All road transport by private ac cars
Airport transfers; 2 way transport from Srinagar to Aharbal.
Introduction
| Arrive: Srinagar, Kashmir Depart: Srinagar Kashmir Best Time: July to September | Duration: 9 Days Trek-Distance: 52 KM Highest Altitude: Handu Sar Pass (4050m) | Activity Level: Level 3 | PRICE INR 23700/Per Person |
Hirpora Lakes Trek expedition is the best trek in Pir-Panjal Mountain range. The trek lies in the Southwestern end of the Kashmir Valley. These are over a dozen of high altitude alpine lakes within a 5km² radius. The trek starts at Candimarh Hill-station after Pir Ki Gali, a motorable mountain pass between Jammu and Kashmir divisions on the famous Mughal Road. The road connects Srinagar with Surankote. The trek lies in District Poonch, Kulgam and Shopian, the later is known as the Apple Bowl of Kashmir.
Though trekking in Kashmir is not the newest but still this expedition is no walk in the park. Arduous days, steep and rocky passes, and altitudes approaching 4200m all collide to create a challenging trek in one of the most beautiful and serene Himalayas of Kashmir.
While planning your trek, as a beginner keep the following points in consideration:-
- you feel fit enough to trek for hours.
- you walk two or three kilometers daily.
- you don’t have any breathing problems.
- you are not scared of heights.
Inclusions
What’s included in the Price?
What’s not included in the Price?
Itinerary
Brief Itinerary
Day 1:- Arrival Srinagar
- Arrive Srinagar (Alt. 1600m)
- Pickup from Srinagar airport or Bus stand
- 10 kms drive to Hotel, approx 30 minutes.
- Check-in Hotel Ash Vale, Nishat
(Transport, dinner)
Day 2:- Srinagar to Chandimarh via Mughal Road Shopian
- Checkout Hotel and drive to Chandimarh
- 130 kms drive, approx 5 hours
- Overnight stay camp at Chandimarg (Alt 1850m)
(Breakfast, transport, dinner)
Day 3:- Chandimarh to Derah trek
- Altitude: 1850m to 2950m
- 8 kms trek, approx 6 hours
- Overnight Camp at Derah meadow
(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
Day 4:- Derah to Khuan
- Altitude: 2950m to 3600m
- 9 kms trek, approx 7 hours
- Overnight Camp at Khuan meadow
(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
Day 5:- Khuan to Neelsar Lake
- Altitude: 3600m to 3700m
- 6 kms trek, approx 5 hours
- Overnight Camp at Neelsar Lake
(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
Day 6:- Neelsar to Chandansar Lake Via Barhal Pass
- Altitude: 3700m to 3950m
- 7 kms trek, approx 6 hours
- Overnight Camp at Chandansar Lake
(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
Day 7:- Day at Leisure/ Optional Day-Trek to Laksukh and Handu Sar Lakes
- Altitude: 3950m to 4050m Mountain Pass and back
- 10 kms trek, approx 8 hours (2-way)
- Overnight Camp at Chandansar Lake
(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
Day 8:- Chandansar to Nandarar Lake to Dungimarg trek and Drive to Srinagar
- Altitude: 3950m to 3300m
- 12 kms trek, approx 7 hour
- 124 kms drive, approx 4 hours
- Check-in Hotel Ash Vale, Nishat, Srinagar (Alt 1600m)
(Breakfast, Transport, Dinner)
Day 9:- Srinagar Airport or Bus Stand drop.
- 5 kms drive to bus stand, approx 20 minutes
- Or 12 kms drive to Srinagar airport, approx 30 minutes
- End of Tour
(Breakfast, Transport)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:- Arrival Srinagar
On arrival at the Srinagar airport (on your own), you will be received by Kashmir Treks representative/ driver. Once you board your vehicle, you will proceed to the deluxe Hotel. Dinner & overnight will be on board the Hotel in Srinagar.
- Accommodation: Hotel Ash Vale or similar in Srinagar
- Meals: Dinner
Day 2:- Srinagar to Chandimarh Drive
130 kms drive to Chandimarh via Mughal Road takes some 5 hours.
The highlight of the drive is Shopian (the Apple orchards). There are plenty of restaurants at Shopian for having a perfect Kashmiri Lunch Wazwan.
The drive passes the highest point of the road “The Pir Ki Gali” mountain pass. The scenes of the alpine-style mountains is breathtaking. We cross the mototable pass and arrive Chandimarh hill station. The place lies in the jurisdiction of Jammu range.
We camp at the hill station for an overnight stay.
- Transport : By Tempo Traveler or Innova car
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 3:- Chandimarh to Derah trek
After the Breakfast at the camp we start our 7 day walking journey with a climbing day. We ascent gradually through dense forest of pine, cedar, fur, followed by a combination of steep ascent and again a gradual ascent. The last section to the campsite again has a steep ascent through Girjan Meadow and finally we arrive Dhera meadow for an Overnight stay.
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 4:- Dhera to Khuan meadow
Today we trek from Thera to Khuan meadow. An initial steep climb will take us to alpine forest and then taking a walk following a ridge line, we will arrive Panjdhari army camp and later on we reach Khuan meadow our campsite.
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 5: Khuan to Neelsar Lake
Todays walk we start with a descent from Kuan meadows and then a steep ascent towards Neelsar Lake through Byaad meadows. The trek traverse a boulders patch which requires a careful walk through.
We camp at Neelsar Lake for an overnight stay. From the campsite we can visit Neelsar II, Neelsar III, Dingsar, and Gumsar Lakes all spread throughout the vast, green meadows.
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 6: Neelsar to Chandansar Lake via Katori Lake and Barhal Pass
Today’s hike is through rocky and bouldery terrain traversing through Katori Lake and meadows and a slight ascending the Barhal Pass (3950m).
Crossing the pass will lead you to a long meadow. Walking for a few more hours, we arrive at our campsite the Chandansar Lake.
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 7: Optional Day-Trek to Laksukh and Handu Sar Lakes
Rest Day Or Choose a day-trek to Laksukh and Handu Sar Lakes.
The day starts with a challenging section of reaching the top of the highest mountain pass of the trail, standing at 4050m. Getting to the pass takes maximum 3 hours. From here we have 360Deg view of the meadows, mountains and two huge Lakes of Laksukh Sar and Handu Sar Lakes. People have an option either to proceed further to the lakes or return back to the campsite for rest. Overnight stay same Chandansar Lake.
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 8: Chandansar to Nandansar to Dungimarg trek and drive to Srinagar.
Today being the last day of the trek, we leave early in the morning, few hours of walk we arrive at the Nandansar Lake.
The beautiful lake is the last trail of the dozen high altitude alpine lakes of Hirpora.
Our trail of is a gradual ascent and descent before we enter the tree line, its all decent upto the road-head of Mughal Road Dungimarg.
We board our car and drive back to Srinagar through the town of Shopian, where we stop for the lunch. The whole drive will take us less than 4 hours before we reach Hotel at Srinagar for an overnight stay.
- Accommodation: Hotel Ash Vale or similar in Srinagar
- Transport : By Tempo Traveler or Innova car
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Day 9:- Srinagar – Departure Day
Today after breakfast, check out from your hotel and proceed to Srinagar airport or bus station.
- Transport : By Tempo Traveler or Innova car
- Accommodation: N/A
- Meals: Breakfast
What to Carry?
The trek is supported by horses. You will need to carry only a light sack, weighing about 4-6kg for your items like passport, money, and camera gear. The following is a list of the items you should carry on the trek. If you have items that can not be used on the trek, you can store them at our houseboat or our office and take them back after returning from the trek.
- Please note that only postpaid Indian mobile sim cards (Jio, Airtel and BSNL) work in Kashmir Valley. There’s no cellular connectivity from Day 2 to Day 6 of the trek.
- Please double check your passport or Aadhar numbers before submitting through booking form. These numbers are required for preparation of trek permits.
- Passport or a valid ID card
- Duffel Bag 60 liters
- One Pair Trekking Shoes
- One Pair Trail Approach Shoes
- Trekking Pants
- Hooded Rain Jacket
- Shade Hat
- One Pair Sunglasses
- One Pair Liner Gloves
- Small Size Day-Pack
- Two Pair Trekking Socks
- One Pair Sandals
- Extra Warm Clothes
- Warm Hooded Down Jacket
- Sunscreen Cream
- Lip Balm
- Any Personal Medication
Fitness
Kashmir Treks are achievable by anyone with a healthy lifestyle and a good level of general fitness. Team members should be willing to be part of a team working together to achieve the goal of the expedition. As a team member, you should have an adventurous and robust spirit. The biggest challenge on this expedition will be the many consecutive days of challenging trekking across alpine terrain, much of which at altitudes of above 3000m.
Minimum fitness requirements
- Trek: up to 7km per day.
- Daily activity: up to 5 hours’ trekking per day.
- Carry: up to 5kg in a day-sack.
- Terrain: remote, uneven, snowy, icy, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain at up to 4200m.
- Climate: Can be sunny in valleys and cold and windy at high altitudes. June and September months are cooler than those of July and August. Averages are 3000m, 1°C to 20°C.
- Swim: not required though there will be stream crossings to make.
Address Info
Manigam, Ganderbal, Kashmir, India-191201
Phone: +91 1942500570 +91 9906421796
Email: info(at)kashmirtreks.com
Phone: +91 1942500570 +91 9906421796
Email: info(at)kashmirtreks.com
