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.
