A trek with a plate full of high Himalayan mountains!!!

Kuari Pass and Pangarchulla Trek is the perfect combination of high-altitude Himalayan trek in Uttarakhand that is thrilling as well as power-packed. When you will reach the top of the Pangarchulla Peak at an altitude of 4590 m/15,100 ft, the 360° view from there is like an amphitheatre of high Garhwal mountains. This Lord Curzons circuit is known to be one of the most fabled trails of the Himalayas.

The Pangarchulla Peak or the Chimney Peak is one of the best non-technical climbing peaks that can be the ideal test for mountain lovers. This renowned trek in Uttarakhand is done throughout the year, but the winter snow has actually stolen the snow and is surely unsurpassable. If you are a brave heart and you love thrills along with the perfect blend of challenges, then this winter trek amidst the snow should be on your Wishlist.

This Himalayan trek in the heart of the Garhwal ranges offers the most breathtaking views of the Garhwal mountains, snowy vistas, and stunning panoramas. If you do this trek in the winter months then the trail allows you to walk through the dense forests of Uttarakhand combined with beds of beautiful and stunning wildflowers and rhododendrons scattered everywhere over the most glistening carpet of snow. This trek will be a treat to your adventure-loving heart but also will take you on a remarkable journey of the captivating world of tranquillity and the best Himalayan scenery. Not only this, but during the winter months when the sky is perfectly clear this trek will leave you awestruck with the astounding views of the renowned Garhwal mountains – Mt Dronagiri, Nanda Devi, Hathi-Ghori Parbat, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Kamet, Mana, Barmatia, Mandir, and Lampak I and II. On your route to Pangarchulla, you will also get to see Nandaghunti and Trishul, but the view is not as clear as from Roopkund. The trail to Pangarchulla will actually take you through the portions of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary.

This trek is not only beautiful but also has a rich history connected to it. The trail of Kuari Pass and Pangarchulla Peak is also known as Lord Curzons trail because in the year 1905, Lord Curzon was the first person who trekked from Ghat to Kuari Pass, and thus the name was given in honour of him. This trail covers a portion of the famous Nanda Devi Sanctuary which is actually a glacial basin is considered to be very sacred and also called the ‘Inner Sanctuary’. Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman also accompanied him in this journey. The path they took to reach the pass was from Ghat via Ramni and crossed the Vinayak pass and the rivers – Dhauliganga, Pindar, Kaliganga, Bheriganga, and Mandakini.

Not only rich history but Kuari Pass and the Pangarchulla Peak are also associated with mythological stories as well. As per the folklore tales, Goddess Parvati used to meditate in this place before she was married to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva used to reside in Mt Neelkanth, which is located right in front of the pass. Lord Shiva was completely moved by her dedication to meditation and hence decided to marry her. Since Goddess Parvati was not married at that time hence the name given was Kuari, which means a bachelor. So in the present day also, while you trek to Kuari Pass, you will find a temple still exists there. There is also the saying that the Nanda Devi peak was named after Goddess Parvati whose other name was Nanda. It is believed that there was a necklace with precious stones adorning the peak. Even the plant Sanjeevani Booti a plant famous for infusing life as mentioned in Ramayana was hidden in a high mountain near the Kuari Pass. And there have been many medical expeditions conducted in the mountains to search for this medicinal herb.

Even the name Pangarchulla also has an interesting combination. The look of the peak is almost like a dark, large chimney that has a cluster of maple trees at its base. Hence the name ‘Pangarchulla’ is given where ‘Pangar’ means maple trees and ‘Chulla’ means chimney. So isn’t that interesting? Additionally, Pangarchulla Peak is also linked with the sacred Brahma Kamal whose scientific name is Saussurea obvallata. This rare flower blossoms only in the high altitude meadows of the Himalayas especially above 14,000 ft and the local people always walk barefoot in the region where the flower grows as they consider it to be very sacred and is offered to the temples.

This beautiful Himalayan trek also offers you a glimpse of the simple life of the surrounding mountain villages of Garhwal. You get to meet and interact with the local people over there. So let us delve into details to experience this magical land in the Himalayas.

For the Valley of Flowers trek, on Day 1 our team will pick you up from Haridwar at 9am and from there we will drive to Joshimath and reach by evening. On the last day, after breakfast, we will leave for Haridwar and should tentatively reach by 6pm. So for your return journey, you can accordingly make your plan from there onwards.

October, November, December – rocky terrain and bits of hard snow

March and April – snow and ice

If you want to do Kuari Pass and Pangarchulla Peak as a snow trek, then the ideal months to do is March and April when the snow is appropriate and safe enough for the summit. In the daytime, the temperature is between 12 °C and 15 °C and at night it falls down considerably between 0 °C and -5 °C. So make sure you have the right amount of winter wear for two different ranges of temperature and the best way to beat the freezing cold is by layering. And during this time, you will also be able to see fresh blooms of flowers including rhododendrons.

You can also do this trek during the autumn months of October, November, and December. During this time the terrain will be rocky and uneven with bits of hard snow here and there.

Suitable Age Group: This trek can be done by people of the age group 13 to 60 years. The only requirement is that you should be fit enough to walk a total of 43 km and be able to withstand freezing temperatures. Those who are below 18 years, they need to do this trek with their parents or guardians, and those who are above 50 years, it is advised to bring a medically fit certificate from a doctor. 

Mobile networks are available only till Joshimath. From Joshimath, as we start our trek, the signal begins to weaken and you will get a patchy network till Guling which is not at all reliable. However, there won’t be any mobile network. So it is always better to inform your family at Joshimath only.