The Viceroy's Trail
Kuari Pass earned its 'Lord Curzon Trail' name after the 1905 viceregal crossing, and its reputation rests on views: Dronagiri, Hathi-Ghoda, Chaukhamba, Kamet and glimpses of Nanda Devi herself line the route. The Gorson Bugyal ridge sections are among Garhwal's finest walking.
The Route
Modern itineraries start near Dhak village above Joshimath, camping at Gulling/Khullara before crossing Kuari Pass (12,500 ft) and traversing toward Auli via the Gorson meadows, finishing beside the ski slopes with their famous Nanda Devi backdrop.
Best Time
March–June and September–December. Early winter (Nov–Dec) gives snow with stable weather; spring adds rhododendrons. The pass itself can hold snow well into April.
Difficulty
Easy-to-moderate: honest climbing days but nothing technical. Good acclimatization profile and superb payoff-to-effort ratio make it a favourite second Himalayan trek.