Marchoi Trek
TREK DIFFICULTY
Easy
TREK DURATION
5 Days
HIGHEST ALTITUDE
8600 Feet
GROUP SIZE
private
TREK DISTANCE
18 km
BASECAMP
kashmir
BEST TIME
Nov to April
PICKUP POINT
Kashmir
Marchoi Trek Overview
The Marchoi Trek, located in the Pir Panjal Mountain range of Kashmir Himalayas, is gaining popularity among trekkers as a great choice for winter treks in Kashmir. In winter, when all the other treks of Kashmir like Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGL Trek), Warwan Valley Trek, Tarsar Marsar Trek, and Pir Panjal Lakes Trek become inaccessible, trekkers can choose to embark on this beautiful Marchoi Trek.
This trek starts from a small and ancient village of Kashmir named "Naranag." The endpoint of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is the starting point of the Marchoi Trek. From Naranag, the trail leads you through lush green forests.
You will not see any meadows on this trek until you reach the Marchoi Top. On the top, there is a small opening through the forest. You will walk through beautiful Himalayan forests, cross streams including the Wangnath River, and traverse sections with boulders and rocks to reach the Marchoi Top from the starting point.
Every day, the trek will reveal a different beauty and aspect of the Himalayas to you. On the first day, you will be accommodated in a village homestay, which will enable you to delve into the history and culture of this ancient village.
On the next day, you will be staying by the riverside in a camp, and hopefully, a few shepherd families will be your neighbours. The fragrance of forests, the soothing sound of the river, and the spectacular scenery will surely enlighten you.
On the summit day, after crossing the forest and meadows, you will reach the summit, which will give you a sense of achievement and offer you mesmerizing views of the Himalayan mountain range.
Hence, every day, the Marchoi trek will provide something to be curious about and something to be grateful for.
The Marchoi Trek is easy. Due to its short walking distance of 20 km and comparatively lower altitude of 10,500 ft, the Marchoi Trek is approachable for beginners. However, beginners may find traversing through some sections a little challenging, but the view from the Marchoi top will take away all exhaustion.
There are a few tricky sections that will require your complete attention. On the first day of the trek, there will be a small section of the trail by the riverside. The trail there is dusty and slippery.
Due to its low altitude, this trek remains operational throughout the year. In the summer months from April to June, you will be able to see beautiful green landscapes and pleasantly flowing rivers and mountain streams. Until mid-April, you may find snow on some sections of the trek.
In winter, Marchoi Trek remains covered with snow. This trek is emerging as a famous winter trek of Kashmir. During winter, you will experience walking through a thick carpet of snow and witnessing frozen streams, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and partially frozen rivers.
We would advise you to avoid doing the Marchoi Trek in peak winter since the trail may be slippery, and there may be floods in the river. This may hinder your trekking adventure.
- By Flight:
Take a flight to Srinagar and then proceed to Naranag by cab. Naranag is only 50 km away from Srinagar
- By Train:
You can arrive at Srinagar Railway Station and from there get a cab to Naranag.
- By Road:
Government buses operate directly from Srinagar and major cities of Kashmir to Naranag. You can book a ticket and embark on this beautiful journey. Alternatively, you can book a cab or opt for a self-drive car to reach Naranag, which is 50 km away.
As we mentioned earlier, every day the Marchoi Trek offers you something to be curious about and something to be grateful for. Let's check out something interesting about this trek.
- Naranag:
Naranag is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site in Kashmir. This can be an interesting sight to visit not only for trekkers and tourists but also for archaeological experts and those interested in history and archaeology.
This Naranag village is located in the Ganderbal district in the Kashmir Valley of India. It derives its name from the Naranag Temple located in this region. This beautiful temple is made of stones and wood, believed to have been built in the 8th century AD. Some believe that this temple is dedicated to "Nag Devta" (the deity of Snakes), while others believe it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
At Naranag, you can spend time in the temple premises, witness the unique architecture, and experience the divine vibes yourself. Moreover, Naranag is considered to be the base camp of the sacred mountain Harmukh Trek and Gangbal Lake Trek.
- Campsite of Sangri:
Traversing through the forests for around 5-6 km, you will reach this beautiful campsite on the first day. Your camps will be pitched up right beside the river. The beauty of the place cannot be expressed in words. The soothing sound of the river, the fresh and fragrant air, and the beautiful Himalayan scenery surrounding you. What else does a nature lover need?
In peak winters with heavy snowfall, we can ensure your safe accommodation by accommodating you in the shepherd's hut. This too will be a thrilling experience.
- Shepherd's Huts and Interacting with Shepherds:
During the trek, you will come across 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. Before the onset of winter, the shepherds descend from the mountains with their flocks and return to their respective villages to avoid the excessive snow and cold that make staying there untenable.
If you have the opportunity, spend some time with the Bakharwals, the joyful and welcoming shepherds of Kashmir, who lead challenging lives. Listening to their stories and observing their lifestyle will surely inspire you.
In Himalaya Shelter, we provide you with the option to customize your trekking experience. If you're a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, you can choose our personalized tailor-made trekking program. You will exclusively have a customized trek designed for you, taking into account your specific requirements for transportation, accommodation, meals, and any other premium facilities. You will not add any other participants 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.
Day 1: Drive from Srinagar to Naranag
Drive: 50 km, 2 hrs
Altitude: 5,200 ft (1,585 m) – 6,982 ft (2,128 m)
Accommodation: Homestay/Guest House
Meals: Evening snacks + Dinner
Assemble at Nishat Garden which is a 20-minute drive from the airport. We drive to the base camp at Naranag. A scenic drive, we spend the night in a Kashmiri homestay.
Day 2: Trek from Naranag to Sangri
Trek: 5-6 km, 4 hrs
Altitude: 6,982 ft (2,128 m) – 8,200 ft (2,500 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
We start early morning today and the trail today starts at Naranag ancient temple ruins towards the Sangri camp via Dhumail. The trail goes through meadows and jungles, marvel at the mountains full of snow.
Day 3: Sangri to Marchoi Top and return to Sangri
Trek Distance: 8 km, 6 hrs
Altitude: 8,200 ft (2,500 m) – 10,498 ft (3,200 m) – 8,200 ft (2,500 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening snacks + Dinner
We leave the camp early today and start ascending towards Marchoi top. The top gives a panoramic view from Marchoi top of amazing Himalayan mountains including Mt Harmukh, Kotwal Peak, Salnai Valley, Gangabal valley, Wangnath and Marchoi valley. The mountains look breathtaking, all white covered in Snow. We return the same day back to the campsite at Sangri.
Day 4: Trek from Sangri to Naranag Drive to Srinagar
Trek: 5-6 km, 4 hrs
Drive: 50 km, 2 hrs
Altitude: 8,200 ft (2,500 m) – 6,982 ft (2,128 m) – 5,200 ft (1,585 m)
Meals: Breakfast
Today we trek back on the same trail from Sangri to Naranag and then drive to Srinagar. The pine forests trekking back looks beautiful. Enjoy the scenic views on the drive back.
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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