Quick answer: Kuari Pass weather is coldest from December to February, when days are 8 to 14°C and nights at Khullara drop to -14 to -8°C, with snow on the forest, the meadows and the ridge to the pass. In October and November, days are 10 to 15°C and nights around 0°C under clear skies, with little or no snow. In March and April, days are 13 to 17°C, nights around 0°C, snow melting on the lower trail and rhododendrons in bloom. The trek runs from October to April; the season closes for the monsoon from May to September.
Kuari Pass is a winter trek that stays below 4,000 m, which is why it is the one most first-timers can do in January. The weather question is less "will it be cold" (it will) and more "how much snow, and where". This guide gives the temperatures month by month and camp by camp, where the snow lies in each window, what the wind does on the ridge, and what the Free Trekking Gear covers.
Kuari Pass temperature month by month
| Month | Day (°C) | Night at Khullara (°C) | Snow on the trail | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 10 to 15 | -2 to 2 | None; a dusting on the pass after a cold front | Season opens; the clearest skies of the year; Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dronagiri sharp from the pass |
| November | 10 to 15 | -4 to 0 | None to light on the ridge in the second half | Cold, dry, stable; frost at Gulling by the end of the month |
| December | 8 to 14 | -14 to -8 | Reaches the forest above Gulling from mid-month in most years | Winter begins; the stream below Khullara starts to freeze |
| January | 8 to 14 | -14 to -8 | Forest, meadows and the whole ridge to the pass | The classic snow trek; the coldest nights and the hardest summit day |
| February | 8 to 14 | -14 to -8 | Deepest of the season; fresh snowfall in many weeks | Full winter with slightly longer days; wind on the ridge at its strongest |
| March | 13 to 17 | -4 to 0 | Melting on the lower trail; still on the ridge and the pass | Rhododendrons in bloom below, snow above; slush in the afternoons |
| April | 13 to 17 | around 0 | Patches on the ridge and the pass only | Mildest month of the season; afternoon cloud builds on some days |
| May to September | Closed | Closed | None, then monsoon | No batches: pre-monsoon haze, then rain and leeches on the forest trail |
Temperature camp by camp
Figures are for the winter window, December to February; add 8 to 10°C to the night figures for October, November, March and April.
| Camp | Altitude | Day | Night | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 340 m | 18 to 25°C | 8 to 12°C | Mild; the drive climbs 1,500 m by evening |
| Pipalkoti | 1,883 m / 6,175 ft | 10 to 16°C | 2 to 6°C | Guesthouse night; cold but no snow |
| Dhak (trailhead) | 2,050 m / 6,726 ft | 10 to 15°C | Not camped | Village fields; snow on the ground only after a big storm |
| Gulling | 2,900 m / 9,514 ft | 8 to 14°C | -8 to -4°C | Forest camp; snow on the ground from late December; still air, so the cold is bearable |
| Khullara | 3,350 m / 10,991 ft | 6 to 12°C | -14 to -8°C | Open meadow above the treeline; the coldest camp; wind after sunset |
| Kuari Pass | 3,815 m / 12,516 ft | 0 to 8°C | Not camped | Wind chill well below freezing on the ridge; sun strong when it is out |
Where the snow lies, and when
Snow arrives on Kuari Pass from the top down. The ridge and the pass hold it first, in late November or December; the meadows at Khullara follow; the forest between Gulling and Khullara is last, filling in by late December in most years. By January the whole route above Gulling is white, the oak and rhododendron carry snow on every branch, and the stream crossing below Khullara Top is frozen and needs care. In February the depth is at its greatest and fresh snowfall is common. From March it melts in the same order in reverse: the forest clears first, the ridge last, so a March batch walks through flowering rhododendrons and then onto snow for the final climb. Microspikes and gaiters are used from the first snow to the last, and both come with the Free Trekking Gear.
Wind, sun and the summit day
The one weather factor the temperature tables do not show is wind. The ridge from Khullara to the pass is exposed for its full length, and a steady wind on a -8°C morning feels like -20°C on the face and hands. Summit day starts at first light for that reason: the snow is firm, the air is still, and the group is on top and turning back before the wind picks up around midday. The sun at 3,800 m on snow is strong even in January; sunglasses and sunscreen are not optional. Afternoon cloud is rare in winter and builds on some days in April.
What to pack for each window
- December to February: three warm layers (thermals, fleece, the -10°C jacket from the Free Trekking Gear), windproof shell, woollen cap, two pairs of gloves (liner and insulated), two pairs of woollen socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, a headlamp. Tents and -20°C sleeping bags are provided.
- October to November and March to April: the same list with one warm layer fewer by day; keep the full set for Khullara nights, which are around 0°C even in the shoulder months.
- All months: trekking shoes, poles, gaiters and microspikes come with the Free Trekking Gear; a 2-litre water capacity (one insulated bottle in winter, as there is no water on the summit route).
Which month should you choose?
December to February for the classic snow trek: white forest, frozen stream, a snow climb to the pass. March for rhododendrons with snow above. October, November and April if your dates fall there; the view from the pass is the same and the walking is easier, but the snow belongs to the heart of winter. Trekkaro runs Kuari Pass from October to April at ₹9,400 + 5% GST; dates are on the Kuari Pass trek page.
See Kuari Pass dates and book | Kuari Pass in January | Kuari Pass in March | Difficulty and fitness | Package and cost | Treks in December | Treks in January
Frequently asked questions
How cold is the Kuari Pass trek in December and January?
Days are 8 to 14°C when the sun is out, and nights at Khullara, the highest camp at 3,350 m, drop to -14 to -8°C. Gulling, in the forest at 2,900 m, is a few degrees warmer at night. On the ridge to the pass the wind makes a -8°C morning feel like -20°C, which is why summit day starts at first light. Three warm layers, a windproof shell and the -20°C sleeping bags provided handle it.
Is there snow on the Kuari Pass trek in November?
Not on most of the trail. November has clear, dry, cold weather, with frost at Gulling and nights around -4 to 0°C at Khullara, and the ridge to the pass may carry a dusting after a cold front in the second half of the month. The forest and the meadows stay snow-free until December in most years. If a route fully under snow is the reason for the trek, choose December to March.
Which is the best month for the Kuari Pass trek weather?
January and February for the full snow trek, with the forest, the meadows and the ridge all white and the stream below Khullara frozen; nights are the coldest of the season. March for rhododendrons in bloom with snow still on the upper trail and milder nights. October and November for the clearest views of Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dronagiri under stable skies, without the snow. April is the mildest month of the season.
Does it rain or snow during the Kuari Pass trek in winter?
Rain is rare from October to April; the moisture comes as snow. Fresh snowfall on the trail happens in many weeks of January and February and in some weeks of December and March, and a cold front can bring a dusting to the ridge in any season month. Our trek leaders watch the forecast and hold the group at camp on a snowfall morning rather than cross the ridge in poor visibility. From May to September the trek is closed for the pre-monsoon haze and the monsoon.
What is the temperature at Kuari Pass top on summit day?
Between 0 and 8°C in the air in winter, lower with the wind chill on the open ridge, and 8 to 12°C in the shoulder months. The group reaches the pass at 3,815 m by late morning, before the wind rises, and spends 30 to 45 minutes on top. The sun on snow is strong at that height, so sunglasses, sunscreen and a cap matter as much as the warm layers; carry both water bottles from Khullara, as there is no water on the summit route.
Is the Kuari Pass trek colder than Kedarkantha in winter?
They are close. Khullara (3,350 m) and the Kedarkantha base camp are at similar heights, and both see -10 to -15°C nights in January. Kuari Pass feels colder on summit day because the ridge is more exposed to wind, while Kedarkantha's summit push starts earlier and climbs higher. If the cold worries you, Kuari Pass has the shorter summit push and the lower camps on the way down. Our Kuari Pass vs Kedarkantha comparison covers the rest.
Can I do the Kuari Pass trek in April, and what is the weather like?
Yes; April is the last and mildest month of the season, with days of 13 to 17°C and nights around 0°C at Khullara. The forest and meadows are clear of snow and the rhododendrons are past their peak, with patches of old snow on the ridge and at the pass. Afternoon cloud builds on some days, so the group starts early. It suits trekkers who want the pass and the panorama without deep winter cold.
