Location: Kashmir, India
Duration: 6 Days/ 5 Nights
Trek gradient: Easy To Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 13,675 feet above sea level
Distance: 48 Km
Pickup/ Drop Point: Pahalgam/ Sumbal
Base camp: Aru, Kashmir
Best Season: July to mid September
Temperature: Day: 17°C – 20°C; Nights: 3°C – to -4°C
Customized fees:
Fees based on the final number of participants. Kindly contact +91-9051055011/ +91-8969336262 for the further detail before proceeding for the payment.
Kashmir, a “paradise on earth” not only offers mesmerizing tourists spots for the travel lovers but also hosts hidden gems away from the reach of the tourists, which remains accessible only to the trekkers. These trek trails have kept the best of Kashmir in its raw form due to inaccessibility of the motorable road. Tarsar Marsar trek is one of such breath-taking treks in Kashmir which will take you to the three alpine lakes.
The trail of the Tarsar Marsar trek lies close to the highest mountain peak of Kashmir: Kolhoi Peak (5400m).
Tarsar Marsar trek route is around the boundaries of Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary and Dachigam National Park in Kashmir.
This lovely trek takes you to three alpine lakes- Tarsar, Marsar and Sundarsar.
The hallmark of the treks in Kashmir is the beautiful asbestos roofed Shepherd’s huts aligned together in the lush green meadows. These are inhabited by the Gujjars (=Shepherds) who dwell in these valleys during certain seasons before descending downhill just before the winter sets in. The trek season coincides with these season, hence offering the trekkers a picturesque landscape with sheep flocking around the trail
Anyone trekking across the trail of Tarsar Marsar would definitely fall in love with the bright green meadows, Chinar and Silver Birch tree forest, Lidder river along with various small streams.
Tarsar Marsar lakes are home to various species of migratory birds, bar headed geese, Himalayan golden eagles, Lammergeyers, high flying choughs, connamon sparrow, black bulbuls etc.
Various fauna resides in Dachigam National park. Kashmiri Hangul, Ibex, Musk deer, Himalayan brown bear, and Golden marmot are a few to name.
Escape the maddening crowd in the trail as you trek through the alpine lakes: Tarsar, Marsar and Sundarsar, as it still retains the raw fragrance unlike the famous trek conquered by the trekkers from all around the country during the trek season.
Lack of accessibility to the tourists by motorable road, Tarsar Marsar trek offers a terrain which still remains relatively untouched solely for the trekkers.
Being an easy to moderate trek, Tarsar Marsar is perfect for the beginners looking to make an entry in the community of adventurists.
Kashmir remains a safer option in terms of treks during monsoon as unlike the Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh which are riskier during monsoon, Kashmir escapes the conventional showers due to Pir Panjal range.
You must take this trek if you dream to camp on the lake side, walking on the lush green meadows studded with the wild Himalayan flowers.
Pahalgam, Kashmir
Sumbal, Kashmir
Drive distance: 12 Km
Drive time: 0.5 hour
Trek distance: 11 km
Trek time: 3-4 hours
The trekkers will be received in Pahalgam & escorted to aru valley from where the trekking will begin. Aru is quaint village at the banks of river Lidder & river Aru. Aru is the basecamp for two famous treks namely, Tarsar Marsar Trek and Kolahoi Glacier Trek. Lidder & Aru rivers are fed by Kolahoi glacier. Aru hosts several activities like: trout fishing in river Lidder, horse-riding to Aru Biosphere Reserve, Heliskiing during winters.
The first day of the trek is an easy one with a gradual ascent along river Lidder until one reaches a forest of conifers. A spectacular view of the entire Aru valley can be enjoyed after this ascent. Little farther and one will notice Nandekai village inhabited by Gujjars/ Shepherds. The beautiful shepherd huts and the sheep flocking on the lush green meadows are the hallmark of the treks in Kashmir. The trekkers will come across the fresh water streams from where the drinking water can be refilled. A few streams need to be crossed over the log placed over the rumbling stream. Lidderwat campsite is close to a steam.
Trek distance: 9 km
Trek duration: 3.5 hours
On the second day of the trek, one will have continuous ascent for the first few hours. Trek through the pine forest with occasional meadows. On this day too, the trekkers will come across fresh water streams (specifically just before Homwas). One shall be trekking across Bakharwal settlement inhabited by Gujjars. Beyond this Bakharwal, trek along a stream to reach a vast clearing, Homwas. As one treks further, a forest of silver birch (Bhoj) trees welcomes you leading into a long stretch of meadow. Yes, this is beautiful Sekwass meadow, studded with shepherd’s huts.
Trek distance: 7 km
Trek duration: 3.5- 4 hours
On this day the trekkers shall walk beyond the lush green meadow to reach a humpbacked hill from where the trail takes you over the ridge. You will be amazed to get a view of Tarsar lake as you trek down the smaller ridge. Today the ascent will be lengthier with a fewer water resources for drinking. Hence it is advisable to carry adequate drinking water on this day to keep yourself hydrated during the climb. One will cross a stretch of boulders to finally reach Tarsar lake. On reaching Tarsar campsite, evening will be spent exploring Tarsar lake.
Trek distance: 7 km
Trek duration: 3.5- 4.5 hours
One shall be crossing Tarsar pass on this day to reach from Tarsar lake to Sundarsar lake. The terrain to the pass is a steep ascent followed by a gradual descent. One descends to the Sundarsar valley where there is another settlement of Gujjars (Bakharwal). The rest of the terrain till Sundarsar lake campsite is gradual ascent. One shall cross the streams and patch or boulders to reach the second alpine lake of the trek: Sundarsar lake. Marsar lake is at a trek of around half an hour which can be explored after an evening tea at Sundarsar campsite.
Sekwass meadow and Sundarsar valley are adjoining which offers an alternative route from Tarsar lake to Sundarsar lake. Following this alternative route, the trekkers descent from Tarsar to Sekwass meadow to trek till Sundarsar valley. This is relatively comfortable but lengthier route. Although a bit on the tougher side, by taking the trail across the pass, one saves almost 3-4 hours to reach Sundarsar lake.
Trek distance: 8 km
Trek duration: 3.5- 4.5 hours
There are two routes from Sundarsar lake back towards Srinagar.
One of the routes traces back to Aru via Homwas. This route doesn’t follow the exact onward route but the same landscapes can be viewed from a different angle while on the way back.
The second route leads to Sumbal, closer to Sonamarg via totally different trail from the onward route.
We take this second route to experience totally different landscape as we trek towards Sumbal via Sonmos, making this route with exit point different from the entry point. One will climb up to Sonmos pass before descending down to Sonmos campsite in a beautiful valley, with a nearby waterfall. One shall trek across a pass, a series of grasslands and various tiny streams on this day.
Drive from Sumbal to Srinagar
Trek distance: 13 km
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Drive time: 2.5- 3 hours
The last day of the trek is a steep descent across a dense forest from Sonmos to Sumbal, lying in the Sind valley.
The trek ends at Sumbal village from where the trekkers will be hiring the cab to head back to Srinagar which is around 3 hour drive.
