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The Trek
Tarsar Marsar puts on display everything you expect from a trek in Kashmir. Firstly, the base for the trek is one of the most beautiful villages you can see, Aru. Secondly, the trail takes you through some of the most beautiful forests and meadows that you can see! Thirdly, this trek offers some of the best campsites you will see. And lastly, the sight of the alpine lakes will leave you speechless!
The Area
Trekking in Kashmir is a unique experience. Not only are the Kashmir treks one of the most beautiful ones you would ever do, the terrain is also very exclusive. The scenes and views you see here are difficult to find anywhere else. The alpine lakes coupled with lush green meadows and wide valleys make a splendid setting–giving you a view to die for. The best of campsites are found in Kashmir and they are often at the shores of a beautiful alpine lake.
On this trek you would be trekking in south Kashmir in the Pir Panjal range. The nearest big town is Pahalgam and the trek starts in a beautiful, tiny hamlet, Aru. The Dachigam National Park borders Marsar and the area is rich in Flora and Fauna. The trek runs very close to the Amarnath yatra adding to the feeling of safety.
Expected Weather
- Chances of rain/hail – Mild to moderate showers expected in short spells. (Though monsoon hits most parts of the country in June, Kashmir does not get a lot of rainfall. The onset of rainfall is mostly in July and even then it rains scarcely.
- Snow on trail – Possible in June end
- Temperatures – The temperature is a lot cooler in Kashmir as compared to other areas in the Himalayas. Afternoon upto 20 degrees, Nights – Around zero degrees(June), -7 degrees (September)
- Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar and drive to Aru (2424 mts)
- Day 2: Trek from Aru to Lidderwat (2782 mts) ; Distance: 10 kms, Trek time: 5 hrs. Overnight stay in camps
- Day 3: Trek from Lidderwat to Tarsar (3792 mts); Distance: 10 kms, Trek time: 8 hrs. Overnight stay in camps
- Day 4: Exploration day at Tarsar. Visit Marsar ; Distance: 4 kms, Trek time: 5 hrs. Overnight stay in camps
- Day 5: Trek from Tarsar to Sundersar (3945 mts); Distance: 5 kms, Trek time: 5 hrs. Overnight stay in camps.
- Day 6: Trek from Sundersar to Homwas (3500 mts); Distance: 8 kms, Trek time: 6 hrs. Overnight stay in hotel
- Day 7: Trek from Homwas to Rohil valley (3850 mts); Distance: 10 kms, Trek time: 6 hrs.
- Day 8: Trek from Rohil valley to Basmai lake and back ; Distance: 10 kms, Trek time: 6 hours. Drive back to Srinagar.
- Day 9: Trek from Rohil to Aru; Distance: 13 kms, Trek time: 6 hrs. Drive back to Srinagar.
- Complete stay and accommodation during the entire duration of the trek from Aru to Aru
- All meals starting from Evening tea on the first day to lunch on the last day.
- Rentals for all common gear provided to you like tent, sleeping bags etc.
- Forest entry permission, Guide and expertise charges.
- Transport to the Base village (Aru) from the nearest railhead/airport (Srinagar). It can be included at an additional cost.
- Meals or drinks purchased by participants during the travel or trek (example biscuits, fruits etc)
- Rentals for personal gear (You’re expected to bring your own personal gear.
- Flight/Train/Bus ticket till Srinagar.
- Backpack offloading charges. You are expected to carry your own backpack. Trekkers unable to do so can opt for a porterage service at 300/day.
Arrive at Srinagar airport. Travel to Aru by car, 4 hours of scenic journey.
A certified trek leader, a guide, cook & porters will accompany you during the trek
No. Guests are expected to carry their own power banks.
We’ve been organizing treks for over five years and have had many female trekkers trek with us. In fact, a lot of them come solo for treks. There has never been a complaint about the atmosphere of a trek, about other trekkers or our professionalism. They have all been kind enough to leave a review.
You will be sleeping in twos or threes in your tents in sleeping bags. The sleeping bags are snug and comfortable. We will be providing inflatable pillows.
In all the camps where the accommodation is in tea houses/ home stays, there will be proper toilets. The toilets are mostly western, in case if they‘re Indian, then we try to provide a toilet seat most of the times.
On the day of camping, we will have toilet tents (with a dry pit toilet), the most hygienic way of answering nature’s call.
A dry pit toilet is an eco-friendly sanitation solution featuring a pit dug into the ground, topped with a toilet seat and a wrought iron stand. Near the toilet, a pile of mud, sand, or coco peat is provided for covering waste after use, facilitating rapid breakdown of fecal matter due to increased microbial activity. This method eliminates the need for water, thereby preventing contamination of nearby water sources, as water toilets are prohibited at campsites.
While toilet paper is available, please use it sparingly to avoid overloading the pit, which can take years to decompose. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are not bio degradable or use bio-degradable wipes.
Through the trek, there are no bathing facilities at campsites. Trekkers often take advantage of running streams to freshen themselves up.
Yes, you are ideally expected to carry your backpack. But you do have an option of offloading your bags on a mule for an additional cost. The cost will be INR 400/ per day per bag. One is expected to inform us about offloading 1 week prior to the trek.
1. Good Sturdy Backpack: Prefer a trekking pack over a backpacking one. The size of the backpack depends upon the participant. Normally for a 7-9 day trek a 50-60 litre pack should suffice.
2. Shoes: Any waterproof trek (not hike) shoe would be ideal.
3. Socks: 3 pair cottons and 3 pairs of woollens.
4. Trek pants (ideally water resistant): Get two quick dry summer trek pants. On summit climb or a major altitude gain day for Goechala, Rupin and Stok), you can replace one dry fit trek pant with Shell trekking pants. If you don’t have trek pants you can replace it with Gym track pants.
5. T-shirt/ Base layer: Get 3 T-shirts/ trekking base layer on the trek, one of which should be thick and full sleeve. Avoid cotton and prefer dry fit.
6. Fleece/ Sweater/ good quality Hoodie: Get 1 fleece jacket or sweater. Fleece is preferred over sweater or hoodie as it is lightweight and easy to carry. Sweaters and Jackets can be heavier than Fleece for the warmth they offer.
7. Down/ Padded Jacket – Down/ Padded jacket (Upto -5 degrees). If you don’t want to get a padded/ down jacket, get two fleeces.
8. Cotton track pants for camp – These are specifically for cold evenings at the campsite. This can be ignored if you are comfortable wearing your trekking pants in the camp.
9. Thermals: 1 pair. We wear thermals only upon reaching the campsite not while trekking.
10. Windproof Jacket: All rain proof can be used as Wind proofs. Required as an additional layer during trekking in windy conditions. Avoid if you have a rain proof jacket.
11. Rainwear:
Option A – Rain set – One Waterproof jacket (3000 mm waterproofing), Rain proof pants and Bag cover
Option two – Poncho that covers your body and bag completely.
We ideally recommend Option 1 as poncho makes trekking difficult.
12. Woolen Cap/ Balaclava-1: To cover your ears, head and neck. Get one woollen cap and one neck warmer or balaclava.
13. Neck Warmer/ Scarf-1: For evenings. Avoid if you are comfortable using a Balaclava.
14. Gloves: 2 gloves out of which 1 can be water proof and one woollen. The waterproof one has to ideally be padded and a size larger than you normally use. This is so that you can wear both your gloves together if required.
15. Suncap – 1
16. Sunglasses – 1
17. Toiletries – Also include sunscreen, moisturizer and lip-cream
18. Headlamp/Torch -1. Preferably headlamp.
19. Two water bottles (1 litre each) – One can be a thermos flask. One can also get a hydration pack.
20. Camp shoes/ Flip flops for camp
21. Plastic covers for inside the backpack to keep your clothes dry
22. Daypack – Required if you have a summit days climb. Preferably one that can be compressed.
23. Documents: 2 passport sized photograph, Address and Photo proof (Driving License or Aadhaar card), Doctor’s medical certificate saying that you are fit for the trek. We reserve the right to not take you on the trek if you fail to produce this.
24. Trekking pole
Yes, this trek is ideal for first timers, provided you train well.
You can prepare for the trek with a combination of Cardio & Strength activities
4-5 kms slow jog OR 6-7 kms Brisk walking OR 25 kms cycling. Pace is not important, consistency is important (non-stop jogging/running/cycling)
Squats 20 x 3, Lunges 20 x 3, Calf raises 20 x 3
All of the above at least 4 times a week
Climbing stairs 40 floors with backpack (Atleast once a week)
The common perception is that alcohol makes you feel warmer, however it also dehydrates you & dehydration can be fatal while trekking. Hence consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Smoking in camps is not allowed.
Most wild animals are naturally wary of human activity and prefer to stay in more remote, quieter parts of their habitat. Here’s why wild animals typically do not approach camps.
If you cancel –
– 60 days before the trip: we can process a complete refund minus minimum processing charges.
– Between 30-45 days before the trip: you will be refunded 50% of the trek fee.
– Within 30 days before the trek starts: No refund.
– If your spot is replaced in a full batch: we will process a complete refund after canceling minute operational charges. (For fixed departures only)
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