On Trasar Marsar Trek get ready to walk on the greenest of meadows carpeted with colorful wildflowers, to cross a full flown river on a bridge of wooden logs, to greet some of the heartiest people on earth, to see a river meeting a full flown glacier before entering civilization, to run with hundreds of sheep, to wake up to a heart touching view each day and to see the most beautiful of the lakes hidden in a setting of rugged mountains.
While on the Tarsar Marsar Trek our lungs were filled with alpine air and hearts with Joy!! This has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of our lives. Here we not only explored the magic of Kashmir in its purest form but also found that the real joy is in the simplest of the things.
What is Tarsar and Marsar?
Tarsar (12,450 ft) and Marsar (13,000 ft) are two lakes in high mountains that are visited during this trek. Other than these two, Jadsar Lake and Sundersar lake are sure to make Tarsar Marsar Trek a lifetime experience for you.
This was Our first time of a trek which is 7 Days 6 Nights Long
Before starting the 6 days and 5 nights Tarsar Marsar trek in Kashmir, I was skeptical about doing it. I thought of all the discomfort we would have which included walking for hours, living in a camp, staying without a bath for 6 whole days, carrying essential items weighing kgs on our back and facing bad weather along the way!!!
But all these thoughts got vanished the moment we started this trek!!!
Table of Contents
So, where exactly is Tarsar Marsar trek?
The trek starts from Aru, a village in Anantnag district of Kashmir, around 12 km from Pahalgam and 100 km from Srinagar.
How to reach Srinagar
Read COMPLETE GUIDE TO KASHMIR TRAVEL AFTER THE LOCKDOWN for everything you need to know for planning a trip to Kashmir and reaching Srinagar.
Reaching Aru from Srinagar
Direct way of reaching Aru valley from Srinagar is hiring a taxi. Both shared and private taxis are available. The rate of a taxi is INR 2500-3000. It takes around 3 hours to reach Aru from Srinagar.The roads are pretty well constructed and the views are beautiful to ensure you a smooth journey. We booked our taxi from Shake Tours and travels. You can contact them at +91-7006608852.
Best time to visit Tarsar Marsar Trek
July to October is considered to be the season for this trek. July and August being the summer season in Aru, are the best. The trek is at its best during this time. People also visit it during snowfall (October) which has its own charm.
We visited in the last week of July. The trek was green and wildflowers were on bloom. There were still patches of snow on the mountains up there. The weather was pleasant and the temperature at night was bearable.
Our experience of Tarsar Marsar Trek
Day 1 – Reaching and exploring Aru Valley
This is going to be a relaxing day to acclimatize and prepare you for the adventures of next 5 days.
Day 2 of the trek – A walk to remember
After breakfast in Friend’s Guest House, we started a gradual ascent along the dusty track (initial 1 km). After that the walk was smooth. As we ascended a glorious vista of forests of pine trees, high mountains and then meadows unfolded before us!!!
Soon we found ourselves crossing a full flown river on wooden logs (under the guidance of our trek leader). Though it was not mandatory as there was another route as well, but the adrenaline junkie in us wanted to give it a shot.
Whenever we got tired the gentle breeze and the views around, gave us energy.
We thought we would be alone, but there were locals and shepherds around during the Trek. Adults greeted with Salaams and kids with a smile. Along the way there were mud houses where shepherds stay for months when it did not snow. Our guide knew all of them and took us to one of the houses. We had Kahwa and some of the heartiest of laughs with them.
Some people plan a trek just upto lidderwat, spend a night and head back to Aru. Horses are also available if one does not wish to walk.
We reached here around 2:30 PM so we had rest of the day to relax and explore Lidderwat.
Day 3 of the trek – Boulders upto Shekwas
We woke up to the call and sight of enormous black crows hovering over the meadows. It seemed such a refreshing morning with no sign of tiredness.
After having breakfast around 8:30, we started our onward journey.
It started with a steep ascent and after a few meters when we looked back, the view was a relief to the eyes.
After a km, the trek was quite smooth and the walk was along a narrow path. Lidder river was flowing alongside but a few meters below the pathway. We crossed a few streams of water along the way. The sun was scorching and the shades felt cold.
Small wild thorny plants and beautiful yellow flowers took place of Tall Pine trees that we saw on the way to Lidderwat. After another 3 km, the ground was occupied with boulders. The trek was smooth but not as compared to previous day.
Our guide told us about a hidden lake called Jadsar, another 30 mins hike from our camping site. We were tired but excited and could not stop ourselves from exploring it.
We started towards Jadsar and soon flock of sheep and with them shepherds joined us. Walking with hundreds of sheep was such a delightful experience and in no time we reached the lake. It was hidden at the base of a mountain and it seemed to be getting its water from the glacier. This emerald green lake seemed muddy as the ice had not melted completely.
After coming back from Jadsar Lake we had the complete evening to ourselves. We took some rest, played games together and sat for hours near water streams, staring at the surroundings. There were rugged mountains all around, some of them covered with green Meadows. Lidder river was flowing a few meters by our side and narrow streams were merging in the river. Soon we saw 1000s of sheep on the mountain in front of us. They seemed to be going to their home after grazing for the whole day. It all felt surreal.
Today we crossed 5.6 km in 5 hours.
Day 4 of the trek – Tarsar Lake
After having breakfast, we started the trek at around 8:00 AM.
Now, Thorny plants were replaced by green meadows carpeted with wildflowers of various colors. The day was full of varieties. There were some boulders, narrow paths but mostly we walked on flat grounds. We found sheep and horses grazing while walking the complete patch.
Today, the walk was pretty smooth. Cool breeze occasionally touched our cheeks and carried away the sweat. Soon, we saw glimpse of our camp and I could already see flocks of sheep grazing near our camp. They were everywhere and gave feeling of paradise. It was such a feel to be finally at one of the destinations of the trek. The journey was beautiful and destination spectacular. We could not have asked for more.
Ever changing light on the granite peaks and glaciers reflect in the emerald green waters of the lake. It felt so pristine. We went till the corner to have a full view of the place and the lake.
Today, we also learnt how to pitch our tent.
We were at 12000 ft. The wind was blowing here really fast and there was downpour as well for a short duration. One of the best parts of this trek is that the walk is just for half day and rest of the day is for you to relax and explore.
We had a very nice sleep that day.
Shekwas to Tarsar is 5 km and it took us 4 hours to reach here.
Day 5 of the trek – Tarsar to Chandarsar (Sundarsar Lake)
Just behind our camp in Tarsar, there was a mountain called Tarsar Pass, 13,500 ft (the highest point on the trek) and next destination was a few kms behind this pass.
From below, the Tarsar Pass felt like a straight wall to climb and crossing a pass is not a cakewalk for beginners. We started the trek earlier this day (7:00 AM), so as to avoid any bad weather along the way and have enough time to cross the pass. Initially it felt difficult but gradually we started gaining the pace and in an hour we were up there. The view of Tarsar lake from here is phenomenal.
The trek after descending the pass was pretty smooth and we felt like moving on a ground guarded by rugged mountains on all the sides. Some of mountains had snow on them which gave a chilling sensation as we rested.
After a few kms, came a flat ground which was muddy and it felt as if the ground beneath was moving while we were walking on it.
We had a steep ascent waiting and after crossing thatwe reached the camp for the day.
The location seemed to be situated at a corner, cut from rest of the valley.
We rested for a while and soon left for Marsar lake. Marsar Lake is just behind the Chandarsar Lake and require crossing a small pass. It takes around 45 minutes to reach Marsar from Chandersar.
As per the tradition, no one camps at Marsar and it is visited either from Tarsar or Chandarsar. Marsar Lake is mostly hidden under clouds from an overhang, sitting 600-700 m below. It was looking damn beautiful from up there.
We could not believe that we reached the last point of the trek. The satisfaction of completing the trek was tremendous because the weather in mountains is highly unpredictable and bad weather occasionally leads to cut short of the places to be covered.
As soon as we reached back to chandarsar from Marsar , the sky darkened and rain came lashing down. Retreating into the kitchen tent, we all prayed for the rain to stop as it may halt our journey back home.
Rain finally stopped after 2-3 hours. And we had a really good sleep that night as well.
It took us 4 hours to reach Chandarsar/ Sundersar Lake from Tarsar Lake.
Day 6 of the trek : Chandarsar to Lidderwat
Today in 7 hours approx, we covered 16 km in a day and reach back to Lidderwat, the place of our first camp during this trek.
Coming back to the place where we camped first felt familiar and good. We had mixed feelings as today was our last day on this trek.
Day 7 of the trek : Back to Aru
Do checkout our Tarsar Marsar Trek travel series on youtube to know about our experience of this amazing trek
That’s how to book this trek
We booked this trek directly with a local guide in Aru. We contacted him over the phone and whats app. If you also want to book the trek with Gauhar Wani Bhaiya, contact him @ +91-9469461214
Note :- Prior to any other booking, discuss with the guide for suitable dates of the trek. If you are a budget traveller, this is an economical option.
Another way is to book with a trekking agency like Indiahike, Thrillophillia etc.
Budget of this trip as per July 2020
Booking with the local guide cost us around INR 13000-14000/- per person for this 7 days 6 night trek. It included all the meals and one day stay in Aru guesthouse.
Travelling from Srinagar to Aru cost us INR 3000 per taxi.
What to pack
The most important thing to remember is not to compromise on the quality of your trekking shoes.
Carry the most essential items only whether you carry the backpack yourself or on a mule. Refer India Hike’s video to pack your bag for this trek or any other Himalayan Trek of long duration.
We each carried 2 pair of trekking pants, 1 pair of good trekking shoes, 1 bathroom slipper, 4-5 tshirts (some half and some full sleeves), 1 fleece, 1 woolen, 1 jacket, 1 poncho, 1 water bottle, 1 torch, 1 roll of toilet paper (for both of us), 1 cap, 3 pairs of cotton socks, 1 pair of woolen socks, sunscreen, goggles, some medicines, dry fruits as suggested by our guide.
We hope our experience will help you in planning for this amazing trek. If you have any doubts, ask away, in the comments below.