Itinerary

 

Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar
Day 2: Drive from Srinagar to Aru Valley
Day 3: Trek from Aru to Lidderwat
Day 4: Trek from Lidderwat to the Shekwas
Day 5: Trek from Shekwas to Tarsar lake 
Day 6: Trek from Tarsar lake to Sundersar Lake via Tarsar/Sonamous Pass
Day 7: Trek from Sundersar to Homwas via Marsar Lake
Day 8:  Trek from Homwas to Aru and Travel to Srinagar
Day 9: Departure from Srinagar 

 

Tarsar Marsar Trek Day Wise Itinerary:

 

Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar

Altitude: 5,200 ft (1,585 m)
Accommodation: Houseboat
Meals included: Dinner at the boathouse

On the day of arrival of tarsar trek, we start the routine of briefing the group and introducing you to fellow group members and taking you through the itinerary and plan for the next 8 days. In total, we will be covering 48km of Tarsar marsar trek distance. Post the introduction, you will check in to the houseboat and relax for the day.

Day 2: Drive from Srinagar to Aru Valley

Travel Distance: 100 km
Time Taken: 5 hr
Altitude: 7,920 ft (2,414 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast at the boathouse and tea, dinner at the campsite

As per the Tarsar marsar trek map on day 2, we start our journey towards Aru. This will primarily help you acclimatize to the higher altitude we will be attained in the next couple of days. The drive from Srinagar to Sonmarg and then to Aru is extremely scenic and will present you with a lot of photo opportunities. You will come across grasslands, scattered forests and snow-covered mountains. You will reach our campsite at Aru around the evening and rest for the rest of the day by the riverside. 

Day 3: Trek from Aru to Lidderwat Pahalgam

Trek Distance: 9 km
Time Taken: 5-6 hr
Altitude: 9,022 ft (2,750 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks and dinner

As per the Tarsar marsar trek map, your day starts with an easy hike towards Lidderwat on the well-marked trail with towering pine trees. Don’t miss out on the breathtaking views of the valley alongside the gushing river. The trek starts with a gradual ascend for 2 to 3 hours through a beautiful pine forest trail. A short level walk along the Lidder river thereafter brings you to a tea stall. Another gradual ascend for 1 hour and you can see the Lidder forest rest house in sight. Cross a bridge and get to the Lidder campsite on the other side of the river. Lidderwat campsite has a confluence of streams flowing from Kohlai Peak and Tarsar streams. Overnight stay in Camp or Gujjar Huts. 

Day 4: Trek from Lidderwat to the Shekwas

Trek Distance: 5 km
Time Taken: 4-5 hr
Altitude: 11,154 ft (3340 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner

On day 5 of the Kashmir Tarsar marsar lake trek, we embark on a long day towards Shekwas, the trail is well laid out. You would find many friendly shepherds on the route and it is a very beautiful valley, not much strenuous. The day’s trek starts with a moderate to steep ascent for 1 hour, followed by a level walk for another hour before we break for lunch, beside a gentle stream. We leave the tree line behind and ascend gradually for 1 more hour to reach the Shekwas campsite. From here one can get a good view of the surrounding mountains and the path heading up to Tarsar lake. Tarsar marsar trek best time is from July to September when the views are at its best. We can go on a short 1-hour hike from the Sekhwas campsite to a small yet charming Jadar Lake and return back before sunset. Overnight stay in tents.

Day 5: Trek from Shekwas to Tarsar lake 

Trek Distance: 5 km
Time Taken: 4-5 hr
Altitude: 12,451 ft (3,795 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks, dinner 

On day 5 of the Tarsar marsar trek, we trek uphill from the Shekwas campsite, keeping the stream flowing down to our right. The views of the mountains get grander and more snow-clad peaks are visible all around us as we approach the Tarsar Lake. 2 hours of trekking and the beautiful lake reveals itself amidst imposing mountain ridges on 3 sides. Tarsar Lake is a huge lake and very similar to Gangabal lake on the trek from Naranag to Ganderbal in Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.  A wonderful opportunity to camp next to the emerald blue waters of Tarsar Lake. Tarsar marsar trek difficulty level is moderate. But you get to spend the day exploring the trails around Tarsar Lake only to witness the grandeur of the lake surrounded by majestic mountains. Best time for Tarsar marsar trek is from July to September when the views are the best.

Day 6: Trek from Tarsar lake to Sundersar Lake via Tarsar/Sonamous Pass

Trek Distance: 6 km
Time Taken: 5 hr
Altitude: 12,945 ft (3,946 m) via ~13,120 ft (~4,000 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks and dinner

After the blissful stay at Tarsar Lake, we move towards Sundarsar Lake. It is a gradual hike in the grassy valley towards a small pass that leads to Sundarsar.  Here, you will be at the highest Tarsar marsar trek altitude. An hour's climb to the top of the ridge and then we descend into the valley on the other side. The view of the valley leading to Zachmargi on the other side of the ridge is simply breathtaking. Upon descending into the valley, we walk along the stream which drains from Sundarsar Lake. Relax and admire the serene Sundersar Lake. 

Day 7: Trek from Sundersar to Homwas via Marsar Lake

Trek Distance: 9 km
Trek Time: 7-8 hr
Altitude: 11,300 ft (3,444 m) via 13,165 ft (4,013 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks and dinner

We would make an early morning start to visit Marsar Lake just with our water bottles and snacks. Walking around Sundersar, we trek up and over a saddle on a ridge located on the far side of the lake. Marsar is an hour's trek away from here. The trail takes you to a vantage point which gives you unparalleled views of the Marsar Lake, which is almost always engulfed under clouds and mist. The weather at this altitude turns bad fast and is very unpredictable. So, after soaking in the beauty of the lake and its surroundings, we head back on the same trail to Sundarsar camp and start our way towards Homwas. The trail from Sundarsar to Homwas should take us around 4 hours.

Day 8:  Trek from Homwas to Aru and Travel to Srinagar

Trek Distance: 13 km
Trek Time: 6-7 hr
Altitude: 7,920 ft (2,414 m)
Accommodation: 3 Star hotel in Srinagar
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea, snacks, and dinner

On the final day of the trek, we depart the campsite of Homwas and take the same route we took on the first day of the trek to reach Aru via Lidderwat. A two hours descent from Homwas will take you to Lidderwat and this time you can witness all the epic views that you had missed earlier on this trail. Passing through the pine forests of Lidderwat, we rest at Lidderwat for some time before resuming our trek to Aru which will take about 4 more hours to cover. Expect to reach Aru by 1600 hours and our vehicles will be waiting at Aru to drive you to Srinagar. Expect to reach Srinagar by around 1900 hours. You check into a hotel, freshen up and rest for the day.

Day 9: Departure from Srinagar 

Altitude: 5,200 ft (1,585 m)
Meals Included: Breakfast at Hotel

Today, we wrap up this wonderful experience of trekking in Kashmir and head back to Srinagar. You wake up leisurely, have breakfast, check out and start heading to the airport or choose to stay back in Srinagar (at an added cost). 

Note:

• Bring 4 copies of your ID proof and 4 photographs
• The cellular network is available only on the post-paid number
• Consumption of alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited
• If you don't want to carry your backpack so you can hire a porter, but you have to keep us informed about this in advance and you have to pay INR 300 to 350 (subject to change) extra per day per bag.
• We strongly suggest that you should carry your own backpack and the weight of the backpack should not be more than 10 Kg maximum.
• If the Minimum group strength is not met, we have the right to cancel the departure. Should you wish to customize the trip as per your preferred date, separate charges will apply.
• Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change.
• TrekNomads reserves the right to change expedition dates or itineraries as conditions warrant. 

Risk and Liability 

We will endeavour to make your program smooth and as pleasant as possible. However, the entire course of trekking depends on the ranges of the mighty mountains, physical health, and environmental conditions. Therefore, TrekNomads shall not be responsible for any changes in the itineraries due to unavoidable circumstances and natural disasters such as landslides, road blockages, floods, snowing, cancellation of flights and delay or any type of sickness including altitude sickness.

Do’s and Don’ts:

• We believe in leaving the mountains in a better condition, which is why we follow a no-litter policy on our treks. Each trekker will have to bring back the waste that is created during the trek.
• Trekking is best enjoyed when you’ve worn comfortable clothes. Try and avoid wearing Jeans, bright colours and heavy apparel as much as possible.
• A lighter backpack always helps you have a better trek, try and carry just as much as needed.
• Always be in sight of your trek lead, if you feel the need to stop for any reason at all, please keep the trek lead informed.
• If you do come across any reptiles, animals or even insects during the trek, please keep your calm and let it patiently pass by. Any kind of noise and panic will scare them as well.
• Do not venture out into the forest/waterfalls on your own as it may be dangerous.
• Trekking is a good adventure, having said that, it is our primary responsibility to take good care of ourselves and be compassionate towards fellow trekkers
• If, at any point, during the trek, you feel uneasy or unwell, please inform the trek lead immediately
• Tune in to the sounds of nature while on a trek and avoid carrying speakers or playing music during the course of the trek
• To help you enjoy the trek to the fullest, we avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol, and other intoxicants during the course of the trek.