Kolahoi Glacier Trek is one of the most adventurous treks in Kashmir. There are several glacier treks in both Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh that are famous among trekkers, attracting both beginners and experienced adventurers to enjoy their beauty. Although Kashmir boasts some stunning glaciers, they haven't gained popularity due to disturbances in the area. Thanks to the efforts of the current government, Kashmir has become significantly safer, allowing trekkers and explorers to roam the region without fear.
This positive change has attracted numerous tourists and trekkers from around the world to Kashmir, which is emerging as one of the most beautiful and famous trekking destinations in India. Kashmir features stunning forests, vast meadows, spectacular lakes, and amazing glaciers, with Kolahoi Glacier being one of the highlights.
Located in the great Himalayan range at an altitude of 15,400 ft (4,700 m), Kolahoi Glacier is considered the main source of the Lidder River, a tributary of the Jhelum River. The Kolahoi Peak is regarded as the highest peak of the Great Himalayan Range.
During the Kolahoi Glacier Trek, you will traverse from forests to open meadows, encountering challenging sections of moraines and boulders. Along the trek, you will cross several wooden bridges built over Himalayan streams and rivers.
Kolahoi Glacier Trek Difficulty:
Kolahoi Glacier Trek is an easy to moderately difficult trek. Due to its high altitude and long distances, this trek is suitable for trekkers who have completed 1 or 2 treks previously.
Whenever you embark on a glacier trek, certain facts remain consistent. In the initial days, you will be hiking/trekking through forests; as you gain altitude, you will likely enter small meadows and clearings. The trail will then lead you to terrains with rocks and boulders; occasionally, you will cross streams and rivers. In the last section, you will have to traverse challenging terrains known as moraines. The forest trails may or may not be steep, but trekking through the moraines will always be a tough and challenging task as they are very unstable. Glacier movements affect the moraines, posing the risk of rockfalls, which can be mitigated by choosing the right time for the trek. However, in this trek, we are not going over the glacier; instead, we will be observing the glacier from a distance, so we will not have to walk through the challenging moraine sections. Occasionally, we will have to walk through boulder sections to reach the viewpoint.
Best Time to do Kolahoi Glacier Trek:
The Kolahoi Trek can be undertaken anytime between March and October.
In March, and possibly into mid-April, you will find the trek partially covered with snow.
In May and June, you will be able to witness the beautiful Himalayan scenery completely covered in green. In June, you may even see some spectacular wildflowers blooming in the Himalayas.
The months of July and August are the monsoon months in India. You can expect occasional showers during these months.
In September, the valley will once again be blooming with wildflowers, and by October, the weather will be cold and windy. At high altitudes, you may experience whiteouts and snowfall.
Main Attractions of the Kolahoi Glacier Trek:
Chainbal Waterfall:
During the 3rd day of the trek, as you trek from Lidderwart to Dudhsar Lake, you will come across the beautiful Chaibal Waterfall.
The waterfall is not huge, but the sound of gushing waters can be heard from a considerable distance. The stunning view of this waterfall against the backdrop of the Himalayan Mountain Range will relieve all your exhaustion.
Dudhsar Lake:
Dudhsar Lake is one of the lesser-known lakes of Kashmir, and very few trekkers are aware of it. This beautiful lake is situated at an altitude of 12,600 ft. Dudhsar is a high-altitude alpine lake. Your camp will be pitched by this lake, allowing you ample time to explore its beauty. Watching the reflection of the Himalayan mountain range on the bluish waters of Dudhsar Lake will be a mesmerizing sight.
Shepherd's Huts and Interacting with Shepherds:
During the trek, you will witness beautiful 'Doks,' which are homes made of stones and wood used by shepherds. They arrive here in the spring season to graze their flocks of sheep and goats, setting up small huts and tents. They stay until pre-winter, as excessive snow and cold make it untenable to stay there during winters. Therefore, before the onset of winter, the shepherds descend from the mountains with their flocks and return to their respective villages.
If you get a chance, try to spend some time with the shepherds, known as 'Bakharwals.' The Bakharwals of Kashmir lead very challenging lives, yet they always remain joyful and welcoming. Listening to their stories and observing their lifestyle will surely inspire you.
From Where does the Kolahoi Glacier Trek Start and how to reach there:
The Kolahoi Glacier Trek starts from Aru Valley, which is only 12 km away from Pahalgam. From Srinagar, you can take a bus directly to Aru Valley. Alternatively, you can hire a cab to Pahalgam, and from there, take a shared taxi to Aru Valley. The local taxi association may create problems if you arrive in Aru Valley in a taxi from another state or region.
By Flight:
Take a flight to Srinagar and then proceed to Pahalgam by cab. From there get a local cab and reach Aru Valley after a drive of 12 km which will take around 45 minutes to complete.
By Train:
You can arrive at either the Jammu Railway Station or the Udhampur Railway Station. Jammu Railway Station is 285 km from Pahalgam, while Udhampur Railway Station is 217 km away. Although Udhampur Railway Station is relatively closer, better connectivity to Jammu is available from major cities in India.
From Jammu/Udhampur, hire a taxi to reach Pahalgam and from there drive to Aru.
By Road:
Government buses operate directly from Delhi and Chandigarh to Pahalgam. You can book a ticket and embark on this long yet thrilling journey. Alternatively, if you are already in Srinagar, you can book a cab or opt for a self-drive car to reach Aru, which is 108 km away.
Customize Your Trek with Himalaya Shelter:
In Himalaya Shelter, we provide you with the option to customize your trekking experience. Whether you're a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, you can opt for our personalized tailor-made trekking program. This customized trek will be exclusively designed for you, taking into account your specific requirements for transportation, accommodation, meals, and any other premium facilities you may need during the trek. No other participants will be added to your group. Choosing a customized trek will enable you to fully enjoy the trek with your loved ones. Click here to learn what a Customized Trekking program looks like.
Kolahoi Base Itinerary
Drive: 110 km, 4 hrs
Altitude: 5,200 ft (1,585 m) – 7,920 ft (2,414 m)
Accommodation: Camping / Guest House
Meals: Dinner
Pick-up will be early, ideally around 7-8 AM, Begin your road trip from Srinagar to Aru. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours, covering a distance of around 102 kilometers. Enjoy the scenic drive through the lush Kashmir Valley and alongside the Lidder River. Reach Aru in the late afternoon or early evening then accommodation in the campsite
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your accommodation in Aru. Start your trek from Aru towards Lidderwat. This route will take you through lush green meadows, dense pine forests and along the banks of the Lidder River. Be prepared for some moderate to steep ascents and descents. The path will take you deep into the pine forests, and as you approach Lidderwat, you will notice a change in the landscape. After reaching Lidderwat, will stay there for the night.
Trek: 8 km, 5-6 hrs
Altitude: 9,130 ft (2,783 m) – 12,500 ft (3,810 m)
Begin your trek from Lidderwat to Kolahoi Base. the trail is incredibly scenic and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes Arrive at Kolahoi Base in the late afternoon. This is a high-altitude campsite with breathtaking views of the Kolahoi Glacier and surrounding peaks. then stay overnight there
Trek: 7 km, 5-6 hrs
Altitude: 12,500 ft (3,810 m) – 11,170 ft (3,405) – 10,450 ft (3,185 m)
we start our trek from Kolahoi Base towards Dudhsar Lake. The trail will take you through rocky terrain and may involve some steep ascents. As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Then reach Dudhsar Lake, take some time to explore and admire the stunning turquoise waters of the lake and after that Spend some time at the Kolahoi Glacier Viewpoint then descend towards Satlunjan. after reaching Sutlunjan stay overnight there
Trek: 11-13 km, 5-6 hrs
Drive: 110 km, 4 hrs
Altitude: 10,450 ft (3,185 m) – 7,920 ft (2,414 m) and Drive to 5,200 ft (1,585 m)
Meals: Breakfast
You have to Wake up early in Satlunjan and start your trekking descent from Satlunjan back to Aru. Once you reach Aru, you can freshen up and have a meal at Aru then drive from Aru to Srinagar
The meaning of Kolahoi Glacier is Goddess of Light in western Himalayas
You will gain maximum altitude at this trek is approximately 3,850 meters
Kolahoi Glacier Trek is considered a Moderate trek
The network is available till Srinagar from there, The network is incomplete and almost non-existent. and only post-paid SIM cards will work in Kashmir
Yes! We will provide you cloakroom to keep your extra luggage if you do not want to carry extra luggage while trekking at FREE OF COST
Reviews
Inclusions
Transport support from Srinagr to Srinagar
Pick-up location: Nishat Garden, Srinagar
All vegetarian meals starting from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the last day
Professional Guide, Cook and Support staff
First-Aid kit with Oximeter and Portable Oxygen Cylinder
Kitchen tents, common tents, toilet tents with portable toilet seats
Rent for camping equipment like Clean sleeping bags and foam mattresses, Good quality ‘A’ shaped or dome tents, Camping stools, Table and Crampons and gaiters if required
Forest entry charges for Indian nationals (Additional charges will be applicable for international tourists)
Porter and mule support to carry camping equipment and personal luggage
Accommodation throughout the trek on a triple-sharing basis
Guesthouse accommodation on the first and second last day on a triple-sharing basis
All applicable taxes
Exclusions
Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc.
Any transport support during the trek apart from what is included above
Any cost or services not mentioned in the Inclusions
Accommodation in Srinagar
Adventure Insurance
Cost arising due to unforeseen incidents like bad weather, medical evacuation, roadblocks etc
Porter and mule support to carry personal Luggage can be arranged at an additional cost of INR 500 per bag per day (weighing up to 12 kg)
Please carry a lunch box for packed lunch/breakfast to avoid using polythenes and Aluminium foils. Keeping the Himalayas clean is our own responsibility. Reduce the use of Plastic when you are in the abode of the Sacred Himalaya. 🌱
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Kolahoi Glacier Trek
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