Tosamaidan Trek

  • The King of Meadows
  • Duration
    7 days
    Trek Altitude
    3712 meters
    Destination
    kashmir
    Trek Distance
    30 km
    Group Size
    Maximum 12 people
    Best Time
    may to september

    Tosamaidan Trek Overview:

    Tosamaidan Trek is basically a meadow trek that leads you to the magnificent meadows passing through the beautiful lush green Himalayan pine and cedar forests. Tosamaidan has got this name from the Mughals. This name is derived from "Tu Shah Maidan," which means the "king of Meadows." Once you reach there, you will realize that this name is justified by the Tosamaidan Meadows since they are so vast that wherever your sight can reach, you will see endless grasslands. Kashmir is indeed the heaven on earth and the beautiful crown of Mother India. In the last few years, due to great initiatives taken by the Government of India, Kashmir has become a famous trekking destination in India for both national and international tourists. Every nook and cranny has its different beauty to offer and story to tell. In the past few years, Kashmir Treks like Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Tarsar Marsar Lake Trek, Warwan Valley Trek, and Pir Panjal Lakes Trek have become some of the best treks in Kashmir. However, not many people know that there are many other offbeat treks lying in the heart of the Himalayas in the Kashmir valley. Tosamaidan Trek is one such offbeat trek of Kashmir. Tosamaidan is an ideal place for trekking for those trekkers who want less crowded treks. The flora and fauna of the trek will turn out to be a great study for environmentalists and nature lovers.

    History of Tosamaidan:

    Kashmir has gone through dramatic changes in the past 500-600 years. So, it's always tricky to describe its history. It depends on where you start your story. Here, let's begin with the very beginning when Kashmir was considered to be the sacred land of Kashmiri Pandits. Thousands of years ago, Kashmir was considered to be the "Tapobhumi"; a sacred land. It was named after a great sage Kashyap. It used to be a land filled with divinity and immense positivity. However, this sacred land got attacked and invaded by many brutal communities. One such invader was the Mughals. It is believed that when the Mughals entered Kashmir, they did so from Poonch (Loran) and Tosamaidan was the first place where they set up their camps. Of course, they were mesmerized by the divine landscapes of the Sacred Himalayas and the vastness of these huge grazing lands. That's why they called this place "Tu Shah Maidan"; The king of Meadows, which it actually is. This beautiful and serene place has also seen the war between India and Pakistan. After that war, things started getting difficult for the Kashmiri people since, due to the constant fear of war and terrorist attacks, tourists stopped coming to Kashmir. However, in recent years, due to excellent initiatives taken by the Government of India and the Indian Army, this place has regained a sense of safety and security. Nowadays, tourists from all over the world can come here and experience the divine beauty of this place.

    Geography of Tosamaidan:

    Tosamaidan is located at a distance of 45 km from Srinagar. This huge meadow spreads over 65 sq. km. Can you imagine how vast this would be? There are small sections where there are forests and sub-meadows. Tosamaidan is situated at an altitude of 10,395 ft (3,167 m) in the middle of the Pir Panjal Mountain range of the Indian Himalayas. In the north of Tosamaidan is Gulmarg; however, Dhudhpathri is to the south, and Poonch is to its southwest.

    Main attractions of Tosamaidan Trek:

    Due to its rich nutritional value, this meadow/grassland is very popular among the shepherds of Kashmir. They settle down here to graze their flocks of sheep and buffaloes. Those who keep sheep and goats are called "Bakarwals" and those who keep buffaloes are known as "Gujjars". They make shelters and stay here in the summer and monsoon months. In winter, when Tosamaidan faces heavy snowfall, the shepherds descend back to the lower lands. It will be a common sight to see thousands of sheep grazing simultaneously on these vast meadows. If you get a chance, try to talk to the shepherds. They will surely have many beautiful stories to tell. It will be wonderful if you can get some fresh milk from them. This will surely be the purest and freshest milk you could have. There are some beautiful lakes, meadows, and forests that you will observe. Some days, your campsite will be set up right beside the river. The sight and sound of the seamlessly flowing river along with the spectacular Himalayan scenery will take away all your exhaustion of the day.

    Best Time to Do Tosamaidan Trek:

    Tosamaidan remains covered with snow in the winter months, making it unapproachable. You can go for this trek in the months of May to September. In the early June and September months, you will be able to see beautiful wildflowers blooming in that region. It will surely be a mesmerizing sight for you.

    Tosamaidan Trek Difficulty:

    Tosamaidan is an easy to moderate difficulty level trek. The walking distance is not much, but in a few sections of the trek, you may encounter steep climbs. Apart from that, the trek is easy, and every day campsites have their unique beauty which you will surely enjoy.

    How to Reach Tosamaidan:

    You can take a flight or train to Srinagar, from where you will board vehicles for a 70 km drive to reach the Tosamaidan Base Camp. The road from Sithaharan to Tosamaidan is a dusty one, and driving through it will be a bumpy ride. If you are planning to reach there in your own vehicle, only a 4x4 SUV will be able to traverse through that muddy road. Avoid taking your sedan car there. Otherwise, you will have to leave your vehicle at a certain point and from there, you will have to go through an exhausting trek of 3-4 km to reach the Tosamaidan base camp.

    Summary of the Trek:

    Tosamaidan, nestled in the heart of the Pir Panjal range which is a hidden jewel in the Indian Himalayas. This trek offers a unique blend of natural splendor, cultural richness, and historical significance. The trail leads through a diverse terrain, encompassing thickets of pine, oak, and deodar trees, opening up to expansive alpine meadows carpeted with a riot of wildflowers during the summer months. The meadows, set against a backdrop of snow-clad mountains, Beyond its natural beauty, Tosamaidan holds historical significance. It served as a battleground during the Indo-Pak conflicts and remnants of bunkers and military installations dot the landscape, offering a poignant reminder of the area's turbulent past. The trek provides opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Keep an eye out for Himalayan wildlife like musk deer, leopards, and various species of pheasants that inhabit this region.

    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.   Content Credits: Dhruv Upadhyaya Tosamaidan

    Tosamaidan Trek Itinerary

    • Accommodation- Tent
    • Distance- 41-42 km / Duration- 4 hr
    • Meals- Dinner

    The drive starts from Dal Lake and we pass through the streets of Srinagar and then finally reach the highway. However, this is a short drive through which we can see the culture and outskirts of Kashmir. After completing the Drive we will reach to starting point of the trek where our guide will explain to you the details and schedule of the trek.

    • Accommodation- Tent
    • Distance- 9-10 km / Duration- 5-6 hrs
    • Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    The trek begins early in the morning, then we walk towards the dense forest. After 2 to 3 hrs of trekking, you will see beautiful meadows and greenery all over. After some hrs, we will take a rest for lunch. After trekking for 2 to 3 hrs of trail we will see a sight of Dhanwas which is our next camping side. Fresh up after reaching the campsite and your dinner will be ready.

    • Accommodation- Tent
    • Distance- 6-7 km / Duration- 5 hrs
    • Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    As usual, after having breakfast we will start the trek early in the morning. Now, from the meadows, you will see snow-capped mountains. Moreover, then we start the trail by going through the water canal made by the locals. Moving forward we can rest for lunch and after 2 hrs we will reach to our new campsite.

    • Accommodation- Tent
    • Distance- 9-10km / Duration- 4-5 hrs
    • Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Today we will be involved in gradual ascent for 3 hrs. Where we will spot a Pink flower bed with green meadows, which will give us a breathtaking view. However, when we reach the top we can have our lunch and move forward for the descent. With few boulders, it is an easy trek, moreover, on our way we can encounter some pashmina goats. Then further we will move forward to the Tosamaidan campsite, this is a perfect campsite as we will be camping near a crystal clear stream.

    • Accommodation- Tent
    • Distance- 9-10km / Duration- 7 hrs
    • Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    In today’s trail, there is gonna be a climbing part so, be careful and be prepared. However, after climbing the trail it descends to Noowan. So, our next campsite is Noonwan, however, it will have a beautiful view because we will camp near the lake.

    • Accommodation- Tent
    • Distance- 12km / Duration- 7 hrs
    • Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    After doing an early breakfast and leaving for the trail. Today is the day when we will see lakes. The lakes are surrounded by mountains and are snow-capped which makes the surroundings picture-perfect.
    The names of the lakes are; Neelsar, Dhamamsar, Bhansar, and Godsar, All these lakes are unique in its way. Although this is our last evening with the trekkers so, there is plenty of time to embrace the beauty of nature.

    • Accommodation- NA
    • Distance- 9-10km additionally 45-46km of drive / Duration- 4-5hrs plus 3-4 hrs of drive
    • Meals- Breakfast


    • As it is the last day you can take as many pictures as you want for memories. We follow the same trail backward now, the final point of the trek from where you will get picked up and dropped to Srinagar is a little slippery so, be careful. However, On the route before merging to the Srinagar road enjoy the pleasant weather and you can see all the villages of Kashmir.

    Upcoming Treks

    • July 5, 2025 open
    • July 12, 2025 open
    • July 19, 2025 open
    • July 26, 2025 open

    • August 2, 2025 open
    • August 9, 2025 open
    • August 16, 2025 open
    • August 23, 2025 open
    • August 30, 2025 open

    Tosa Maidan FAQ

    it is situated in the Khag area of the Budgam district in the Kashmir Valley

    It is a Moderate Trek

    The Best Time to do This Trek in Between May to September

    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

    The maximum altitude you will gain on this trek is approximately 13,712 ft

    Daily 30 minutes of jogging before 7 days of trek

    Daily 15 minutes of running before 7 days of trek

    Yoga and Surya Namashkar  for flexibility

    The pick-up point will be the Tourist Reception Centre!

     Privacy

    Flexibility

    Luxury

    Special Hospitality

    Better Equipment

    The starting point of the Tosa Maidan trek is Tosamaidan Base

    “I have been doing treks with Himalaya Shelter for the last two years and they are awesome people with pure humbleness.“

    Writes Priyesh.

    We at Himalaya Shelter consider our trekkers part of our community, a family of sorts and really understand the efforts that you put into taking that much-needed break and setting off to the mountains. Some of you may wait for months and even a year to plan out that perfect excursion. That’s why we want it to be “a perfect excursion” for you.

    Our testimonials (read below) are a testament to our service-oriented mindset.

    We take safety into great consideration and ensure our team is trained to handle emergency situations.

    For a better experience, we provide accommodation on Twin Sharing throughout the trek. With most trekking operators you would get triple or even quad sharing accommodation.

    Our Accommodation will have attached washrooms

     

    Furthermore, we provide the essential safety gear for your trek –

    Without any additional charges.

    We pamper you with great food which keeps you going on the trek. (On our google maps out of 300 reviews over 80 Trekkers mention great food😋)

    We do not outsource services to ensure topmost quality throughout your journey. We use our own fleet of Vehicles to ferry you to the base camp and return.

    ₹18000 +5% GST

    It takes a minimum of 7 to 8 days

    Certified Trek Leaders, Cook, helpers, and supporting staff

    The maximum strength of our group is 12 people

    Tosa Maidan is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, offering a diverse range of picturesque landscapes that captivate visitors.

    Tosa Maidan holds historical and cultural significance, having served as a summer pasture for nomadic Gujjar communities for centuries. Their presence and traditional way of life add a unique human element to the natural beauty of the area.

    By road from Srinagar

    Tosa Maidan is approximately 80 kilometers away from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. You can hire a taxi or use a private vehicle to reach Tosa Maidan from Srinagar.

    Inclusions
    1. Transport support from Srinagr to Srinagar
    2. Pick-up location: Nishat Garden, Srinagar
    3. All vegetarian meals starting from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the last day
    4. Professional Guide, Cook and Support staff
    5. First-Aid kit with Oximeter and Portable Oxygen Cylinder
    6. Kitchen tents, common tents, toilet tents with portable toilet seats
    7. 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
    8. Forest entry charges for Indian nationals (Additional charges will be applicable for international tourists)
    9. Porter and mule support to carry camping equipment and personal luggage
    10. Accommodation throughout the trek on a triple-sharing basis
    11. Guesthouse accommodation on the first and second last day on a triple-sharing basis
    12. All applicable taxes
    Exclusions
    1. Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc.
    2. Any transport support during the trek apart from what is included above
    3. Any cost or services not mentioned in the Inclusions
    4. Accommodation in Srinagar
    5. Adventure Insurance
    6. Cost arising due to unforeseen incidents like bad weather, medical evacuation, roadblocks etc
    7. 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)
    8. 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. 🌱