Aharbal Kounsarnag Trek (7N8D)

Aharbal Falls Kounsarnag Trek

PRICE PER PERSON (INCLUSIVE OF ALL TAXES)

Standard (INR 23700)

Ex Srinagar Airport to Srinagar Airport Check Inclusions…

Including:
√ Transport (airport to airport)
√ Srinagar Hotel (2 nights, deluxe double bed map)
√ Offloading (horses for carrying backpacks)

Book Now

Tour Policies FAQ

INTRODUCTION

Arrive: Srinagar, Kashmir Depart: Srinagar Kashmir Best Time: June to September	Duration: 8 Days Trek-Distance: 58 KM Highest Altitude: Kounsarnag (3760m)	Activity Level: Level 3

Aharbal Kounsarnag Trek expedition is the only major trek in the Pir-Panjal Mountain range, a sub-mountain range of the Himalayas. The trek starts from Ahabal Falls the main tourist attraction in Shopian known as the Apple Bowl of Kashmir. Kounsarnag Lake is considered a sacred lake by the Hindus.

Though trekking in Kashmir is not the newest but still this expedition is no walk in the park. Arduous days, steep and rocky passes, and altitudes approaching 4200m all collide to create a challenging trek in one of the most beautiful and serene Himalayas of Kashmir.

While planning your trek, as a beginner keep the following points in consideration:-

you feel fit enough to trek for hours.
you walk two or three kilometers daily.
you don’t have any breathing problems.
you are not scared of heights.

High Altitude Precautions
PDF

Inclusions

What’s included in the Price?

All road transport by private ac cars
Airport transfers; 2 way transport from Srinagar to Aharbal.
5 nights of tented accommodation
Twin sharing; 2 persons in a 3-man-tent
2 nights (before & after the trek)
Deluxe Hotel or Houseboat accommodation in Srinagar
All trekking gear included
Tents (twin sharing), dining and kitchen tent, toilet tents, sleeping bags and mats. Trekking poles (1 per person) also included.
Local Guides and Cooking staff
Languages; English, Urdu, Hindi and Kashmiri
All cooking utensils
LPG stoves
Offloading
Horses to carry your backpack throughout the trek (offloading) (except day sack)
Meal plan- Vegetarian meals including eggs and cheese, unless specified
Trek-4 meals per day (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea snacks, Dinner). Hotel or Houseboat – 2 Meals (Dinner and Breakfast)
Trek Permits
Wildlife Permits
Drinking Water
Packed bottled mineral drinking water (2 ltrs per person) on first day of the trek. Boiled drinking water for the rest trek-days
First Aid Kit

What’s not included in the Price?

International or domestic flights
Visa
Travel insurance
Personal clothing and equipment
Any medical costs
Costs associated with a medical incident, such as your evacuation from the mountain and/ or hospitalization (for which you should have travel insurance)
Optional trips or excursions
Tips for local staff and guides.

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 :- Arrive Srinagar

Arrive Srinagar (Alt. 1600m)
Pickup from Srinagar airport or Bus stand
10 kms drive to Hotel, approx 30 minutes.
Check-in Hotel

(Assistance at Srinagar airport and shift to Hotel. Tea, dinner)

Day 2:- Srinagar to Aharbal drive

70 kms drive to Aharbal via Shopian, approx 3 hours.
Our first campsite Aharbal Water Falls (alt 2200m)

(Breakfast, Transport from Srinagar to Aharbal. Lunch, Tea, dinner and at the camp)

Day 3:- Aharbal to Kungwattan (trek).

Start trek. 7 kms trek, approx 6 hours
Altitude: 2200m to 2600m
Camp at Kungwattan meadow

(Breakfast, lunch, Tea, dinner)

Day 4:- Kungwattan to Mahinag (trek).

6 kms trek, approx 5 hours
Altitude: 2600m to 2900m
Camp at Mahinag

(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, dinner)
Day 5:- Mahinag to Kounsarnag Lake (trek).

5 kms trek, approx 4 hours
Altitude: 2900m to 3400m
Camp at Kounsarnag

(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, dinner)

Day 6:- Kounsarnag to Koungwattan (trek).

11 kms trek, approx 6 hours
Altitude: 3400m to 2600m
Camp at Koungwattan

(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, dinner)

Day 7:- Koungwattan to Aharbal trek, Drive to Srinagar

Altitude: 3600m to 2200m to 1600m
7 kms trek, approx 4 hours
70 kms drive to Aharbal via Shopian, approx 3 hours.
Check-in Hotel

(Breakfast at camp, Transport from Aharbal to Srinagar. lunch at Aharbal)

Day 8:- Srinagar Airport or Bus Stand drop.

5 kms drive to bus stand, approx 20 minutes
12 kms drive to Srinagar airport, approx 30 minutes

(Transport from Srinagar to the airport for departure)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: – Arrival reception at Srinagar Airport.
On arrival at Srinagar airport, you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to the houseboat. During which you will have the opportunity to see around Srinagar. Overnight stay.

Day 2: – Srinagar – Aharbal (3 hours drive).
Left Srinagar for Aharbal 65 km by road in a car through the apple town of Shopian. See around Aharbal waterfalls or have a short trek to Nilnag, a small lake covered in pine forests. Overnight stay.

Day 3: – Aharbal – Kungwattan (5 hours trek).
Pack your load on the horses and start trekking ascend through pine forests and reach to the upper meadows of Kungwattan covered in by wildflowers and broad pastures therein are camped the local shepherds. Overnight stay.

Day 4: – Kungwattan – Mahinag (5 hours trek).
Again early in the morning we pack up and proceed to ascend through the colorful meadows and trek through some treks of boulders and reach Mahinag Lake. Overnight stay.

Day 5: – Mahinag – Kounsarnag (5 hours trek).
Start trekking towards the last destination of Kounsarnag again it passes through the clear atmosphere of these high altitude meadows and streams and along with us is flowing down the Vishu River with its roaring sound enough for one to get lost, forget everything of the past. Finally, we reach the highlight of our trek the Kounsarnag Lake. Overnight stay.

Day 6: – Kounsarnag – Kungwattan (5 hours trek).
On our return, we descend through Mahinag to Kungwattan. Overnight stay.

Day 7: – Kungwattan – Aharbal – Srinagar (4 hours trek, 3 hours drive).
Start descending to Aharbal and 3 hours drive will take us to Srinagar. Overnight stay at houseboat.

Day 8: – Departure. Drop at the airport.
Our representative will drop you at Srinagar airport for departure.

What to Carry?

The trek is supported by horses. You will need to carry only a light sack, weighing about 4-6kg for your items like passport, money, and camera gear. The following is a list of the items you should carry on the trek. If you have items that can not be used on the trek, you can store them at our houseboat or our office and take them back after returning from the trek.

Please note that only postpaid Indian mobile sim cards (Jio, Airtel and BSNL) work in Kashmir Valley. There’s no cellular connectivity from Day 2 to Day 6 of the trek.
Please double check your passport or Aadhar numbers before submitting through booking form. These numbers are required for preparation of trek permits.

Passport or a valid ID card
Duffel Bag 60 liters
One Pair Trekking Shoes
One Pair Trail Approach Shoes
Trekking Pants
Hooded Rain Jacket
Shade Hat
One Pair Sunglasses
One Pair Liner Gloves
Small Size Day-Pack
Two Pair Trekking Socks
One Pair Sandals
Extra Warm Clothes
Warm Hooded Down Jacket
Sunscreen Cream
Lip Balm
Any Personal Medication

Fitness

Kashmir Treks are achievable by anyone with a healthy lifestyle and a good level of general fitness. Team members should be willing to be part of a team working together to achieve the goal of the expedition. As a team member, you should have an adventurous and robust spirit. The biggest challenge on this expedition will be the many consecutive days of challenging trekking across alpine terrain, much of which at altitudes of above 3000m.

Minimum fitness requirements

Trek: up to 7km per day.
Daily activity: up to 5 hours’ trekking per day.
Carry: up to 5kg in a day-sack.
Terrain: remote, uneven, snowy, icy, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain at up to 4200m.
Climate: Can be sunny in valleys and cold and windy at high altitudes. June and September months are cooler than those of July and August. Averages are 3000m, 1°C to 20°C.
Swim: not required though there will be stream crossings to make.