Overview
Region :- Kashmir
Duration :- 7 Days
Grade :- Easy To Moderate
Max Altitude :- 13,500 Ft.
Approx Trekking Km :- 48 Kms.
One day, if you wake up in the meadows of Kashmir on your trek to Tarsar Marsar, in that moment, your entire life is going to dissolve into a distant dream. As though you have just crossed the threshold and come to heaven. The famous couplet of the Persian poet shall ring true— if there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here!
The valley of Kashmir is an experience that may rob the most masterful wordsmith off adjectives, but never fail to brew unceasing lyricism in the heart of her beholders. Kashmir’s inherent classical romanticism aside, there are some things exclusively special to trekking and the Tarsar Marsar twin lakes trek brings all of them together.
Grasslands like velvet, walking through hovering pine trees that are beautiful and fragrant, little thatched roofed hamlets peopled by beautiful humans, perfect stillness of azure waters, and camping by the glacial lakes which give the trek its name. What’s more wonderful, on practical trekking terms, Tarsar Marsar doesn’t charge a great deal of physical challenge, acclimatization prerequisites, or exhaustion.
Special Note: Lately, there has been much apprehension regarding treks in Kashmir owing to perennial reports of trouble brewing in the valley. Therefore, in a responsibly organized journey, with some foresight, we wish to add an extra day or two in the 7-day itinerary. If we must make an emergency halt, the need for which we pray doesn’t occur, these buffer days will be useful. This can be confirmed and elaborated upon at the time of your trek registration.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1:- Srinagar to Aru base camp
Altitude:- 7,950ft
Depart Srinagar by 2 pm
Drive:- 4 hrs, Srinagar to Aru
Srinagar to Pahalgam 100 km to Aru 12 km
Transportation from Srinagar to Aru is included in the cost
Aru is on the bank of Lidder River
Since there are no shops around ensure that you have all that you need already
Please note that prepaid SIM cards do not work in Kashmir
Pahalgam is the last point where you will get mobile network
Last ATM is in Pahalgam
Stay in Tent
Don’t forget to carry your ID proof in original and 2 photo copies
Day 2:- Aru to Lidderwat
Altitude:- 7,950 to 9,150ft
Trek:- 10 km trek, 6 hrs
Easy terrain, gradual ascent
Water can be refill from streams
Packed lunch on the way
Stay in tents
Day 3:- Lidderwat to Shekwas
Altitude:- 9,150 to 11,000ft
Trek:- 5.5 km trek, 5 hrs
Moderate terrain, continuous ascent for first few hours
Enough water sources on the way
One river crossing just before Homwas
Hot lunch at camp site
Stay in tents
Day 4:- Shekwas to Tarsar and explore Tarsar
Altitude:- 11,000 to 12,500ft
Trek:- 5 km trek, 4 hrs
Moderate terrain, continuous gradual ascent
Carry enough water, only few natural sources are available
In the evening explore Tarsar Lake
Hot lunch at camp site
Stay in tent
Day 5:- Tarsar to Sundarsar
Altitude:- 12,500 to 13,100ft
Trek:- 5 km trek , 5 hrs
Moderate to difficult terrain
Steep ascent in the beginning till the pass, followed by a descent and then a gradual ascent till Sundarsar camp site
Carry enough water, only few natural sources are available
Hot lunch at camp site
Stay in tent
Day 6:- Visit Marsar and then to Homwas
Altitude:- Marsar ridge 13,400ft, Homwas 11,500ft
Trek:- 9 km trek, 7 hrs
Moderate terrain
50 minute continuous ascent to Marsar ridge
Gradual descent all the way to Homwas
Packed lunch on the way
Stay in tent
Day 7:- Homwas to Aru and drive to Srinagar
Altitude:- 11,500 to 7,950 ft
Trek:- 13 km trek, 6 hrs
Easy terrain
Continuous gradual descent till Aru
Many water streams are available on the way
Packed lunch on the way
Stay in Srinagar (not included in the cost)
You will reach Aru in between 2-3 pm
You will reach Srinagar in between 7-8 pm
* Please note that prepaid sim cards do not work in Kashmir.
Don’t forget your ID proof in original and 2 photo copies.
Who can go
First timer can apply, should have some interest in trekking and mountaineering.
The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
The climber should be able to carry a 10-15 kg backpack.
Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have the conditions mentioned above.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:- Srinagar to Aru Base Camp
Our first day destination is Aru on the banks of Lidder and Aru Rivers, situated 12 km off Pahalgam. A fairly developed tourist stop, Aru is regarded the main base for two well-loved treks—the Tarsar Marsar and Kolahoi Glacier Trek, the destination of the latter being the origination of the Lidder-Aru rivers.
We shall meet you at Srinagar and make a 3-4 hours short drive to Aru via Pahalgam. Since steady telephonic network by all network providers cannot be confirmed at Aru, you need to wrap up your communication with the rest of the world at Pahalgam itself.
At Aru, you will be welcomed at a river-side camping zone, off the touristy hub, by the sweet flowing Lidder. There are lots of activities around town at Aru—from trout fishing in the Lidder, the Aru Biosphere Reserve to horseback riding and heliskiing in the winters. You can explore and mark these for a later visit, because we will be reaching quite late into the dusk around 6 pm.
Day 2:- Aru to Lidderwat
Today we shall be following the Lidder River upstream. After a 9-10 km walk up soft slopes, the trail enters a thicket of conifers. Revealing a sweeping view of the Aru valley left down below. We continue venturing through the forest shade and then come into a clearing filled with Gujjar huts. This is the Nandekai village inhabited by seasonal, migrating shepherd people, and agrarian, foraging Gujjar community. Here is a slice of idyll, picture perfect and a far call from life as we know it. We won’t be passing through the heart of the village but rather get a priceless deep view of the picturesque setting as we move uphill. A little after, we have now entered a tumbling meadow grassland, and the fir tree thickets have completely ebbed away. This is still part of the Gujjar village ecosystem and you are going to find horse -riding folks and cattle grazers.
The trail cuts across a couple of little valley streams next as we go. We soon come across a crude log bridge over the second brook. This is the spot to fill up our water supplies and take some rest, may be have the lunch carried from last camp. The Lidderwat locale is still an hour’s journey from here.
The trail here curves into another wooded area of gorgeous firs before coming out into the meadows of Lidderwat where the river flows clear watered. We can find quaint little Gujjar settlements that mark the valley locale. Thanks to tourist inflow in recent times, there are also Pahalgam District Authority Huts and food places established for comfortable stays.
Our camp would be at a quiet spot close to the stream. There should be enough time before sundown to walk around the peaceful fir tree shadowed Gujjar settlement and then lay out in the dying light on soft grass by the streamside to soak in the tranquil.
Day 3:- Lidderwat to Shekwas
A trek, approx 5-hour long starts today, winding directly up from behind the PDA homes. In a matter of half an hour, you will be finding yourself inside a forest of pines, the Lidder River is now a distant shadow, and the meadows have ebbed away. The woods are not very thick and occasionally open up to wide clearings.
Soon, you will find the stretch of Lidderwat breaching to the aperture of a more vast expanse of merging valleys and snowy elevations rising straight from the rim of the valleys. There will be multiple clear water streams cutting across our path where you can stop to refill drinking supplies.
You will be directed towards Homwas, which is a little clearing inhabited by another cluster of Gujjar huts that falls on the other side of the now re-emerged river along our tracks. After crossing a log bridge, we are ushered into the locality of a few homes and tea shops. You will never fail to find warm hospitality with these villagers and despite the exhaustion of travels, this makes one’s day.
Hand in hand with the crystal waters flowing by our tracks, we now enter a different grassy landscape. As green as green can be, stretching in gentle folds to as long as the eyes can see, the meadows of Shekwas are breathtaking. Gujjar habitation and hospitality is ubiquitous in this area too and their little low roofed, leaf-thatched huts dot the lush landscape here and there. Our trail climbs pass the huts onto a slightly higher camping ground. A sweet night, a star peppered night falls over the meadows.
Day 4:- Shekwas to Tarsar and Explore Tarsar
The green moors of Shekwas are best experienced bare feet. Try this as you set out for Tarsar Lake today. The trail moves through a silken lawn of nature for sometime before finally taking a lunge over a humpbacked hill and after crossing through a few ridges, opens to a little peek of Tarrsar’s magnetic blue waters.
It takes a total of 5 hours to reach Tarsar from Shekwas and after the ridge, it’s another 3 hours, the view of the Lake widening as we go down succeeding smaller ridges. You need to cross the stream, jumping from boulder to boulder adventurously before finally gliding into green veldt around the lake where we would camp the night. Sink your feet deep into the soft grass and watch how the almond shaped waters reflects the passing hues of the sky as the day rolls on. Time seems to come to a standstill midst of such beauty and silence.
Day 5:- Tarsar to Sundarsar
Another 5 km trek commences today to the adjoining Sundersar Valley through the Tarsar Pass. We delve into a connecting stretch first which apparently joins the meadows of Shekwas and Sundersar Valley. Trekking through the Tarsar Pass is actually a time saving but comparatively more hectic plan than descending to Shekwas first and heading to Sundarsar from there.
You can actually test your stamina on this day’s trek after so many days of walking on gentle undulations. On the ascent to the Pass, the trail gets steeper but then mellows down to a gentler slope to Sundarsar. The highlight of this stretch comes with a view of Tarsar Lake from the other side of the Pass.
Next, we go down to a valley bed to be greeted by a nomadic shepherd clan settlement, that of the Bakkerwals. Proceeding, we follow a brook that gets collected at the feet of snow-melting elevations in the form of a beautiful lake. The entire way is wrapped in a green fold of luminescent softness. You will find an unearthly photo frame capturing sheep and horses bobbing along the green-scape as they graze lazily along the banks of this anonymous loch. Our trail takes us through a high pass exit from this grassland to the next vale, another vast patch of extensive pampas but this one sprayed bright with wildflowers. Later, a bouldered trail over the stream ushers us into the Sundarsar Lake side, a flatland where we can camp at the end of this remarkable day.
Day 6:- Visit Marsar and then to Homwas
Today, we will ascent higher up through Marsar Ridge. Kilting our way around Sundarsar shores, we will be directed to a boulder smitten path. You can expect slippery snow patched in these rock crevasses, just like the partially white covered mountains at the end of the valley which we witnessed through our trek in the last few days. At midday, the snow will melt and it’s going to be tricky walk.
After covering a partly grass covered, partly snow sheeted rock trail over on the Pass, we slightly descend to a flatland that’s cut through by occasional water flows. The top of the ridge view reveals the translucent blue Marsar Lake lying somewhere down below. It has the same kind of almond shaped outline as Tarsar and almost as big. Snow shaded elevations happen to rise just along one fringe of the Lake, offsetting its blueness. The Lake happens to overflow on one side and go down in a sweeping glacial stream down to a valley below. The snowmelts from the white cliffs feed its waters on one side and on another, the Dachigam forests starts.
Now we descend back to Sundarsar camps and then to Homwas, trialing almost along the same way that we came by. The descent is full of nostalgia. Homwas is reached before nigh fall, slightly exhausted.
Day 7:- Homwas to Aru and drive to Srinagar
Starting off early morning today, we descend from Homwas to Aru, sweeping over the same enchanting meadow lands we had experienced on the first days, and the same Lidder River, now to be followed downstream.
We will stop at Lidderwat to rest and lunch and then set off again, now Aru-wards, 10 km from Lidderwat to be covered over 4 hour approx.
Srinagar-bound vehicles shall be waiting for us at Aru. We can expect to reach station within 8 in the night.
How to Reach
By Air :-
Most major air carriers like Indian Airlines (www.indian-airlines.nic.in) Jet airways (www.jetairways.com) and Indigo operate daily flights to Srinagar. Reaching Srinagar by flight from New Delhi is the most convenient way.
By Train:-
Jammu is the nearest railway station to Srinagar, which is at a distance of 290 km. Jammu railway station is well connected to all major cities in India by rail. Direct train services are available from Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum.
By Bus:-
Srinagar is linked by the National Highway 1A to the rest of the country. J & K state road transport operates comfortable buses from Jammu. The Journey takes about 10 hours to reach Srinagar.
Cost Terms
Inclusions :-
1.Transport Srinagar to Aru Base and Back
2.Accommodation. (Camping) (2 person in one tent)
3. Meals while on trek (Veg & Egg)
4. Trek equipments: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dinning tent, toilet tent, utensils
5. All necessary permits and entry fees
6. First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder
7. Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide, cook and Support staff 8. Services from Srinagar to srinagar 9. TTH Staff insurance 10. Mules to carry the central luggage
Exclusions :-
1. Any kind of personal expenses 2. Hotel Stay in Srinagar.
3. Food during the transit.
4. Insurance.
5. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
6. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head
Srinagar Accommodation: The stay at Srinagar on the last day is not included in the trek fee. However we can assist you in booking a hotel or a houseboat for the same, please let us know at least 15 days in advance to the start of the trek. Intimation is by email only at info@trekthehimalayas.com
Note : Note :
Normally TTH expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule.
Charges of offloading backpack:-
INR 1800/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance
INR 2000/- if you inform us after reaching Aru base camp
The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.
To book a Trek/ adventure program please use our online booking form or, alternatively, you can call us on the given for confirmation of tour you have to wire a deposit and initial deposit.
Paying the Trek/ Adventure activity fee: The fee can be paid by online transfer/check deposit/ demand draft. Instruction for payment will be forwarded along with your confirmation email. When your transfer is done, please e-mail us a confirmation mail with your transfer details, so that we can follow up your reservation efficiently.
When to book: It is wise to make your booking at least two months in advance. However, if you want a good deal on your domestic/international flight, we recommend organising your trip at least five months in advance. (Please contact us if you require a late booking) .
In the event of cancellation of trek/adventure activity services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reasons we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows: –
Cancellations prior to 24 days from the start of the trek
Book any other trek till one year or get 95% refund
(Note: If the trek charges are more, the balance needs to be paid by the trekker)
Cancellation between 24 days and 14 days to the start of the trek
Choose to go for the same trek, with any other batch, till year or get 70% refund
Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the trek
Choose to go on the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch or get 50% refund.
Cancellation less than 10 days to the start of the trek
Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund.
Note:-
1)- Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch.
2)- In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by TTH.
3)- TTH holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice.