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 Nafran Valley. 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 Nafran valley trek is known as one of the most enclosed valleys in the geographic history and is situated near Aru village. The desire for quietest and unknown routes of Kashmir starts from the trek of the Nafran Valley. Its choice of a very few trekkers eventually makes it the most peaceful campsite offering wide and bright meadows with river crossings. It is also considered as an ideal escape for the ones searching solitude with heavenly landscapes directly out of your childhood paintings.
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: 6 days
Difficulty: moderate
Maximum altitude: approximately 13,800 feet
Start and end point: Srinagar
Day Wise Itinerary
Day One: Srinagar to Aru
A drive from Srinagar to the village of Aru takes the whole group towards the beginning of an unforgettable journey their soul craved for.
Day Two: Aru to Dungus
The next day, the trek starts from Aru to Dungus that is around 10 Km in distance. Trekkers experience a gain in altitude from 7,900 ft to 9,800 ft where they all enjoy their meals in the surroundings of Great Kashmir.
Day Three: Dungus to Nafran Meadows
On the Day 3, the trek starts from Dungus that concludes itself after a journey of 11 Km to Nafran Meadows which is at the altitude height of 12,000 ft that makes your journey even more unbelievably amazing.
Day Four: Nafran Meadows to Bhaj Marg
Imagine having your lunch at the altitude of 13,800 ft. Well, on Day 4, a trek of 13 Km takes you from Nafran Meadows to Bhaj Marg with an altitude shift from 12,000 ft to 13,800 ft where you get to have your meal all by yourself and other few trekkers only surrounded by an enclosed most scenic valley of Kashmir.
Day Five: Bhaj Marg to Aru and drive to Srinagar
On Day 5, you trek back up to 9 Km of distance from Bhaj Marg to Aru village and follow by the drive back to Srinagar where you start to conclude your journey of being 5 days on the raw unreal side of Earth.
Day Six: Departure
Then comes the last of departure that gives away lots of goodbyes and holds back unimaginable memories filled with so many emotions and a last breakfast meal with the team who was together with you in that journey.
Meals Information for All Treks
Your health is our number one priority and during a trek that long of a duration requires proper carbs and proteins. That is why the Thin Air Expedition provides thali that includes morning breakfast to boost the day, then lunch to sustain energy, snacks (depending upon availability and region), and the day is wrapped up with a healthy dinner to rejuvenate and prepare you for next day. Meals are common for all but for non vegetarians egg is added to the same thali that serves chapati, dal, sabzi, salad and rice. Package with TAE involves dinner from Day 1 and continues till goodbye breakfast on the last day with the strangers who are now a part of your impeccable memory.
Transportation
The Thin Air Expedition provides transportation services especially for Kashmir treks from Srinagar where all the team members gather and then go towards basecamp after a drive of a few hours and concludes the trip again back at Srinagar. These are the responsibilities of agencies so that you can travel hassle free journeys.
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
In India, trekking and adventure insurance packages are preferred by ASC360. It provides insurance packages that range from ₹700 to ₹1000, and is generally valid for one week, perfect for a great trekking plan.
These documents including insurance, fitness certificate, government issued ID proof such as Adhaar Card are to be submitted at least one week prior to the start date of the journey for its verification but if anything’s missing or incomplete, permit isn’t issued for the trekker to enter into the Kashmiri trek route. Since the journey makes its way through sensitive areas, permits are mandatory for the trek. All permit paperwork is handled by agencies you’re trekking with but still, to have a hassle free verification process and avoid any last minute rush, it is better to reach a day prior at the base location.
Locals and their guidance are also important for a safe and sound journey and navigation. Staying hydrated and following safety guidelines throughout the journey will definitely get you a safe, memorable and fun trekking experience.
What to Pack
For a harmless experience of trekking through steep terrains and remote settings, it is advised to carry necessities only so that you carry a light and balanced bag. Clothing sets that can keep you warm and flexibly comfortable to walk are essential such as quick dry t-shirts with a pair of thermal wears to keep you warm from head to toe along with a set of waterproof jackets and pants to be packed. Trek friendly footwears that are durable, waterproof and do not stumble should be chosen because footwears are going to be the foundation of your successful, harmless experience of trekking. 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 handy as it plays a major role in keeping tourism as well as community safe and distinct.
Why the Trekking Experience with ThinAirExpedition Is Truly Different
Trekking is much more than reaching a destination, it’s about a 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 the sleeping bags that we provide, ensures warmth in the chilly regions of the mountain.
To maintain hygiene at campsites isn’t easy, especially 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 is the size of the group we travel in. For a peaceful and safe journey, the agency should be able to be attentive towards all, hence, we prefer to travel in small group size. To also ensure privacy, trekkers are accommodated 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 an 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 – NAFRAN VALLEY TREK
Q1 Is Nafran Valley suitable for beginners?
Ans The trail to Nafran Valley’s trek involves passing through steep ascents and requires a lot of walking hours which is why it is not considered so beginner friendly and demands some prior experience.
Q2 Is emergency help easily available?
Ans No, help isn’t easily available due to remoteness of forest and meadows that surround Nafran Valley, Hence, all you’re dependent upon is your fitness and caution. First aid kit is advised to be carried as it comes handy.
Q3 Is the cold bearable at campsites?
Ans In the summer season, say between June to September, as they are considered as the best time to visit, Nafran Valley’s temperature goes as low as 0-degree to 5-degree Celsius during night time which is manageable if you’re prepared.
Q4 How to reach base camp?
Ans As Aru village is a base camp for Nafran Valley then that can be reached after a drive of a few hours from Srinagar. The Aru village base camp starts from Day 1 according to the itinerary.
Q5 Can Nafran be combined with other treks?
Ans Yes, if time, health and permit allows then you can combine Nafran Valley trek with other Kashmir treks and let your soul indulge into clarification with the remoteness of the Kashmiri region.
Conclusion
The best time to trek on the trails of Nafran Valley 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 how we are supposed to live with nature, not against it. When you’ll return back from this journey, nothing will be the 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.