Drive: 103 km, 3-4 hrs
Altitude: 5,220 ft (1,590 m) – 7,950 feet (2,423 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents) / Guest House
Meals: Dinner
The journey generally begins from Srinagar for most trekkers, immediately helping you get acclimatized to the colder temperatures. Travelers are then ferried off to the small yet busy town, where you can withdraw cash from the ATM and make any important calls. Cell service is almost non-existent beyond Pahalgam, and no ATMs are ahead. From Phalgam to Aru, there are two routes one from the Anantnag and the other one from the Bhijbera, Bhijbera is the popular Tourist route
you will see apple trees, walnut trees, and apricot trees along the way, The final stop for the day is the trek base camp at Aru, a wonderful village at the Lidder river bank. The route offers magnificent views of apple orchards, tiny hamlets, and the river on another side. When you reach the Aru Valley campsite you are greeted with hot tea and evening snacks
Trek: 10 km, 6-7 hrs
Altitude: 7,950 feet (2,423 m) – 9,150 ft (2,788 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
On the second day, the trek sets out for the first leg from Aru to Lidderwat, located in the Lidderwat valley. The ascent is not too steep, from 7,950 ft. to 9,131 ft. It is ideal to set a tone for the next legs ahead and to get people into practice for the adventures that await. The trek takes you through a scenic melody of lush clouds above and wet green meadows down below. The views are dotted with alpine trees and flowering shrubs throughout the grassy meadows.
After a slightly tiring, 7-hour long trek, the first milestone is sighted, and the campsite welcomes you for the night’s rest and much-needed food. A picture-perfect location for chats, the mountains invite you for tea along with long and heartfelt conversations with fellow travelers.
Trek: 6 km, 5 hrs
Altitude: 9,150 ft (2,788 m) – 11,000 ft (3,352 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
The third morning welcomes you to a different perspective of a morning in the mountains. The slightly overcast sky and views remain clear enough to see distant smudges of slight rainfall. As you prepare to move ahead and onward, you can enjoy panoramic views around Lidderwat. The next leg from Lidderwat to Shekwas is a light, 6 km trek that finishes by early afternoon, just in time for a comforting lunch. This is another moderate trek, with Shekhwas perched at 11,000 ft., where we gain an altitude of 1850 ft.
What captures eyes and thoughts is the magnificent way nature changes itself every few kilometers up there in the mountains. Half an hour into the trek, you are greeted with a dense alpine forest of mountain pines, spattered with small and wide clearings. The Lidder river remains almost a constant companion, allowing plenty of refills for your trusty water bottle.
Very soon, another landscape shift occurs. Just as the forest clears, travelers are welcomed to an almost overwhelming sight of valleys and mountain sides intertwining into each other, lined with freshwater streams. As you walk through the convergence of valleys, a steeper ascent tires you. The path takes you through the final stretch of the leg to Shekwas, where the next campsite lies. Shekwas is a sight to behold, offering panoramic views of peaks in the distance, with a meadow surrounding them in contrast, dotted with small local hamlets consisting of low, thatched-roofed huts.
Since travelers have the whole evening free, it is advised to go around to enjoy the fresh winds and explore the area around the campsite. After spending a little time basking in the glory of nature, you can get back to the campsite for dinner and rest.
Trek: 4 km, 3-4 hrs
Altitude: 11,000 ft (3,352 m) – 12,500 ft (3,810 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Day 4 of the trek takes you to the jewel of Tarsar lake that awaits you after a 5 km trek.
Begin the morning with a hot and refreshing breakfast and pack up for moving on to the Tarsar lake, leaving behind Shekwas and its lush meadows.
Two hours into the trek, you reach another hilltop that offers a teaser of the majestic lake, ridged from three sides. The real adventure begins here as you cross a stream with the help of boulders that line it to ascend to the lake and the campsite that awaits on a vast grassy meadow beside it.
Bask in the views of that almond-shaped lake as you forget to breathe, and life starts washing away into a distant dream, and all that feels left is what beauty lies in front of your eyes. Cradled by higher grounds and hills on three sides, the serene and calm lake has a life of its own as it overflows and breathes its water slowly into the Lidder river.
Have a fulfilling lunch while lapping up the unparalleled views of the lake and then scout the lakeside, watching the day almost melt into the darkness of the night.
The journey onward is steeper and lined with more boulders on the way. You gain a height of 1,500 ft. to reach the Tarsar lake, perched at 12,500 ft., in 5 hours of trekking. The terrain is moderate, but the ascent remains continuous. As you cross a humped hill and a few ridges, you realize that the entire trek is adrenaline-rich and full of spectacular views. There is no end to the magnificent sights of grassy patches, dense trees, and distant mountains, all blending in to enrich one’s soul.
Trek: 6 km, 5 hrs
Altitude: 12,500 ft (3,810 m) – 13,100 ft (3,993 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
The following day is another exotic experience, as you wake up to find daylight filling the views. The next leg up is the final part of the ascent, leading to the smaller Sundarsar lake. This leg is 6 km long, gaining an altitude of 600ft to a total height of 13,100 ft. This is the most challenging part of the entire trek due to the steep incline at the beginning to reach the lake Tarsar’s pass. Difficult yet highly rewarding because once you arrive at the pass, you are blinded by the most heavenly and stunning view of the lake from the other side.
As you move on, you find yourself descending along a gurgling mountain brook with small local settlements and mountain sheep dotting the area. The charm of that panoramic picture frame just washes away all the tardiness and prepares travelers for another, slightly different surprise. As soon as you cross the valley after the descent, another mountain fold reveals an expansive meadowy patch, but this one is covered throughout with flowers. The bright hues of flowers shining in the sunlight act as the perfect contrast to the dense green hues of the grassland.
Once you come back from the overwhelming amazingness of the natural beauty, move on to another quick adventure, crossing another boulder-laden trail taking you over a stream to the lakeside. A flat patch acts as a campsite, where you can retire after exploring the lakeside.
Trek: 11 km, 7 hrs
Altitude: 13,100 ft (3,993 m) – 13,400 ft (Marsar) – 11,500 ft (Homwas) (3,505 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
This is the last, most crucial leg of the trek, but in no way does it let your excitement diminish. You can anticipate climbing boulders on a tricky trail that leads to Marsar, which could be clad with snow.
The trek to Marsar is 9 km long and can take you just a little over 7 hours to complete. The altitude change is not much, beginning at 12900 ft from Sundarsar, rising to 13,200 ft. at the ridge top, and descending to 11,500 ft at the Marsar lake.
Due to the possibility of snow and ice, this part of the terrain can be slippery. Make your way through the Sundarsar lake’s shore, and reach the trail that leads to the rocky part ahead that creates the pass.
Make your way to the top of the ridge, where you are greeted with the calm and serene blueness of the lake Marsar ahead. Crystal clear snow melts from the mountainside feeding the lake’s waters present themselves as you look around, devouring the charm of nature. Starting with the deep blue of the waters and the heavenly whites of the distant snow to the lush and dense green of the Dachigam forest ahead of the lake.
Descended from the ridge top, making way through small patches of flat grounds, crossing small and lovely brooks littered in the path. Finally, the Marsar lake hits you like a breath of fresh air, offering unparalleled views of the mountains.
Marsar to Homwas
After spending some time there and letting the enchanting beauty sink in, start back for Sundarsar, a 40-minute journey through a shorter, similarly terrain trail pass. After a brief rest at Sundarsar, the trek’s final leg begins, on to Homwas.
The morning trek can be tiring, but the delinquency may set in later as you make your way into the Jagmargi valley. Move on to the Tarsar pass, and take an adjoining route to Homwas. This entire trek lasts less than 3 hours and does not take as much time and effort since it is a gradual descent to Homwas.
Retired for the night at Homwas, full of experiences to share with fellow travelers and to listen to the stories that they have to share.
Trek: 13 km, 6-7 hrs
Drive: 104 km, 3-4 hrs
Altitude: 11,500 ft (3,505 m) – 7,950 feet (2,423 m) – 5,220 ft (1,590 m)
Meals: Breakfast
The next morning hits with a mix of emotions as you feel the excitement of what has been accomplished, the dreaminess of the heavenly sights, and the heaviness in the heart on bidding the beautiful lakes adieu. Pack up for the last quick stretch to Aru, where a brief stop gives you a final chance to say goodbye to the magnificent mountains and to collect fond and loving memories of the lakes. Travelers are then ferried back to Pahalgam and on to Srinagar.
While it is possible to do the Tarsar Marsar trek solo, it is recommended to trek with a guide or in a group for safety purposes, especially if you are not familiar with the trail or the region.
The best time to undertake the Tarsar Marsar trek is from June to September when the weather is pleasant and the trail is accessible. In the month of September, you may see a spectacular Wild Flower blooming in the Tarsar Marsar Lake Trek.
While prior trekking experience is not mandatory, it is recommended to have a moderate level of fitness and some trekking experience due to the moderate difficulty level of the trail.
The height of Tarsar Marsar Trek is approximately 13,000 feet (3,962 meters) above sea level.
The safety of the Tarsar Marsar Trek depends on several factors including weather conditions, individual fitness levels & adherence to safety guidelines. It is always recommended to trek with experienced guides, carry necessary equipment & stay updated on weather forecasts. This trek can be a safe and enjoyable experience.
Tarsar Lake is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the beautiful and scenic Dachigam National Park, which is about 24 kilometers from Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir.