Kuari Pass Trek: Campfires, Stories, and Himalayan Magic

For weeks, I had been restless. The endless rhythm of city traffic, office deadlines, and a tired mind kept building pressure inside me. I knew the cure wasn’t in my neighborhood café or a short weekend trip. It had to be in the Himalayas.

My planning began quietly, almost secretly. I spent nights scrolling through trek operators, reading itineraries, and staring at photos of snowy ridges while sitting in my tiny flat. When my leave application finally got approved after some convincing, everything fell into place. Morning jogs, a few stretches, and light workouts became part of my routine. By the time my bag was packed and train tickets booked, I could already sense a wave of excitement pushing me forward.

View of Mountain Peaks | Image Credit: TFT

Like many treks in Uttarakhand, the journey kicked off at Haridwar. Meeting fellow trekkers at the station always fascinated me—strangers at first glance, soon to become companions on a shared adventure.

The drive from Haridwar to Joshimath slowly peeled away the plains. Busy markets gave way to twisting mountain roads, and by the time we reached Joshimath—the gateway to Kuari Pass—the air felt sharper, cooler, and carried a faint pine fragrance.

Our first day of trekking was a gentle start. Walking through oak and rhododendron forests, I noticed how quickly the noise of the city melted away. Each step pushed the clutter of daily life further into the background.

View of Mt Dronagiri | Image Credit: Wikipedia

If the days gave us views, the nights gave us connection. After long walks and cold winds, the group gathered around the fire each evening. The glow of the flames lit up weary faces, and soon, conversations sparked. Childhood tales, forgotten dreams, silly office jokes—everything came alive in the warmth of the fire.

One man, a retired teacher from Delhi, confessed he had postponed this trip for years until his daughter insisted he shouldn’t wait. Another, a first-time trekker from the IT world, kept nervously checking for leeches, even though it wasn’t the season. Their stories made us laugh, nod, and sometimes fall into thoughtful silence.

The mountains seem to invite honesty. Perhaps it’s the vastness around us that makes people drop their walls. Whatever the reason, those conversations stitched us together. The trek was no longer just about Kuari Pass—it became about the people beside me.

The walk itself was nothing short of magical. Snow patches crunched underfoot, and distant giants like Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, and Kamet kept appearing on the horizon. The climb felt moderate—never punishing, but always demanding steady breath and focus.

Two campsites stand out in memory. Khullara, with its sprawling meadows, gave us wide-open skies, while Tali, with its still lake, mirrored the clouds and stars like a perfect sheet of glass.

Every day was different. One day ridges opened to sweeping panoramas, another day forests sang with bird calls. And at night, the stars scattered across the sky so abundantly that the heavens felt close enough to touch.

View of Hathi Ghoda Peak | Image Credit: HDT

Of all those nights, one at Khullara still lingers vividly. The fire struggled against a cold wind, and we huddled close. That evening, even our guide joined in, sharing stories from countless treks.

For the first time, I spoke openly—not about deadlines or city life, but about why I came here: the need for quiet, the craving for space. The group listened without interruption. It wasn’t dramatic, just a simple truth spoken aloud for the first time. As the embers glowed and the mountains watched silently, I felt lighter.

The final climb to Kuari Pass was humbling. Snow crunched beneath our boots, and with every step, the horizon widened. When we finally stood at the pass, the Himalayas stretched out like a canvas—peaks glowing in the morning light.

While others celebrated with photos and cheers, I stood slightly apart, letting silence do its work. The firelit nights, the shared laughter, the personal confessions—all of it came back in that moment. Reaching the pass was special, but the journey had already given me its greatest reward.

For me, Kuari Pass will never just be about the peaks or the trail. It will always remind me that the soul of travel lies in connections—the conversations whispered by firelight, the laughter echoing in cold air, and the comfort of being heard when words finally slip out.

• Altitude: 12,500 ft (3,800 m)

• Distance: ~33 km round trip (starting and ending at Dhak)

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate—perfect for beginners and enjoyable for experienced trekkers

• Region: Chamoli district, Uttarakhand

What makes Kuari Pass famous is its unrivaled views of Mt. Nanda Devi (7817 m), India’s second-highest peak. Unlike many treks, here you see it closer than ever—without needing to endure an extreme expedition. Alongside Nanda Devi, the trail also opens views of Chaukhamba, Kamet, Mana, Hathi Parbat, Gauri Parbat, Neelkanth, and Trishul, each standing tall in the Garhwal skyline.

The trail, famously explored by Lord Curzon in 1905, is still called the “Lord Curzon Trail.” For more than a century, it has drawn trekkers from across the world with its forests, meadows, and panoramic ridges.

• Stunning Himalayan Views: From day one, trekkers are greeted with an uninterrupted line of snow peaks—Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Chaukhamba, and more.

• Enchanting Forests: Oak and rhododendron woods create dreamy walks that turn into magical, snow-laden tunnels in winter.

• Expansive Meadows: Gorson Bugyal and Chitrakantha transform with the seasons—lush green in autumn, golden in late fall, and pure white in winter.

• Khullara Top & Ridge Walks: Standing here feels like being in a natural amphitheater, surrounded by giants of the Garhwal Himalayas.

• Beautiful Campsites: From Khullara’s open meadows to Tali’s lakeside forest setting, the camps are as memorable as the trek itself.

Kuari Pass is more than just an easy to moderate trek—it’s a gateway to Uttarakhand’s finest Himalayan views and one of the most rewarding journeys a first-time trekker can choose. But beyond the mountains, forests, and meadows, it’s the warmth of campfires, the friendships forged, and the quiet moments of reflection that make this trek unforgettable.