Moderate
Tarsar Marsar Trek
beautiful high-altitude trek in Kashmir, famous for the spectacular alpine lakes of Tarsar and Marsar, lush green meadows, pine forests, mountain streams, and dramatic valley landscapes.
Days
7
Adventure Type
Trekking
Base Camp
Aru
Season
Monsoon
Month
July | August | September
Country
India
Altitude
13500 Ft.
Grade
Moderate
Rail Head
Jammu
Stay
Camping (Twin sharing) & Hotel/Guesthouse (Separate for male & Female)
Food
Veg meals while on trek & at Hotel/Guesthouse
Location
Kashmir
Distance
48 Km.
Trail Type
Circle trail | Camping in various locations, starting and ending at the same point.
AirPort
Srinagar (sheikh ul-alam international)
The Tarsar Marsar Trek is a renowned trekking route located in the beautiful Kashmir Valley of India. This trek offers stunning views of alpine meadows, pristine lakes, and towering mountain peaks. The trek typically takes around 5 to 6 days to complete, covering a distance of approximately 35-40 kilometers. It starts from the picturesque Aru Valley and passes through lush green forests, charming villages, and high-altitude passes.
The highlights of the trek include camping beside the crystal-clear Tarsar and Marsar lakes, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Trekkers also get the chance to interact with the warm and hospitable Gujjar and Bakarwal communities along the way. With its breathtaking scenery and moderate difficulty level, the Tarsar Marsar Trek is a favorite among adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Tax Benefit
+5% GST (goods and services tax)
Services
Aru to Aru.
Meeting Point
( Pickup/ Drop Point ): Tourist Reception Center, Rajbag, Srinagar
Reporting Time
12:00 am
Drop Time
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm (Timings are subject to change based on weather and road conditions).
Important
Please reach Srinagar a day before to avoid any delays.
Aru Village
Lidder River Valley
Lidderwat Campsite
Tarsar Lake
SunderSar Lake
Marsar Lake
Kashmir’s Natural Beauty
Wildflower Meadows
01
DAY
Srinagar to Aru Base Camp (100km, 3.5 hrs)
- The group will assemble in Srinagar by 11am from where we will be transported to Pahalgam in a local cab.
- Afterward, we will take a short 3-4 hour drive to Aru via Pahalgam. There are two routes to reach Pahalgam; one through Anantnag and the other through Bijbehra. The Bijbehra route is a tourist trail where we will witness the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir.
- The whole trail welcomes you with the sight of fulfilling apple orchards, walnuts, and apricots. After we cross the Lidder River, we will reach the Aru Valley.
- You can explore the place by going for local sightseeing. Upon reaching, we will check into our homestay in Aru.
- Sleep tight in the beautiful hamlet of Kashmir valley, dreaming about the surprises you are going to witness.
- Overnight stay at Aru Valley.
- Highlight of the Day: Scenic Drive from Srinagar to Aru Valley via Pahalgam.
02
DAY
Aru to Lidderwat (10 km, 6hrs)
- After an early breakfast, we will start the first day of the trek, heading towards Lidderwat.
- The trail to Lidderwat starts to climb straight out of the village, following the course of the Lidder River.
- On the trail ahead, you will see a lot of huts surrounded by fir trees at Dalla. After walking for a few minutes, you will reach Nandkei, where you can witness the locals riding horses.
- And when you look back as you have climbed up high, you will see the Aru village left far behind. Finally, you will reach the campsite at Lidderwat.
- Dinner followed by an overnight stay at Lidderwat
- Highlight of the Day: Lidder River, Dalla and camping
03
DAY
Lidderwat to Shekwas (6km, 5hrs)
- Waking up to the lap of nature alone will provide you with a new perspective on life. You will start your morning on the third day with hot tea and a delicious breakfast.
- From then on, you will trek on the trail along the river. You will climb up toward the pine forest, and the trail between the forests will be relatively easy.
- After walking for a short while through the forest, you will come to a beautiful clearing. You will see grasslands merged with huge mountains.
- On the trail, you will be crossing Bhakarwal lying on the right side of the river. From Homwas, you will see the Gujjar huts in the middle of grassy land.
- After crossing a few Gujjar huts between the trails, you will reach the Shekwas campsite.
- Dinner followed by an overnight stay at Shekwas.
04
DAY
Shekwas to Tarsar (5 km, 5 hours)
- The fourth day of the Tarsar Marsar Trek will take you from Shekwas to explore the Tarsar Lake. Today’s trek trail leads through various ridges.
- After crossing them, you will come to a clearing where you will see the stunning Tarsar Lake. 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.
- 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.
- You can explore the whole lake by yourself, so don’t forget to sit nearby and witness the breathtaking sunset.
- Dinner followed by an overnight stay at Tarsar.
05
DAY
Tarsar to Sundarsar (6km, 5hrs)
- After an early breakfast, we will head to Sundarsar.
- 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. 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.
- Dinner followed by an overnight stay at Sundarsar.
06
DAY
Visit Marsar and then Homwas (11kms, 7hrs)
- The trail will be rough this morning, so you should be well-prepared for the next part of the trek. You have to walk along Sundersar Lake for a short while until you reach a point connecting two different trails.
- You must take the trail leading to Marsar towards the boulder-led trail. After crossing the rough patch, you will come to grassland, and the trail flattens.
- You then take the trail which leads to shows, and from there, we finally reach Homwas.
- Dinner followed by Overnight stay at Homwas
07
DAY
Homwas to Aru and Drive to Srinagar (13 km, 7hrs)
- You will take the same trail as you took on the first day, descending the trek. From Homwas, you will be passing through the same meadows and having a look one last time before reaching Lidderwat.
- From Lidderwat, it will take almost 4 hours to get to Aru, the previous trek camp. From Aru, you would be going via road to Srinagar which is about 100kms and takes 3.5 Hours.
- As you reach Srinagar, we will bid each other goodbye and cherish the memories made together.
One of the most common questions before any Himalayan trek is simple: what should you pack? A smart packing list keeps you comfortable on the trail without making your backpack unnecessarily heavy.
The easiest way to pack is to go step by step, either from head to toe or toe to head. That simple pattern helps you stay organized and lowers the chance of forgetting essentials.
01 Backpacks
Choose a backpack that feels comfortable on your shoulders and hips. For a week-long trek, a 60 to 70 liter backpack is usually enough for your clothing, gear, and personal essentials.
- Main backpack: Good hip support, shoulder support, and easy-access pockets.
- Daypack: Useful for short hikes, sightseeing, and carrying daily essentials when the main bag is not needed.
02 Footwear
- Trekking shoes: Prefer waterproof shoes with high-ankle support.
- Walking or hiking sandals: Great for camp use, resting your feet, or stream crossings.
- Sneakers: Optional, but useful for travel days or relaxed time around camp.
- Socks: Carry 3 to 5 pairs that are warm, comfortable, and quick-drying.
03 Clothing Layers
- Jacket: A good quality hiking or trekking jacket for layering.
- Pants: Lightweight, quick-drying trekking pants, plus a warm lower layer for colder nights.
- T-shirts and base layers: Carry 3 to 4 warm, comfortable tees along with a long-sleeve layer.
- Thermals and leggings: Two pairs of thermals and warm leggings are ideal for cold mornings and evenings.
- Undergarments: Pack according to your personal requirement.
- Buff or balaclava: Essential for protecting your neck and throat from wind and cold.
- Beanie cap and hiking hat: A beanie helps in cold weather, while a sun hat protects you during the day.
- Gloves: One warm pair is usually enough.
04 Rain Protection
- Raincoat and rain pants: Helpful in changing mountain weather.
- Rain poncho: A practical option during longer spells of rain.
- Rain covers: Carry waterproof covers for both your backpack and daypack, especially for gadgets.
05 Gadgets and Useful Extras
- Trekking poles, mobile phone, camera, and spare batteries.
- Power bank, lightweight flashlight or headlamp, and waterproof ziplock bags for electronics.
- Plug or converter, sunglasses, and a 1 liter water bottle.
- A journal and pen, a good book, and a map or guidebook if you enjoy documenting the journey
06 Hygiene and Toiletries
- Sunscreen with UV protection and lip balm or salve.
- Quick-drying towels, toilet paper, tissues, or wet wipes.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth freshener, shampoo, deodorant, and talcum powder.
- Biodegradable soap, nail clipper, and any personal daily-use items.
- Sanitary pads or tampons if needed.
07 First Aid and Energy
Carry a personal first-aid kit with the basics you may commonly need on an adventure trip, and always consult your doctor before taking any medicine.
- Antiseptic wipes or water syringe, butterfly bandages, sterile gauze pads, and elastic bandages.
- Latex gloves, medicines for upset stomach, cold, flu, fever, headache, and basic pain relief.
- ORS sachets, pain relief spray, bug repellent, and any prescription medicines you already use.
- Medicine for high altitude concerns such as Diamox or a similar alternative, only after medical advice.
- Carry some energy bars and non-alcoholic energy drinks for quick support on the trail.
Important note: Check what gear can be rented or purchased through BookMyHikes and what you should bring from home. Keeping your backpack light makes the trek more comfortable and enjoyable.
Inclusions
- Accommodation:1 Night in Homestay / Hotel in Aru Valley on triple-sharing basis
- Accommodation:5 Nights Tented Accommodationon a triple-sharing basis
- Transportation:Surface transfer from Srinagar – Aru Valley by Sumo/Bolero/Tempo Traveler (Depending no of travelers)
- Meals:All veg meals from Day 1st Dinner to Day 7th Breakfast.
- Snacks:Morning / Evening Tea / Coffee with light snacks.
- Camping logistics:Tent, Sleeping bags, Mattresses, Dining tent, Toilet tent.
- Trek Leader:Qualified and Experienced Trek leader and support staff.
- Permits:All necessary fees and permits.
- Safety Equipment:Basic First Aid kit with Oximeter and Oxygen Cylinder.
- Transportation:Srinagar to Srinagar
- Guide ratio:1:10
Exclusions
- Any expenses of personal nature.
- Meals during transit.
- Insurance of any kind.
- Any fees and permits (for non-Indians).
- Unscheduled delay due to a landslide.
- Cost Escalation due to “Force Majeure and Evacuation charges”.
- Anything not mentioned explicitly in the above program.
Note: Bag offloading cost is Rs 2100 (maximum weight should not be more than 10 kg)
Note: Documents required for the permits (Aadhar card copy , Medical Certificate and Travel Insurance)
Life is unpredictable and we understand sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavour to make it as easy possible for you. However, please understand we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of programme. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below :
Cancellation Timeline
-
30 days before the event Best cancellation window with the lowest deduction.Deduction 15% Lowest cutReturn 85% Monetary Refund Into original payment mode
-
15-30 days before trek start Moderate cancellation window before core ground arrangements intensify.Deduction 50% Mid-stage cutReturn 50% Cash Voucher Valid for 12 months
-
Less than 15 days before trek start Late cancellation window after trek operations are mostly aligned.Deduction 100% Higher cutReturn No Refund
Voucher Rules
After applicable cancellation deductions, the remaining amount is refunded only in the form of a trek voucher. The voucher can be used for any trek, tour, or yatra booked with BookMyHikes.
The trek voucher is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
The voucher must be used for the same number of persons for whom it was issued.
The voucher cannot be redeemed as a cash refund and cannot be extended beyond its expiry date.
To redeem a voucher, email BookMyHikes 15 to 20 days before the new trip date.
What is the difficulty level of the Tarsar Marsar Trek?
Tarsar Marsar is generally considered a moderate trek. The trail involves several consecutive trekking days, gradual altitude gain, and some steep sections, so good physical fitness is recommended.
What is the maximum altitude of the Tarsar Marsar Trek?
The trek reaches approximately 13,000 ft, depending on the exact route and viewpoints included in the itinerary.
What is the best time to do the Tarsar Marsar Trek?
The preferred trekking season is generally July to September, when the high-altitude trails are accessible and the meadows are green and vibrant.
Is Tarsar Marsar Trek suitable for beginners?
Yes, fit beginners can attempt the trek with proper preparation. Regular walking, cardiovascular training, and basic strength exercises before the trek are recommended.
How many days are required for the Tarsar Marsar Trek?
Most Tarsar Marsar itineraries take around 6–7 days, depending on the route, campsites, acclimatization plan, and transportation arrangements.
What is special about the Tarsar Marsar Trek?
The trek is best known for the stunning Tarsar and Marsar alpine lakes, along with beautiful meadows, forests, streams, and secluded campsites. The opportunity to trek and camp close to high-altitude lakes makes it one of Kashmir’s most distinctive trekking experiences.
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