Explore the real beauty of kashmir TARSAR, MARSAR and Sundarsar, N3 D4

Altitude: 7,958 ft (2,426 m) Duration: 3.5 hours drive. The Kashmir Tarsar Marsar trek commences in the afternoon. The first destination is Aru base camp. There is no proper gravel road to the Aru base camp from Srinagar. Hence, we would have to enroot via Pahalgam. The distance between Srinagar and Pahalgam is 100 km and will take 3 hours or so to reach by car. Start the journey to Aru Camp from Srinagar at around 2:00 PM so that you can reach before nightfall and camp at peace. The journey is laid across the River Lidder and words might fall short when it comes to describing this cute little of a place that lives up to its name. An array of 200 asbestos roofed huts lined perfectly well amidst the lush green meadows, adjacent to the spectacular Lidder, is a sight worth viewing. Aru is the first place to board for the night in cottages as there are plenty available at Aru.  

Altitude: 7,958 ft (2,426 m) to 9,131 ft (2,783 m) Duration: 6 hours, 10 km Cover a distance of 9-10 km in approximately 5-6 hours. The trail on way is a pleasant one, with an easy uphill ascent. Follow the trail alongside the River Lidder initially, which directly connect to the village uphill. From the village, the road will follow the agricultural departmental fence offering a sophisticated and clear view of Aru behind. The trail will lead into a cluster of Fir trees and then to a large clearing, Dalla near Gujjar huts. From Dalla, the trail is just a nice, pleasant walk on the plain ground through dense pine forest. Twenty minutes into the forest, reach a wide fork signalling diversion to Nandkei. The same trail will continue, the forest evanescing behind and pretty little Gujjar huts and families in the view ahead. They are friendly people on horsebacks taking care of their everyday chores. From there, the trail picks up an ascent gently. Half an hour later, come to two diverging clear streams, safe for drinking. Lidderwat, from here is another hour walk. Cross a wooden bridge over the second stream and enter into another pine trees forest. At the pine trees junction the trail upwards and intersects with the Riverside and the Valley bottom, a magnificent scenery. From here, across the Riverside, the track bends forwards and runs into a gorgeous fir forest. It will take another half an hour to clear this forest and run into another fir forest. When you finish the second section of the Fir Forest line, the trail will finally reach the lush green meadows of Lidderwat. It would take approx ten minutes for this.  

Altitude: 9,131 ft (2,783 m) to 11,039 ft (3,365 m) Duration: 5 hours, 5.6 km Cover a distance of 6-7 km in approximately 5 hours. There will be a lot of ascending and then crossing a river in between and some connecting plain terrains. On day three, the trial starts from PDA huts in line with the river Lidder and takes us to a pine forest. The track is in a straight line, without much difficulty. After some time, the pine cluster will open up to wide and sweeping grassland intersecting towering mountains, creating a cosy valley, adorned with snow patches here and there. The trail diverts into many small valleys and converges upwards toward the Bhakarwal Shelters by the right side of the river. The trail has many clear streams running along, a good spot to refill water bottles. From here, descend to the river bed and cross the river by hopping over a few boulders and then crossing a makeshift bridge. Reach the clearing of Hamvas by following the river-side half an hour later. Take a short break at the Gujjar huts there where tea and delicious savouries are offered. The pathway here is a pleasant one; plain grassland, a beautiful comfort to the strenuous journey. After this, the ascent is a little steeper and as you gain altitude, by the hour, you will enter a forest of silver birch also known as Bhoj trees. These trees are considered very old in the region. The Shekiwas is an undulating meadow-land, reached by meandering paths crossing two green valleys and surrounded by dark snow patched mountains. This is one of the best camping sites of the Tarsar Marsar trek.