Tarsar Marsar Trek

About

What if we tell you that, there is one more hidden trek in the deep valley of Kashmir which comes close to the beauty of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek? Yes, the Tarsar Marsar trek in Aru valley, Kashmir is one of the most enchanting treks in India.

Tarsar Marsar is like your childhood drawings with colors as pastel and bright as the world painted by you. The trek starts in the quaint Aru valley and takes you through the scent of pine trees. You will pass dense forest and grasslands accompanied by numerous wildflowers.

Your efforts culminate into taking you to the two alpine lakes of Tarsar and Marsar. And the best part is not only you get to visit the lake but you also get to camp right beside it. So, wake up to the royal blue lake for the right kind of morning blues! The three lakes, Tarsar, Marsar and Sundersar will make you witness breathtaking views.
An interesting fact about Tarsar lake is that it changes its color throughout the day. From turquoise to blue to green and grey, Tarsar is definitely a treat to the eyes.

For someone who loves mountains, meadows and valleys or someone who wants to explore Kashmir like never before, the Tarsar Marsar trek is a live-able dream.

Itinerary

Day 01: Srinagar – Aru (3-4 hours drive, 100km)

Morning arrival in Srinagar before 1pm. Transport will be arranged at 2pm from Dal Lake for Aru. Reach Aru and check in at our base camp. Overnight in tents. (D)

Day 02: Aru Valley – Lidderwat (10 km, 6 hours trek)

Post breakfast start the trek to Lidderwat. It is a gentle but long climb to Lidderwat, covering a distance of 10 km in 6 hours. The trail follows the course of the Lidder River. After the initial ascent, there is a gentle undulating walk through thick pines. Once the forest starts thinning out progressively the trail opens into a grassland. After crossing two clear streams the trail climbs into a small cluster of pine trees. At the end of the trail, you will reach the superb meadows of Lidderwat. On arrival, hot lunch will be served. Tents will be allotted and it is now time to rest. Overnight stay in tents. (B,L,D)

Day 03: Lidderwat – Shekwas (5.6 km, 5hours)

On your way to Tarsar, you will leave the river below and climb into the pine forest above you. After walking for an hour and a half, the narrow valley of Lidderwat opens up and that is where many valleys converge together. The climb continues to gain altitude. An hour later after passing some bhoj trees, the view opens up to another stunning scenery. The trail then climbs swiftly to the extremely pretty camping grounds of Shekwas. (B,L,D)

Day 04: Shekwas – Tarsar (5 km, 4 hours)

Once you leave Shekwas campsite, the actual trail to Tarsar starts. The trail climbs rapidly towards a conical hill in front. After walking for two hours, you finally get a narrow glimpse of Tarsar. Even the glimpse of Tarsar is enough to calm your soul and push you to reach the shores of the lake. Tarsar keeps changing its color from blue to green to turquoise. Also, we will be camping on the banks of Tarsar lake. (B,L,D)

Day 05: Tarsar – Sundersar (5 km, 5 hours)

Another 5 km trek commences to the Sundersar Valley. We begin into a connecting stretch first which joins the meadows of Shekwas and Sundersar Valley. On the ascent to the pass, the trail gets steeper but then mellows down to a gentler slope to Sundersar. The highlight of this stretch comes with a view of Tarsar Lake from the other side of the Pass. Our trail over the stream takes us to the Sundarsar Lakeside, a flatland where we can camp at the end of this remarkable day. (B,L,D)

Day 06: Sundersar – Marsar – Homwas (9 km, 7 hours)

We will be ascending higher up through Marsar ridge. The top of the ridge view reveals the translucent blue Marsar Lake lying somewhere down below. Marsar has the same almond-shaped outline as Tarsar and almost as big. The snowmelts from the white cliffs feed its waters on one side and on another, the Dachigam forests starts. Now we descend back to Sundarsar camp and then to Homwas, trailing almost along the same way that we came by. The descent is full of nostalgia. We might alternatively descend further to Lidderwat to save time on day 7. Overnight in tents. (B,L,D)

Day 07: Homwas-Aru-Srinagar (13 km, 6-7 hours, 3 hours drive)

Starting early morning today, we descend from Homwas to Aru, sweeping over the same enchanting meadow lands we had experienced on the first days, and the same Lidder River, now to be followed downstream. We will cover the 10 km distance between Lidderwat to Aru in approx 4 hours. Drive back to Srinagar. Trek ends. We reccommend booking flight on the next day. (B,L)

Tarsar Marsar Trek