The Silent Meadows trek in Kashmir is not a single valley or meadow. There are many alpine meadows that the trekkers will cross. All these valleys encompass the famous Tosa Maidan, a meadow with historical background.
As per one prominent legend, the name of Tosa Maidan is linked back to Mehmud Ghazni. Apparently when he first came across the stunning vista of this alpine meadow he could not contain his amazement and exclaimed “Tushahemaidan” meaning, ‘you are the king of meadows’! With time this particular phrase changed into today’s Tosa Maidan!
In ancient times, this meadow, Tosa Maidan, used to be a haven for the shepherds hailing from the neighbouring lands. This lends a historical significance to this great and stunning valley of Kashmir. From historical times till date Tosa Maidan has remained a famous route, connecting Kashmir valley to western Punjab. The trek to the Silent Meadows will take trekkers into these deeper reaches of history of the great land of enchanting Kashmir.
Silent meadows - All information about the trek
The Silent Meadows a trek in Kashmir is an offbeat trek into the paradise on Earth. The picture perfect scenery of Kashmir hardly require any introduction. Commencing from Yusmarg, a popular tourist destination, trekkers pass through some of the hidden and gorgeous gems tucked in the lap of the Kashmir Himalayas. They will come across high-altitude meadows and alpine lakes of Tosa Maidan during their trek to the Silent Meadows. One could witness the culmination of green meadows or also known as ‘maidans’ studded with wild vibrant flowers, occasional photochromic lakes, mesmerizing springs and streams. One could also witness the breath-taking panorama of the mighty Himalayas, the Pir Panjal Range. Over all, this is a trek which provides the trekkers with multiple marvels of nature in a single trek. I would recommend The Silent Meadows Trek as this trek is a complete package of nature’s artbook.
The trail was carved out by ethnic tribe Gujjars, the nomadic tribes hailing from the valley of Yusmarg. Trekkers will be crossing high passes, witnessing snow capped mountains, traversing through green meadows, coming across clear lakes containing trouts and much more. Trekkers traverse through high passes in this trek with one such pass known as Noonwan valley towering at an altitude of 13,700 ft!
Difficulty levels of Silent Meadows trek
According to Season
The Silent Meadows trek, which is in Kashmir basking in the glory of the mighty Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, is graded as a moderate to difficult trek. In fact, the grade of every trek can vary depending on the season. The Silent Meadows trek is no different!
During Summer season which is from June to August this trek is comparatively easier. During this time there will be comfortable temperatures that can range from 10°C to 20°C. But be aware that the trekking trails can be a bit challenging as these get muddy and slippery from rainfall.
During the Autumn season which is from September to November the trek comes up with another grandeur! This is the best season to attempt the Silent Meadows trek. You can expect the best views with clear skies and abundance of greenery and vegetation and comfortable temperature ranging from 5°C to 15°C.
Winter season, from December to February can be tricky though. If the trek is being operated during this season, expect to go through the very low, freezing temperature and snow fall challenges.
According to altitude & temperature
The Silent Meadows trek is a high altitude trek where the highest point of the trek will be around 13,000 ft. There is a mountain pass to cross and the route contains considerable challenges with boulders and tricky trails. Naturally, in the higher altitude trekkers will have to go through some challenges.
On Day 3 of this trek, there is a 15-kilometer trek distance to be crossed from Astar to Duriem which elevates from sea level to 13,000 feet. Today’s traverse starts off with a steep trek up to the Astar top which is about 300m and will last for approximately 2 hours. As much as this climb may cover a comparatively small stretch, it can be quite challenging particularly for the first-degree climbers.
It is a long day as this time a part of the track contains boulders and long distance moving across Gurwansar, Patrisar and Pamsar lakes. Still possible to arrive in Duriem by late afternoon to explore the breathtaking open valleys. and It is best followed by conversations during the rest of the time before dinner is served. Morning briefing on the next day’s plan takes place after dinner.
Based on the seasons the temperature will vary from very low to a comfortable range.
According to Trekker’s
The Silent Meadows trek is a high altitude trek and the grade is moderate to difficult especially based on the season when it is attempted. There are trekking days which are long and call for considerable mental and physical endurance.
The trail can be challenging with high passes and boulder patches to traverse through. Therefore, it is always better to attempt this trek when one is physically fit and have experience of prior high altitude, multi-day camping hikes into the wilderness.
Best time to Visit the Silent Meadows
Silent Meadows trek In summers (May to September)
May to September, the warmer season in Kashmir is the best time to attempt the Silent Meadows trek. Although July to September is monsoon season and occasional shower during the trek is expected, yet the temperature will be within a comfortable range of 10-20 degrees. Evening time however, the temperature will be less but not freezing. As there will not be snow during the trek if you are attempting the Silent Meadows trek in between May to September, the trail will be comparatively less challenging.
Silent Meadows trek In winters (November to February)
November to February are the winter months. Attempting the Silent Meadows trek during the winter season is comparatively more challenging than the warmer months. During peak winter months there will be snow on the trail making the navigation more difficult. The Silent Meadows trek is a moderate to difficult grade trek given its trails, high pass and longer distances to cover. Winter months with freezing temperature will be more challenging for this trek.
Places to visit during Silent Meadows trek
Doodhpatri meadows
Doodhpathri is a famous high altitude meadow at an height of 2,730 m (8,957 ft) that lies in a valley shaped like a bowl and located in the in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. This alpine valley under the careful watch of the snow clad mountains is a sight to behold. Especially during Summer and Spring seasons this meadow is adorned with thousands of wild flowers like daisies, forget-me-not and many others. During winter the valley gets covered in a thick blanket of snow.
Dandair Meadows
In the Silent Meadows trek in Kashmir one will come across one after another alpine meadows with stunning vista. The Dandair meadow is one such magical high altitude meadow basking in the glory of the mighty Pir Panjal range at the backdrop. This meadow lays on the way to the Astar camp.
Astar campsite
On day 2 of the Silent Meadows trek with Himalaya Shelter you will reach the Astar camp, one of the best known campsites of this stunning trek. You will be hiking to Astar Camp in Barga valley uphill to reach a height of 11,500 feet crossing a distance of 12 km. You will move uphill through the Liddermad huts and onto the Dandair meadows before arriving at Astar camp. The Astar camp site gives you some of the best shots of the dazzling Doodhpatri meadows. The Shaliganga river runs through the mountainous terrain, and there is subtle shift in tint of its water the whole day, which is awe inspiring. You can reach Astar camp 3 to 5pm in the evening where people can relax and enjoy the lovely and calm nature.
Tosamaidan pastures
Tosamaidan Trek, a famous meadow with historical background that is the one of the most noted attractions in the Silent Meadows trek. As per one prominent legend, the name of Tosa Maidan is linked back to Mehmud Ghazni. Apparently when he first came across the stunning vista of this alpine meadow he could not contain his amazement and exclaimed “Tushahemaidan” meaning, ‘you are the king of meadows’! With time this particular phrase changed into today’s Tosa Maidan! In ancient times, this meadow, Tosa Maidan, used to be a haven for the shepherds hailing from the neighbouring lands.
How to reach Base Camp of Silent Meadows
Step 1 - Plan your flight to Srinagar airport in Kashmir or you can come via train
To reach for the Silent Meadows trek basecamp by flight from Delhi, you have a few options. The closest airport is the Srinagar Airport in Kashmir, which receives flights from major Indian cities, including Delhi. You can take a flight from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Srinagar airport.
All major airlines such as Air India, SpiceJet, and GoAir, Indigo operate direct flights between Delhi and Kashmir. Once you reach Srinagar airport from there you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Yusmarg, which is the trek basecamp.
Step 2 - Road Travel to base camp
To reach Yusmarg by road from Delhi, you have several options. The most common option is to take a bus or book a cab and take the National Highway 44, which connects Delhi to Srinagar. It will take approximately 14 hours to reach to Srinagar by road. From Srinagar there are many other road transport options available like buses or cabs to reach Yusmarg which will take another 2-3 hours depending on the road condition.
What to pack for the Meadows trek
Important Documents
Before setting out for Silent Meadows trek, be organized with all necessary
- Identifications: Government issued identity proof like passport and Aadhaar card.
- Permits: Getting those trek permits in advance.
- Travel Insurance: Stipulated just for trekking activities.
- Emergency contacts: Number of contacts including local authorities and embassies.
Personal Med-kit
It is necessary to have a personal med-kit during any trek. The list includes:
- First-aid supplies: Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, medical tapes.
- Medicines: Prescription, pain-killer, and anti-inflammatory.
- Altitude sickness tablets: Required especially if trekking at higher altitudes.
- Personal hygiene: Hand sanitizers, wet wipes, and a towel of small size.
- Others: Blister pads, sunscreen, lip balm, and insect repellent.
Clothing for Winters
Layering is the way to stay warm:
- Base Layer: Moisture-wicking thermals .
- Mid Layer: Insulating fleece or wool jackets .
- Outer Layer: Waterproof and windproof jackets and pants.
- Head and Hands: Wool hats, gloves, neck gaiters.
- Footwear: Sturdy trek boots and their pair of warm socks .
With this preparedness whole, trek into the Silent Meadows will be enjoyed in safety and comfort.
Expert’s Fitness tips for the Trek
The Silent Meadows trek, located in Kashmir,, is a challenging and rewarding adventure. To prepare for this trek, consider the following expert fitness tips:
- Cardiovascular endurance: Build your endurance with regular cardio exercises, such as running, cycling, or swimming, for at least 6-8 weeks prior to the trek.
- Strength training: Incorporate strength training exercises to build leg strength, core stability, and overall muscular endurance.
- High-altitude acclimatization: Acclimatize to high altitudes by gradually increasing your elevation exposure over several days or weeks.
- Flexibility and mobility: Incorporate stretching exercises to maintain flexibility and mobility.
What do people like about the Silent Meadows?
The Silent Meadows Trek is an all-encompassing artbook of nature, of course, therefore, I would recommend it. The path was lighted by the ethnic Gujjars who are the nomadic people inhabiting the Yusmarg valley. Trekkers are daily stuck with tremendously beautiful natural beauty of snow covered mountains, green meadow, crystal clear water with plenty of trout fishes etc.
