TARSAR MARSAR TREK

 Altitude: 2,426m
 Time taken:3.5 hours drive
The drive is around 4 hours. Pahalgam is around 100 km from Srinagar and then a further 12 km up is Aru Valley. Aru is arguably the best valley and hamlet in Kashmir. This village has remained the base camp for some of the fascinating treks that include the Tarsar Marsar Trek.

While driving towards Aru, you will see the breathtaking Kashmir valley. The ride goes via NH1 Highway and meets Lidder River before Pahalgam. You will be driving through the famous Pahalgam. You will take a left towards Aru and it’s an easy uphill drive that drops down to the beautiful Lidder rives coming from Tarsar Lake which you will in the coming days.

At Aru, our campsite will be fixed to welcome you with a welcome drink. You will meet your trek leader there who will give a brief about your trek and journey ahead. Around 7 you will be served dinner in the middle of this fascinating valley.

 Altitude: 2,426 m to 2,780 m
 Time taken:6 hours
 Distance: 11km
The gradient of the day is easy, however, there is a long walk of around 11 km. For only the first 30 minutes there is a gradual ascend into the jungle. The trail of the trek starts with the jungle for about 5 km. The jungle is thick and at a few places opens wide giving way to the shepherd houses and deep gorges in the distance towards your left. The jungle is full of birds, and you will see the trail frequented by shepherds and ponymen.

After the jungle walk, the trail opens onto a vast wavy meadow. The meadow is far stretching with a couple of river crossings. In the middle of this meadow walk, you will be walking just beside the river Lidder. The river dances and flows delightfully. The grass of the meadow just goes to the bank of the river. You can relax and rest for some time at any of these beautiful locations on the way. Fill your water bottles with this clean glacial water that comes right from Tarsar Lake. This Lidder River will be your travel partner until Tarsar Lake.

While walking for some time, you will see a triangular wooden hut towards your left. Cross the bridge that goes towards the meadow surrounding the hut. You will see your campsite ready for you. You will be welcomed with evening snacks and drinks. This camping site is called Lidderwat.

 Altitude: 2,780 m 3,360 m
 Time taken: 5 hours
 Distance: 6 km
The day starts with an ascend and takes you to the higher ground from where you get a wider view of the entire Lidderwat Valley. The grade of the day is easy. Shortly after your first climb, the trail merges into the forest. You will be walking through the jungle and parallel to the Lidder River.

The trail then opens out into the long stretches of meadow walk. You will have to cross the river over a log bridge. The valley is full of wildflowers and grass. You will reach a Homwas where the river meets the meadow, relax, and enjoy the gorgeous beauty here. On your way, you will see shepherd houses and a cluster of Silver Birch

Just before you reach Shekwas there is a boulder section. Be careful with your steps. You will be traversing this section with care, the boulders and big and at times wet with the water that flows below them. Just after the boulder section is the campsite for the night.

 Altitude: 3,360 m to 3,790 m
 Time taken: 5 hours
 Distance: 5km
Post breakfast, you will be heading towards Tarsar Lake. The gradient of the day is
moderate. The trail is dominated by the boulder and rocky section. You will be walking
on the boulders and in between the thin trail of boulders. The river runs beside you
towards your right. The boulder section almost ends at the river crossing. The bride is
of wood and slim, however, the crossing is short.
The trail then has a short gradual ascend and you will meet the shepherd house. The
family most of the time welcomes the trekkers. The shepherds roam around this place with their flock. The trail is then a succession of small ascends and descends. The walk in the middle of
the meadow is surrounded by mountains. Tarsar Lake altitude is the highest you will go
on this day.
Once the meadows finish, you will see yourself walking towards the ever-gorgeous
alpine lake of Kashmir. Tarsar Lake is almond-shaped and one of the prettiest lakes in
Kashmir. You will feel the thrill of seeing this lake, it is so mesmerizing that you will not
stop before thronging around this lake the moment you see it. The lake is so famous
that sometimes this trek is called Tarsar Lake Trek.
The campsite will be ready here for the night stay.

 Altitude: 3,790 m to 3,945 m
 Time taken: 5 hours
 Distance: 5 km
The gradient of the day is moderate. The trail starts with a sharp ascend for around an
hour to the Tarsar Pass. The ridge is just parallel to the lake which takes you to the
other side of Tarsar Valley.
Once you have reached the top of the ridge, you get a fascinating view of Tarsar Lake.
All the pics that you have seen of Tarsar Lake with a wider view are from this top. All
the trekkers stop here for pictures and videos and rest for some time. The descent from
this ridge is equally sharp, be careful with your steps and trail.
After you have descended there is a boulder crossing and thereafter you enter into a
terrific, beautiful meadow that connects Shekiwas to Sundersar. The meadow has been
named Silent Valley owing to its calmness. It has lush grass in between the two
mountain stretches. The land is filled with small river streams and water ponds.
After the meadow, there is a short ascend and descend that will take you to your Sundersar campsite.

 Altitude: 3,945 m to 3,505 m via Marsar Ridge 4020 m
 Time taken:7 hours
 Distance: 9km
From your campsite, you will reach within half an hour the stunning Sundersar Lake.
The lake is small and exquisite with the small mountains surrounding it from three sides. The lake is glacial and circular. To visit Marsar Lake, you will have to go round to the Sundersar Lake and ascend a
ridge. It takes half an hour to climb that till you reach a flat land and within minutes you
are beholding the eternal Marsar Lake, placed there in all the calmness and beauty. The
lake is wide and enticing. You will see this lake from the vantage point where you get the view of an entire lake. Enjoy the view of the lake, and take pictures and videos to capture this moment. This
is also the highest altitude point of the entire trek. You will be standing at an altitude
of around 4020m.
After seeing Marsar, you will take the same route back via Sundersar Lake and descend
towards Homwas. The trail is through the meadow and boulder section. Most of this
trial is a repeat of

 Altitude: 3,505 m to 2,426 m
 Time taken:6 hours
 Distance: 13km
This is the last day of the trek. The trail is long and that which you have already
traversed in the first two days of your trek from Aru. The trail will go to Aru via
Lidderwat and follow the same route. The trek ends at Aru, the way it starts. From Aru,
take a cab that drops you at Srinagar.