Trek the Indian Himalayas: Self-Launched Curzon Trail & Kuari Pass

Touch down at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Take the Delhi Airport Metro Express (₹60, ~£0.55) or a pre-paid taxi (~£6-8) to your guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh — both budget-friendly neighbourhoods close to New Delhi Railway Station. Spend the rest of the day acclimatising, grabbing street food in Paharganj's main bazaar, and sorting any last-minute gear. Book your train tickets for Day 2 in advance via IRCTC (irctc.co.in) or at the International Tourist Bureau at New Delhi Station.

🚌Delhi Airport Metro Express or pre-paid taxi from airport (~£1-8)

🛏Zostel Delhi or similar hostel in Paharganj (~£8-12/night for dorm, ~£18-22 for private twin)

• →Explore Paharganj bazaar and grab street food dinner
• →Visit Connaught Place or India Gate if time permits
• →Sort train tickets for next day at IRCTC or New Delhi Station International Tourist Bureau

Catch the early morning Shatabdi Express from New Delhi Railway Station to Haridwar (~5 hours, AC Chair Car ~£6-9 — book in advance on irctc.co.in). From Haridwar, take a shared tempo/auto-rickshaw or local bus to Rishikesh (~45 mins, ~£0.50-1.50). Check in to your guesthouse near Laxman Jhula. In the evening, walk the Ganga Trail from Laxman Jhula to Ram Jhula past ashrams and yoga centres. Head to Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan Ashram at sunset for the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony — entry is free, simply arrive by 6pm to get a good spot.

🚌Shatabdi Express New Delhi–Haridwar (~£7); shared tempo Haridwar–Rishikesh (~£1)

🛏Zostel Rishikesh, Bunk Rishikesh, or a guesthouse near Laxman Jhula (~£8-15/night)

• →Walk the Ganga Trail from Laxman Jhula to Ram Jhula
• →Attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Parmarth Niketan Ashram (free)
• →Explore Rishikesh cafes and riverside ghats

Hire a shared jeep or private cab from Rishikesh to Joshimath/Salubagarh (7-8 hours, ~£15-25 per person in a shared vehicle — arrange through your guesthouse or Rishikesh taxi stands). The scenic route passes four of the five sacred Prayags (river confluences): Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandprayag. Stop for lunch at a local dhaba (roadside restaurant) along the way (~£2-3). You'll arrive at Salubagarh in the evening — this is the trek's starting village. Camp here or stay in a basic guesthouse.

🚌Shared jeep/private cab Rishikesh–Salubagarh (~£15-25 per person)

🛏Basic guesthouse or tented camp at Salubagarh (~£5-10/night)

• →Stop at Devprayag — sacred confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers
• →Photo stops at Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandprayag confluences
• →Lunch at a local roadside dhaba

Today your Curzon Trail trek begins. Hire a local certified trekking guide in Joshimath or Auli before departure — rates are typically £15-25/day for a registered guide through the Uttarakhand Tourism office or local agencies like Himalayan Guides (himalayanguides.in). The trail starts with a gentle walk along a glacial river before climbing through coniferous forest to Rumni village, with its traditional slate-roof houses, then up to the high plateau at Ghunni. Tonight's camp comes with sunset views over the foothills. Pack horses can be hired locally to carry heavy bags (~£8-12/day).

🚌On foot (4-5 hrs, ~6 miles, 3,117 ft ascent)

🛏Wild camping — bring or rent a tent in Rishikesh/Joshimath (~£3-5/night equipment cost share)

• →Trek through coniferous forest to Rumni village
• →Observe traditional Garhwali architecture with slate roofs and solar panels
• →Set up camp at Ghunni plateau with Himalayan sunset views

A longer day on the trail with your first proper views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Zigzag uphill through rhododendron, pine, and oak forest to the high point of Chechni Vinayak (10,335 ft), where Kuari Pass comes into view ahead. You may encounter shepherds and their flocks using the same route. Descend across lush meadows and open glades, through horse chestnut and walnut forest with occasional waterfalls, to tonight's camp at Sem Kharak. Your guide will manage route-finding; carry plenty of water and snacks.

🚌On foot (6-7 hrs, ~7 miles, 2,789 ft ascent / 2,198 ft descent)

🛏Wild camping at Sem Kharak (~£3-5/night equipment cost share)

• →First panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks from Chechni Vinayak (10,335 ft)
• →Spot Kuari Pass in the distance
• →Walk through mixed Himalayan forest with rhododendron, pine, oak, and walnut

One of the tougher days on the trail. Descend to the village of Jhinjhi and continue down past small farms and woodland to the beautiful Birehi Gorge. Cross a bridge at the road head and follow the river trail before a strenuous multi-hour climb to Irani Village. A flatter, gentler final stretch leads to your campsite just above Pana village. Refill water at the streams and pace yourself on the ascents — your guide will set a sustainable rhythm. All meals are cooked by your camp cook (hire a cook/support team locally for ~£12-18/day split between the group).

🚌On foot (7-8 hrs, ~9 miles, 4,429 ft ascent / 3,937 ft descent)

🛏Wild camping near Pana village (~£3-5/night equipment cost share)

• →Descend through Jhinjhi village and past local farms
• →Walk the Birehi Gorge
• →Climb to Irani Village with views across the Garhwal valleys

Trek to Dhakwani, the highest camp of the trail and the base for tomorrow's Kuari Pass crossing. Begin with a steep forest climb to Sartoli Meadow, carpeted in wildflowers with outstanding views of Kuari Pass. Drop back down to a river before entering a wilder landscape — home to Blue Sheep (Bharal) and Himalayan Black Bears, so stay alert. Cross a further stream before reaching open pasture well above the treeline. Rest well tonight: tomorrow is the big day. Ensure all gear is dry and warm layers are accessible.

🚌On foot (6-7 hrs, ~7 miles, 4,757 ft ascent / 2,953 ft descent)

🛏Wild camping at Dhakwani (~£3-5/night equipment cost share)

• →Climb to Sartoli Meadow with wildflowers and Kuari Pass views
• →Wildlife spotting: Blue Sheep and Himalayan Black Bear habitat
• →Camp at the trek's highest point at 10,909 ft

The summit day — and the most spectacular of the trek. Set out early to ascend to Kuari Pass (12,303 ft), where a sweeping 180-degree panorama of six- and seven-thousand-metre Himalayan peaks rewards the climb. The descent reveals the crown jewel: Nanda Devi (25,643 ft), the highest peak entirely within India, appearing in full glory as you come off the pass. Descend to the ridge camp at Tali with continuous mountain vistas. Take your time at the pass, eat a packed lunch, and soak it in — this is what the whole trek has been building to.

🚌On foot (4-5 hrs, ~6 miles, 1,903 ft ascent / 1,804 ft descent)

🛏Wild camping at Tali ridge (~£3-5/night equipment cost share)

• →Summit Kuari Pass (12,303 ft) with panoramic Himalayan views
• →Photograph Nanda Devi (25,643 ft) — highest peak in India — on the descent
• →Celebrate at camp on the Tali ridge with mountain sunset views

The final day of trekking leads along a narrow, dramatic ridge trail to Auli ski resort. Walk carefully on the exposed sections, with Nanda Devi accompanying you all the way down. Cross the wide, wildflower-speckled meadows of Gorson Bugyal before reaching Auli — one of India's premier ski destinations. From Auli, arrange a shared jeep or private cab to Rudraprayag (~4-5 hours, ~£10-18 per person), one of the five sacred Prayags where the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers meet. Check in, shower, and celebrate with a well-earned meal out at a local restaurant.

🚌On foot Tali–Auli (4-5 hrs, ~6 miles); shared jeep/cab Auli–Rudraprayag (~£12-18)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Rudraprayag (~£8-15/night)

• →Final ridge trek to Auli ski resort with Nanda Devi views
• →Cross Gorson Bugyal wildflower meadows
• →Celebratory dinner in Rudraprayag

After breakfast, take a shared jeep or bus from Rudraprayag to Haridwar (4-5 hours, ~£5-10 per person). Haridwar is a major Hindu pilgrimage city — if you arrive with time to spare before your train, explore the riverbank Ghats and witness the daily Har Ki Pauri Aarti ceremony (free). Then board the Shatabdi Express from Haridwar to New Delhi (~4.5 hours, AC Chair Car ~£6-9 — pre-book on irctc.co.in). Arrive back in Delhi late evening and check in for your final night.

🚌Shared jeep/bus Rudraprayag–Haridwar (~£7); Shatabdi Express Haridwar–New Delhi (~£7)

🛏Zostel Delhi or same guesthouse as Day 1 in Paharganj (~£8-18/night)

• →Explore Har Ki Pauri Ghat and witness Haridwar's river ceremony (if time allows)
• →Shatabdi Express train journey back through the Himalayan foothills to Delhi

Final morning in India. After breakfast at a local café (try the chai and parathas in Paharganj for ~£1.50), make your way to Indira Gandhi International Airport independently. Take the Delhi Airport Metro Express from New Delhi Metro Station (₹60, ~£0.55) or a pre-paid taxi (~£6-10). Allow at least 3 hours before departure for international flights. If you have a late flight, store luggage at the hotel and use the time to visit any Delhi sights you missed on arrival — Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, or Chandni Chowk are all excellent options.

🚌Delhi Airport Metro Express or pre-paid taxi to IGI Airport (~£1-8)

🛏Check-out (or late checkout if available)

• →Final Indian breakfast — chai and parathas at a Paharganj café
• →Optional last-minute sightseeing: Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, or Chandni Chowk
• →Airport transfer via Metro Express or pre-paid taxi