Nafran Valley Trek
Trek duration
5 nights 6 days
Total Distance
38 kilometres
Difficulty Level
Moderate - Extreme
15,500/person
Including all Taxes
Trek duration
5 nights 6 days
Total Distance
38 kilometres
Difficulty Level
Moderate - Extreme
15,500/person
Incuding all Taxes
Nafran Valley
Kashmir’s allure is truly enchanting, with Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar treks being prime examples of this. Despite their immense popularity, there are many other trekking routes in Kashmir that are just as stunning and reveal the pristine and unspoiled beauty of the Kashmir Valley. Among these treks is the Nafran Valley Trek. The trek commences from Aru village, which is situated approximately 112 km from Srinagar. The journey encompasses a variety of landscapes, including lush green meadows, mystical forests, and an alpine lake, making it an ideal adventure for trekking enthusiasts. The Aru Valley, Harnag Lake, and Nafran Valley together make this trek an exciting expedition.
What's included
Logistics & Support
Professional hosts and logistics like carriage horses to carry all the heavy load to keep you light on the trail.
Equipments
All camping equipments like tents, toilet tents, sleeping bags, walking sticks, rain ponchos, tent lights etc.
Food & Beverages
Breakfast, lunch and dinner plus few tea sessions to keep you up and active on the trails or warm on a cold night alongside the Lake.
Transportation
Transport facilities will be provided from Srinagar to Aru and return to srinagar
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Srinagar - Aru
The hike begins at Aru village. We will start our tour in Srinagar and drive around 115 kilometres to Aru. When you arrive at the appropriate pick-up location, one of our staff will meet you and transport you to Aru. We will drive from Srinagar to Pahalgam, which is 100 kilometres away, and Aru hamlet, which is 12 kilometres away from Pahalgam.
Aru is a moderately established tourist destination located on the Lidder River’s bank, and it also serves as the base camp for the popular Tarsar Marsar Trek and the Kolahoi Glacier Trek. In the winter, it is also a centre for adventure activities such as horseback riding and heliskiing. Trout fishing on the Lidder River is another popular activity in the area. Because network connections in Aru are not particularly steady and not all network connections operate, you must have all of your communications wrapped up in Pahalgam. We will be camping in Aru, and our campground is in a magnificent setting by the Lidder River.
Day 2: Aru - Aarampathri
This is our first hiking day, and we will travel from Aru to Aaram Pathri. The hike begins with a gradual uphill rise and ends in a wooded area after around 800 meters. Continue trekking until the trail splits into two. The left track leads to a viewing point in a clearing. It takes roughly 4 hours to get there. The correct road, on the other hand, brings us to our destination.
Continue the route to the right until you reach a muddy spot. There is also a higher road that can be used during wet days when there is too much mud, although it is not always accessible. As you reach the muddy region, there is a difficult climb of around 500 metres to a shepherd village named Geerwad. From here, you’ll trek through meadows and forests to a tiny riverfront area. Here is Gagad Pathri; then, after hiking for 1 more hour, you will reach Aarampathri, which will be your overnight campground. We will locate an appropriate area for camping. The water source is a mountain stream, although the water is a touch milky in hue. It is advised to use chlorine pills in this situation.
Following a full meal, you will return to your tents to sleep for the night and awaken refreshed the next morning.
Day 3: Aarampathri - Nafran Valley
Today, we will begin our journey by crossing a wooden plank bridge to the right side of the river, followed by another crossing to the left side of the river. Here, you will notice a few mud houses that serve as the summer residences of the shepherds. Kansal Pathri is the name of this clearing. Continue trekking upwards towards Nafran Valley along the ridge on your left.
Follow another hill to the right to go to Nafran Valley. While the routes begin difficult, they gradually become more gentle, and the journey to Nafran Valley is a combination of steep and gradual ascents past massive stones and rocks. Go with caution since some portions are a touch slick. This portion makes the journey more challenging. But once the ascent is complete, you will come to a tiny meadow with a magnificent stream running through it. This is the beginning of Nafran Valley.
Going past the valley’s meadows, we’ll ascend further ahead, and after a few spurs, the route opens into a magnificent meadow with spectacular rock formations and a bubbling creek running through it. Here is Nafran Valley, where we’ll spend the night. The campsite is bordered on three sides by large mountains, giving it an ideal camping setting.
Day 4: Nafran valley - Harnag lake - Nafran Valley
Today we will go from Nafran Valley to Harnag Lake, then return to Nafran Valley via Harnag Pass. Because you have gained a large amount of altitude, we will remain another night for acclimatisation.
A rocky trail heading uphill via loose rock formations may be seen at the valley’s end. The Harnag Pass is that small saddle on the mountain ahead. The pass is 3,740 meters above sea level. The closer you approach the pass, the more you see a rock formation on the crest that resembles the structure of a big snake, hence the pass’s name.
The majority of the climb is fairly steep, which will put your stamina to the test. Because of the numerous rocks and stones along the path, reaching the top of the pass takes some time. Cross this part with caution because of the unstable rocks and a stream tumbling over them. The Harnag Pass is that small saddle on the mountain ahead. The pass is 3,740 metres above sea level. The closer you approach the pass, the more you see a rock formation on the crest that resembles the structure of a big snake, hence the pass’s name.
The majority of the climb is fairly steep, which will put your stamina to the test. Because of the numerous rocks and stones along the path, reaching the top of the pass takes some time. Cross this part with caution because of the unstable rocks and a stream tumbling over them. Avoid stepping on loose rocks and instead seek out dry ones.
The wide Nafran Valley can be seen from the top of the pass. As you climb, you will notice Harnag Lake in the heart of the Harnage Valley. The lake emerges, with multiple streams running into it from the glacier above. We’ll return to the Nafran Valley campground following the same trail we came in on after some peaceful moments by the lake. Maintain caution on the loose rock areas once again.
Day 5: Nafran Valley - Kootpathri
In comparison to the previous day, today’s walk is quite simple. You’ve completed the most difficult portion of your journey; now you’ll return via the gorgeous meadows all the way to Kootpathri. At night, we’ll camp at Kootpathri.
Enjoy your walk across the lovely meadows, and take time to admire the natural beauty all around you. The trek down will be rather easy for your legs. Kootpathri Campground is a lovely campsite in a vast meadow with a stunning display of natural beauty. The golden hour looks extremely wonderful here because of the sunset over the Bhoj and Deodar trees. Relax soundly after a wonderful meal at the campsite.
Day 6: Kootpathri - Aru - Srinagar
Today we will walk back to Aru from the Kootpathri campsite and then travel to Srinagar. It will take two hours to reach Aru.
The woodland lies alongside the road that goes to Aru. You will be brought back to Aru by the same route from which you started your climb.
Essential Requirements
- Proper hiking boots with good grip and ankle support
- Lightweight and moisture-wicking clothing suitable for trekking
- Warm layers such as a fleece jacket and a down jacket for chilly nights
- Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
- Insect repellent
- Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
- Trekking poles for stability on uneven terrain
Health Requirements
- A healthy resting pulse rate should fall within the range of 60 to 90 beats per minute.
- The ideal blood pressure range at rest is between 75-85 for diastolic and 100-130 mm Hg for systolic.
- A normal resting respiratory rate is between 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
- The absence of conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus, Bronchial Asthma, Epilepsy, Heart Problems, Very High Blood Pressure, and other illnesses is desirable.
- There should be no issues with liver or kidney function.
- It is preferable not to have a pacemaker implant.
Expert
Opinion
Farhan Hussain Mas’udi
CEO, InterExperia
As an experienced trekker and founder of InterExperia, a trekking travel agency in Kashmir, I highly recommend trekking in this region. Kashmir offers a diverse range of trekking routes that cater to all levels of experience and fitness.Some of the popular trekking routes in Kashmir include the Great Lakes Trek, Tarsar Marsar Trek, and Kashmir Alpine Lakes Trek. These treks offer breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes.It’s important to note that Kashmir is a high-altitude region, and proper acclimatization is necessary to avoid altitude sickness. We recommend spending a few days in Srinagar or other lower altitude areas before starting the trek.Additionally, it’s essential to be well-equipped for the trek, including proper clothing, footwear, and trekking gear. It’s also crucial to have a knowledgeable guide who is familiar with the terrain and can provide necessary support during the trek.
Overall, trekking in Kashmir is an incredible experience that allows you to connect with nature and explore the beauty of this region. At InterExperia, we strive to provide our clients with a safe and memorable trekking experience in Kashmir.
