Kuari pass: The best trek to do in winters

If you think the hype around mountains, trekking and existing within the realm of nature is a little too over the board, trust me, you are yet to have experienced true awakening. And the best possible trek to smoothly introduce you to this awakening is definitely the Kauri Pass trek during winter; there just cannot be two opinions about this. The entire map of theKauri Pass trail is smeared with fresh powdery, sparkling white snow that is deeply admirable and leaves you yearning for days after the completion of the excursion. The winter season truly adds a much prominent flavor to the landscapes and improves the taste of trekking here to a whole new level altogether and is undoubtedly the best time to visit Kauri Pass. In fact, the Kauri Pass trek also known as the Lord Curzon?s trail usually proves to be the most apt ice-breaking trek for all the Himalayan trekking enthusiasts. This trek can also be done solo without a guide since it is neither too easy nor too difficult and lies somewhere between easy-moderate on the difficulty spectrum. The ascend is gradual and evened out throughout the region with the highest point resting at an altitude of 12,500ft; which is quite a safe height to for an excursion spanning over 3-4 days. The Kauri Pass trek is a fascinating cost-effective package of adventure with rich topography, enchanting panoramic views of landscapes, dramatic dense oak forests and an equally thrilling weather spectrum that altogether push this trek to the list of some of the most sought after winter treks of all time. 

Dhak village in the Himalayas of the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, marks the starting point of the trek and opens into beautiful landscapes of mighty snow-capped mountains looking right back at you. A chain of steep and gradual ascends through the village of Tugasi after about 5-6 hrs lead you to the admirable and pleasing Gulling Top situated at an altitude of 9,400 ft. You can retire here this day and embark on the trail from Gulling Top to the Tali Forest Camp, the next day. This trail is gradual and truly renders everyone speechless with its soul-stirring landscapes of tall, dramatic oak trees bathing in fresh, powdery, white snow. The views along this distance spark warm and wholesome sensations that leave you yearning and desiring for the companionship of nature for days together. On the third day, you are to trek from Tali Forest Camp to Kauri Pass via Khullara as well as return to Tali Forest Camp the same day. This route of the expedition is the most wholesome and happening part of the excursion. From a ridge that opens into panoramic views of the Himalayas to the line of mighty mountain peaks such as the Nanda Devi, Neelkanth, Hathi Ghoda peaks etc, the trail invokes an awakening in almost every traveler here. The steep climbs that take you to a height of 12,717 ft which is the highest altitude of the entire excursion, make trekking on this trail all the more merrier. After enjoying the peak attempt and returning to Tali, you can wind up for the day. Next morning, venture onto the trail from Tali Forest camp to Auli which is interesting with vibrant landscapes of dense forests of oak trees and bright rhododendrons. Starting from the Tali Lake to Auli via Gorson Bugyal and the Padiyar temple, the trail is full of ascends and even descends which by all means make it an exciting and pleasant route for trekking. The unending sights of snow ?flooded landscapes along this trail are magical, surreal and mind-boggling in true sense. In fact, the most appealing of all landscapes are the snow smothered meadows that appear exceptionally beautiful and tend to be equally comforting. 

On another note, most trekkers remain confused about the season in which to carry out an expedition to Kauri Pass. I personally prefer and suggest the winter season for this excursion. It is undoubtedly the best time for the trek to Kauri Pass and every experienced trekker will attest to this review in a heartbeat. Even though it is only in the month of December that trekkers are allowed to carry out this excursion, the single month quite aptly meets all the expectations of trekkers who come to experience the much spoken ambience of this region. December experiences fresh snowfall and a bearable spectrum of cold temperatures when compared to the months of January, February and March that experience heavy snowfall as well as extreme temperatures that render the months unfavorable for trekking.