Overview

This 5-day trek in Kashmir has got not one but two alpine lakes – The Harbhagwan Lake and the Harnag Lake. These crystal clear lakes shimmer when sun rays penetrate through them. While during the night, it mirrors the galaxy and billions of stars making the Harnag Lake the perfect place for astrophotography lovers. The meadows of Nafran inhabit the shepherd troops, who live there temporarily from June – to October in mud houses and then descend to lower altitudes during winter. The Nafran Valley trek is one of the easy treks in Kashmir, filled with gushing streams, virgin pine forest, and above all, beautiful patches of grassy land. So, if you’re planning to seclude yourself in the valley of Kashmir, then Nafran Valley Trek should be next to your list.

Quicks Facts:

Region- Kashmir
Route: Srinagar –Pahalgam – Aru – Mondlan – Bhaj Marg –Nafran Valley – Harnag valley – Harnag Lake – Pahalgam – Srinagar
Altitude- 14,127 feet
Duration- 7 days
Trekking Distance- 40 kilometres
Difficulty Level- Moderate to Difficult
Start Point & End Point- TRC Srinagar
Base Camp- Aru
Nearest airport- Srinagar Airport
Last ATM- At Srinagar
Best time to visit – July to September

Himalayan Cruise Recommended:

➔ Visit the Floating Vegetable Market early in the morning and witness the culture of Mir Bahris

➔ Head out to the most instagramable café of Srinagar Chai Jaai.

➔ Taste the local cuisines Rogan Josh, Matschgand, Yakhni, Kashmiri Muji Gaad and Kahwa Tea

How to Reach:

By Air: Srinagar International Airport is the nearest airport in Srinagar which has flight connectivity to major cities of India.

By Rail: The closest railway station to Srinagar is in Jammu Tawi which also has trains connectivity all over India.

By Road: Board buses from Chandigarh, Delhi Srinagar

Know Before You Travel

The above mentioned prices are not applicable on special dates (festivals, year end, etc).Rates may fluctuate with any change in services/hotels. The difference in the cost shall be borne by the client in case of any amendment in the package due to an increase in the number of guests, hotel change, etc., before the beginning of the trip.
GST is applicable to the package cost.
Any personal expenses or items of personal nature will not be included in the package. Any meals or transfers not mentioned in the itinerary are to be considered an exclusion in the deal. Any kind of drink (alcoholic, aerated, or mineral water) is not included in the package cost.
Avoid using plastic bags and maintain the ecological balance of the destinations. Travelers littering may be fined.
The exact location will be shared with you post-booking.
Carry dry snacks/food, granola bars, etc. from home. Carry a regular and another insulated water bottle with you, so that you can refill.
Any breakage or damage of any items in the resort will be charged at actuals.
All international and domestic airfare, visa fees, airport tax, or any kind of insurance cover is not a part of the package.
If in case any traveler wants to or decides to leave the trip in the middle, all the expenses from that point onwards will be borne by the traveler. Neither the operator nor Himalayan Cruise will be held responsible for such decisions or for any refund.
Guidelines issued by the State-Government are to be followed. Social distancing to be maintained. Frequent hand sanitization and use of masks recommended.
ID proof is mandatory for each individual guest at the time of booking, and also upon arrival. PAN card will not be considered as a valid address proof.

Things To Carry

Warm clothes
Caps
Hiking shoes
Thermal inners
Walking shoes

Day 1 :

Srinagar - Aru - Drive Distance: 110 Kms | Duration: 3.5 hours | Aru Altitude: 2450m

Start from Srinagar up to Aru valley Pahalgam ,The journey to Aru valley is very beautiful , You can view from plans to narrow mountain routes villages , Paddy Crops apple tress , walnut tress , pine forest . After reaching Aru valley a short hike up to Kotpather Over night camps.

Day 2 :

Aru – Mondlan – Bhaj Marg - Drive Distance: 6Km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Trek Distance: 7 Km | Altitude: 2350m – 3150m

It’s time to gear up for the first day of the Nafran Valley trek starting from Mondlan. Forest will greet us with the chirping of uncommon birds. Experience komorebi ( a natural phenomenon of sun filtering through the trees) amidst the forest and fill up your bottles from the clean river stream until the next campsite at Bhaj Marg. Forest will lead you to meadows, and meadows will lead you to a wooden gate known as the Gateway of Nafran Valley. This gate will open doors to Bhaj Marg where we will reside for a day in the soft green grassland with horses roaming around.

Day 3 :

Bhaj Marg - Nafran Valley Trek Duration: 7 hours | Trek Distance: 9 Km | Altitude: 3150m – 3450m

Through the forest patch, trek towards the famous and majestic Nafran Valley after having wholesome food at the campsite. En route best scenic views of the entire Bhaj Marg meadow and Dadwar meadow from Arram Pathri. A thrilling experience awaits as we will cross river streams under professional guidance. Walking on the rocky patch will give us a picturesque view of Pahalgam valley, and then we will descend towards Arram Pathri, where the magnificent beauty of the valley awaits to soothe our souls. Following the Nafran River to our left, we will soon reach our campsite at Nafran valley and call the day off.

Day 4 :

Nafran Valley - Harnag valley Trek Duration: 5 hours | Trek Distance: 5 Km | Altitude: 3450m – 3500m

Zip down your tent to see the most beautiful world outside, and take a swirling tour of the Nafran valley. Once we complete valley exploration, we will move towards the Harnang Pass to see the most panoramic view of the grassland and river streams crisscrossing these meadows. Once we reach the campsite below the Harnang Pass, we will treat ourselves to the delicious food made by the locals.

Day 5 :

Harnag Lake Exploration Trek Duration: 7 hours | Trek Distance: 6 Km | Altitude: 3500m – 3650m

That day finally arrived when we would ascend towards the alpine lake of Nafran – Harnang Lake. The terrain of the pass is rough, yet this trek of Kashmir is very rewarding with the panoramic view of the Harnang lake in the middle of the valley on one side and Nafran Valley on the other. Now the tiring part begins, where to get close to the alpine lake we will descend towards Harnang Lake. After living the moments at the lake, we will move towards the Kolahoi Glacier viewpoint, the largest glacier in Kashmir. This glacier melts into the Lidder river and then merges into the Jhelum river. We will rest here and enjoy the beauty of the highest peak of Kashmir.

Day 6 :

Harnag Valley - Arram Pathri Trek Duration: 6 hours | Trek Distance: 7 Km | Altitude: 3500m – 3200m

On the 6th day, we will return to that beautiful meadow of the Arram Pathri that we left days back. While walking, we will take breaks to capture the beauty around us forever. During the afternoon, we halt for lunch and then relax at the campsite.

Day 7 :

Arram Pathri - Aru - Srinagar Drive Distance: 6 Km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Trek Distance: 7 Km | Altitude: 2350m – 3150m

The last day of the Nafran Valley Trek awaits to offer us to a mixed trail for the descent, where we will head towards Aru from Arram Pathri. En route, come across hamlets and beautiful small valleys of Kanzal Pathri and Gagad Pathri, covered with patches of forests. We will cross two shimmering water streams of Nafran valley and Gash Angan to capture little shepherds’ settlements and understand the life of the people living at such high altitudes with no modern means. The moment we reach the Aru hamlet, the relaxation phase begins to prepare us for the journey from Aru to Srinagar.

Day 8 :

Day 7 Buffer Day

This day will be utilised in case of bad weather or other unexpected delays. You are advised to keep a buffer day in your travel plan. In case buffer day is not used, then the group can take a collective decision to stay one more day at Gangabal Camp and explore around or they can go to Srinagar

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What are the mandatory safety protocols that I need to follow to protect myself from Covid-19?

It is mandatory to wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing when moving around in public places. We recommend that you ensure appropriate hand hygiene and wash your hands regularly. Keep a bottle of hand sanitisers with you at all times. It is mandatory to download the Aarogya Setu app on your mobile phone.

Besides this, you will be required to install specific quarantine apps in some states. These help the government agencies to ensure the authenticity of COVID-19 statistics. A negative PCR report taken 72 hours before boarding the flight from the country of origin, or a complete Covid19 vaccination certificate/report is required.

Is it safe to travel to Kashmir?

Yes, travelling to Kashmir is absolutely safe. However, don’t be shocked by the abundance of military checkpoints, tanks on the side of the road, military trucks and heavy-armed soldiers roaming down the streets.

Do I need special permission while travelling to Kashmir?

Travelling to some parts of Ladakh that lie close to the borders of China and Tibet do require a permit.

How far is Kashmir from Delhi?

The distance between Kashmir and Delhi is approximately 842 kilometres. You can take a flight from New Delhi to Srinagar that will take around 1 hour and 25 minutes. While travelling via train will take you 7 hours and 25 minutes.

How many days are needed for a holiday to Kashmir?

Ideally, at least a week would be needed to explore Kashmir and its hidden gems.

How much would a Kashmir holiday cost?

Normally Packages start from a budget of INR 12,999 to an extravagant INR 42,999. Check our website to browse through our list of packages.

Has the internet been restored in Kashmir?

The internet ban has been lifted in Kashmir, but with certain terms and conditions. Internet services have resumed on postpaid mobiles across 12 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The ban on social media sites however remains intact.

Which is the best time of the year to travel to Kashmir?

The best time to visit Kashmir is in the summer season, between the months of April and June.

What are the must-visit places in Kashmir?

There are a plethora of must-visit places in Kashmir, some of them are below:

Srinagar – Slice of heaven on Earth.
Sonamarg – Gold Land
Gulmarg – Ski Your Way
Kupwara — Kashmir’s Pleasure
Kathua — A Little-Known Treasure
Kargil is a war-torn region that has seen many battles.

Do not miss out on these places when you are on your Kashmir tour.

When does it snow in Kashmir?

The weather of Kashmir in winter blankets the region with a thick sheet of snow. This is between the months of December to February.

How far is Jammu from the airport?

The Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar is approximately 6 hours and 33 minutes away from Jammu.

Are there hotels in Kashmir?

Yes, there are quite a few hotels in Kashmir. However, We will take care of all your accommodation booking hassles.

What are best houseboats available in Kashmir?

Some Best popular recommended house-boats in Kashmir are Claremont Houseboats, Montreal Group of Houseboats, Queens Lap House Boat, New Alexandra Houseboats.