Tarsar Marsar Trek

Travel to the boundless, mountain valleys of Kashmir and trek to the twin lakes of Tarsar and Marsar. Over an itinerary of 7-days, you'll make your way across rolling meadows carpeted by soft and silky grass, clusters of huts populated by traditional shepherds and stay in tents pitched on the banks of sparkling lakes. Upon arriving at the twin lakes of Tarsar and Marsar, lose yourself in the luminous waters as they reflect the magnetic blues of the sky. Apart from the famous, twin lakes, you'll also camp besides the Sundarsar Lake.

The trek will take you over relatively easy trails with patches of strenuous climbing, making it ideal for fit beginners as well as experienced trekkers.

Destination

Located at 12,500 feet, the almond-shaped lake of Tarsar is the source of the Lidder River. Surrounded by green and brown mountains of the Kashmir Valley, the lake is frequented by trekkers and nature lovers exploring Kashmir. The lake of Marsar, situated inside the Dachigam National Park, attracts migratory birds like golden eagles and cinnamon sparrows as well as Himalayan fauna like musk deer and Kashmir stag.

The twin sister lakes of Tarsar and Marsar, highly renowned destinations for trekking enthusiasts, are inaccessible in winter since the sub-zero temperatures begin freezing the vast expanse of the lakes.

Destination highlights

Explore the raw natural beauty of Kashmir on a trek to Tarsar Marsar. | Camp on the banks of Tarsar Lake and Sundarsar Lake. | Climb up to altitudes of 13,500 feet on a moderately challenging trek. | Spend 7 days in trekking and camping in Himalayan wilderness. | Explore the Dachigam National Park and the Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary.

7920

13500

7920

48 kms

33 hrs

8 kms

Srinagar at 14:00 hrs

Get Direction >

Srinagar by 20:00 hrs

Private, shared SUV

Aru

Get Direction >

14:00

20:00

Your trip begins as you board private, shared vehicles from Srinagar at 14:00 hrs and travel to the base camp of Aru. A short 4-hr drive later, you'll arrive at the village of Aru, located inside Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary. Travel to a small campsite on the banks of Lidder River and spend time exploring the little village. Overnight at Aru in tents.

Overnight at Aru in tents.

Your trip begins as you board private, shared vehicles from Srinagar at 14:00 hrs. You'll be accommodated at Aru in tents, equipped with sleeping bags and mattresses. No meals are provided today, so make sure to have breakfast and lunch before the drive to Aru. You may have dinner at any of the restaurants or eateries at Aru for an additional cost.

Food

No meals are provided today.

Veg|Eggs

Day 1 Milestone

Srinagar

Aru

14:00 PM

Begin the first trek of the trip and take the route that follows the Lidder River upstream. Over a 10-km trek, you'll make your way across serene meadows full of fir trees and thickets and small villages of Gujjar huts like Nandekai. Passing through another stretch of wooded area after crossing the river, you'll arrive at the camping grounds near Lidderwat. Overnight at Lidderwat in tents.

Overnight at Lidderwat in tents.

Trek from Aru to Lidderwat. You'll be accommodated at Lidderwat in tents, equipped with sleeping bags and mattresses. Today's meal package includes lunch and dinner. You may have breakfast at any of the restaurants or eateries at Lidderwat at an additional cost. Lunch will be a packed lunch served en route to Lidderwat.

Food

Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Eggs

Day 2 Milestone

Aru

Lidderwat

07:00 AM

Today, you'll trek to Shekwas on a 5-hr long trail that takes you through giant trees of pine and oak. Following the Lidder River, you'll encounter several other small, intersecting streams. The trail will lead you through the village of Homwas, a small clearing inhabited by a cluster of Gujjar huts. A short trek from the village later, you'll arrive at the grassy meadows of Shekwas. Overnight at Shekwas in tents.

Overnight at Shekwas in tents.

Today's journey takes you to the serene campsite of Shekwas. You'll be accommodated at Lidderwat in tents, equipped with sleeping bags and mattresses. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. All meals will be vegetarian, but egg preparations may be available.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Eggs

Day 3 Milestone

Lidderwat

Shekwas

07:00 AM

Set out from Shekwas towards the first of the two lakes that you'll visit during the trip, the Tarsar Lake. You'll walk over soft grass lawns, making your way over a humpbacked hill. As you trek across several mountain ridges, you'll begin jumping from boulder to boulder on a rocky patch before arriving at reflecting, clear waters of a lake. Overnight at Tarsar Lake in tents.

Overnight at Tarsar Lake in tents.

Trek to the camping grounds besides the Tarsar Lake. You'll be accommodated at Tarsar Lake in tents, equipped with sleeping bags and mattresses. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. All meals will be vegetarian, but egg preparations may be available.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Eggs

Day 4 Milestone

Shekwas

Tarsar Lake

07:00 AM

Today, you'll make your way across the Sundersar Valley through the Tarsar Pass. After days of relatively easy treks, today you'll ascend to the Tarsar Pass over hectic but short, uphill stretch. After stopping to view the Tarsar Lake from atop the pass, you'll begin descending to the Sundarsar Lake. The nomadic, shepherd clan of Bakkerwals often frequent these grasslands with sheep and horses. As you approach the lake, the terrain will turn to a flatland populated with wild flowers. Overnight at Sundarsar Lake in tents.

Overnight at Sundarsar Lake in tents.

Go lake hopping and trek from the Tarsar Lake to the Sundarsar Lake. You'll be accommodated at Sundarsar Lake in tents, equipped with sleeping bags and mattresses. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. All meals will be vegetarian, but egg preparations may be available.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Eggs

Day 5 Milestone

Tarsar Lake

Sundarsar Lake

07:00 AM

Visit the second of the two lakes that you'll visit during the trip, the Marsar Lake. Beginning with a trail that curves around the Sundarsar Lake, you'll make your way across several mountain ridges that are often layered with patches of slippery snow. On a trail partly covered by snow and partly covered by grass, you'll arrive at the Marsar Lake. Spend some time admiring the gorgeous beauty of the lake and begin the return trek by descending to the village of Homwas. Overnight at Homwas in tents.

Overnight at Homwas in tents.

Visit the Marsar Lake and trek back to the village of Homwas. You'll be accommodated at Homwas in tents, equipped with sleeping bags and mattresses. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch may be a packed lunch served en route to Homwas. All meals will be vegetarian, but egg preparations may be available.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Eggs

Day 6 Milestone

Sundarsar Lake

Homwas

07:00 AM

On the last trek of your trip, you'll move back to Aru, retracing your steps through the same enchanting meadows along the Lidder River. Board vehicles at Srinagar that will take you back to Srinagar by 20:00 hrs. Your trip ends here.

Your trip ends before nightfall.

Trek back to Aru and board vehicles to travel back to Srinagar. Today's meal package includes breakfast and lunch. All meals will be vegetarian, but egg preparations may be available. You'll arrive at Srinagar by 20:00 hrs. Your trip ends here.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch

Veg|Eggs

Day 7 Milestone

Homwas

Srinagar

07:00 AM

Includes / Excludes

Includes

  • Travel arrangements from Srinagar-Srinagar in shared, private vehicles
  • Accommodation for 6 nights in tents on twin-sharing basis
  • All equipment required for camping: tents, sleeping bags, mattresses
  • Common kitchen/dining and toilet tents
  • Any technical equipment required for the trek
  • Vegetarian meal package from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 7
  • Services of experienced trek leader and camping crew
  • Permit charges, entry fees and camping charges
  • Porters and mules to carry common camping equipment
  • First aid kit (including oxygen cylinders)

Excludes

  • Travel arrangements from base city to Srinagar
  • Accommodation or meals in Srinagar
  • Porters and mules to carry personal luggage (can be arranged at an additional cost of INR 1,800 per bag, of maximum 11 kgs)
  • Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, road blocks etc.
  • Personal expenses such as additional meals and beverages etc.
  • Adventure travel or medical insurance
  • Anything not mentioned in inclusions

What to Wear

What to Wear

  • Comfortable, quick-dry apparel
  • Synthetic pants, full-sleeve t-shirts
  • Woollen cap and balaclava
  • Neck gaiter
  • Trekking footwear
  • Sandals
  • Woollen socks and gloves
  • Windcheater and fleece jacket
  • Sweater and thermal wear
  • Raincoat or poncho
  • Not to wear - Expensive jewellery or gadgets
  • Sandals or slippers (while trekking)
  • Hard luggage like suitcases or trolley bags

What not to Wear

  • Loose clothing that will tangle around you while swimming
  • Restrictive clothing
  • Flip-flops

Equipment / Gear

We Provide

  • Shared, private vehicles for transport from Srinagar-Srinagar
  • All equipment required for camping: tents, sleeping bags and mattresses
  • Common kitchen/dining and toilet tents
  • Any technical equipment required for the trek
  • First aid kit (including oxygen cylinders)

You need to get

  • Rucksack (50+ litre, with rain cover)
  • Day pack (20+ litre, with rain cover)
  • ID proof
  • Water bottle
  • Toilet paper
  • Trekking poles and knee cap (optional)
  • Sunglasses (polarised, anti-glare)
  • Dry snacks (protein bars, biscuits etc.)
  • Insect repellent
  • Towel
  • Torch (extra batteries)
  • Sunscreen lotion and lip balm
  • Personal toiletries

Medical Kit

  • Specific personal or prescribed medication
  • Personal first-aid kit

Cancellation policy

For cancellations made more than 24 days from departure of the Tarsar Marsar trek: 95% refund.

For cancellations made 24-14 days before departure of the Tarsar Marsar trek: 70% refund.

For cancellations made 14-10 days before departure of the Tarsar Marsar trek: 50% refund.

For cancellation made less than 10 days before departure of the Tarsar Marsar trek: No refund.

No show: No refund.

All refunds will be processed after deducting any transaction charges.

Rules on trip

Travellers are required to adhere to the instructions of the trek leader during the trek to Tarsar Marsar.

Travellers are requested to treat the local culture with respect and avoid littering, defacing property and monuments and causing general disturbance.

Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco products and cigarettes is strictly prohibited during the trek to Tarsar Marsar.

Additional instructions, booking policies, terms and conditions

Travellers are required to carry an original ID proof with two photo copies.

The tour operator reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary of the trek to Tarsar Marsar to maximize the safety of travellers as well as staff.

Travellers will be required to bear any additional costs arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, road blocks etc.