Tarsar,Marsar lakes trek package
Tarsar Marsar is arguably the prettiest trek in India. This is a title we do not give treks lightly. Especially when its formidable sister trek, Kashmir Great Lakes, is in the picture.
However, Tarsar Marsar is a trek where alpine lakes take a life of their own. It is not just the fact that you get to camp beside these royal blue, snow-fed lakes (you don’t get this camping chance even at KGL). Or the secluded nature of these campsites (a Godsend in today’s trekking scenario!).
You get to circumvent the entire perimeter of Tarsar and Sundersar, offering you multiple perspectives of the very same lake!
Then there is the elusive Marsar, almost always hidden under a shroud of clouds. We see this lake from an overhang, sitting 600–700 ft below. It is a perfect spot to witness the grandeur of the lake, with the sun rising right above it. This is until dollops of clouds waft their way through the U-shaped valley and settle above the lake. The lake disappears from view within seconds!
The Tarsar Marsar trek takes you right to the heart of Kashmir. From the quaint village of Aru to the clearings of Lidderwat. From the rolling green mountains of Shekhawas to the massive alpine lakes. The setting of Tarsar Marsar is such that it leaves you visually stunned for weeks together!
Quick Itinerary
Day 1
Drive from Srinagar to Aru
Altitude: 7,958 ft (2,426 m)
Duration: 3.5 hours drive.
The Kashmir Tarsar Marsar trek commences in the afternoon.
The first destination is Aru base camp.
There is no proper gravel road to the Aru base camp from Srinagar. Hence, we would have to enroot via Pahalgam.
The distance between Srinagar and Pahalgam is 100 km and will take 3 hours or so to reach by car.
Start the journey to Aru Camp from Srinagar at around 2:00 PM so that you can reach before nightfall and camp at peace.
The journey is laid across the River Lidder and words might fall short when it comes to describing this cute little of a place that lives up to its name. An array of 200 asbestos roofed huts lined perfectly well amidst the lush green meadows, adjacent to the spectacular Lidder, is a sight worth viewing.
Aru is the first place to board for the night in cottages as there are plenty available at Aru.
Day 2
Aru to Lidderwat
Altitude: 7,958 ft (2,426 m) to 9,131 ft (2,783 m)
Cover a distance of 9-10 km in approximately 5-6 hours..
The trail on way is a pleasant one, with an easy uphill ascent.
Follow the trail alongside the River Lidder initially, which directly connect to the village uphill.
From the village, the road will follow the agricultural departmental fence offering a sophisticated and clear view of Aru behind.
The trail will lead into a cluster of Fir trees and then to a large clearing, Dalla near Gujjar huts. From Dalla, the trail is just a nice, pleasant walk on the plain ground through dense pine forest.
Twenty minutes into the forest, reach a wide fork signalling diversion to Nandkei.
The same trail will continue, the forest evanescing behind and pretty little Gujjar huts and families in the view ahead. They are friendly people on horsebacks taking care of their everyday chores.
Cross a wooden bridge over the second stream and enter into another pine trees forest. At the pine trees junction the trail upwards and intersects with the Riverside and the Valley bottom, a magnificent scenery.
From here, across the Riverside, the track bends forwards and runs into a gorgeous fir forest. It will take another half an hour to clear this forest and run into another fir forest.
When you finish the second section of the Fir Forest line, the trail will finally reach the lush green meadows of Lidderwat. It would take approx ten minutes for this.
Day 3
Lidderwat to Shekiwas
Altitude: 9,131 ft (2,783 m) to 11,039 ft (3,365 m)
Duration: 5 hours, 5.6 km
Cover a distance of 6-7 km in approximately 5 hours..
There will be a lot of ascending and then crossing a river in between and some connecting plain terrains.
On day three, the trial starts from PDA huts in line with the river Lidder and takes us to a pine forest.
The track is in a straight line, without much difficulty. After some time, the pine cluster will open up to wide and sweeping grassland intersecting towering mountains, creating a cosy valley, adorned with snow patches here and there. The trail diverts into many small valleys and converges upwards toward the Bhakarwal Shelters by the right side of the river.
The trail has many clear streams running along, a good spot to refill water bottles.
From here, descend to the river bed and cross the river by hopping over a few boulders and then crossing a makeshift bridge.
Reach the clearing of Hamvas by following the river-side half an hour later.
Take a short break at the Gujjar huts there where tea and delicious savouries are offered.
The pathway here is a pleasant one; plain grassland, a beautiful comfort to the strenuous journey.
After this, the ascent is a little steeper and as you gain altitude, by the hour, you will enter a forest of silver birch also known as Bhoj trees. These trees are considered very old in the region..
he Shekiwas is an undulating meadow-land, reached by meandering paths crossing two green valleys and surrounded by dark snow patched mountains.
This is one of the best camping sites of the Tarsar Marsar trek..
Day 4
Shekiwas to Tarsar
Altitude: 11,039 ft (3,365 m) to 12,449 ft (3,794 m)
Duration: 3-4 hours, 5 km
Ascend a distance of 5 km which would take 5 hours to complete.
The day starts from Shekhiwas Meadow and trails through a snake-like path in the grassland for quite some time before it reaches Sumbal leading us through a valley.
Two hours later, after crossing some spectacular views from different ridges in line with the western trail, arrive at a conical hill-top that might guide you to get a glimpse of the pretty Tarsar, the beautiful almond-shaped lake.
Cross the stream with the help of fastened rocks and boulders and then finally on the grassland of Tarsar, the campsite of the day 4.
The lake turns into a magnificent shade of turquoise blue at night, glistening like precious stones in the lap of snow-covered mountains. That is going to be worthy of all the long hiking and walking done in the previous days.
Day 5
Tarsar to Sundaresar
Altitude: 12,449 ft (3,794 m) to 12,946 ft (3,946 m)
Duration: 5 hours, 5 km
The other views of Tarsar are spellbinding and the stretches of the grassy valley will leave you speechless.
This valley leads to the meadows of Shekwas.
Start descending through the shepherds’ trail which will take you to the middle of the valley.
En route, see Bakkarval shelters lying on left, the trail lies behind these shelters through the boulder area..
Further are the lushest grasslands you will ever come across and amidst the meadows, the stream transforms into a large pond which is fed by the snow patches on the mountains.
Follow the trail and reach the beautiful grassy land of Sundersar Lake, here you can pitch your tents anywhere on the flat ground, camping here is a delight.
Enjoy the serene beauty of Kashmir and comfortably stay in tents.
Day 6
Visit Marsar and go to Homwas
Altitude: 12,946 ft (3,946 m) to 13,201 ft / 4,024 m (Marsar Ridge) to 11,500 ft (3,505 m)
Duration: 7 hours, 9 km
Pass along the shores of Sundersar Lake to get through two passes from where you can reach Marsar.
Take the shorter trail and ascend through the boulder zone, be careful while ascending because there is snow over the boulders which make this section tough.
In 30 minutes, the pass can be reached which is an amazing grassland with gentle trails leading to the flat grounds below.
Reach the flat grounds and cross the small streams along the trail.
Climbing to the ridge starts from here which offers a heart racing view of Marsar.
It is a twin of Tarsar but remains hidden under the mist and clouds.
Descend to Sundersar and reach there in 40 minutes.
Spend some time at Sundersar valley and get back to Jagmargi valley to witness the grasslands again and admire the natural beauty.
Do not cross the Tarsar pass but go through the different trail to Shekwas, from here you can reach Homwas in 30 minutes.
Reach there, setup your tents, have delicious food after today’s long trek, retire for the night
Day 7
Visit Marsar and go to Homwas
Altitude: 11,500 ft (3,505 m) to 7,958 ft (2,426 m)
Duration: 6 hours, 13 km
Descend from Homwas to Lidderwat.
The sights of today’s trek are beguiling and you can spot the Kolahoi glacier on the way.
Come across the Lidderwat pine forest, take a break at Lidderwat and then head to Aru.
Now, Aru is 13 km away and you can reach there in another 4 hours.
Vehicles will be arranged for you till Srinagar.
