Tarsar Marsar Trek: One of the most beautiful treks in India
Introduction
Tarsar Marsar, originating in Kashmir, is the prettiest trek you’ll ever witness. The alpine lakes take a life of their own in Tarsar Marsar where you get to camp beside the royal blue snow-fed lakes.
Tarsar and Sundervar offer you multiple perspectives of the same lake where you get to circumvent the entire perimeter of the place. Marsar is a perfect spot to encounter the grandeur of the lake from an overhang, sitting 600-700 ft below with the mesmerizing sunrise above it.
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Tarsar Marsar Trek: Detailed Itinerary
Srinagar → Aru (Day 1)
- Height/Altitude: 2,426 m/ 7,958 ft
- Time Taken: 3½ hours drive
- You’ll reach Aru Base Camp by traveling from Srinagar.
- You will have to unroot through Pahalgam as there is no proper gravel road from Srinagar to Aru Base Camp.
- Distance and time: 100 km, 3 hours drive (from Srinagar to Pahalgam).
- To reach around daylight peacefully, start the journey from Srinagar to Aru Base Camp early around 2:00 PM.
- While you’re on the journey, you’ll encounter a very cute little place across the River Lidder that lives up to its name. Adjacent to the spectacular Lidder is a sight consisting of an array of 200 asbestos-rooted huts lines perfectly near each other. This is a sight worth viewing which is amidst the lush green meadows.
- Have a night stay at Aru as there are plenty of cottages there.
Aru → Lidderwat (Day 2)
- Height/Altitude: 2,427 m to 2,783 m/ 7,958 ft to 9,131 ft.
- Time Taken: 10 km, 6 hours
- The trail is not steep which is why it’s a pleasant one consisting of an easy uphill ascent.
- Where River Lidder and the village uphill connect, you must follow that trail.
- The village road will offer a sophisticated and clear view of Aru by following the agricultural department fence.
- Then, the trail will break into clusters where you’ll encounter fir trees to Dalla near Gujjar huts. The path from Dalla will be a peaceful walk through the dense pine forest.
- You’ll reach a wide fork signaling diversion to Nandkei after twenty minutes into the forest.
- The same trail will continue and after half an hour you’ll witness two diverging clear streams which are safe for drinking.
- Another 1-hour walk will follow from Lifferwat.
- After crossing a wooden bridge over the second stream, you’ll witness the beauty of the Riverside and Valley bottom intersection.
- Cross both the fir forests that you’ll encounter, and you’ll finally reach the lush green meadows of Lidderwat.
Lidderwat → Shekiwas (Day 3)
- Height/ Altitude: 2,783 m to 3,365 m/ 9,131 ft to 11,039 ft.
- Time Taken: 5.6 km, 5 hours
- The trial starts from PDA huts in a straight line without much difficulty. You’ll witness a cost valley, adorned with snow patches here and there created by the intersection of wide and sweeping grasslands with towering mountains.
- Then, you’ll have to cross the river and makeshift bridge after descending to the river bed. Half an hour later you’ll reach Hamvas.
- Have a short break at Gujjar and then follow the pathway which becomes easier and more pleasant with plain grasslands.
- After this, trek for an hour to enter a forest of silver birch which is also known as Bhoj trees. After crossing this you’ll reach Shekiwas which is an undulating meadowland. Shekiwas is the best camping place at Tarsar Marsar Trek.
Shekiwas → Tarsar (Day 4)
- Height/ Altitude: 3,365 m to 3,794 m/ 11,039 ft to 12,449 ft.
- Time taken: 5 km, 3-4 hours
- Trek through the snake-like path in the grassland from Shekiwas to reach Sumbal which will lead you to a valley.
- After two hours of trekking, you’ll catch a glimpse of the beautiful almond-shaped lake, Tarsar on the conicahilltopop.
Tarsar → Sundaresar (Day 5)
- Height/Altitude: 3,794 m to 3,946 m/ 12,449 ft to 12,946 ft.
- Time Taken: 5 km, 5 hours
- Walk through the shepherds’ trail to reach the middle of a valley. Then walk along the stream to see Bakkarval shelters.
- After 1 hour of trekking, you’ll reach the beautiful grassy land of Sunderdar Lake. Here, you can go camping.
Marsar → Homwas (Day 6)
- Height/Altitude: 3,946 m to 4,024 m/ 12,946 ft to 13,201 ft.
- Time Taken: 9 km, 7 hours
- After an hour of trekking, climb to the ridge to view Marsar which is a twin to Tarsar.
- After 40 mins you’ll reach Sundersar Valley. Go through a different trail to Shekwas to reach Homwas in 30 mins.
Homwas → Aru → Srinagar (Day 7)
- Height/ Altitude: 3,505 m to 2,426 m/ 11,500 ft to 7,958 ft
- Time Taken: 13 km, 6 hours.
- Come across Lidderwat Pine forest and head towards Aru after taking a break.
- After 4 hours you’ll reach Aru. From here you can reach Srinagar by any transport.