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

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