Dear friends of HELP,
This is to let you know that I am going on a trek in the state of Uttarkhand, in north west India, this October (2nd-10th October) and would like to invite you, readers of this blog, to join me. Here is the itinerary:
KUARI PASS ( CURZON’S TRAIL)
Popularly known as Curzon’s trail after Lord Curzon’s trek to this region in 1905, this trek still remains amongst the most popular in Garhwal. Passing through dense forests of oak, pine, rhododendron, deodar, bugyals – wide open meadows with flowers which are typical of this region. Enroute , we also get to see the high snow clad Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Kedarnath, Kamet, Chaukhamba being among a few and of course the famous NandaDevi is viewed clearly after crossing Kuari pass.
Day 01: Arrive Haridwar early morning from Delhi by overnight train. Meet with vehicles and drive to Ghat ( 6 hrs) stopping at Rishikesh and enroute Meet with trek team. O/N Camp
Day 02: Ramni ( 1982m): A fairly easy walking day of about 5 ½ to 6 hrs through deodar forests and Bhotia villages. Camp is near the village school at Ramni. O/N camp
Day 03: Begin with a steep climb through a rocky path up to the meadows from where it is a more gradual climb to the top of Ramni pass (3080m) from where we can look north towards Kuari pass . We may see many shepherds with their flocks of sheep on either side of the pass. From the pass it is a steep descent through forests with some small clearings to Semkhar from where we continue further to camp following an up and down path to camp in the small village of Jhenjipani ( 2075m) – 6 – 7hrs.
Day 04: We descend from camp to the suspension bridge across the Birehi ganga river which we cross to make a steep zig zag climb out of the narrow valley to a ridge at 2300m. The path levels out and it contours around to camp above the village of Pana (2700m) – 4 to 5hrs. The afternoon is spent enjoying the surrounding views.
Day 05: Climbing further on a gradual trail we follow the ridge through forest for about an hour and a half before descending to another valley from where we can get a glimpse of Kuari pass which we cross tomorrow. The trail opens to the Siyartoli meadow where we descend to a stream before climbing steeply on a good zig zag path just above the treeline and camp before the pass at Dhakwani ( 4 / 5 hrs).
Day 06: We leave early to get clear morning views. The steep path gets for about an hour and a half to a col at 3650m from where the panoramic views dramatically unfold. To the east you can see the Nandadevi sanctuary and to the west the peaks of Kedarnath and Badrinath. The views from the Col are indeed stunning but you still have to continue for another 40 minutes to Kuari pass ( 3650m) to see what Eric Shipton said “ One of the grandest mountain views in the world” – a truly awesome sight as you see an amphitheatre of the Himalayan peaks of Dunagiri, Changabang, Hathi Parbat, Gori Parbat , Chaukhamba, Nilkhant, Kamet and Trisul. You still have to descend further to feast our eyes on the grandeur of Nandadevi. Its an easy descent to camp just below the treeline in the meadows of Chitrakanta ( 3200m). 6 hrs
Day 07: The breathtaking views remain as we descend on a fairly narrow trail which traverses the hill side with superb views of Nandadevi. The trail then quickly opens up to wide meadows carpeted with flowers as we reach the ski slopes of Gorsain and then through forests to the scenic ski resort of Auli , a lovely place to end this wonderful trek. ( 5 – 6hrs. We will drive 3 hrs to Pipalkoti
Day 08: Drive to Haridwar ( 7 hrs). It’s a very scenic drive as you pass through the pilgrimage towns of Nandprayag, Karanprayag, Rudraprayag, Devprayag . Take the overnight train to Delhi.
Day 09: Arrive Delhi very early in the morning.
Cost: US$900/- per person (including $140 donation to HELP)
The price includes: train fares, hotel in Pipalkoti with all meals, camping with full trek services – tent on twin sharing, foam mattress, dining tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent, all meals, cook, guide, ponies to carry luggage. It also includes a $140 donation to HELP in support of its educational projects in the region. You should be able to raise this amount easily by asking a few of your friends and family to sponsor you.
The price does not include: meals en route, services in Delhi, items of any personal nature such as drinks, tips, etc.
If you are interested in joining me in this walk in the Himalayas, please contact me through the ‘contact’ page of this website.
Even if you can’t make the trek, would you be willing to sponsor me? Any amount would be gratefully received. Just go to the ‘donations’ page of our website: http://www.help-education.org/donations.html to make your payment.
Jim Coleman
Director
