Tarsar Marsar

A Journey Through Kashmir's Alpine Beauty

This journey is ideal for beginners seeking to expand their limits while soaking in the raw beauty of the region. For experienced hikers, it's a relaxed, stress-free adventure, perfect for taking in the stunning views and enjoying nights spent camping by alpine lakes.

Day 1: Srinagar to Aru, A Taste of Adventure

Our journey kicked off in the quite peaceful town of Aru, a scenic 3-4 hour drive from Srinagar City, where the airport is located. En route, we indulged in delicious dried mangos and cherries, also purchasing some for our upcoming hike.

As the sun painted the mountains with warm hues, we explored Aru town, dipped our feet in the river, and settled in for our first night under the Kashmiri starry night sky.

In Aru, we had a cup of Kashmiri 'Kahwa.' This fragrant brew is a blend of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, dried rose petals, and roasted almond flakes, boiled and steeped with green tea. What makes it intriguing is the story behind its name. I inquired about the name 'Kahwa' (since it means coffee in Arabic rather than tea) and learned that 'kah' in Kashmiri is the number eleven, indicating the 11 signature spices and ingredients used, though sometimes it can include up to 14, creating a truly aromatic and flavoursome beverage.

Day 2: Aru to Lidderwat, A Riverside Journey

We covered a substantial distance on our first day, hiking 12.6 km through the green forests and along the river's winding path to reach Lidderwat. Upon arrival, we couldn't resist dipping our feet into the refreshing cold water, some even taking a full-body plunge! Little birds kept us company by the river: flycatchers hunting for insects, while other songbirds shared their melodies. A beautiful house nearby set the afternoon atmosphere while we sipped on Kashmiri milk tea.

Day 3: Lidderwat to Shekwas, An Ascend Amidst Boulders

Our hike began with a 2 km ascent, gradually leaving our campsite behind. This leg of the journey offered awe-inspiring views and took us through massive boulder formations, amidst trails turning behind the mountains.

Day 4: Shekwas to Tarsar, The Most Scenic Route

The beauty of the Kashmiri wilderness continued, taking us to our most scenic campsite yet: Tarsar Lake. Sitting at 3800 m above sea level, it welcomed us with calm and beautiful weather. After afternoon tea, fresh popcorn and well-deserved nap, a sudden rainstorm, complete with thunder and lightning, took us by surprise. However, the evening brought clear skies and a warm, picturesque sunset—a serene return to tranquility.

Day 5: Tarsar to Sundersar & Marsar - Alpine Wonders

Starting with a 200 m ascent to Tarsar viewpoint, we marvelled at the lake's beauty from higher ground before descending. From there, we journeyed across mostly flat terrain to our campsite on the shores of Sundersar lake, at 4000 m above sea level. After a rejuvenating break at Sundersar, we ascended another 130 m to reach the Marsar lake viewpoint, an equally breathtaking alpine lake.

Day 6: Sundersar to Sonmaste, Returning to the Pine Valleys

Our descent led us through pine forests, boulders, and valleys before reaching our campsite near the homes of kind Kashmiri families. We celebrated our nearing journey's end with cake, a bonfire, and Kashmiri songs from our guides.

Sunset views at Sonmasti

Day 7: Sonmaste to Sumbal, Flowers and Road-trips

Continuing our descent, the landscape gradually transformed as flowers reemerged, creating a picturesque finale to our hike. The day ended with a drive of approximately 1.5 hours back to Srinagar.

As our journey through the landscapes of Kashmir came to an end, we were left with unforgettable memories of the alpine mountains, and the new friends we have made, as we connected with the essence of the great outdoors.

Nothing like being well prepared

Before embarking on your own alpine adventure, be sure to check out this comprehensive checklist for hiking and camping in Kashmir, ensuring you're well-prepared for your journey.