Tarsar Marsar Pahalgam Trek

Introduction

Arrive: Aru Valley, Kashmir
Depart: Aru Valley, Kashmir
Best Time: June to September
Duration: 7 Days
Trek-Distance: 48 KM
Highest Altitude: Sundarsar Pass (3900m)
Activity Level:
Activity Level 3C
Level 3
PRICE
INR 17900/Per Person

The Tarsar-Marsar Trek is a best alternative and most beautiful than its sibling Great Lakes trek.  The trek expedition lies in the remote valley of Aru in Lidder Valley. The Tarsar-Marsar as the name suggests treks to the twin lakes of Tarsar and Marsar. The lakes are separated by a mountain.

The route of the Tarsar Marsar trek lies under the towering height of the highest mountain peak of Kashmir, Mount Kolhoi (5400M). It crosses streams, plenty of colorful meadows. Tarsar Marsar trek route falls within the boundaries of Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary. Long tailed marmots are seen through out the trek, with a rare possibility of a sight of Himalayan Brown bears high up in the meadows.

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 4000m 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.

Inclusions

What’s included in the Price?

  • 6 nights of tented accommodation

    Twin sharing; 2 persons in a 3-man-tent

  • 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 (<20kgs) throughout the trek (except day sack)

  • Meal plan- Vegetarian meals including eggs and cheese, unless specified

    Trek-4 meals per day (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea snacks, Dinner)

  • 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, Medical Oxygen Kit
  • Trek insurance

What’s not included in the Price?

  • International or domestic flights
  • Visa
  • 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.
  • Transportation (to & fro Srinagar)

    Additional cost of INR 800/Per Person (one way) An Innova Car (6 person occupancy)

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 :- Arrive Aru Valley, Pahalgam

  • Arrive Aru Pahalgam (Alt. 2450m)
  • Meet our staff for briefings
  • Our first campsite Aru Village

(Welcome Tea, dinner at the camp)

Day 2:- Aru to Lidderwat.

  • Altitude: 2450m to 28oom
  • 9 kms trek, approx 5 hours

(Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner)

Day 3 :- Liderwat to Sekwas

  • Altitude: 2800m to 3350m
  • 6 km trek, approx 5 hours

(Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner)

Day 4:- Sekwas to Tarsar Lake

  • Altitude: 3350m to 3700m
  • 5 km trek, approx 4 hours

(Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner)

Day 5:- Tarsar to Sundersar

  • Altitude: 3700m to 3850
  • 7 km trek, approx 5 hours trek

(Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner)

Day 6:- Sundersar to Homwas via Marsar

  • Altitude: 3850 to 3400m
  • 9 kms trek, approx 6 hours

(Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner)

Day 7:- Homwas to Aru

  • Altitude: 3400m to 2150m
  • 13 kms trek, approx 6 hours
  • End of the trek

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: – Arrival. Reception at Aru Valley, Pahalgam.
On arrival at Aru Valley bus station, our representative will receive you and shift you to the tented campsite where you will be provided with a welcome tea or kahwa. Meet our guide and staff for an introduction and briefing. Aru is the last town with a market before the start of the trek. Dinner at the campsite.

Day 2: – Aru to Lidderwat. A gradual ascent from Aru to Lidderwat covering a distance of 10 km in 6 hours with an altitude gain of 342 m. Look out for two clear streams and a wooden bridge half hour before Lidderwat. We also pass through Nandkei Gujjar nomad settlements across the Lidder river. Once we reach Lidderwat, we can explore the meadows and the clear streams that run through it which is an absolute delightful experience. Camp for the nightstay at Lidderwat

Day 3: – Lidderwat to Sekhwas. While trekking to Sekhwas we gain an altitude of 480 m in 5 hours covering a distance of 6 km. The trail is mostly ascending with intermediate flat grounds and one river crossing en route. After passing through pine forests and some intermittent clearings we will reach wide sweeping grasslands that are formed from the merger of many valleys that converge here. The trail climbs swiftly past a few Gujjar huts to the camping grounds of Sekhwas. Camp for the night at Sekhwas.

Day 4: – Shekwas to Tarsar. It is a gentle climb to Tarsar through tall grasses, a few ridges and finally to the shore of the lake. Tarsar Lake is 5 km above Sekhwas and takes 4 hours with an altitude gain of 518 meters. The turquoise blue water is surrounded by lush meadows and snow capped peaks – this campsite is truly heaven on earth. Camp at Tarsar for an overnight stay.

Day 5: – Tarsar to Sundersar. The trek to Sundersar covers a distance of 5 km in 5 hours with a pass crossing. Some trekkers attempt a trek to Marsar, which is a closed lake set inside a cauldron with steep sides. The trail is a steep ascent in the beginning, followed by a descent and then a final gentle ascent to the beautiful Sundarsar a small lake. Around the lake are long meadow stretches with little sprouting flowers of yellow, blue and white. Sundarsar has big, flat stretches that is a perfect camping spot.

Day 6: – Visit Marsar, and get down to Homwas. The trail initially is a climb to Marsar, which is at an altitude of 4100m. We explore the surrounding meadows, and finally descend to 3400m. The trek covers a distance of approximately 8 km in 6 hours. The Homwas valley is a sharp drop of over 600m, over a series of meadows. Each of these meadows has a little stream that runs down from snow melts and falls down to the meadow below forming a clear pond, before sliding off the cliff as a waterfall. The Homwas valley floor, again, is a breathtaking piece of nature’s art with small streams, brooks and green pastures. Camp for the night at Homwas.

Day 7: – Homwas to Aru. Descend 1370m, and 14 km from Homwas to Aru. An early start will get us to Aru in about 5 hours. The trek ends at Aru where from you can proceed to your next destination. Our guide can arrange transportation to Srinagar or Pahalgam.

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.