5-Day Treks in Uttarakhand

Kuari Pass Trek (3,876m) – The Lord Curzon Trail

3,876 m (12,716 ft) · 5 Days / 4 Nights · Moderate · March, April, May …

Kuari Pass holds an elite status among Himalayan trekking routes. Also known as the Lord Curzon Trail, this moderate trek snakes its way through the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, beginning from Joshimath and concluding at the famed Auli ski slopes. Over five days, trekkers ascend to a maximum altitude of 3,876 metres (12,716 ft), weaving through varying landscapes that include ancient oak canopies, expansive alpine meadows known as "bugyals", and high-altitude, rocky ridges. The undeniable draw of the Kuari Pass trek is the mountains. You aren't just walking towards one peak; you are walking alongside a gallery of giants. The trail acts as a natural balcony presenting a 180-degree unobstructed vista of the Eastern Garhwal Himalayas. You will clearly see Mount Nanda Devi (7,816 m)—the jewel of India—along with Dronagiri, Hathi Ghoda, Kamet, and the Chaukhamba massifs. It is rare to get such high-altitude views on a trek that demands so little physical hardship. Ideal for families, determined beginners, and seasoned hikers seeking visual rewards rather than grueling punishment, the trek is exceptionally beautiful in two distinct windows. In spring (March to May), the lower forests erupt in vibrant rhododendron blooms and the upper meadows begin taking on lush green tones. In autumn (October to November), the monsoon has washed thousands of miles of atmosphere clean, leaving the mountains looking razor-sharp against crisp, blue skies, while the foliage turns into a sea of golden yellow.

Kedarkantha Trek

3,810 m (12,500 ft) · 5 Days / 4 Nights · Moderate · December, January, February …

The Kedarkantha Trek is arguably India’s most popular winter trek, and for excellent reason. Sited in the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, the trail originates from the cultural hub of Sankri (1,950 m) and concludes with an exhilarating push to the Kedarkantha Summit at 3,810 m (12,500 ft). Over five days, trekkers navigate approximately 20 kilometres of trail that morphs from dense, autumnal deciduous forests into an alpine winter wonderland of pine, oak, and bottomless powder snow. Unlike many treks that conclude at a high pass or an alpine lake, Kedarkantha is famous for offering a true summit climb. The feeling of pushing for the peak in the pre-dawn darkness, navigating the steep, frozen ridges with headlamps, and arriving at the top just in time to watch the sun ignite the Swargarohini, Black Peak, and Bandarpunch ranges is a profound, transformative experience. Despite the lofty altitude, the gradual ascent profile of the trek makes it an exceptional introductory expedition for determined beginners, while maintaining enough raw Himalayan charm to satisfy seasoned mountaineers. While December through February draws trekkers looking for knee-deep snow and frozen lakes like Juda Ka Talab, the spring months of March and April reveal a completely different character. During spring, the lower forests burst into vivid reds and pinks with blooming rhododendrons, while the upper reaches retain enough snow for a classic winter summit experience. The contrast of warm, colourful valleys against the icy, monochromatic summit makes Kedarkantha a highly dynamic and visually arresting journey regardless of when you choose to go.