Kundli Pass Trek Overview
Kundli Pass is the offbeat high crossing above the Thatharana meadow on the Khaniyara side of Dharamshala — a route almost no commercial groups walk. From Khaniyara the trail climbs through Kangra Valley forest and farmland to the open Thatharana pasture (2,900 m), then up shepherd ground and scree to the Kundli saddle on the Dhauladhar crest, above a small glacial tarn.
Kundli Pass is the offbeat high crossing above the Thatharana meadow on the Khaniyara side of Dharamshala — a route almost no commercial groups walk. From Khaniyara the trail climbs through Kangra Valley forest and farmland to the open Thatharana pasture (2,900 m), the base camp, then up shepherd ground and scree to the Kundli saddle on the Dhauladhar crest. Below sits a small glacial tarn, and the views run clean across the Kangra plains to the south and the inner Dhauladhar to the north. With grazing-season solitude and a genuine forest-to-pass progression, this suits trekkers who want a real crossing without the Triund or Indrahar crowds. Local guide, camping, meals and transfers arranged.
Highlights
- Quiet Khaniyara approach through forest and farmland
- Thatharana meadow (2,900 m) base camp with valley-to-plains views
- Jugani (Hoddi) Koth Gaddi shepherd shrine on the pasture
- The Kundli Pass crossing and its glacial tarn
- Solitude — one of the least-walked routes near Dharamshala
Quick Facts of Kundli Pass Trek
- Maximum altitude: Up to ≈ 3,650 m (Kundli Pass)
- Grade: Moderate to Difficult
- Duration: 4D/3N
- Trekking distance: ≈ 30 km
- Base camp: Thatharana meadow (base camp); trailhead at Khaniyara
- Best season: May-Jun, Sep-Oct
- Railhead: Pathankot — ≈ 85 km (nearest broad-gauge railhead)
- Airport: Gaggal (Kangra) Airport — ≈ 15 km from Dharamshala
- Service from: Dharamshala / McLeod Ganj pickup
- Group size: 2 – 10
- Region: Dhauladhar range, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
- Who can participate: Trekkers seeking a crowd-free Dhauladhar pass crossing
Detailed Itinerary of Kundli Pass Trek
Khaniyara → Thatharana
- Drive to Khaniyara; trek up through forest and Kharota village to the Thatharana meadow camp (2,900 m).
Thatharana → Kundli base
- Climb shepherd ground toward the pass; high camp below the saddle, side-visit to the Jugani Koth shrine.
Kundli Pass → Thatharana
- Early push over scree to the Kundli saddle and its tarn; return to the Thatharana camp.
Thatharana → Khaniyara
- Descend through the forest to Khaniyara; transfer back to Dharamshala.
What to Pack for Kundli Pass Trek?
Pack light, pack right — everything worth carrying for Kundli Pass Trek.
Clothing
- Warm layers and a windproof shell for the pass
- Insulated jacket and thermal base layer for the high camp
- Warm cap, gloves and 3 pairs of socks (including a dry camp pair)
- Quick-dry trekking trousers and full-sleeve tops
- Rain shell — the Kangra slopes catch afternoon showers
- Sun hat or cap
Trekking gear
- Trekking boots with grip for scree, broken in
- Trekking poles for the climb and descent
- 35–45 L backpack with a rain cover, plus a daypack
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- UV sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm
- 2 L water capacity plus purification tablets
Essentials
- Government photo ID
- Some cash — no ATM or network past Khaniyara
- Power bank
- Energy bars, dry fruit and electrolyte / ORS sachets
- Personal toiletries and a quick-dry towel
Medicines & first aid
- Any personal prescription medication
- Diamox / altitude medication (after a doctor's consultation)
- Painkillers, fever and indigestion tablets
- ORS / electrolytes and anti-nausea tablets
- Band-aids, blister plasters and a crepe bandage
Know Before You Go Kundli Pass Trek
- By Air: The nearest airport is Gaggal (Kangra) Airport, about 15 km from Dharamshala, with flights from Delhi. Trailhead transport from Dharamshala is arranged as part of the trek.
- By Road: Dharamshala is well connected by road. Overnight Volvo and HRTC buses run from Delhi (ISBT Kashmere Gate, ≈ 10–12 hrs) and from Chandigarh and Pathankot; from Dharamshala we arrange the transport to the Khaniyara trailhead.
- By Train: The nearest broad-gauge railhead is Pathankot (≈ 85 km), connected to Delhi and other cities. From Pathankot, drive on to Dharamshala or take the scenic Kangra Valley narrow-gauge line toward Kangra.
- Scree on the pass approach — the guide sets a safe line
- High pasture weather turns fast; the pass is crossed in a clear window
- Moderate altitude — steady pacing and hydration
- For trekkers comfortable with multi-day mountain walking
- The pass day starts early to cross and be back before the afternoon weather builds
- No mobile network past Khaniyara — share your plan and return date with family in advance
Included
Included
- Local guide & porters
- camping
- meals on trek
- permits
- trailhead transport from Dharamshala
Not included
- Personal gear
- insurance
- drinks
- tips
- personal expenses
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FAQs of Kundli Pass Trek
Where does this start from?+
Khaniyara, on the quieter east side of Dharamshala, using the Thatharana meadow as base — the same meadow as our Thatharana trek but pushing higher to the pass.
How busy is it?+
Very quiet. Thatharana itself sees few trekkers, and almost no one continues to Kundli Pass, so you often have the route to yourselves.
Best season?+
May–June and September–October, when the pass is clear of heavy snow.
How difficult is it, and who is it for?+
It's a moderate-to-difficult trek with scree near the pass and a high camp above 3,000 m. It suits trekkers comfortable with multi-day mountain walking — not a first trek, but a great quiet objective once you've done a couple of Dhauladhar routes.
Are permits and transport arranged?+
Yes — forest / camping permits, the local guide and porters, camping, meals on trek and trailhead transport from Dharamshala are all included. Personal gear, insurance and personal expenses are not.
How do we book?+
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group size and we'll confirm availability, the meeting point and what to carry. Booking is handled directly over WhatsApp.