Captain Nero takes you on ’s Most Beautiful Trek: Tarsar Marsar (7 Nights, 8 Days)

‘Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit, is the answer to the mystery why we climb’ – Greg Child

Trek & Tour Route: – – Aru Valley – Lidderwat – – Lidderwat – Aru Valley – Pahalagam – Falls – Srinagar

Tour Duration: 7 nights, 8 days

Estimated Travel Dates: July 30 – Aug 6

Group size: 18 pax

TREK INFORMATION:

Altitude: 13,201 ft Difficulty level: Moderate Duration: 5 days

BRIEF ITINERARY:

July 30: Srinagar Arrival. Transfer to Pahalgam. O/N Pahalgam. July 31: Trek from Aru Valley to Lidderwat. O/N Lidderwat. Aug 1: Lidderwat to Tarsar Lake.O/N Tarsar Lake. Aug 2: Tarsar Lake to Marsar Lake and back. O/N Tarsar Lake. Aug 3: Tarsar Lake to Lidderwat. O/N Lidderwat. Aug 4: Descend to Aru Valley. Drive back to Pahalgam. O/N Pahalgam. Aug 5: Day trip to Arhabal Falls. Transfer to Srinagar. O/N Srinagar Aug 6: Fly back to your respective cities from Srinagar.

Disclaimer: All plans shared here are as per the prevailing guidelines and regulations in place in the wake of Covid-19. The places and activities specified in the plan are presently open and accessible. If the government implements any changes during the time of our trip dates, necessary changes will be made in accordance. Due to the uniqueness of this situation, we expect your cooperation and understanding not complaining in such an event and proceeding with the modified plan. This is a worst-case scenario and one that may not arise but on the off chance that it does, we shall all proceed accordingly, and we’ll do so with a pep in our step!

Alright people, firstly you made the right decision by wanting to do the Tarsar Marsar Trek :) For there isn’t any trek that can match the stunning blend of majestic mountain scenery of Kashmir and the Himalayas. Think of the most beautiful scenery that you can imagine. Think of those drawings you made when you were kids, of a mountain, a stream flowing from it, some trees and a cottage. Think of a beautiful meadow with sheep and horses grazing. Close your eyes and imagine rushing water in a river. Imagine sitting under a million stars at night. Now put all these nice images together, and you have one of India’s most beautiful treks – Tarsar Marsar.

The trek starts in the quaint valley of Aru where the sounds of the stream will follow you for long. From here, you walk from amidst pine trees. You will pass through dense forests and grasslands and will see a lot of wildflowers. Tarsar Marsar is a delight. This trek is for anyone in love with mountains, with green pastures and meadows, in love with high altitude treks, and being away from the world for a week!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Now, before we go to the itinerary, let’s get down immediately to the important part. This trip costs a little above Rs 22,000 if you do it with us. Now, there are other travel companies who sell it for costs as low as 13500/-, 14000/. That’s because those packages just include the trek. And let me tell you what all they haven’t included.

1. Two nights stay in Pahalgam. We are providing this for our group in a beautiful three star property. The other trekking companies’ prices are from Aru – Tarsar – Aru i.e only the trekking part. This itself is an additional 3-3.5k per person

2. Airport transfers. The packages of other trek companies for this trek doesn’t include that.

3. Transport from Srinagar to Pahalgam, and Pahalgam to Aru in the beginning of the trip, and the exact reverse in the end of the trip. They are charging Rs 1500- 2000 per person for the same. We are providing private transfers for all our trippers both ways, and it’s included in our trip package.

4. Porter/mules carrying bags for the entire duration of the trip. The other trek companies have this as optional inclusions and charge an approximate Rs 1500 extra cost per person for the same. We have included this cost also in our package. Our trippers won’t need to lug their rucksacks for 5-6 hours every day. 5. We are providing a day trip to a relatively unseen part of Kashmir a day after the trek ends. The absolutely stunning Aharbal falls which will be at its fullest and most beautiful in this season. It’s a 100 kms away from Pahalgam, and we will be taking the whole group in a private vehicle. This is being done exclusively by us and not other trek agencies.

6. That same night, we are staying in a beautiful 3 star property in Srinagar. Again, that’s not part of any other trek company package.

7. Our package cost includes all taxes. Most trek companies charge taxes separately.

If you add all these costs, you will see that its easily an extra Rs 10,000. Their hidden charges (airport transfers + cabs to and from Aru to Srinagar + stay for at least one extra night post the trek + porter/mule charges itself amount to Rs 6000 or so, even if you don’t include the two nights in a hotel in Pahalgam and the day trip to Aharbal falls).

Hence, our price is Rs 22,000 as opposed to Rs 14,000 – Rs 16000 for basic trek packages for Tarsar Marsar. If they included all their hidden costs, their prices would mostly be higher than ours.

All you have to do is book a flight to and fro Srinagar and rest all we will take care of for you.

Also, we have an expert local adventure team that will be taking the whole team up this beautiful mountain. There will be 2 expert guides, porters, mules and delicious food for each batch throughout the trekking days. They will be trekking with the team with one in the front, one in the middle and one at the back to take care of the whole group, to determine if anyone has any fatigue or altitude sickness, to tell you the best way to trek and more.

And with them will be our very own Captain Nero (Neeraj Narayanan) who has trekked a lot, loves nature and adventure, and will share a lot of mountain stories with you. More importantly, he will push you when you need it, motivate and guide you, and will never ever give up on you.

‘If you want to know a person, travel with them. And if you want to really know a person, climb a tough mountain with them’ – Captain Nero

You need a reassuring person to be there, when you are trekking for five six days. And these our super trekking team we have collaborated with will ensure that this is the best trekking trip you could have chosen.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Srinagar Arrival. Transfer to Pahalgam. O/N Pahalgam

‘Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountains and the seas are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than what we could learn from books’ - John Lubbock

Fly into Srinagar in the morning and land latest by 11 am. The moment you step out of the plane, the pleasant weather greets you and you can see the mountains everywhere in the background.

Upon your arrival at the airport, a cab will transfer the group to our hotel in Pahalgam. It’s a three- four hour from Srinagar airport. A lot of chinar trees and woolly dogs later, we shall see the first of the saffron fields just before village.

Pampore is a bats’ village. As the name suggests, the entire village is engaged in making cricket bats, and we shall stop at a small bat factory enroute.

We then continue our journey through the mountains, meadows on both sides, and soon the will join us, running parallel bristling and ice cold all the way to Pahalgam.

We shall check into the hotel by late afternoon. Later, we will head out into this beautiful town. There will be lots of woods to explore with bristling cold streams hiding from us, and teasing us to find them.

Day 2: Aru Valley to Lidderwat. O/N Lidderwat

• Altitude: 7,950 to 9,150ft • Trek: 10 kms, 6 hours

‘Stop staring at mountains. Climb them instead. Yes, its a hard process, but it will lead you to a better view.’

In the morning, after breakfast, we leave for Aru Valley, which is just 12 kms away from the main town. A large green meadow during summers, Aru has been a location for the shooting of many Bollywood movies. In winters, it looks like a mountain meadow in Switzerland – a mix of white and green, with towering imposing snowy white cliffs in the background.

From here, begins out trek and we will be surrounded by mountains for the next 5 days. This first day the trekking will involve gradual ascending. We shall follow the Lidder stream upwards and make our way through small mountain villages and fields.

It’s a long climb covering a distance of 10 kms. A few minutes into the trek, and you can see the beautiful area of Aru behind you.Take a minute, strike a pose and get that picture that you’ll be dying to post!

As you trek through the clusters of fir trees, the trail soon opens out to the Dalla clearing, near some huts. This is the Nandekai village inhabited by migrating shepherd people, and the farming Gujjar community.

From here, we shall enter a forest. Hike through the greenery and meadows whilst soaking in the beauty around you. Sing a song while you trek along; for this is the start to a beautiful trek.

Look out for two clear streams and a wooden bridge. The streams are crystal clear, and why don’t you kneel down and taste it! It is another hour’s journey to Lidderwat from the bridge. Soon after the bridge, the trail climbs into another small cluster of pine trees before breaking out into the meadows of Lidderwat.

We will reach our second campsite by evening. It is at an altitude of 9,150 ft. It’s been a long day, so relax and stretch yourselves. Also, a trek would never be complete without huddling up with your trek mates at the campsite, and getting to know each other more. So, in true On His Own Trip style, we're going to mark our first trek night with a round of games, conversations and more. Who's excited?!

Day 3: Lidderwat to Tarsar Lake. O/N Tarsar Lake

• Altitude: 9,131 ft (2,783 m) to 12,449 ft (3,794 m) • Time taken: 7 hours, 10 kms.

‘Every mountain top is within reach, if you just keep climbing’ - Barry Finlay

Trekking in the mountains is a meditative experience. There will be stretches when you are by yourself, in your own thoughts, and when you are away from your wordly every day routine, it oftens gives you some perspective. You realize your place in the world is very tiny. That a lot of your problems aren’t that big either, as you earlier imagined them to be. That life could be simpler.

This is the day you’ve been waiting for, the highlight of our trip – the Tarsar Lake. We will start early morning and walk through dense forests to reach our destination.

Trekking is as much a mental exercise, as a physical one. Often you may feel tired, but a strong determined head makes it much easier. A trek tells you a lot about you, you realize you can do much more than you ever thought you could. It also gives you the opportunity to lose yourself in your thoughts, ponder about things, get new perspectives, and return back as a slightly different person, from the one you were when you first left.

We shall continue walking on the trail alongside the Lidder river. It soon dips down into another pine Forest. Move past the cluster of trees and watch incredible views unfold before you. The trail is mostly ascending with intermediate flat grounds and one river crossing enroute. After passing through pine forests and some intermittent clearings we will reach wide sweeping grasslands formed by many valleys converging here. There will be multiple clear water streams cutting across our pat. Splash some water on your face, drench some of your mates, and once reinvigorated, start walking again.

The trail climbs swiftly past a few Gujjar huts to the camping grounds of Sekhwas. We shall stop here for a while and take some rest before we continue our journey to the much-awaited lake.

It is a gentle climb to Tarsar through tall grasses, a few ridges and finally to the shore of the lake. Tarsar Lake is 5 km above Sekhwas and takes 4 hours to reach. It is a gorgeous lake, and makes you wonder if you reached a heaven of your own! Once you reach, take a few moments, go stand near it by yourself and let the silence speak to you.

Photo credits: The Visual Sufi

It’s going to be your home for the next two days and we are sure you’ll want multiple photos to remember this little home of ours. Let’s get lost in the views!

The night sky is absolutely stunning, and I plan to lie down outside my tent on the grass and stare at the millions of stars and the milky way galaxy! Who wants to join me!

Day 4: Tarsar Lake to Marsar Lake and back. O/N Tarsar Lake

• Altitude: 12,449 ft (3,794 m) to 13,201 ft • Time taken: 6 hours, 7 kms.

‘Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you’ - David McCullough Jr.

Wake up to the royal blue lake for the right kind of morning blues! Once you wake up, have some hot chair and feel the fresh air on your face. How it is to be away from the world, from offices, from internet, and to just be in the midst of nature!

The view from the other side of the Tarsar pass is another terrific attraction. The billowing meadows stretch for as far as your eyes can see. And the mountain ranges loom perfectly behind them in the backdrop. It is as if you have walked into one of your childhood paintings or sceneries!

Today, we trek to another beautiful lake which is also the highlight of our trip – the Marsar Lake.

As we being our trek for the day, we pass through hamlets and you will spot many a shy, simple villager stare and smile at you. Soon we will be spotting flocks of of sheep grazing away without a care. You shall also see wild horses running in the wild. It’s such a liberating visual – to see a horse galloping in the wild.

We pass by the beautiful Sundarsar Lake and then gradually walk through a boulder smitten path. Soon the path opens to grassy patches, and we pass a few beautiful brooks that leading to the stunning vistas of the lake.

After trekking to the much-awaited high altitude lake, let the moment sink. It’s a moment you won’t forget for some time. Let nature’s beauty overwhelm you.

The place looks like a dreamy setup straight out of a movie!

After spending some time there,we start our descent back to our camp in Tarsar Lake. Once we reach, get warm and huddle close with your new friends for more conversations.

Day 5: Tarsar Lake to Lidderwat. O/N Lidderwat

• Altitude: 9,150 to 7,950 ft • Trek: 10 kms, 6 hours

‘Everybody wants to reach the peak, but there is no growth on the top of a mountain. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak’ - Andy Andrews

Isn’t the oxygen so pure up here! Say good morning to your fellow trippers, have your breakfast, gear yourself up, and head out. Mountains have a way of fostering friendships that other places don’t. Be sensitive, be kind, be helpful to everyone around you, and see how much love you get back.

Wake up to view of this beautiful lake for one last time. Sigh!

Today we start back for our base camp, Lidderwat. The trail is down the same path from which we began our trek.

The trail is one that keeps moving between ascents and descents alike. Sing a song, run in the meadows, hug your new friend; we know you’re far from ready to leave just yet!

Make your way through the last of the dense forests and spot the last of what you can see of the peaks. After this we reach Lidderwat and spend our night there.

Day 6: Lidderwat to Aru. Drive back to Pahalgam. O/N Pahalgam

There are two kinds of climbers. Those who climb because their heart sings when they are in the mountains, and all the rest. - Alex Lowe

Today, we finally trek down to Aru Valley.

The trail is down the same path from which we began our trek. It won’t make you breathless, but it will require some effort. But what’s a trek without a challenge, right? Not to worry we are there to help with the descent.

It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves’ - Edmund Hillary

After this we will go back to Pahalgam in vehicles and spend our night there.

Day 7: Day trip to Aharbal Falls. Transfer to Srinagar. O/N Srinagar

I have realized that at the top of the mountain, there is another mountain’ - Andrew Garfield

After having finished our trek, today we are going to explore a very different part of Kashmir. Guess where?

After an early breakfast, we check out from our hotel in Pahalgam and leave for the beautiful town of Aharbal.

Located approximately 85 Kms from Pahalgam, it will take us three hours to reach the destination. The place is known most for its spectacular Aharbal waterfall, also known as the Niagara Falls of Kashmir. Here, the boisterous waters of Vishav river tumble down straight 25 metres below creating a waterfall. In the background, are the mountains and a wild, virgin jungle. The sheet of water collects at the base in a small pool that is amazingly blue. You can’t go all the way down to the falls, but can surely click a lot of photographs from select viewpoints!

By night we shall reach Srinagar. As it’s the last night of the trip let’s make it a memorable one!

Day 8: Depart for your respective cities.

Oh these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God’ - John Muir

After our exciting and adventurous trek,we hope you feel rested from your stay in Srinagar.Post an early breakfast, we will all depart for our respective cities. The tour ends today, sadly.

INCLUSIONS: • Accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Pahalgam on Day 1 and Day 6 • Accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Srinagar on Day 7 • Accommodation in tents through the course of the trek (Day 2 – Day 5) • All meals during the trek, i.e. Day 2 dinner – Day 6 breakfast • All breakfasts from Day 2 - Day 8 • Transportation in private vehicle to and from Srinagar Airport • Transportation in a private vehicle from Srinagar to Pahalgam and back • Transportation in a private vehicle for Aharbal Falls Day Trip • Trek fees and all necessary permits • Local guide throughout the trek • Trek equipment like sleeping bags, tents, kitchen tent, toilet tent. • First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinders • A cook with a helper • Captain Nero and his eccentric ways

EXCLUSIONS:

• Lunches on day 1,2 and 7. • Dinners on day 1 and day 7 • Any personal expenses, or anything not mentioned under Inclusions. • Flight tickets

FLIGHT DETAILS:

July 30, 2021: Fly to Srinagar and land latest by 11 am August 6, 2021: Fly out of Srinagar anytime between 10 am and 1 pm

TOTAL COST: If booked by June 30, 2021: Rs 22,000 If booked from July 1 onwards: Rs 23,000 If booked after July: Rs 25,000

Please go through the IMPORTANT INFORMATION section at the beginning of the pdf (if you haven’t already) to compare prices with other trek companies.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

45 days before the trip start date: full refund Between 45 and 30 days of trip start date: 50% refund Between 30 and 14 days of trip start date: 25% refund Less than 14 days of trip start date: No refund

Measures taken by OHOT to make this trip as safe as possible

1. The property chosen by us is sanitized regularly and follows all Covid-19 safetynorms.

2. All trippers will have to provide OHOT with a covid negative certificate. This has to be procured within 72 hours of travel start date. Before reaching Srinagar,each tripper will have to mail a copy of the certificate to OHOT.

3. Transfers provided by us will be via private vehicles from Srinagar to Srinagar keeping in mind the safety of the trippers.

4. All trippers are advised to carry their own hand sanitizers, and masks. Temperatures will be checked on arrival for basic symptom check.

‘Walking in the woods, I felt in touch with the universe, and the spirit of the universe’ - Alice Walker