• Drive Distance 110km
• Duration 3.5 hours
• Aru Altitude 2450m

Day first of the trek is a drive to reach the base camp place called Aru and its commonly known as Aru valley!.Aru is very beautiful village . It is 12 km ahead of Pahalgam. Housing few numbers of houses, this village has remained heaven for Trekkers for centuries. It is also from here that the famous TarsarMarsar and Kolahoi Glacier Trek start.

• Drive Distance 6km
• Trek Distance: 7km
• Trek Duration: 6 hours
• Altitude: 2350m – 3150m

This is the first trek day of the trek. The trek starts a few kilometers before Aru. The starting point of the trek is Mondlan. The trail starts just from the main road. The trail starts with an ascend and goes through a thick forest. The forest walk is the first serene feel you will get from this trek. The walk is in complete silence under the shade of tall trees and surrounding bird species.

Many bird species are in these trees. Your trek leader will make you acquainted with some of the bird species that you never see in cities. The sun filters through these trees and gives you a feel of other-worldly.

You will see a clean river stream running at the beginning of the trek. Refill your water bottles as water will be scarce till the next campsite. You will have to cross this stream and then you will see a small collection of shepherd houses. The houses are your first glimpse of how people live in the mountains. A serene and peaceful life, away from the daily troubles of modernity.

Further up to the trail, the walk jungle gives way to a beautiful small meadow called Shul Marg. Take a rest in the meadow and enjoy the beautiful landscape of this place. The grasslands here are full of colorful flowers in the summer season. The entire meadow looks colorful and rejuvenating.

From this small meadow, the trail ascends towards another settlement of shepherds. The trail turns towards the right by crossing the shimmering river stream. There comes another patch of the forest walk and then goes into a meadow.

Further up, the trail gains steepness till you spot a wooden gate. This is called the Gateway of Nafran Valley. The trail then leads you to the campsite called Bhaj Marg.

BhajMarg is a breathtakingly beautiful meadow and serene. You will hardly see a trekker crowd here. The grassland is vast and you will see horses trotting around. In the middle of this grassland, you get a panoramic view of the mountains.

Enjoy your food and tented accommodation in the beautiful ambiance here.

The gradient of the day is easy to moderate.

• Trek Distance: 9km
• Trek Duration: 7 hours
• Altitude: 3150m – 3450m via 3500m

This is the day you will trek to the famous and scenic Nafran Valley for which this trek is famous. Leave your campsite after a hearty breakfast and fill your bottle with water. The trail goes through a forest patch and is an ascent.

After walking for a couple of kilometers, you will reach the ridge of ArramPathri. The top of this ridge gives you the best scenic view of the entire BhajMarg meadow and Dadwar meadow. The trail further takes you through a couple of river streams. Ford these river streams carefully. Your trek leader will help you in crossing these river streams.

The trail then reaches a hard rocky patch. You must meander the rocky patch cautiously as it risks the trekker falling. Place your steps carefully and firmly. The rocky terrain however gives you a commanding view of Pahalgam valley towards your left. This is a treat to the eyes.

The trail then descends towards ArramPathri. The descent is steep and you will have to be again careful in descending this trail. As you descend, you will see a settlement of shepherds on the banks of the beautiful Nafran Valley. This is ArramPathri.

This is a nice spot for rest and refilling your water bottles. Take pictures and videos of this spot as the scenic landscape and serenity will be etched on your memory.

Keep the Nafranriver towards your left and follow the trail which is strewn with boulders. The trail to your next campsite goes via a couple of grasslands and boulder sections. Shortly thereafter, you will reach the Nafran Valley Valley campsite. The valley is gorgeous and surrounded by mountains on three sides.

The gradient of the day is easy to moderate.

• Trek Distance: 5km
• Trek Duration: 5 hours
• Altitude: 3450m – 3500m

Wake up early morning to see how a calm breeze passes through your campsite. The mornings in this valley are refreshing. It takes all the troubles of the world off your mind here, and you get to know the reward of doing this trek.

Since Nafran Valley is the main highlight of this trek, start your trek with a tour around this beautiful valley. Your trek leader will make you go around this valley and get the best views that this valley offers. Once you are done with the tour of Nafran Valley the trail proceeds towards the Harnag Pass.

The trail gains steepness slowly. The trail gives a panoramic view of grasslands. And the river streams cutting across these meadows.

Your campsite will be just below the Harnag Pass. Soak yourself in the breathtakingHarnag valley. Enjoy the campsite and the food that your cook will offer you.

The gradient of the day is moderate.

• Trek Distance: 6km
• Trek Duration: 7 hours
• Altitude: 3500m – 3500m via 3650m

This is lake day. It is on this day you will be seeing the beautiful Harnag Lake. Start early morning after a delicious breakfast. Gear yourself with proper trekking essentials. The trail starts with a flat walk and then goes through boulder and rocky terrain.

You must be extra careful while you walk on these rocky sections. At some places, the rocks are loose which increases the chance of dislocation or fall. Just put your feet firmly and carefully. Look for loose rocks and slippery boulders. The water coming down from the mountain makes the boulders wet and slippery. Be careful.

The walk is all ascending till you reach the top of Harnag Pass. The pass however is equally rewarding. It gives you one of the best panoramic views of the entire trek. You will see on one side the wide Nafran valley eternally gorgeous.

Towards the other side are Harnag Valley and Harnag Lake. The lake is just in the middle of this valley. A completely alone and enticing lake is a treat to the tired eyes. You will realize here that the view compensates more than what troubles you faced while climbing through the boulder and rocky sections.

To reach the lake, one has to descend towards the lake. The descent is equally tiring and challenging. You will have to be again careful with your steps. the trail is strewn with boulders and rocks which are loose, wet, and slippery. Make sure you follow the shepherd trail wherever you see it visible. Shepherd at times places rocks firmly to make a safe path in loose rocky terrain.

Immediately afterward, behold the beautiful Harnag Lake. Soak yourself in the beauty that surrounds you here.

Further afterward, you will have to cross a couple of streams to reach the Kolahoi Glacier viewpoint. Kolahoi Glacier is a massive glacier and is the largest glacier in Kashmir. Shrouded under the lofty peak of Kolahoi, this glacier is vast spanning and is all white.

It is this glacier that melts into the Lidder River and then gets into the Jhelum River. Kolahoi Peak is the highest altitude peak in Kashmir.

Take a rest here and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Trace your steps back towards your campsite at Harnag Valley.

The gradient of the day is difficult.

• Trek Distance: 7km
• Trek Duration: 6 hours
• Altitude: 3500m – 3200m

Today you will again retrace the steps back to ArramPathri. The beautiful valley that you saw while coming. Enjoy the walk and take regular breaks to try your hand at photography. Stops at spots that you missed while coming. The walk of the day is easy and mild on your legs. Stop for lunch in the middle of a beautiful meadow.

The gradient of the day is moderate to difficult.

• Drive Distance: 110km
• Trek Distance: 10km
• Trek Duration: 6 hours
• Altitude: 3200m – 2450m

This is the last day of the trek. You will be trekking from ArramPathri to Aru. The trek ends at Aru thereby making it a circuit trek. The trail from ArramPathri takes a right turn. The trail will give you a varied and different landscape than what you saw on the second day of the trek. The gradient of the day is easy. It is a gentle walk down to Aru valley.

The trail will take you through the beautiful small valleys of KanzalPathri and GagadPathri. The valleys are strewn with the patches of forests. The trail goes to the confluence of two shimmering water streams of Nafran Valley and Gash Angan.

On your way, you will see settlements of shepherds. Enjoy your breaks at these settlements. And see how they live their lives here away from any connectivity and modernity.

Immediately afterward you will reach the endpoint of this trek – Aru. This is the beautiful hamlet to rest in before you drive back to Pahalgam or Srinagar.

The gradient of the day is easy.