altitude rises only 450 m on Day 3.
What we provide, and what you bring
Kuari Pass is one of our Free Trekking Gear treks. You get Decathlon trekking shoes, a jacket rated to -10°C, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes for a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge (+ GST). In camp, tents are shared by 3 trekkers, men and women in separate tents, with sleeping bags rated to -20°C. The trek page lists a first-aid kit, medical support and oxygen cylinders at every camp, and stretchers at each campsite.
What you bring yourself is listed below.
- Five warm layers, as the trek page lists them: thermal top and bottom, two fleece or woollen layers and a padded jacket.
- An insulated water bottle, a headlamp and a power bank (cold drains phone batteries fast).
- Your own medicines, after consulting your doctor.
- Original government photo ID with a photocopy, a medical certificate signed by a registered doctor, and travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation. Insurance is mandatory and not included.
The minimum age is 8 years, and trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit; above 60 we recommend an ECG or TMT report.
What trekkers wrote after their Kuari Pass batch
Two reviews from the trek page; neither is from November (the first names a winter batch).
“…Food was amazing for breakfast, lunch and diner. Views on top and during the track are amazing…” – Nikhil, review on the Kuari Pass trek page
“I have trek with Trekkaro for kuari pass and it was an amazing experience ,food was excellent and experience trek trainer.” – Pratip B., review on the Kuari Pass trek page
Who should pick December instead?
Pick a December to March batch if snow is the reason you are going. The trek page describes the classic Kuari Pass as "snow on every tree, a frozen stream and a white ridge to the pass", and it places that in the heart of winter. The trade-off is the cold: winter nights on the page are -14°C to -8°C, and summit day on a snow-covered trail is moderate to strenuous.
November suits you if you would rather sleep at around 0°C than at -14°C to -8°C, or if your leave is around Diwali or Guru Nanak Jayanti. In any month, Day 4 is 13 km and 8–9 hours, so train for a long day.
What it costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Trek fee (6 days, meals Day 1 dinner to Day 5 dinner) | ₹9,400 + 5% GST = ₹9,870 |
| EMI | The trek page shows EMI from ₹484 a month |
| Free Trekking Gear | ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing charge (+ GST) |
| Shared cab, Rishikesh or Dehradun to Pipalkoti | About ₹6,500 per 5–6 seat vehicle one way, split among trekkers (₹1,083 each for six, ₹1,300 each for five) |
| Backpack offloading (add-on) | ₹1,800 + GST, up to 9 kg |
| Single tent (add-on) | ₹2,000 + GST |
| Travel insurance | Mandatory, not included |
Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. Meals on the drives to and from Pipalkoti are not included either.
Cancellation: 30 days or more before departure, a 70% refund; 15–29 days, 50%; 8–14 days, no cash refund. At any point up to 8 days before departure you can instead take a 100% TrekCash voucher (valid 1 year), a free reschedule (once per booking) or a transfer to another trekker. At 7 days or less, or on a no-show, there is no refund, voucher, reschedule or transfer.
See Kuari Pass November dates and book | Kuari Pass in December | Kuari Pass weather by month | Treks in November
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuari Pass worth doing in November?
Yes, if you want the 180° view of fourteen peaks from 3,815 m with nights around 0°C instead of -14°C to -8°C. It is not the month for a guaranteed snow trek; the trek page keeps full snow cover for December to March.
Can a first-time trekker do Kuari Pass in November?
Yes, if you are fit. The trek is graded Easy–Moderate, the climbs are gradual and you sleep no higher than 3,350 m, but summit day takes 8–9 hours.
Which November Kuari Pass batches fall on Diwali weekend?
The batches starting Saturday 7 November and Sunday 8 November 2026 are marked Diwali on the trek page. Both run for 6 days, so plan leave until 12 or 13 November.
Is there mobile network on the Kuari Pass trek?
Jio and BSNL work at Pipalkoti, but the signal is spotty and depends on the weather. On the trail expect little or no signal, apart from short coverage on the first and last day, so make your important calls before you leave Pipalkoti.
Can I leave extra luggage at Pipalkoti during the Kuari Pass trek?
Yes. You can leave extra luggage at the base camp in Pipalkoti before the trek, free of charge. Carry only what you need on the trail; an offloaded backpack can weigh up to 9 kg.
