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Kugina Pass Trek

Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Easy1 dayBest Apr–Jun, Sep–NovSnow trek

The Latu Devta shrine under a giant deodar at Wan, decorated with marigolds; the Kugina Pass walk starts and ends in Wan3,145 mhighest point
Max altitude
3,145 m
Days
1 day
Distance
10 km
Difficulty
Easy

Best months Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

A single 5-6 hour day hike on a rocky village and forest trail with a steady climb of about 570 m; easy in summer and autumn, but snow in winter calls for gaiters and microspikes.

The route

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · highest point

    Wan (Bharaan roadhead) → Wan (via Kugina Pass)

    10 km · 6 h · No overnight

    2,579 m → 3,145 m → 2,510 m

Ups and downs

Altitude profile

2,0002,5003,0003,500Wan (Bharaan roadhead): 2,579 m, 0 kmDay 1 high point: 3,145 m, 5 kmWan (via Kugina Pass): 2,510 m, 10 km
Metres above sea level · distance 10 km

Where it is

Map

Download GPX waypoints

Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.

Weather

Next 5 days on the trail

Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.

Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h

Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.

Plan the trip

How to reach

Trailhead
Wan (nearest town: Lohajung)
Nearest railway
Kathgodam (or Rishikesh)
Nearest airport
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
By road
Rishikesh via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, Tharali, Debal and Mundoli to Lohajung, then a local vehicle to Wan; Delhi (Anand Vihar) direct overnight bus to Mundoli/Lohajung via Kathgodam, about 20 hours
Drive
About 10 h from Rishikesh

Plan the trip

Permits and fees

We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.

Plan the trip

Cost

Self-guided

₹500–3,000

With an operator

₹1,500–4,000

Per person, ex-Lohajung. Estimates only: we found no operator publishing a current price for this day hike. Self-guided covers a shared or hired jeep Lohajung-Wan-Bharaan and back plus snacks; guided assumes hiring a local guide from Wan or Lohajung for the day, split across a small group. Check locally.

Gear

Top picks for this trek

The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.

See the full packing checklist

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Packing checklist

Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.

Packed 0 of 27

Nights near 3,145 m can drop close to freezing even in summer. Pack one more warm layer than you think.

Tick each item as it goes in the bag.

What to wear
Pack and gear
Safety
Water and food
Documents and money
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Know before you go

Good to know

Mobile network
Indiahikes says Lohajung has good connectivity on all networks, but signal turns sporadic once you start the trek.
Last ATM
Not confirmed; carry enough cash from Karanprayag or Tharali before heading up to Lohajung.
Nearest hospital
Not confirmed; nearest health centres are in the Tharali-Debal area, with larger hospitals at Karanprayag and Srinagar (Garhwal).
Water
Indiahikes notes two water points on the climb from Bharaan; carry at least 1-2 litres and treat stream water.

Highlights

  • A view of about 15 Himalayan peaks from the pass after a short day hike
  • Brahmatal summit and the Tilbudi ridge seen behind you, with Jhandi top at the far end
  • Silver oak and rhododendron forest above the villages of Wan and Bharaan
  • Looks down on Kanol, Ramni and other villages on the old Curzon Trail towards Kuari Pass

Risks

  • Depending on the season the trail above the first forest-department rest bench can be under snow; gaiters and microspikes are needed then.
  • Little-documented route with sporadic mobile signal; go with a local guide or someone who knows the trail.
  • Lohajung is a 10-hour mountain drive from Rishikesh; monsoon landslides can block the Karanprayag-Tharali-Lohajung road.

Know before you go

Questions

How long does the Kugina Pass trek take?

It is a day hike: Indiahikes gives about 5-6 hours from the Bharaan roadhead near Wan up to the pass at about 3,145 m and back. Lohajung is the usual base, with a short drive to Wan.

Is Kugina Pass a good acclimatisation hike before Roopkund or Brahmatal?

Yes. Indiahikes describes it as a perfect excursion or acclimatisation trek near Lohajung, the base for Roopkund and Brahmatal, rated easy in summer and autumn.

Is there mobile network on the Kugina Pass trail?

Lohajung has good connectivity on all networks, but Indiahikes says signal becomes sporadic once you start walking.

Do I need a permit for Kugina Pass?

We could not confirm any permit or fee from an official source. Check with the forest office or your guide in Lohajung or Wan before you go.

Your 8-week plan for this trekEasy grade. Start about 8 weeks before you travel.
SOS

In an emergency

Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.

You are in

District: ChamoliUttarakhand

Nearest hospital
Not confirmed; nearest health centres are in the Tharali-Debal area, with larger hospitals at Karanprayag and Srinagar (Garhwal).
Last ATM
Not confirmed; carry enough cash from Karanprayag or Tharali before heading up to Lohajung.
Phone network
Indiahikes says Lohajung has good connectivity on all networks, but signal turns sporadic once you start the trek.

Before you set off

  1. Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
  2. Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
  3. Download an offline map of the route.
  4. Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
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Where this comes from

Sources

Last reviewed:

  1. The Complete Guide to Kugina Pass Trek — Indiahikes
  2. Monal Top Trek (Beyond Hike, via TourTravelWorld) — Beyond Hike

Photos: Rajat7878, CC0

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  • Kugina Pass1 dayAjan Top1 day

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