Kuari Pass: request for help

nyraghu

I am planning to trek across the Kuari Pass in October, with my spouse and 12 year old daughter. The route we are planning to follow is Ghat, Ramni, Jhenjipatni, Sinyartoli, Dhakwani, Kuari Pass, Khullara, Tapovan.

I am a bit concerned about the Ramni-Sinyartoli segment. The distances, according to GMVN, are 13 kms. from Ramni to Jhenjipatni, and 12 kms. from Jhenjipatni to Sinyartoli. I was wondering if it is possible to split this 25 km. segment into three parts instead of two, say 9km-8km-8km. Is there any suitable camping site about 9 kms. from Ramni as one goes towards Jhenjipatni, and is there such a site again about 4 kms. from Jhenjipatni as one goes towards Sinyartoli?

Here is some background information which may be relevant: 1) Our trekking experience is rather basic: the Valley of Flowers two years ago, and Dodital, Darwa Pass, and Dayara Bugiyal last year. 2) I have a slight knee problem, which causes pain when descending. 3) The longest daily stretches we have done in any trek are 14 kms., and we found the going a bit tough on those days.

I would appreciate any help and advice on this.

Thanks in advance,
Raghu.

nyraghu

Another question I have is whether we should hire a guide, porters, tent, etc., at Nandaprayag or at Ghat? Also, is there any accommodation available in Ghat?

Please see my previous post in this thread, and do let me know if you have any comments. I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thanks in advance,
Raghu.

Sadanand Kamath

I have done Kuari Pass trek in Sept'95. If I remember correctly, there are one or two helmets between Ramni and Jhenjipatni but I don't remember to have seen any camping site between Jhenji and Sinyartoli.

By the way, the trek Ramni-Jhenji-Sinyartoli (25 kms) is easy one and one of my fellow trekkers who had only one trekking experience and of the age of 62 could do quite easily, I don't see much of a problem for you and your family to complete this stretch of 25 kms in two days unless there is some fitness issues. The trek between Dakwani to Kuari pass is a bit steep and it will be better to start trek in this stretch early in the morning so that by 9.00-9.30 a.m., you are on Kuari Pass to have a clear view of himalayan peaks. Generally, even on clear days, peaks get covered by clouds and mists by noon.

You can get guide, porters and provisions at Ghat. There are couple of hotels with basic facilities at Ghat.

Sadanand

__________________
Sirf ek kadam utha tha galat rahe shauk mein
Manzil tamam umr hame dhunti rahi.

[Just one wrong step on the way of the quest
My destination looked for me all life long]

nyraghu

Thank you very much, Sadanand, for your answers to all my queries. So, we will go by road to Ghat, stay there overnight, and arrange a guide, etc. From what you said, it looks like we will be able to do the Ramni-Jhenjipatni-Sinyartoli part in just two stages. The tip about starting especially early from Dhakwani will be very useful.

I will get back again as our plans become clearer.

Thanks again,
Raghu.

himadventures

Road now goes much deeper than GHAT...and you will be reaching upto RAVNI as jeeps goes pretty closer to it.

12 yrs. old is fine if you have enough experience of walking in jungle. This is one of the scenic trek..specialy for people who love jungle. Guide is must...there was trek damaged from Jhinji onwards..and you have to take a trail to right side...main trail was going towards left.

nyraghu

Thanks, himadventures, for the help. We will take a vehicle up to Ramni then, unless the trek from Ghat to Ramni is very scenic.

Yes, we will most certainly take a guide.

Thanks again,
Raghu.

himadventures

I am sure you will love to spend a day at DOMABITA. This is scenic camping place under the pass. Although camping places over pass...in grassy meadows are also vert tempting but mostly porters and poneymen do not like to stay here. Perhaps, due to cold.

nyraghu

Thanks, himadventures, for the suggestion. I waited a while before replying, because I was, and still am, a bit confused about these places. Domabiti is mentioned in the Nest & Wings Guide Map of Uttarakhand, but not in the SOI Badari-Kedar Trekking Map, nor in the GMVN map of the trek.

As I understand, there seem to be two ways to go from Jhenjipatni to Kuari Pass:

1. Jhenjipatni-12km-Sinyartoli-10km-Dhakwani-5km-Kuari Pass (source: GMVN map).
2. Jhenjipatni-12km-Panha-10km-Domabiti-5km-Kuari Pass (source: Nest & Wings map).

The distances add up to the same on both the routes --- 27 kms from Jhenjipatni to Kuari Pass. Are my understanding and the distances correct, and if so which route is preferable? Thanks again for the help.

Raghu.

himadventures

I have gone through both. But I like trail which goes through PANA as this was dense jungle and I liked the feel of it.

PANA was a small village then...hidden in a small valley and next day when we started...we just landed in thick jungle above it.

Other trail is also good but Jhniji has changed very much...and now there are cemented house with sett elite dishes.

Mod note:Photographs in contravention of advertising rules and hence deleted.

nyraghu

Thank you very much for the clarification, himadventures. I'll get back again soon, when my plans are a bit more definite.

Raghu.

nyraghu

Some more queries as the trek draws nearer:

• Can someone please recommend a guide in Nandaprayag or Ghat, for the above trek?
• There have been disconcerting reports of early snowfall in Garhwal. We are planning to do the trek between 19th and 31st October. Do people feel that the weather on the Kuari Pass routes also will be difficult at that time?

Thanks in advance,
Raghu.

nyraghu

We will be leaving for the trek on 17th Oct. I would be grateful if someone can recommend a guide at Nandaprayag or Ghat. Please see my posting above.

Thanks,
Raghu.

Sadanand Kamath

We had taken guide/porters from Ghat but I don't recollect the names. I suggest that you contact GMVN at Nandaprayag on your way to Ghat. I am sure they will suggest a good guide for Kuari Pass trek.

The snow fall was reported in September from the upper reaches of places around Gongotri region. I have observed many a times that unseasonal snow fall is generally followed by a prolonged phase of good weather in himalaya. I am confident that you will get good weather in Kuari Pass trek.

Wish you all the best and happy trekking

Sadanand

nyraghu

Thanks very much, Sadanand, for the help. We will be spending a night at the Nandaprayag GMVN hotel, and will certainly ask there for a guide.

Thanks again,
Raghu.

troltuu

Hi Raghu.

We are a group of four who are going on the same trek as you - starting the day before you - so maybe we will meet eachother on the trail :-)

I still have a few questions left I hope you don't mind me joining your post. (And maybe you have answers for me)

Is there water available on the Kuari Pass trek?

Is it possible to get some basic food on the trek at Ramani, Sinyartoli, Dhakwani, Tali or somewhere else?

thanks - Troltuu