Take an early morning flight to Jolly Grant (Dehradun) so you have time to transfer to Rishikesh the same day; confirm flight times and baggage allowance for all 5.
Collect luggage and board a pre-booked 7–9-seater van for the ~1–1.5 hour drive to Rishikesh; use this time to check final trek kit and hand luggage limits per Indiahikes.
Early warm dinner and final packing check for Indiahikes’ kit list (thermal liner, warm socks, down jacket recommended); confirm restaurant hours during winter.
Meet the Indiahikes team for a mandatory briefing — they will check personal kit, explain the luggage policy (light daypack vs allowed duffel), and review safety and emergency plans.
Early dinner and sleep early ahead of the long drive with Indiahikes the next morning; confirm pickup time and trekking-start point with your trek leader.
Indiahikes typically arranges an early pickup (pre-dawn) to cover the long drive to the trek approach; carry your light daypack and any carry-on essentials.
Final kit check with the Indiahikes trek leader and support team; they will distribute group gear responsibilities and explain walking protocols and pace-setting.
Begin the gradual ascent to the first Indiahikes campsite; expect a steady, guided pace with frequent short breaks and tea stops handled by the Indiahikes kitchen team.
Indiahikes provides dining tent, cook and hot dinner; leaders will cover altitude-sickness signs and next-day plans so follow their instructions precisely.
An acclimatization and scenic day to gain gentle altitude and enjoy Himalayan vistas; Indiahikes keeps a conservative pace to prioritize safety and acclimatization.
Steady ascent to the high meadow or high camp used by Indiahikes, with guide-led breaks and photo stops; expect snow patches and cold winds in December.
Arrive at the Indiahikes high camp and take short walks to nearby ridgelines for sunset; the Indiahikes leader will review the summit plan for the next morning.
Indiahikes leads an early start for the summit attempt to benefit from stable morning conditions; follow the leader’s pace and safety directives throughout.
Ascend to the Kuari Pass ridge with panoramic views of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba; Indiahikes uses conservative turn-around policies in bad weather — safety is the priority.
Hot breakfast and packing while the Indiahikes crew breaks camp and prepares for the descent; ensure personal gear and any rented items are returned to the leader.
Indiahikes often arranges shared/private transfers to a nearby hotel for the night before the long drive; check pickup time for the next morning’s drive to Dehradun.
Have breakfast, final packing and check that everyone’s travel documents and baggage are ready; allow extra buffer for winter morning traffic to the airport.
Leave with ample buffer for traffic and winter delays; Jolly Grant is 30–60 minutes from central Dehradun depending on location and time — book a larger van for 5 + luggage.