Kolahoi Glacier
Trace the Lidder to its source beneath the 'Goddess of Light' — Kashmir's iconic hanging glacier.
Duration
5 days
Region
Pahalgam
Difficulty
Hard
Max altitude
3650 m
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Pahalgam to Aru
Transfer and riverside acclimatisation.
2,400 mGuesthouse- Drive from Pahalgam to the Aru valley
- Easy riverside walk to settle into the altitude
- Briefing on the glacier approach ahead
- Day2
Aru to Lidderwat
Classic forest approach.
10 km5 hrs trek2,750 mRiverside camp- Gentle gradient along the Lidder through pine forest
- Pass nomadic Gujjar huts and grazing horses
- Camp on the wide Lidderwat meadow
- Day3
Lidderwat to Satlanjan
Meadows widen beneath Kolahoi.
6 km4 hrs trek3,000 mSatlanjan camp- Open meadows broaden with Kolahoi peak ahead
- River crossings on log bridges
- Camp at the base of the glacier valley
- Day4
Satlanjan to Glacier & back
Reach the glacier snout, return to camp.
12 km7 hrs trek3,600 mSatlanjan camp- Boulder-hop to the snout of the Kolahoi glacier
- Close views of the 'Goddess of Light' peak (5,425m)
- Return to the same camp for the night
Crampons not needed, but sturdy ankle support and trekking poles are essential here.
- Day5
Descent to Aru & return
FinishTrek out and drive to Srinagar.
16 km7 hrs trek2,400 m- Long single-push descent back to Aru
- Farewell lunch at the trailhead
- Drive back to Srinagar — trek ends
Gallery
Packages
Kolahoi · Standard
5-day glacier approach trek.
What's included
- Certified mountain guide
- All meals on trek (veg/non-veg)
- Tents, sleeping bags & mats
- Forest permits & camping fees
Not included
- Transport to base
- Personal gear
- Travel insurance
What to pack
Clothing
- Insulated jacket / down layer
- Fleece or warm mid-layer
- 2–3 quick-dry trek t-shirts
- Waterproof shell & rain poncho
- Thermal base layer
- Warm hat, sun cap & gloves
Footwear
- Waterproof trekking boots (broken-in)
- Camp sandals / floaters
- 3–4 pairs woollen / synthetic socks
Essentials
- 50–60L rucksack + rain cover
- Daypack (20L)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Reusable water bottles (2L total)
- SPF 50 sunscreen & lip balm
- UV-protected sunglasses
Personal & health
- Personal medication & basic first aid
- Toiletries & quick-dry towel
- ID card (original + copy)
- Trekking poles (recommended)
- Energy bars / dry fruits
Before you go
- Carry a government-issued photo ID — it is mandatory at forest and army check-posts.
- Pack out everything you pack in. We run a strict leave-no-trace policy on every trail.
- Weather in the high Himalaya changes fast; the guide may adjust the route or timings for safety.
- Network and electricity are unavailable on most of the trek — carry a power bank.
- Respect local customs and sacred sites; seek permission before photographing people.
Frequently asked
Do I need prior trekking experience?
Most of our routes are beginner-to-moderate. For 'hard' and 'expedition' grades we recommend a few weeks of cardio prep and at least one prior multi-day trek. Our guides set a comfortable pace and we keep buffer days for acclimatisation.
How do payments and confirmation work?
There is no online payment. You submit a booking request, our team contacts you on WhatsApp to confirm availability and itinerary, and the advance is collected directly. Your spot is held once we confirm.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations 21+ days before departure are fully refundable minus permit fees. 7–20 days: 50% refund. Under 7 days: non-refundable, but the amount can be moved to another departure within the same season.
Is it safe? What about altitude sickness?
Every group travels with a certified guide carrying a first-aid kit, oximeter and emergency oxygen. Itineraries are designed with gradual ascent. If anyone shows symptoms of AMS, the guide's decision to descend is final.
What is the food like on the trek?
Freshly cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are prepared by our trek cook — hot breakfast, packed or hot lunch, and a full dinner. Tea and snacks are served at camp. Let us know dietary needs in advance.
Will there be mobile network?
Expect network at the base village and trailhead only. Most of the trek is offline — postpaid SIMs (Jio/Airtel) work best in Kashmir; prepaid SIMs from outside J&K often do not.