A trek that has it all
Drive from Srinagar (1,585M) to Aru (2,414M)
Distance: 100 kms
Duration: 3-4 hours
Aru is a small village in the Lidder valley of Kasmir. It is a popular tourist spot known best as a skiing town and is also famous for its scenic meadows. Twelve kilometers from the town of Pahalgam, the entire drive between Srinagar and Aru is about 100 kms long with mesmerizing visuals of rural Kashmir with apple orchards and walnut and apricot trees lined up all throughout the way.
Once we reach Pahalgam, we only need to cross the Lidder river to get to Aru. There is enough to see in this small village upon arrival. The night is at a homestay.
Aru (2,414M) to Mondlan (2,426M) to Bhaj Margi (3,162M)
Distance: 8 kms (drive) + 7.5 kms (trek)
Duration: 30 mins + 7 hours
Right after breakfast, we start out for the trail head at Mondlan which is a short 8 km drive. From here, the trek starts with scattered patches of walnut trees alternating with wide open spaces. After about 2 hours of this, we enter the dense forests of Kashmir on a well-marked trail. The smells and sounds of the forest accompany us. We will get only one freshwater stream in this forest today, remember to fill up your bottles here. Golden rays of the sun drip through the tall trees of the forest.
A short while after, the forest gives way to grasslands which are covered in wild flowers of all colours imaginable. After the climb up on this meadow, we hit another patch of forest taking us further up in altitude. We have close to 650M of elevation to gain today which is quite a significant gain on the first day of a trek. So, remember to take it slow, there is no hurry.
The campsite for today is one of the most beautiful meadows in Kashmir and also a playground for wild horses and grazing cattle.
Bhaj Margi (3,162M) to Nafran Valley (3,462M) via Arram Pathri Ridge (3,500M)
Distance: 8.5 kms
Duration: 6.5 hours
With an elevation gain of less than 350M on the agenda, today’s distance is a bigger challenge than the terrain. We start out on gradual slope through the forest which leads us to a ridge walk that gives you magnificent views of meadows on both sides. On reaching Nafran Valley, the terrain turns uneven and rocky. Remember to exercise extra caution here. This is also where we get acquainted to Nafran river and a host of Gajjar (shepherd) huts. The last 300M is going to be the hardest, remember to watch your step on this challenging terrain.
We reach the campsite for today after a long day of trekking. The open land surrounded by high mountains on all sides is more than enough to put the thought of aching limbs in the background.
Nafran Valley (3,462M) to Harnag Lake (3,688M) via Harnag Pass (3,815M)
Distance: 4.5 kms
Duration: 5 hours
We are going to the alpine lake today. The route takes us up and over to the other side of Harnag Pass which is two kilometers from the Nafran Valley campsite. Easy at first and then suddenly steep, this 350M ascent is going to take long because the terrain is not particularly friendly here. Rocks and boulders make the climb upwards a challenge. The rocks may even be slippery because of the water that flows down from the pass towards the valley. Once at the top of the pass, you get a bird’s eye view of the entire valley with the bright blue waters of the Harnag Lake bang in the middle of the scenery – stationed there like the eye of the valley looking to the skies.
The descent to the lake is equally tricky over loose rocks. We camp by the lake which is being fed by smaller streams converging into it from all directions.
Harnag Lake (3,688M) to Harbhagwan Lake (4,203M) and back to Harnag Lake (3,688M)
Distance: 9 kms
Duration: 9 hours
Today is a very long day. Continuing of a terrain like yesterday’s we are gaining over 500M to get to Harbhagwan Lake. On the way, we also pass by the Kolahoi glacier and the glorious east face of Mt. Kolahoi. This is one view you might want to etch in your memory for it is a rare spectacle.
Once on the ridge, the trail fades out till we reach the lake. This icy lake with big chunks of snow floating on its surface is one of sheer beauty. The blue of its waters is brighter than the skies on a sunny day. We spend some time on the shores of this lake before making our way back to our old friend, Harnag Lake.
Harnag Lake (3,688M) to Arram Pathri (3,500M)
Distance: 7 kms
Duration: 5.5 hours
We trace our steps back to Arram Pathri today which we crossed on Day 3. It is long but a relatively easy trail with not many variations in altitude.
Arram Pathri (3,500M) to Aru (2,414M to Srinagar (1,585M)
Distance: 8 kms trek + 100 kms drive
Duration: 6 hours + 4 hours
The last day of the trek is still as beautiful as all the landscapes we crossed throughout this trek. The refreshing 8 km walk brings us back to Aru, our road head where we get our ride back to Srinagar. Expect to reach Srinagar by evening.
This makes it mandatory for you to have high-altitude experience of preferably multiple treks marked at level 5 on the BRS. The altitude, the terrain and the nature of the climb demand a certain level of skill and a need for you to be aware of how your body reacts to the various features of high altitude environment.
we will send you a progression chart to help you comfortably get out of your comfort zone in order to level up and ultimately reach your highest potential in the big, bad world of outdoor adventure.
This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.
Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek. As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.
We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures
Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.
All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.
Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.
Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.
Cash refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
Cancellations between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 15 days prior to departure date
Voucher refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure date