Complete Itinerary, Meals, Altitude, Permits, Transport and Packing Guide
One of the most surreal yet scenic regions to trek at in the regions of Indian Himalayas is Kashmir. It is a dream destination for tourists who can witness valleys so remote, meadows so wide, forests so dense, lakes are alpine and of course peaks at high altitude covered in snow. To experience a raw untouched form of traditional lives of mountains and landscapes that you could have only seen in painting or pictures, then irrespective of physical challenges, one should try the treks of Tarsar Marsar lakes. The pathways are followed by the trails of ancient shepherds, which eventually leads to some high altitude routes that take you up to the valleys rarely explored by tourists. Each trek brings you close to a different feeling, every pathway gives you a unique experience, sometimes its finding hidden villages deep inside the mountain ranges and sometimes its alpine lakes you’ve heard so much about.
The Tarsar Marsar Trek makes its place to be one of the most breathtaking treks of alpine lakes in the region of Kashmir. Great Lidder Valley, a place famous for sustaining pastoral lives for centuries, is witnessed through the tarsar marsar trek. These treks connect Marsar Lake to the Tarsar Lake dramatically through the greenery of lush lively meadows following through pine forests and that passes by mountains. Unpredictable alpine weather can be sensed and warn locals of its untamed nature and hence, Marsar Lake has always been treated with caution. On the other hand, Tarsar Lake has always been safe, open and easily accessible, making it a natural basin to rest at. Even today, open meadows and campsites seem as if designed by the ancestral guardians who knew this land deeply. This trek is beginner and intermediate trekkers friendly that provides both scenery, soothing to eyes as well as challenges for a little adventure.
You can find details about each lake and valley along with its day wise itineraries for 7 to 8 days. It also talks about other important information such as altitude changes, distances and duration to trek, meals to be provided by agency, permits, transportation, and a guide to pack essentials for the trek with unpredictable weather. The plannings you’ll find here are professionally planned with the help of experts and experiences by keeping safety, acclimatization, and comfort in mind. Meals have been planned by keeping health, protein requirements and preference over vegetarian and non vegetarian in mind, and is provided properly throughout the journey starting from Day One till final day, according to the package.
Region: Kashmir
Duration: 7 days
Difficulty: moderate
Maximum altitude: approximately 13,200 feet
Start and end point: Srinagar
Day Wise Itinerary
Day One: Srinagar to Aru by road
Change in altitude can be experienced from 5,200 ft to 7,900ft. It’s a drive of almost four hours to five hours. After arriving at Aru, the team goes through a briefing session of trek during dinner and thereafter, everybody rests.
Day Two: Aru to Lidderwat
After a trek of 10 Km, from Aru to Lidderwat, altitude gain changes from 7,900 ft to 9,500 ft. The trails take you to the Lidder River following through the dense forests and wide meadows, where you can enjoy the scenery with breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner provided by the team of agency.
Day Three: Lidderwat to Tarsar Lake
Next destination comes the trek of Tarsar Lake from Lidderwat which is just 12 Km where altitude increases from 9,500 ft to 12,400 ft. The best part of this trek is you get to experience it closely as the set up for the campsite is near the lake side. Later in the day, you get to rest, have all the meals and pause for the moment.
Day Four: Tarsar Lake to Sundarsar
On day 4, a trek of 10 Km takes you from Tarsar Lake to Sundarsar where altitude shifts and increases to upto 13,000 ft. The pathway is via crossing a mountain pass that races up the heartbeat a little. Meals are provided for you to keep up with the energy for the day and prevent altitude sickness and faster recovery.
Day Five: Sundarsar to Homwas via Marsar viewpoint
On Day 5, you get to trek with your supervised team from Sundarsar to Homwas that leads to a viewpoint at Marsa that is in total, 13 Km, where max to max altitude ranges between 13,000 ft to 13,200 ft. At this viewpoint it is suggested to experience Marsar Lake from a safer distance.
Day Six: Homwas to Aru and drive to Srinagar
After completing breakfast and lunch, the trek of 8 km, starting from Homwas to Aru followed by the drive via road back to Srinagar.
Day Seven: Departure from Srinagar
On the last day of the journey, you conclude with breakfast, goodbyes and an unforgettable journey that’ll always be unexplainable through words.
Meals Information for All Treks
Vegetarian meals are provided full of protein and carbohydrates filled with energy required to complete the journey and for Non vegetarians, egg is provided along with the same plate as that of vegetarians. Meals are provided throughout the journey except for it is just dinner on Day one and breakfast on the day of conclusion. Apart from these two exceptional days, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinners are provided on the rest of the days where you get a thali full of protein and energy such as dal, roti, rice, sabzi, etc.
Transportation
Transportation is arranged by the agency you have booked with. Depending upon the journey the transportation starts from a common point for everyone and concludes there also.
The transportation services provided by The Thin Air Expedition for Kashmir treks are from Srinagar to Srinagar.
For Uttarakhand treks, transportation is provided from Dehradun or Rishikesh to Dehradun or Rishikesh. For Himachal treks, transportation is provided from Manali to Manali.
Permit and Safety
Since the journey makes its way through sensitive areas, permits are mandatory. Visitors have to reach the base location at least a day in advance for completing the formalities with verification. Everything’s managed by registered trekking agencies, but still submission of documents in advance in necessary by trekkers to prevent any issue in the last minute. Permit for the trek is allowed only if government-issued ID proof (Aadhaar card) and a fitness certificate where blood pressure, heart rate, and overall fitness of the trekker is mentioned stating him fit for high-altitude trekking issued by a verified medical practitioner, is submitted by the trekker. Local authorities take fitness certificate seriously because lake trek in Kashmir is very demanding. It is also suggested to choose a short-term suitable insurance plan that could cover all sorts of medical emergencies, unforeseen circumstances and evacuation
What to Pack
A smart and balanced packing is extremely important for these treks due to their unpredictable weather conditions. Clothing sets that can keep you warm and flexibly comfortable to walk are essential needs such as, quick dry trek pant and t shirts, a set of thermal wear and down jackets and ofcourse, a set of waterproof pant and jacket. Correct footwears are going to be foundation of your successful, harmless experience of trekking through difficult trails, hence, choose wisely. Never forget an emergency backpack that covers all your urgent needs such as rain covers, trekking poles, headlamp and reusable water bottles along with personal necessities such as sunscreen, first aid kits, etc.
A valid government identification card and photocopy of permit should be kept in emergency backpacks as they may come handy anytime.
Why the Trekking Experience with Thin Air Expedition Is Truly Different
Trekking is much more than reaching a destination, it’s about journey where you reach towards yourself and an unexplainable transformation you go through.
At ThinAirExpedition (TAE), we welcome you to explore a life-changing trekking experience, meanwhile keeping your safety and comfort in consideration.
One of the biggest reasons that sets us apart from other agencies is the best equipment in the segment that we provide, chosen by experts only for you, so you don’t have to go through the trouble. High-quality water proof, durable for all season tents are provided to the travellers that can tackle unpredictable mountain weather. Also sleeping bags that we provide, ensures warmth in the chilly regions of mountain.
To maintain hygiene at campsites isn’t easy specially during dining that’s why we carry a proper kitchen tent with portable tables and chairs. The key feature of the ThinAirExpedition is that our team ensures nothing comes between you and your convenience throughout the journey that is why we also carry portable solar panels to charge your device even in the remote setting, without harming the environment. In nature not all water is drinkable, that makes us carry water filters as it considers your health as well as environment by reducing wastage due to plastic use.
Even after all that we believe what actually stands experience with us out is the size of group we travel in. For a peaceful and safe journey, agency should be able to be attentive towards all, hence, we prefer to travel in small group size. To also ensure privacy trekkers accommodate in double-sharing tents. The professionally certified mountaineering guides are chosen to lead your journey and while prioritizing safety they make the experience lively.
Thin Air Expedition offers a friendly and supportive environment to make the trekkers feel warmth of the community and traditions of the region. Our only motive is to transform your every journey with us into and unforgettable life experience, not just an adventure, but a rebirth of your soul.
With Thin Air Expedition, you don’t just trek – you evolve.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – TARSAR MARSAR TREK
Q1 Is this Trek beginner friendly?
Ans Yes, Tarsar Marsar is suitable for starters who are keen to trek in Kashmir. Still a good stamina and proper fitness would be required so, prepare yourself and under guidance of our experts you can comfortably achieve you first ever trekking experience.
Q2 Is the cold bearable at campsites?
Ans Night temperatures vary between zero degrees to -10 degree depending upon the season, for example in August and September, it’s zero degrees but obviously it depends upon your tolerance and quality warm layers you’re carrying and the equipments provided by our agency is perfect for these temperatures.
Q3 What about the availability of network?
Ans Network is gone after you reach Aru village. In rare regions near the village only postpaid connections are available.
Q4 Do we camp near both lakes?
Ans Tourists can camp near Tarsar Lake but it is preferred to view Marsar Lake from a distance due to the unreasonable weather and terrain conditions.
Q5 How to reach base camp?
Ans The base camp is in Aru village where you travel with the whole team from Srinagar. From Srinagar to Aru is a drive of a few hours which is arranged by the agency.
Conclusion
The best time to trek on the trails of Tarsar Marsar trek typically runs between June to September and it should be kept in mind that each month brings out a totally different experience.
Following structured itineraries, proper acclimatization, and great company will shape up your experience that won’t let go of you even after completion of the journey.
These places show that how we are supposed to live with nature not against it. When you’ll return back from this journey, nothing will be same, an immense respect for simplicity in your heart, stories of these valleys and silence of stillness in you, shapes you into a totally different person, in a good way.