Trek Himachal

Kundli Pass

District Kangra/Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

Position - N32 16.734 E76 24.816

Altitude – 4528 metres above MSL

Trail Orientation – South - North

Closest Settlement(s) – Sidhbari (South), Kuvarasi (North)

There are atleast three legends associated with Kundli Pass. One says a huge snake (probably a python) once went upto the pass and lay in a coiled posture for a long time, giving the name Sarali Ka Pher (the curl of Sarali) to the geographic feature just below the pass. The name Kundli, they say came from an iron ear-ring (called Kundal in Hindi) placed at the top of the pass by a shepherd in antiquity.  The ear-ring, over time is said to have metamorphozed into a rock, which can still be seen at one of the 3 passages which form Kundli Pass.

Kundli is a pass so seldom crossed even by shepherds that getting information about it is next to impossible. Apart from that, some plane crash debris from 1970s (probably) just below the pass and the claim that precious stones can be found in Sarali Ka Pher, buried deep under the old snow add to the romance. A trip up the pass turned out to be much more than I had expected. Such is the power of marketing that for reasons unknown, I had assumed Indrahar had to be the highest and probably the toughest pass in the Dhauladhars. Boy, I was wrong! Terribly wrong! Kundli is longer, difficult, higher and much better. If the bush racking on day 1 does not get you, the cold and unpredictable weather at Bakluddu will. Before Bakluddu gets you though, it could show you a sunset you would gladly die for. If there is still something left, trust the boulder jumping to the pass to sap it out. If you are lucky enough to have sudden weather changes, including sweating in the noon sun followed by a round of a snowstorm in a matter of 10 minutes, Kundli is one pass which could give you all the experiences not 1 year of trekking could throw your way. It certainly did that for me.

Trekking to Kundli Pass:

I write this page in November 2010, almost a month after crossing Kundli Pass. At last count, I have crossed the Dhauladhars 6 times, all from different passes. Kundli can safely lay claim to be the toughest of the 6. So, if you are looking for an easy trek in the Dhauladhars, read no further. It can potentially throw a lot your way, though a lot depends on the season you cross it in. June would probably be the time it is easiest in. Winter apart, post monsoon (i.e. October) could be the toughest. Expect thick undergrowth on the trail in the lower reaches, openly exposed ridges and no camping ground higher up and big boulder jumping on the pass day. If there is snow in places, which is very likely, also expect some slippery, steep surfaces to walk on.

Its a trail rarely used now. The reason probably is it links to Kuvarasi on the other side, as does Indrahar. With the stock of shepherding dwindling as a profession, no one has incentive using a less used, tougher trail. As for the trekkers, need I say much! For a rarely used trail, it can be easy to find in places. The beginnings are in an easy and wide trail upto the last stop for the seasonal cow herds. Then on, its direction and instinct. However, if you look hard enough with an experienced eye, there are goat droppings, goat and sheep footmarks and an occasional rock moved out of place, placed on top of another one to form a step and mark a trail. There are also the remains of the traditional markers formed by placing stones atop each other in prominent places.

The one challenge crossing Kundli is finding someone to guide you. I would like to think the elevation profile on this page and the map on this link (trail starting from West of Sidhbari and going up towards Sekni da Kot) are good enough. If you disagree, you can call Jango and hire him or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before you plan this trek.

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