Day 1: Srinagar Arrival – Aru (100kms – 3hrs)
After arrival in Srinagar, our representative will meet you and take you to Aru, the starting point of Trekking. There is no right gravel road to Aru from Srinagar. The journey is laid across the River Lidder, and words might fall short when describing this cute little of a place that lives up to its name. An array of 200 asbestos roofed huts lined perfectly well amidst the lush green meadows, adjacent to the spectacular Lidder, is a sight worth viewing. Aru is the first place to board for the night in cottages as there are plenty available at Aru. Overnight stay in a camp at Aru.
(Aru – 2426mts)
Day 2: Aru – Lidderwat (11kms, 6hrs)
After breakfast, we will start our trek. The trail on the way is a pleasant one, with the easy uphill ascent. Follow the trail alongside the River Lidder initially, which directly connects to the village uphill. From the village, the road will follow the agricultural departmental fence offering a sophisticated and clear view of Aru behind. The trail will lead into a cluster of Fir trees and then to a large clearing, Dalla near Gujjar huts. The trail is just a nice, pleasant walk on the bare ground through the dense pine forest from Dalla. Twenty minutes into the forest, reach a complete fork signaling diversion to Nandkei. The same trail will continue, the forest evanescing behind and pretty little Gujjar huts and families in the view ahead. They are friendly people on horseback taking care of their everyday chores. From there, the trail picks up an ascent gently. Half an hour later, come to two diverging clear streams, safe for drinking. Lidderwat, from here, is another hour’s walk. Cross a wooden bridge over the second stream and enter into another pine tree forest. The pine trees junction to the trail upwards, Riverside and the Valley bottom is magnificent scenery. From here, across the Riverside, the track bends forwards and runs into a gorgeous fir forest. It will take another half an hour to clear this forest and run into another fir forest. When you finish the second section of the Fir Forest line, the trail will finally reach the lush green meadows of Lidderwat. It would take approx ten minutes for this. Overnight stay in a camp in Lidderwat. (Aru – 2426 mts and Lidderwat 2780 mts)
Day 3: Lidderwat – Shekwas (6 kms, 5hrs)
There will be many ascending and then crossing a river in between and some connecting plain terrains. On day three, after breakfast, the trial starts from PDA huts in line with the river Lidder and takes us to a pine forest. The track is in a straight line, without much difficulty. After some time, the pine cluster will open up to complete and sweeping grassland intersecting towering mountains, creating a cozy valley, adorned with snow patches here and there. The trail diverts into many small valleys and converges upwards toward the Bakharwal Shelters by the river’s right side. The trail has many clear streams running along the right spot to refill water bottles. From here, descend to the river bed and cross the river by hopping over a few boulders and then crossing a makeshift bridge. Reach the clearing of Hamvas by following the river-side half an hour later. Take a short break at the Gujjar huts there where tea and delicious savories are offered. The pathway here is a pleasant one; plain grassland, a beautiful comfort to the strenuous journey. After this, the ascent is a little steeper, and as you gain altitude, by the hour, you will enter a forest of silver birch, also known as Bhoj trees. These trees are considered very old in the region. The Shekinah is an undulating meadow-land, reached by meandering paths crossing two green valleys and surrounded by dark snow patched mountains. This is one of the best camping sites of the Tarsar Marsar trek. Overnight stay in Shekwas Camp. (Lidderwat – 2780 mts and Shekwas – 3360 mts)
Day 4: Shekwas – Tarsar Lake (5kms, 5hrs)
After breakfast, the day starts from Shekhiwas Meadow and trails through a snake-like path in the grassland for quite some time before it reaches Sumbal leading us through a valley. Here, the path to Tarsar takes on a ridge on top of the stream. Two hours later, after crossing some spectacular views from different ridges in line with the western trail, arrive at a conical hill-top that might guide you to get a glimpse of the pretty Tarsar, the beautiful almond-shaped lake. The adrenaline rushed walk to reach the lake starts from here. Cross the stream with the help of fastened rocks and boulders and then finally on the grassland of Tarsar, the campsite of the day 4. The lake turns into a magnificent shade of turquoise blue at night, glistening like precious stones in the lap of snow-covered mountains. That is going to be worthy of all the long hiking and walked done in the previous days. Overnight stay in a camp at Tarsar Lake. (Shekwas – 3360 mts and Tarsar Lake 3790 mts)
Day 5 – Tarsar Lake – Sundersar (5kms, 5hrs)
After breakfast, our trek begins. The other views of Tarsar are spellbinding, and the stretches of the grassy valley will leave you speechless. This valley leads to the meadows of Shekwas. Start descending through the shepherds’ trail, which will take you to the middle of the valley. Walk along the stream on the beautiful velvet-like grass. En route, see Bakkarval shelters lying on the left; the trail lies behind these shelters through the boulder area. Further are the lushest grasslands you will ever come across, and amidst the meadows, the stream transforms into a large pond fed by the snow patches on the mountains. Cross this section in 30 minutes and come to the meadow’s end. Reach the ridge base by crossing a stream with the help of boulders, and ascend for 15 minutes through a narrow valley to reach the ridge top. Surprisingly a vast meadow pops in front with a colorful bed of flowers. The views are enthralling from here, and the end route of this trek is also visible with a trail leading to the mountains. Follow the trail and reach the beautiful grassy land of Sundersar Lake, where you can pitch your tents anywhere on the flat ground, camping here is a delight. Enjoy the serene beauty of Kashmir and comfortably stay in tents at Sundersar. (Tarsar Lake – 3790 mts and Sundersar 3945 mts)
Day 6: Sundersar – Marsar Lake – Homwas via Marsar Ridge (9kms, 7 hrs)
In the morning after breakfast, pass along the shores of Sundersar Lake to get through two passes from where you can reach Marsar. Take the shorter trail and ascend through the boulder zone, be careful while ascending because there is snow over the boulders, making this section challenging. In 30 minutes, the pass can be reached, which is a fantastic grassland with gentle trails leading to the flat grounds below. Reach the flat grounds and cross the small streams along the trail. Climbing to the ridge starts from here, which offers a heart racing view of Marsar. It is a twin of Tarsar but remains hidden under the mist and clouds. Descend to Sundersar and reach there in 40 minutes. Spend some time at Sundersar valley and get back to Jagmarg valley to witness the grasslands again and admire the natural beauty. Do not cross the Tarsar pass but go through a different trail to Shekwas, from here. You can reach Homwas in 30 minutes, set up there, set up your tents, have delicious food after today’s long trek, and stay overnight in the camps. (Sundersar – 3945 mts, Marsar Lake – 3505mts, Homwas – 3475 mts and Marsar Ridge 4020 mts)
Day 7: Homwas – Aru – Srinagar (13 kms 6 hrs)
On the last day after breakfast, descend from Homwas to Lidderwat. The sights of today’s trek are beguiling and you can spot Kolahoi glacier on the way. Come across the Lidderwat pine forest, take a break at Lidderwat and then head to Aru. Now, Aru is 13 km away, and you can reach there in another 4 hours. After reaching Aru, take some rest. After that, you will be transferred to Srinagar for your journey onwards. (Homwas – 3475 mts and Aru – 2426 mts)