Tarsar Marsar
Twin almond-shaped alpine lakes cradled between meadows and ridgelines — Kashmir's most photogenic crossing.
Duration
6 days
Region
Aru Valley
Difficulty
Moderate
Max altitude
4100 m
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Srinagar to Aru
Scenic drive to Aru and acclimatisation walk.
2,400 mGuesthouse- 3-hour drive through Pahalgam's pine valley to the Aru trailhead
- Gear check, fitness brief and team introductions over kahwa
- Short acclimatisation stroll along the Lidder to loosen the legs
Sleep early — the altitude gain over the next three days is steep.
- Day2
Aru to Lidderwat
Forest trail along the Lidder river.
10 km5 hrs trek2,750 mRiverside camp- Walk under towering pine and silver-birch canopy
- Cross Bakarwal shepherd settlements and grazing flocks
- First camp pitched on a meadow beside the roaring Lidder
- Day3
Lidderwat to Shekwas
Climb through meadows to Shekwas.
6 km5 hrs trek3,350 mAlpine camp- Tree line falls away into open rolling meadows
- Wildflower carpets and grazing horses in every direction
- Camp ringed by the first big peaks of the trek
This is where most people feel the thin air — pace slow, drink often.
- Day4
Shekwas to Tarsar
First sight of the turquoise Tarsar lake.
5 km4 hrs trek3,800 mLakeside camp- The almond-shaped Tarsar lake reveals itself below the ridge
- Pitch camp on the grassy shore, peaks mirrored in the water
- Golden-hour reflections — the most photographed moment of the trek
- Day5
Tarsar to Marsar
Cross the col to the elusive Marsar.
8 km6 hrs trek4,100 mSundersar camp- Climb the col between Tarsar and Sundersar lakes
- Reach the viewpoint above the often mist-cloaked Marsar
- Spot marmots and, if lucky, a distant ibex on the slopes
Marsar hides in cloud by mid-morning — we start at first light to catch it clear.
- Day6
Descent to Aru & return
FinishLong descent and drive back to Srinagar.
11 km6 hrs trek2,400 m- Retrace the meadows and forest back down to Aru
- Celebratory lunch at the trailhead
- Evening drive back to Srinagar — trek ends
Gallery
Packages
Tarsar Marsar · Private
Private departure with a dedicated guide and cook.
What's included
- Certified mountain guide
- All meals on trek (veg/non-veg)
- Tents, sleeping bags & mats
- Forest permits & camping fees
- Dedicated cook
- Flexible dates
Not included
- Transport to base
- Personal gear
- Travel insurance
Tarsar Marsar · Standard
6-day guided crossing with full camping support.
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.
Trekker reviews
Flawless organisation
“Born in Kashmir and still blown away. Permits, camps, everything handled.”
Imran Sheikh
Srinagar
The most beautiful week of my life
“Tarsar at dawn is unreal. The crew was professional and the food was incredible at 3,800m.”
Ananya Rao
Bengaluru