Kousar Nag
A sacred high-altitude lake above Aharbal, fed by the snows of the Pir Panjal.
Duration
3 days
Region
Kulgam
Difficulty
Moderate
Max altitude
3962 m
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Aharbal to Kongwattan
Drive to Aharbal, trek to the Kongwattan camp.
8 km5 hrs trek2,800 mKongwattan camp- Visit the thundering Aharbal waterfall at the trailhead
- Forest trail beside the Veshaw river
- Camp on the green Kongwattan clearing
- Day2
Kongwattan to Kousar Nag
Ascend to the sacred lake and back to camp.
14 km8 hrs trek3,700 mKongwattan camp- Big push to the high, sacred Kousar Nag lake
- Ringed by the Pir Panjal's snow-streaked peaks
- Return to the same camp for the night
A pilgrimage lake — please keep the shore litter-free and respect any prayers underway.
- Day3
Return to Aharbal
FinishDescend through pine forest to the trailhead.
8 km4 hrs trek2,200 m- Relaxed forest descent back to Aharbal
- Final waterfall view before the drive out
- Return to Srinagar — trek ends
Gallery
Packages
Kousar Nag · Standard
3-day trek to the sacred lake.
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
- Kousar Nag is a sacred pilgrimage lake — please keep the shore pristine and be respectful.
- 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.