Overview

Tarsar Marsar Lakes Trek – One of the Featured Treks in Our List.
The Marsar Lake is an oligotrophic alpine lake located in Tral valley of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is famous for its scenic beauty. It also falls in the close vicinity of Aru valley in Pahalgam.[1] The lake is separated by a mountain with a minimum peak elevation of 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) from another lake of the same nature known as Tarsar Lake. Due to their close proximity and similar physical characteristics, the two lakes are often called as the “twin sisters”.[2] The site has over the years become a famous tourist destination. Tarsar-Marsar Trek is one of the highly opted treks of the Kashmir Valley. A stream emerges from this lake, which travels through the Dachigam valley and enters Srinagar near Harwan garden where it fills the Sarband reservoir. This stream (Dagwan Nallah) is joined by another stream which flows from Mount Mahadev near the Telbal village and from thereon it is called the Telbal nallah which is the primary source of Dal Lake.

The Tarsar Lake or Tar Sar is an almond-shaped, oligotrophic alpine lake situated on the northern slope of Harmukh mountain in Kashmir Valley, specifically in the upper reaches of Tral (Pulwama district).

Quicks Facts:

Region- Kashmir
Route: Srinagar – Aru – Lidderwat – Shekwas – Tarsar – Sundersar – Marsar – Homwas – Pahalgam – Srinagar
Altitude- 13,201 ft
Duration- 8 days
Trekking Distance- 50 kilometres
Difficulty Level- Moderate
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 :

Day 1 Srinagar to Aru (110 Kms, 3 hours) Max altitude reached: 7920 ft

The clients will be picked up from Srinagar in a cab and the same cab would take you to Aru valley. We shall be spending the night in Aru valley, which is the famous base camp for so many treks in the valley. The Overa-Aru Biosphere Reserve is a famous destination for horseback riding and heliskiing in the winters. The last point where you would be getting any network would be Pahalgam. Our camp site would be right next to the mighty Lidder river in the Aru.

Day 2 :

Day 2 Aru to Lidderwat (12 Kms, 6-7 hours) Max Altitude Reached: 9131 ft

This day we would encounter approximately 12 kms of meandering trails of moderate incline through the thick conifer forest except for the steep initial ascent for 30-40 minutes. After a 30-40 minutes hike we would be having a panoramic view of the entire Aru valley. We would encounter a lot of people from the Shepard tribes aka “Gujjar” community especially in the spring and summer season. As soon as the thicket of Fir trees becomes a distant image, we will be entering a grassland meadow where there would be a lot of settlements of “Gujjars”. After a steep ascent of 2-3 kms we reach a makeshift log bridge to cross the valley stream. The camp site at Lidderwat is still an hour’s hike from this point. The camp site is situated in densely populated Fir tree and right next to the river which becomes a lullaby at night.

Day 3 :

Day 3 Lidderwat to Shekwas (7-8 Kms, 4-5 hours) Max Altitude Reached: 11160 ft

The trek basically starts behind the PDA huts near our Lidderwat camp site. The first 2-3 hours of the climb are quite steep and we shall see a lot of valley streams along the way. Until we reach Homwas, a quaint little village of “Gujjar” people living in harmony with the nature. One can’t really miss their warmth and hospitality. We cross another rudimentary log bridge at Homwas. After crossing the small settlement, we hike up to a higher camping ground and pitch our tents under the blanket of stars.

Day 4 :

Day 4 Shekwas to Tarsar, explore Tarsar (5 Kms, 4-5 hours) Max Altitude Reached: 12500 ft

On this day we move from Shekwas 10,500 ft to Tarsar 12,500 ft, most of our way is of moderate incline and would approximately take us 4-5 hours. We have to move up a humpbacked hill and cross a few ridges to have the first peek of the magical blue waters of Tarsar Lake. The entire hike up the hill is very exciting and everyone is walking in anticipation to have the first glimpses of the infamous Tarsar Lake. We would be camping right next to the outlet of the lake. We could spend the evening exploring the Tarsar Lake. You would be astounded by the sheer beauty and the tranquility.

Day 5 :

Day 5 Tarsar to Sundersar (5 Kms, 4-5 hours) Max Altitude Reached: 13100 ft

It would be a moderate to difficult climb from Tarsar to Sundersar Valley and we would be gaining an altitude of 600 ft. We would be crossing the Tarsar pass to reach Sundersar and then to Sundersar valley. But, the way through the pass offers a breathtaking view of the twin lakes. On our way down, we would come across a lot of livestock grazing along the banks of the lake. We would also be greeted by people of the nomadic shepherd tribe colloquially known as the “Bakkarwals”. Finally, we reach Sundersar and pitch our camps near the lake. This entire day is just a visual overload and a perfect camp site to just process all the beauty this trek has to offer.

Day 6 :

Day 6 Sundersar to Marsar and then to Homwas (10 Kms, 6-7 hours) Max Altitude Reached: 13500 ft

This day we would be gaining more height in order to witness the infamous Marsar Lake known for a lot of spooky stories and fables. We start our quite tedious trek through the Marsar ridge (13,500 ft) and we would be facing some snow patches and rock crevasses on our way until we finally reach the pass. This is where we get the first glimpses of the blue colored Tarsar lake. Lake is completely surrounded by snow clad mountains and has an outlet from one side which ultimately reaches to the Dachigam Forest Reserve. One can even trek from there to, another unknown location Kashmir valley has to offer, Mahadev Glacier. Then we descend to Homwas where we camp for the night and rest after a tiring day.

Day 7 :

Day 7 Homwas to Aru (15 kms, 6-7 hours)

Finally, we descend down from Homwas and cross through familiar forests and trails. Our first stop is at Lidderwat where we have our lunch and then continue our descend to Aru. The moment we reach the Aru hamlet, the relaxation phase begins to prepare us for the journey from Aru to Srinagar.

Day 8 :

Day 8 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.