Kashmir, India

Hiking on the Tarsar Lake Trek

Price

1,250 USD

Duration

7 Days

Level

easy-moderate

Date

August 25, 2023

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Overview Itinerary Details What’s Included Get Inspired

7 days

1,250 USD / 375 KWD / 4,615 AED / 4,745 SAR

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Overview

Kashmir, the uppermost alpine region of North India, is famous for its magnificent landscapes, including pristine lakes, colossal mountains, glaciers, raging rivers, and unexplored valleys. It is often called “The Last Shangri-La”, while the Moghuls referred to the region as “Paradise on Earth’. Its colorful grasslands, trout-filled crystal clear lakes, shrines, temples, and Himalayan peaks, along with its rich history and culturally and ethnically diverse people, make Kashmir a beloved destination for adventure travelers the world over.

With this itinerary, you will hike on the Tarsar Lake Trek, one of the most picturesque and famous trails in Kashmir. The path starts from the quaint village of Aru, passing through the clearings and meadows of Lidderwat, reaching the green mountains of Shekhawas and the massive alpine lake of Tarsar. The beauty and serenity of the landscape is otherworldly and will imprint in your memories forever.

Trip Highlights:
Get ready to:

Enjoy a 5-day trek towards the alpine Tarsar Lake, passing by forests, rivers, meadows, and green mountains.
Spend your nights camping under the star-lit sky.
Explore one of the most beautiful and famous trails in Kashmir.
Go on a traditional Shikara ride on Dal Lake.
Visit Hazrat Bal: one of the most picturesque and sacred Sufi shrines in India, on the banks of Dal Lake.

Share this trip:

Activities: camping, cultural sightseeing, hiking/trekking, nature watching

Itinerary Details

Day 1 (23rd September 2022): Arrival at Delhi airport / Flight to Srinagar - Shikhara ride on the Dal in the evening (D)

We will take a morning flight from Delhi to Srinagar. Upon arrival at Srinagar airport, Rahhalah representative greet you and take you for next adventure. Upon reaching Srinagar, you check-in at hotel. After a brief rest you visit the Dal Lake and learn with our instructors how to row the Symbol of the Dal,The Shikara ride. We spend the sunset on the Dal lake with the beautiful Himalayas view in the background. Overnight stay in hotel. Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Srinagar

Day 2 (24th September 2022): Srinagar to Sonamarg - The meadows of gold (B, L, D)

Today after breakfast, we depart for Sonamarg (approx. drive 2-3hours) Sonmarg lies in vicinity of the great Himalayan glaciers of Kashmir Valley namely Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier with some peaks of above 5,000 m. Sonamarg is a 2 hour picturesque drive from Srinagar. We then check-in to our resort and post lunch go for an acclimatization walk. After that we go for dinner at the local home of Kashmiri family. Accommodation: Local resort in Sonamarg.

Day 3 (25th September 2022): Trek from Sonamarg to Nichnai (B, L, D)

Today is the actual start our trek to Vishansar and Kishansar lakes just few kilometers ahead of Sonmarg. The trekking tail starting point is marked by a nice roadside Dhabha where one can buy packed food items for the trek. The trekking tail follows the Sindh River through the forest full of Maple and Pine trees. After trekking for few hours turn around to see the superb panorama of Sonmarg valley. Overnight stay at Nichnai Trekking route: Sonamarg (2700 m) to Nishnai (3600 m) Trekking distance: 12km / approx. 6-7hours Trek profile: Steep ascent then gradual ascent to Nichnai. Accommodation: Camping in Alpine tents with bed.

Day 4 (26th September 2022): Trek from Nichnai to Vishansar Lake (B, L, D)

Trek from Nichnai to Vishansar Lake is long but a scenic one , it passes through beautiful lush green meadows then small ascent to Nichnai Pass and from small descent to Vishansar Lake. The best part of Kashmir Great Lakes trek is that views it offered to trekkers. We cross Nichnai pass which is quite wide open and offer great views of white snow clad peaks Trekking route: Nishnai (3600 m) to Vishansar Lake (3600 m) Trekking distance: 14km / approx. 6-7hours Trek profile: Steep ascent to Nichnai Pass (4100 m) then steep descent and gradual descent to Vishansar Lake Accommodation: Camping in Alpine tents with bed.

Day 5 (27th September 2022): Exploration Day (B, L, D)

The day is free to explore the Vishansar Lake and its surroundings which just few minutes away from our campsite. The must things to do in Kashmir Great Lakes Trek are to capture the reflections of mountain peaks in the lake. We will also trek upto Kishansar Lake and then back to our camp. Trekking route: Vishansar Lake (3600 m) - Kishansar Lake (3750 m) Trekking distance: 6km / approx. 3hours Trek profile: Steep ascent to Kishansar Lake (3750 m) then gradual walk and gradual descent to Vishansar Lake. Accommodation: Camping in Alpine tents with bed

Day 6 (28th September 2022): Trek from Vishansar to Sonamarg (B, L, D)

We trek back to Sonamarg.. The trek will be a downhill trek as we retrace our steps and climb to Nichnai Pass. We then have a gradual descent to table top then a steeper descend to Sonamarg. We will cross Himalayan Valleys as we decend towards the tree line and towards the Sindh river. The trek should take us 7-8 hours but should not be as tiring as the earlier days and it is mostly a descend. We should reach Sonamarg by the evening where we check in to our hotel. Overnight stay in Sonamarg, Trekking route: Vishansar Lake (3600 m) to Sonamarg (2700 m) Trekking distance: 25km / approx. 8-9hours Trek profile: Gradual ascent, then steep ascent to Nichnai Pass(4100 m) then descent to Sonamarg Accommodation: Local resort in Sonamarg

Day 7 (28th September 2022): Flight Srinagar to Delhi / Departure from Delhi (B)

After breakfast, you will drive back to Srinagar airport to catch your domestic flight back to Delhi and, from there, you will continue your return to your home country.

Notes

Extra costs & assistance (subject to change at time of booking)
Domestic flight: Delhi – Srinagar – Delhi: 180 USD / 55 KWD / 665 AED / 685 SAR per person
Extra night hotel stay in Delhi - with airport transfer (Hotel Ibis New Delhi Aerocity or similar): 125 USD / 35 KWD / 465 AED / 480 SAR per night per room
This cost is based on Double Occupancy. Single Supplement amounts to 650 USD.
The cost is based on a group of min 4 people. Rahhalah reserves the right to change the price if the trip runs with fewer participants.
All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking/reservation. All prices are subject to change.
All accommodation is subject to change to a similar one depending on availability.

The Price Includes:

Airport transfers in Srinagar (Day 1 and Day 7).
Private transportation as per the Itinerary.
Shikara Ride on Dal Lake.
Hazrat Bal shrine entrance fee.
2-night’s accommodation in a Boutique Hotel in Srinagar.
4-nights’ accommodation in Alpine tents with beds.
Bio-toilets for the trek.
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B, L, D).
Trek permits.

The Price Excludes:

International flight tickets. Domestic flight paid separately, as described in the price.
Travel and medical insurance.
Visa and visa fees.
Covid PCR test and quarantine expenses, if needed.
Optional activities or anything not mentioned in the above itinerary.
Meals not included.
Beverages.
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, etc.
International departure tax.
Gratuities.

Important: The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road challenges or operating conditions. At any moment, the guide has the RIGHT to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.

Also, the trip's price does not cover expenses that may occur due to conditions beyond Rahhalah's control (force majeure). Such cases include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations or delays, and natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, etc.). We, the Rahhalah team, both in our HQ and on the ground, will do our best to assist you with alternative arrangements (like new accommodation and/or transportation arrangements, revised itinerary and activities etc.), but ALL NEW COSTS incurred because of force majeure are to be covered by the traveler.

We strongly recommend that, before your departure, you purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation costs, loss of baggage or personal items, medical emergencies, and other unexpected circumstances that cannot be controlled by Rahhalah or any traveler.