GAF’s Tarsar Marsar Lakes Trek

7 Days

Trek Date: Customized Dates
Trek Fees: INR 20,000+ GST 5%

Join us on a journey through the enchanting landscapes of Kashmir on the Tarsar Marsar trek, a veritable masterpiece of nature's grandeur. As you tread through the rugged terrain, be prepared to be spellbound by the mesmerizing alpine lakes of Tarsar and Marsar, their deep blue waters reflecting the majestic snow-capped peaks above. Picture yourself camping beside these pristine jewels, with the silence broken only by the gentle lapping of water against the shore—a moment of tranquility found nowhere else.

But the allure doesn't end there. As you navigate the perimeter of Tarsar and Sundersar lakes, each turn reveals a new facet of their splendor, leaving you awestruck at every vista. And then, just when you think you've seen it all, the elusive Marsar lake beckons from its hidden sanctuary, teasing you with glimpses of its beauty through wisps of cloud.

But it's not just about the lakes. The Tarsar Marsar trek is a passage through the soul of Kashmir itself. From the ancient village of Aru, steeped in history and charm, to the verdant meadows of Lidderwat, where time seems to stand still, every step is a revelation. And as you ascend to the heights of Shekhawas, surrounded by rolling green mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see, you'll realize that this is more than just a trek—it's a journey into the heart of paradise itself. So come, let the beauty of Tarsar Marsar leave you breathless, its memory etched in your soul for eternity.

  • 13165ft
  • Srinagar
  • Autumn
  • 47.8 KM
  • Moderate
  • Veg Meals

Overview

Immerse yourself in Kashmir's magic on the Tarsar Marsar trek. Hike through breathtaking landscapes, past alpine lakes reflecting snow-capped peaks. Camp beside these tranquil waters and explore hidden gems like Marsar Lake. This trek is more than a journey; it's a connection with Kashmir's soul. The Tarsar Marsar trek is not just about reaching the destination; it's about savoring the journey. Embrace the physical challenge, revel in the breathtaking scenery, and connect with the raw beauty of Kashmir. This trek is an unforgettable experience for any nature enthusiast seeking a moderate yet rewarding adventure.

Trek Date: 12th September to 18th September 2025 (Ex-Srinagar)
Trek Fees: INR 20,000+ GST 5%

Age group: 14 to 60 yrs

Eligibility:
1. Age relaxation applicable based only on physical fitness
2. Prior trekking experience is must. If not, you should be able to trek in outdoors with at least 4-5 kg backpack for about 6-7 hrs.
3. Please follow Giripremi's training module for better results - Training Module

Register yourself
by paying booking amount Rs. 10,000
(Non-Refundable Rs. 5,000)

Highlights

  • High Altitude Tarns: Tarsar Marsar
  • Attain highest altitude of 4000+ meters
  • Garden Ridges of Shekwas, Jagmargi Grasslands, and Walks around Pristine Lakes

Fixed Departures

See all departures at GAF’s Tarsar Marsar Lakes Trek

Itinerary

  • Day
    01

    Reporting at Srinagar and Drive to Aru

    On Day 1, drive from Srinagar to Aru, a 3-hour journey covering 100 km. Enjoy picturesque views along the Bijbehra route, passing through rural Kashmir scenery with apple orchards and walnut trees. Upon reaching Pahalgam, take a shared vehicle to Aru, just 12 km away. Arrive in Aru around 1 pm, where Giripremi trekkers will stay at the campsite.
    Reporting : TRC (Tourist Reception Centre), Near Dal Lake

  • Day
    02

    Trek from Aru To Lidderwat (3408 meters)

    On Day 2, embark on a 6-hour trek from Aru to Lidderwat, spanning 10 km with a gradual ascent. Experience picturesque views of the valley dotted with tiny houses and catch a glimpse of Kashmir's meadows. Follow the trail along the Lidder River, passing through fir trees, Gujjar settlements like Nandkei, and open grasslands. Admire the clear streams and wooden bridges along the way. Arrive at Lidderwat's lush meadows, we camp here and enjoy the beautiful grasslands.

  • Day
    03

    Trek from Lidderwat to Shekwas (3363 m)

    Trek from Lidderwat to Shekwas, 5 hours, 5.6 km, altitude gain: 9,120 ft to 11,035 ft, moderate difficulty. Enjoy crossing streams, meadows, and valleys. Sunset at Shekwas campsite is breathtaking. Trail climbs past pine forests, river crossings, and Gujjar huts. Shekwas, a picturesque camping ground, offers a refreshing break.

  • Day
    04

    Trek from Shekwas to Tarsar Lake (3790 m)

    Trek from Shekwas to Tarsar, 4 hours, 5 km, altitude gain: 11,035 ft to 12,435 ft, moderate difficulty. Trail winds through grasslands, ascending towards a ridge with breathtaking views. After two hours, catch a narrow glimpse of Tarsar Lake, enticing you to its shores. Cross the stream and find ample camping spots on the grassy glades by the lake. Consider a side trip to Marsar Point or Tabaksar for panoramic views.

  • Day
    05

    Trek from Tarsar to Sundarsar via Tarsar Pass (4005 m)

    Trek from Tarsar to Sundersar via Tarsar Pass, 5 hours, 5 km, altitude gain: 12,435 ft to 12,945 ft via 13,140 ft, moderate difficulty. Experience Jagmargi Plains with knee-deep streams and picturesque landscapes. Enjoy unique perspectives of moon-shaped Sundersar Lake during sunrise and sunset. Descend from Tarsar Pass to lush meadows and grassy valleys, saving time on the trek. Witness serene scenes of sheep grazing and horses roaming freely amidst nature's beauty.

  • Day
    06

    Trek from Sundersar to Homwas via Marsar (4012 m)

    Trek from Sundersar to Homwas via Marsar, 7 hours, 9 km, altitude gain/loss: 12,945 ft to 11,300 ft via 13,165 ft, moderate difficulty. Choose between two passes to reach Marsar, with a quicker boulder-laden trail on the left. Enjoy panoramic views of Marsar Lake surrounded by snow-lined cliffs. Descend to Homwas, hopping over brooks and embracing the gentle terrain.

  • Day
    07

    Trek from Homwas to Aru. Drive to Srinagar

    Trek from Homwas to Aru, 6 hours, 13 km, altitude loss: 11,300 ft to 7,960 ft, easy difficulty. Enjoy the sunrise and changing mountain colors as you descend towards Aru. Revisit stunning views missed at the start of the trek, including the Kolahoi glacier and pine forests of Lidderwat. After a rest at Lidderwat, continue to Aru for about 4 hours, stopping for lunch enroute. Arrive in Aru by 4 pm, where vehicles will be arranged for the journey back to Srinagar, reaching by 7-8 pm.
    Drop off : TRC (Tourist Reception Centre), Near Dal Lake

    Tentative time to reach Srinagar - 7.30 PM (Plan your travel accordingly)
    ** Suggestion: Stay at Srinagar on Day 8 will ease your travel plan and avoid unnecessary hassle.

Includes

  • 1. Travel arrangements from Srinagar to Srinagar in jeep / bus
  • 2. Accommodation in comfortable tents on sharing basis while on trek
  • 3. Sleeping bags, Sleeping Mattresses , toilet tents & kitchen tent, Dining tent and cutlery.
  • 4. A variety of wholesome hygienic vegetarian meals
  • 5. Services of cook, kitchen helpers with the entire necessary kitchen items, utensils etc.
  • 6. Qualified and experienced high altitude guide
  • 7. High altitude porters
  • 8. Insurance of technical staff and camp staff (Members to obtain their own insurance).
  • 9. First aid kit with oxygen cylinders
  • 10. GAF's Qualified Mountaineer will accompany throughout the trek **(Provided the batch size is more than 10)

Excludes

  • 1. Any accidental and emergency evacuation charges based on the point of the trek where you are
  • 2. Porter charges / Bag off-loading charges - Around INR 300-400 per bag per day
  • 3. Beverages or drinks of any sort, including soft drinks, drinks or bottled / mineral water
  • 4. Personal climbing gear or equipment, not mentioned above
  • 5. Any other services not specifically mentioned in the service inclusions
  • 6. Extra luggage drop off charges at Srinagar (if any)
  • 7. Trek Insurance - COMPULSORY (INR 300-400). We will assist you for this process.
  • 8. Single Tent Accommodation - INR 2,000
  • 9. GST as applicable (Current rate 5%)

Registration

Following is the process of registration:

Step 1>> Click on Check Availability Button and proceed with the booking flow! You can choose to make payment of complete trek fees or partial booking Amount!

Step 2>> GAF Medical Form
Print and submit the Medical declaration Form Download

Step 3>> GAF Indemnity Bond
FOR ADULTS – Print and submit the notarized indemnity bond Download
FOR MINORS – Print and submit the notarized indemnity bond Download

Step 4>> Balance payment (1 month prior to your batch date)

INR 8+ GST will be levied as platform fee for seamless service and continued user experience on our website.
Further transaction charges will be levied as per policy of PayU India Private Limited based on choice of payment mechanism at trekkers end!

List of Payment MechanismsTransaction Processing FeePlatform Features Fee
Standard Credit Cards2.00%Rs.8/-
Other Credit Cards 2.00%Rs.8/-
International Cards3.00%Rs.8/-
Debit Cards2.00%Rs.8/-
UPINILRs.8/-
RuPay Debit CardsNILRs.8/-
Standard Net Banking2.00%Rs.8/-
Other Net Banking2.00%Rs.8/-
Standard Wallets2.00%Rs.8/-
Other Wallets2.00%Rs.8/-
EMIs2.25%Rs.8/-

Cancellation and Refund Policy

1. If cancellation is made one month or more prior to the trek, we will refund 100% of the paid amount.

2. If cancellation is made 15 to 30 days prior to the trek, we will refund 50% of the paid amount.

3. If the cancellation is made within 15 days prior to the trek, there will be no refund.

4. If the trek gets cancelled due to any any natural calamities like Uttarakhand floods, Nepal Earthquake, Covid-19 pandemic, we will refund the trek fees deducting actual expenses incurred depending on the stage of the trek.

FAQs

How difficult is this trek?

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is one of the prettiest treks in India. Yet, you’ll get to enjoy its rewards only after a bit of hard work and toil. The trek is not as easy as the pictures make it look. It is of moderate-difficult grade. And there are mainly three factors that make it difficult.

Considerable altitude gain every day, of around 1,500 – 3,000 ft..

Three strenuous pass crossings – Gadsar Pass, Nichnai Pass, and Zaj Pass.

Long hours of trekking every day. Each day involves around 8-9 hours of trekking.

Give me some fitness tips required for the trek

A Himalayan trek like Kashmir Great Lakes requires a really good fitness level. The trek has long climbs and steep descents daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 32 minutes before your trek. Consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 25 km a week or 100 km in a month. It's a minimum mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us.

OR

Alternatively, cycle for at least 25 km in 60 minutes. Aim to cycle 125 km a week or 500 km in a month. However, running is better suited for your trek preparation.

Climate and Temperature during the trek

The weather in the season ranges from 1-10 degrees Celsius in lower places and 5 to -5 degrees Celsius as you go to higher positions.

How safe is this trek?

The Kashmir Great Lakes trail is safe. It is in the remote regions of Kashmir, away from the hotbed of turmoil. It is towards the more touristy Sonamarg region. There are also 3 army camps on the trekking trail. And we camp close to them. So the trekking trail itself is completely safe.

However, political unrest, curfews and clampdowns have occurred in the past during our trekking season. We have tackled these efficiently, never compromising on the safety of trekkers. We travel during non-curfew hours and take measures to safely pick up or drop trekkers at the airport.

Sometimes, we call off treks if the situation is too serious (for instance when Burhan Wani was shot and the political situation in Kashmir was out of control). Calling off a trek is a worst-case scenario and has not occurred too many times in the past.

Keep in mind that if we are running the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, you can assume that it is safe. We would not compromise on anyone’s safety and run it during dangerous times.

What are documents required for the trek?

1. GAF Indemnity Bond – (ADULT / MINOR) – Ask for the draft from GAF Team

2. GAF Medical form – Ask for the draft from GAF Team

3. Confirmed Air/Train ticket

How many days prior to trek shall I book this Trek?

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGL) has a narrow window for trekking. It is possible to trek in Kashmir for only 3 months in a year. The season starts in July and goes till the middle of September. 

But the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is one of the most popular treks in our country. Trekkers eagerly wait to do this trek.

This is why when we open groups for KGL early in the year — by end of February-early march they get fully booked within 2 weeks. 

Resources

2 Months Training Module for High Altitude Treks – Download

Acclimatization at high altitude – Download

Suggested Kit list – Download

Trek Disclaimer and Conduct Policy

GAF Disclaimer: Unexpected Events and Additional Costs

Please note: While we strive to provide a seamless and enjoyable adventure experience during your trek, unforeseen circumstances can sometimes arise due to the unpredictable nature of the mountain region.

Potential Disruptions:

Weather Conditions: Heavy snowfall, rain, or landslides can lead to route closures or changes in the itinerary.

Local Regulations: Changes in local regulations or policies, such as those related to services, hot water provision, facilities, or insurance, may impact the trek.

Emergency Situations: Medical emergencies, natural disasters, or political instability can necessitate unexpected deviations from the planned itinerary.

Government Restrictions: Government regulations or advisories may restrict access to certain areas due to adverse weather conditions or other safety concerns.

Other Uncertain Interruptions: Any unforeseen events that may disrupt the trek.

Additional Costs:

In the event of such disruptions, additional costs may be incurred for the following, which the participant will be responsible for:

Emergency Transportation: Helicopter evacuations or alternative flight or road transportation arrangements may be necessary due to weather conditions or route closures.

Accommodation Changes: If the original itinerary cannot be followed, we may need to make alternative accommodation arrangements.

Insurance Premiums: While we recommend travel insurance to cover unforeseen expenses, please note that the cost of insurance is not included in our tour package. Participants must follow up with their insurance company for any disputes. We will assist with any required documentation or information from our organization but cannot guarantee insurance coverage.

Other Uncertain Additional Expenses: Any unforeseen expenses that may arise due to disruptions.

GAF’s Commitment:

Despite these potential challenges, we are committed to your safety and well-being throughout your trek. Our experienced guides and local partners will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. In the event of unexpected circumstances, we will provide support and assistance to help you navigate the situation.

Important Note: We kindly request that you familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of your travel and adventure cover insurance policies to understand your coverage in case of unforeseen events.

GAF’s Financial Considerations:

As a professional and ethical adventure trek organizer, we typically pay our local suppliers in advance to ensure smooth operations. This means that in the event of unforeseen circumstances, we may not be able to obtain refunds from our suppliers. As a result, we may not be able to absorb additional costs that may arise due to such disruptions, and the participant will be responsible for these costs.

Government Restrictions: Please note that government regulations or advisories may restrict access to certain areas due to adverse weather conditions or other safety concerns. If such restrictions are imposed during your trek, we may need to alter the itinerary or terminate the trek early. In such cases, we may not be able to provide a full refund.

However, we remain committed to providing the best possible experience and will do everything within our power to assist you during any unforeseen challenges.

By booking this trek, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer and agree to its terms and conditions.