Quick answer: Pipalkoti is a town at 1,883 m (6,178 ft) on the Badrinath Road in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, about 215 km and 9 hours by road from Rishikesh. It is the base of the Kuari Pass trek: you sleep here on nights 1 and 5. There is no ATM, and the Jio and BSNL signal is spotty.
Where is Pipalkoti, and how high is it?
Pipalkoti sits at 1,883 m (6,178 ft) in Chamoli district, on the road that runs up the Alaknanda valley to Badrinath. For trekkers it matters for one reason: the Kuari Pass Trek starts and ends here, so it is the last town you see before the trail and the first one you come back to.
| Pipalkoti fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Height | 1,883 m (6,178 ft) |
| District | Chamoli, Uttarakhand |
| Road | The Badrinath Road, along the Alaknanda |
| Rishikesh to Pipalkoti | About 215 km, about 9 hours |
| Pipalkoti back to Rishikesh | 8 to 10 hours, depending on the road |
| Pipalkoti to Dhak, the trailhead | 15 km, 40 to 45 minutes by cab |
| Height gain to Kuari Pass (3,815 m) | About 1,932 m above Pipalkoti |
On the drive up, the Alaknanda is beside you for much of the way, past the confluences at Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Nandaprayag. Our Kuari Pass distance and height guide has the walking legs from Dhak.
What does the Kuari Pass trek do at Pipalkoti?
You spend two nights in Pipalkoti, one at each end of the trek, and the cab to and from Dhak starts and ends here on Days 2 and 5. Both nights are in a guesthouse or homestay on a triple or quad sharing basis, with dinner served there.
| Day | What happens at Pipalkoti |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | A road day from Rishikesh or Dehradun. You reach Pipalkoti by evening, check in and have dinner. |
| Day 2 | Breakfast in town, then a 15 km cab ride to Dhak (2,050 m) and the walk to Gulling (2,900 m). Bags you do not need on the trail stay in Trekkaro's free luggage store here. |
| Day 5 | An 11 km descent of 6 to 7 hours from Khullara to Dhak, then the cab back to Pipalkoti for the second guesthouse night and the last included dinner. |
| Day 6 | An early start on the drive back to Rishikesh or Dehradun. Meals on the road are not included. |
The Pipalkoti to Dhak cab on Days 2 and 5 is part of the trek fee. On Day 6 leave Pipalkoti as early as the group can manage, because the road down can take 8 to 10 hours.
Is there an ATM, mobile signal and medical help at Pipalkoti?
Pipalkoti has no cash machine, and the few on the drive up are scarce and may not work. Arrive with all the cash you need for the trip, in small notes, for the cab share, snacks and anything you buy on the road.
Jio and BSNL both work in town, but the signal is spotty and depends on the weather. On the trail there is only intermittent signal on the first and last walking days, and little to none in between, so make your calls from Pipalkoti and tell your family when to expect you back. Carry a power bank too: cold drains phone batteries fast.
Health staff are posted at Pipalkoti. Further down the road there is a primary health centre at Chamoli, the district hospital at Gopeshwar and a sub-district hospital at Karnaprayag. Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is mandatory for the trek and is not part of the fee. Every trekker also brings a medical certificate signed by a doctor; the form is in My Bookings.
What is the weather like at Pipalkoti in the trek months?
We do not publish separate readings for the town. The figures below are Trekkaro's season ranges for the Kuari Pass trek, whose camps sit well above Pipalkoti: Gulling is about 1,017 m higher and Khullara, at 3,350 m, about 1,467 m higher. Read them as what you will meet on the trail once you leave town.
| Season | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (October to November) | 10°C to 15°C | Around 0°C |
| Winter (December to February) | 8°C to 14°C | -14°C to -8°C |
| Spring (March to April) | 13°C to 17°C | Around 0°C |
From December to March the forest between Gulling and Khullara is under thick snow, and the snow is deepest in January on the climb from Khullara to the pass. The coldest night Trekkaro's trek leaders have recorded at Khullara is -16°C. Our Kuari Pass weather guide goes month by month.
Check the forecast for Chamoli district on the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun centre in the days before you travel, and keep a warm layer in your day bag for the evening arrival.
How does the group travel to Pipalkoti?
The group travels up together on Day 1 by shared cab, which is not part of the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs at ₹6,500 one way per 5 to 6 seat vehicle, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers, which is ₹1,083 each when six share. Booking for a batch closes at 5 PM (India time) the day before it starts, and our guide to where Kuari Pass is covers the pickup points, the airport and the railhead.
What does the Kuari Pass trek cost from Pipalkoti?
The fee for the Kuari Pass Trek is ₹9,400 per person plus 5% GST (₹9,870 with GST). EMI starts at ₹484 a month. It covers the guesthouse or homestay nights in Pipalkoti on Days 1 and 5, the tents at Gulling and Khullara with -20°C sleeping bags, pure vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 dinner, permits, the Pipalkoti to Dhak cab on Days 2 and 5, and the Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes, against a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge.
Trekkaro runs the trek from October to April; see the trek page for live batch dates.
See Kuari Pass Trek dates and book | Kuari Pass trek map | Kuari Pass trek cost
Frequently asked questions
How high is Pipalkoti?
Pipalkoti is at 1,883 m (6,178 ft). Kuari Pass, at 3,815 m, stands about 1,932 m above the town.
Which district is Pipalkoti in?
Pipalkoti is in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on the Badrinath Road along the Alaknanda. The whole Kuari Pass trek lies in the same district.
Does mobile network work in Pipalkoti?
Yes, Jio and BSNL work in Pipalkoti, but the signal is spotty and depends on the weather. On the trail the signal is intermittent on the first and last walking days and little to none in between.
Can I leave luggage in Pipalkoti during the Kuari Pass trek?
Yes. Bags you do not need on the trail stay free of charge in Trekkaro's luggage store in Pipalkoti, and you collect them on Day 5. Keep your valuables with you.
Where do you stay in Pipalkoti on the trek?
You stay in a guesthouse or homestay on a triple or quad sharing basis on Days 1 and 5. Dinner is served there on both nights and is included in the trek fee.
