Tarsar and Marsar Lake

• Rail: Aru serves as the nearest railway head to Tarsar Marsar while also being the base camp for the trek.

Base Camp: Aru

Difficulty: Moderate gradient

Highest point of trek: 13, 170 ft

Nearest Airport: Srinagar

Region: Srinagar

Starting point of trek: Aru

Day 1: Arrive at Srinagar, drive to Aru

Arrive at Srinagar and proceed to Aru. You can easily get a cab from outside the airport or can arrange for, beforehand. It will cost you around INR 2,400 for one way, it decide t hire a SUV. The journey is about 4-5 hours long. You can rest for the day and camp overnight at Aru while enjoying the scenic beauty of the area.

Day 2: Aru to Lidderwat

Begin your trek in the morning with a walk along a gentle slope to Lidderwat. You will be expected to cover a trail of about 10 km in 6 hours gaining an altitude of 343 m. You will spot two snaking streams and wooden bridge about half an hour before reaching Lidderwat. On the way you will also come across a Gujjar settlement at Nandkei settled near Lidder River. A wonderful sight of lush green meadows and clear streams awaits you at Lidderwat. Pitch your tents here for the night.

Day 3: Lidderwat to Shekwas

Today you will be mostly ascending the trail with on and off with flat grounds and a river while on the way. As you trudge along, you will pass through s pine forest and a flat ground leading to expansive grassland formed with a confluence of several valleys. Soon you will climb a slope passing through a few Gujjar huts arriving at the campsite of Shekwas. Rest here for the night, while you covered an altitude of 480 m in 5 hours today.

Day 4: Shekwas to Tarsar and explore Tarsar

The trek begins with a walk along a gentle slope through tall grasses and some ridges to arrive at the shore of thelake. Tarsar lies about 5 kms from Shekwas and it take 4 hours to cover the track gaining the height of 518 m. The sight that awaits you is simple marvelous with turquoise blue water flanked by verdant meadows and snow clad peaks. With exquisite beauty all around you, camp here for the night and admire the creation of Mother Nature.

Day 5: Tarsar to Sundarsar

Today, we will be heading to Sundarsar located 5 km from Tarsar, which can be reached in 5 hours by crossing a pass. The trail from here is a bit difficult with steep climb in the beginning while a descent thereafter followed by a gentle ascent to Sundarsar. Though this lake is not as large as Tarsar, but the beauty it holds is totally unmatched. The lake is surrounded by a long stretch of lush green grass dotted with a dash of yellow, white and blue flowers. The place is perfect to pitch tenets for the night with its vast stretch of flat land.

Day 6: Sundarsar to Marsar and back and then Sonmasti

On the sixth day you will be heading for Marsar (13, 170 ft) climbing a bit initially. After you have well explored the meadows in the area, it's finally time to descent to 11,000 ft. You will cover atrail of 8 k in about 6 hours. A sharp drop in the altitude of over 2000 ft over a series of grassy land will lead you to Sonmasti valley. Here you will spot an amazing sight of stream running down the ledges as the snow melts converting into a waterfall while sliding down the cliff, ultimately forming into a clear pond. The overall picture adorned with small rivulets, brooks and grazing lands offer a bewitching sight. Camp here for the night.

Day 7: : Sonmasti to Sumbal, drive to Srinagar

It's time to descend 4,500 ft while covering a distance of 11 km to arrive at Sumbal from Sonmasti Valley. This is where this spectacular trek ends.