Winter Kuari Pass - Curzons Trail

Winter Kuari Pass - Curzons Trail 
Date: 21-29 Dec 2018

Overview
Region :- Uttarakhand 
Duration :- 6 Days 
Grade :- Easy To Moderate 
Max Altitude :- 12,763 Ft. 
Approx Trekking Km :- 33 Kms. 

Among the several things that Lord Curzon did in India, the hands-down winner is exploration and popularising of a marquee trek route starting from Joshimath to Kuari Pass in the Garhwal Himalayas. At an altitude of 4264 meters, Kuari Top is like an amphitheatre where some of the stalwart peaks of Himalayas take stage. The 7000 meters club includes the Kamet (7756m),Trishul (7120m), Chaukhamba (7128m), and the great divine peak of Nanda Devi (7817m) and its twin Nanda Devi East (7434m). More peaks make an equally imposing appearance – Nanda Ghunti, Hathi Ghoda Parbat, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Mukut Parbat, Mana, Rishi Pahad, and Changbang, to name a few. The Kuari Pass Trek gives you a chance to view this impressive skyline of these mighty mountains from close quarters.
The trek begins from Joshimath, in the Chamoli district of Himalayas, which has evolved into the hub for trekkers and pilgrims in this part of the Himalayas. Confluences of several rivers - the Pinder, Kaliganga, Nandakini, Birehiganga & Dhauli Ganga give make up the Pancha-Prayag – namely, Devprayag, Karnaprayag, Devprayag and Rudraprayag. The trek then proceeds through small remote Himalayan villages. Walking along the Curzon trail through these villages is a great way to get acquainted with the life of the mountain folks. The trees are ablaze in the yellow-orange colors of autumn, striking a deep contrast to the blue-brown mountains and the snow caps. On this trek one walks through gorgeous jungles of Oak and Deodar trees. And these jungles, of course, are house to some wildlife. Pug marks of leopards or Himalayan black bears can be sighted in the forests. Rhododendron trees, which bear flowers of a fiery red color, are also found in abundance in these mountains.
The truly refreshing part of the trek is while walking through the luxurious Himalayan meadows, called 'Bugyals' in the local tongue. The beauty and serenity of a Himalayan meadow is an experience no one should miss out on. The most remarkable is the Gorson Bugyal, consisting of vast undulating green pastures. On this trek you will also visit Auli, which is famous for its beautiful skiing slopes in the winter kuari pass

The trek takes you up and down a few other lesser passes – the Vinayak pass and Tali top, eventually taking you to the highest point in the trek – the Kuari Top at which is at 13990 feet. This trek is not too difficult, and pays huge dividends for the physical effort with the most mesmerising views of some of the best mountains in the Himalayan Range. The sight of the Nanda Devi Massif is the highlight of this trek. So if you want to have some fun in the meadows and on the snowy slopes of the Garhwal Himalayas, pack your rucksacks and head on towards Haridwar. The India Treks team will take you on the Curzon Trail to Kuari Pass, while you feast your eyes on the spectacular sights.

We have sketched out an itinerary slotting in all the best attractions the trail has to offer—
-a passage through a handful of typical Garhwal villages, 
-an open meadows campsite overlooking the majestic Dronagiri Parvat, 
-a day of easy clamber through oak and rhododendron forests, 
-camping on snowdrifted forest floor, 
-a thoroughly taxing snow hike on the summit day,
-a 360 degree glittering Greater Himalayas peak panorama,
-an initiation in the art of snow hiking with gears, and
-a field day in the gently rolling slopes of Gorson Bugyal.

Who Can Go:-
First timer can apply, should have some interest in trekking and mountaineering.
The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 45 minutes without a stress.
The climber should be able to carry a 10 kg backpack.
Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have the conditions mentioned above.

Brief Itinerary
Day 01: Pune to delhi_(21 Dec 2018)
will proceed to Delhi by Train No 12263/Pune - Hazrat Nizamuddin AC Duronto Express at 11.00 am from Pune. Reporting time is at 10 am on Pune Railway Station.
Overnight train journey. 
Day 02: Delhi To Haridwar (22 Dec 2018)
Sightseeing in Delhi
Arr. New Delhi 6.55 am and proceed to Haridwar by Train No 14041-Slip/Mussoorie Express Slip
at 10.015 pm. Overnight train journey. 
Day 03: Haridwar - Joshimath (23 Dec 2018)
Arr. New Delhi 3.40 am and proceed to Joshimath by Bus. By road drive to reach Joshimath (1874 mt / 253Km) which is the winter abode of Lord Badrinath. Lunch enroute. Evening arrive at Joshimath and check into the hotel Overnight: Hotel

Route
• Haridwar to Rishikesh (best place for white water rafting, trekking gear available on rent and purchase)
• Rishikesh to Devprayag (confluence of Bhagirathi river and Alaknanda river)
• Devprayag to Srinagar
• Srinagar to Rudrapryag (confluence of Mandakini river and Alaknanda river)
• Rudrapryag to Karnprayag (confluence of Pindar river and Alaknanda river)

Day 04: Joshimath – Gulling Top (24 Dec 2018)
Altitude: 9600 ft
12 kms drive and 6 kms trek, approx 4 hrs

• The trail is a mix of steep and gradual ascent, mostly through villages. 
• Hot lunch at camp site
• Water Points- Available at villages in passing
• Accommodation in tent
• Peaks spotted: Dronagri, Hathi Parvat, Gori Parvat
• Drive from Joshimath to Dhak village (6790 ft) (12 kms)
• Trek from Dhak village to Tugasi village (8040 ft) (3.5 kms trek)
• Trek from Tugasi village to Gulling village (8990 ft) (2 kms trek)
• Gulling village to Gulling top camp site (9600 ft) (0.5 km Trek)

Day 05: Gulling Top to Tali Forest Camp (25 Dec 2018)
Altitude 11070 ft 
4 km trek, approx 5 hrs

• Gulling Top to Forest Hut (first and last water point) (9840 ft) (1 km trek)
• Forest hut to Tali top (Tali lake is there, steep ascent ) (11480 ft) (2 km trek)
• Tali top to Tali top forest camp site (gradual descent) (11070 ft) (1 km trek)
• Oak, Rhododendron (mostly pink and white), walnut forest
• Accommodation in tent
• Peaks :- Nanda Devi, Kalanka, Chang bang, Dronagri, Hathi Parvat, Gori Parvat

Day 06: Tali forest camp to Kuari pass and back via Khullara top (26 Dec 2018)
Altitude 12,763 ft
15 km trek, approx 11 hrs

Tali forest camp to Khullara top (moderate ascent) (11800 ft) (3.5 km trek)
• Khullara top to broken bridge with frozen stream (traverse walk) (12300 ft) (2.5 km trek)
• Broken bridge to KUARI PASS (Strenuous climb) (12763 ft) (1.5 km trek) 
• Today is the toughest day
• Carry enough water (no water source on the way)
• Early morning after breakfast start trek to Kuari pass
• Peaks:- Kedarnath Peak, Kedardome, Chaukhambha, Balakun, Neel Kantha, Mukut Parvat, Kamet, Abhi Gamin, Mana I, Ghori Parvat, Hathi Parvat, Dronagiri, Kalanka, Chang Bang, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti

Day 07: Tali forest camp - Joshimath via Gurson bugyal (11150 ft) and Auli (9680 ft) (27 Dec 2018)
8 km trek, approx 7 hrs, 13 km drive

• Tali forest camp to Tali lake (111480 ft) (1 km trek)
• Tali lake to Gurson bugyal (11150 ft) (3.5 km trek)
• Gurson bugyal to Auli (9680 ft) (3.5 km trek)
• Auli to Joshimath (6724 ft) (13 km drive)
• Breakfast at Tali camp site
• Lunch Pack on the way
• Joshimath (evening tea, debriefing, dinner)

Day 08: Joshimath- Haridwar. (28 Dec 2018)
Morning breakfast and drive to haridwar. On arrival transfer to the station time to catch train. If time permits below activities will be conducted-River rafting other adventure activities in Rishikesh (fees does not include in package) 
We attend Haridwar Ganga prayer (Arti) in Evening 
Proceed for Delhi by Train No 12206/Nanda Devi AC Express (PT) at 1.00 am. Arr. Delhi at 5.20 am 

Day 09: Delhi to Pune. (29 Dec 2018)
Return journey to Pune by Air 

• Cost: 
Pune To Pune - 20,500/- 
Delhi to Delhi - 14,500/-

Cost Terms
Inclusions :- 
1. Accommodation. (Guest house, Home stay, Camping)
2. Meals while on trek (Veg.+ Egg)
3. Trek equipments (Sleeping bag, mattress, Kitchen & dinning tent, crampon, utensils, tent)
4. All necessary permits and entry fees.
5. First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.
6. Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.
7. Services from Pune to pune.

Exclusions :- 
1. Any kind of personal expenses.
2. Food & water during the transit.
3. Insurance.
4. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
5. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.

Note : 
Normally India Treks expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule.
Charges of offloading backpack:-
INR 1800/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance
INR 2000/- if you inform us after reaching Joshimath 
The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.

Paying the Trek/ Adventure activity fee: 
The fee can be paid by online transfer/check deposit. Instruction for payment will be forwarded along with your confirmation email. When your transfer is done, please Call us a confirmation mail with your transfer details, so that we can follow up your reservation efficiently.
In the event of cancellation of trek/adventure activity services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reasons we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows: -
Cancellations prior to 24 days from the start of the trek
Book any other trek till one year or get 95% refund
(Note: If the trek charges are more, the balance needs to be paid by the trekker)
Cancellation less than 10 days to the start of the trek
Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund.

LAST DATE OF REGISTRATION: 10 NOV. 2018. 

Way to Join: 
For Pune: Sarvesh- 7744866811 | Deva- 7066081213
For Mumbai: Vishal Salunkhe : 96647 38496

Rules:
1. Smoking and drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited.
2. Trek leader’s decision will be final and binding.
3. India Treks reserves all the right to change/deviate/cancel the plans without prior notice.
4. Telephonic confirmation is mandatory, if unable to contact send us a text message.
5. Sleeveless, low neck, figure hugging shirts/tops, short pants, hot pants not allowed.
6. Please avoid wearing Gold and other jewellery (at your own risk)
7. Please do not carry handbags or Jolas or Sling bags. Payment made is non refundable and non transferable.

THANKS & REGARDS
India Treks 
We Love to See You Trek Hike & Travel.