Nafran Valley Trek

Nafran-Valley-Trek

Nafran Valley Trek

The Nafran Valley Trek in Kashmir, India, provides a moderately challenging adventure, blending captivating scenery, diverse terrains, and an immersive exploration of the nomadic Gujjar culture. Scenic Meadows: Nafran Valley is renowned for its extensive green meadows adorned with vibrant wildflowers during the summer, creating a serene environment ideal for trekking and camping enthusiasts. Alpine Lakes: Nestled in the mountainous Nafran Valley, you’ll discover two pristine alpine lakes – Harbhagwan Lake and Harnag Lake. These clear, reflective waters amid the peaks offer peaceful retreats for relaxation and stunning photography. Kolahoi Glacier: A majestic spectacle in Nafran Valley, the Kolahoi Glacier stands tall as a towering ice formation. Trekkers can appreciate its grandeur, observing intricate ice formations and listening to the captivating sounds of the ever-moving glacier. Seclusion and Tranquility: Nafran Valley maintains its natural allure, steering clear of mass tourism. This seclusion provides trekkers with a calm and peaceful environment, allowing them to fully appreciate the valley’s natural beauty, away from the hustle of more popular trekking spots.

Qualified and Experienced Trek Leaders

  • Every trek leader at Himalaya Shelter is not only passionate about mountains but also highly qualified. They have done intensive training such as Basic Mountaineering Course, Advanced Mountaineering Course, Search and Rescue Course, and First Aid Course. This wide range of training prepares them with the required knowledge and experience to handle any situations that may come up while trekking.
  • Our trek leaders have been to the trails multiple times before and know the local landscapes, weather conditions, and people well. You can trust that you are in capable hands with leaders who are not only passionate about the mountains but also equipped with the necessary expertise.

High Altitude Medical First Aid Kit

  • The kit we provide consists of all necessary medical supplies and equipment for altitude trekking. From emergency first aid training to dealing with altitude-related symptoms so much more, we are ready to respond quickly to different medical situations.
  • We know the difficulties of high altitude and to avoid any risks, we carry oxygen cylinders in every trek. This equipment proves to be a lifesaver in cases of altitude sickness or emergencies, giving instant relief to trekkers.

Small Group Sizes

  • Our commitment to keeping group sizes small, with a maximum of 12 trekkers, is rooted in the belief that this approach enhances the overall safety and well-being of every participant. Thus making our trek leaders experts who provide individual attention to each trekker and ensure incident prevention and safety protocols are followed thereby creating a more engaging and enjoyable trekking experience.

High-Quality Equipment

  • Endless Tour and Travels is known for its high-quality trekking equipment and gear. From tents to safety harnesses, we make sure that all the equipment is of international safety standards and therefore reduce potential risks through the trek.

Best time to visit Nafran Valley Trek-

The best time to embark on the Nafran Valley Trek is from the month of June to September, offering the most favorable weather conditions for trekking. During this period, temperatures range from 15°C to 20°C in the daytime and fall 8°C to 12°C in the night, providing an ideal climate to explore the stunning landscapes. The meadows are in full bloom, enhancing the scenic beauty of the trek. In July, the weather warms up further, maintaining temperatures between 20°C to 25°C. Although there is a possibility of light and brief rain, it typically doesn’t disrupt the trekking experience. August stands out as the peak season for Nafran Valley Trek, featuring warm and sunny weather with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C. This month showcases the meadows in their full splendor, adorned with a riot of colors from blooming wildflowers. As September unfolds, temperatures start to cool down, ranging from 5°C to 15°C. While the meadows retain their greenery, the wildflowers gradually fade, signaling the end of the trekking season. This transitional period offers a unique charm as nature undergoes subtle transformations. Overall, planning a visit during these months ensures an enjoyable and visually stunning experience in Nafran Valley.

Difficulty level of Nafran Valley Trek-

The Nafran Valley Trek falls within the moderate to difficult range, suitable for individuals with good fitness and some trekking background. Not recommended for beginners, this trek presents a gratifying challenge amidst stunning landscapes. Key factors contributing to its difficulty include:

  1. Elevation: Scaling a peak of 14,127 ft (4,305 meters) demands acclimatization for those new to high altitudes.
  2. Length: Covering about 40 kilometers in a 7-day itinerary, the trek requires endurance and stamina.
  3. Terrain: The path navigates diverse landscapes, involving both uphill and downhill stretches, with some steep sections demanding careful traversal.
  4. Fitness Level: Participants must be at ease with extended walks on uneven ground, and lugging a backpack for several hours daily.

Highlights of Nafran Valley Trek-

Nafran Valley is a remote and relatively untouched valley located in the Himalayan region of Kashmir. It’s known for its pristine natural beauty, stunning landscapes, and rugged terrain. situated in a mountainous region, likely in a remote part of the Himalayas. The valley is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. It typically offers panoramic views of towering peaks, lush green meadows, alpine forests, and possibly high-altitude lakes. Nafran Valley is often home to diverse flora and fauna. You might encounter a variety of alpine flowers, coniferous trees, and potentially wildlife such as Himalayan ibex, snow leopards, and various bird species. While trekking through the Nafran Valley, you may have the opportunity to interact with local communities, experience their traditional way of life, and enjoy delicious Kashmiri cuisine. The trek starts in the pretty Aru village, known for its amazing beauty and different landscapes, making the Nafran Valley Trek a standout in Kashmir. Trekkers walk through green meadows and nice-smelling pine forests next to the flowing Aru River, making it a really cool experience with big mountains in the background. This scenery is similar to that of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. This trek is a special journey for different types of trekkers. It has parts that are not too easy but not too hard, making it good for all skill levels. Cool places to see include the famous Aru Valley base camp and the green meadows of Nafran Valley, making the trek even more beautiful. A special part is the beautiful Harnag Lake situated at 11480 feet, where trekkers can rest and have a meal in a peaceful place. Camping near the lake is like a dream for people who love adventures. Crossing the old Harnag Pass shows amazing views of the big Kolahoi peak and glacier, making the trek more special.

Customize Your Trek with Endless Tour and Travels:

At Endless Tour and Travels, we provide you with the option to customize your trekking experience. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, you can opt for our personalized tailor-made trekking program. This customized trek will be exclusively designed for you, taking into account your specific requirements for transportation, accommodation, meals, and any other premium facilities you may need during the trek. No other participants will be added to your group. Choosing a customized trek will enable you to fully enjoy the trek with your loved ones.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Drive From Srinagar To Aru

    • Altitude: 2,400 m/ 7,950 ft
    • Drive Distance: 112 km | Duration: 4 hrs
    • Transportation from Srinagar to Aru is included in the cost
    • Aru is situated on the bank of the Lidder River
    • Please note that prepaid sims don’t work in Kashmir
    • Pahalgam is the last point where you will get mobile network connectivity
    • The last ATM is in Pahalgam
    • Stay in tents (twin-sharing)

The trek starts from Aru village. We will begin our journey from Srinagar and drive about 112 km from Srinagar to reach Aru. Arrive at the designated pick-up point and our representatives will pick you up and drive you to Aru. From Srinagar, we will drive to Pahalgam which is 100 km away from Srinagar and Aru village lies 12 km away from Srinagar across the Lidder River.

Aru is a fairly developed tourist spot, located on the bank of the Lidder River and is also the base camp for the popular Tarsar Marsar Trek and the Kolahoi Glacier Trek. It is also a hub for adventure activities like horse riding and heliskiing in winter. Trout fishing in the Lidder River is also a popular sport here. Network connections are not very stable in Aru and all network connections don’t work there so you need to have all your communications wrapped up at Pahalgam. We will be staying in camps at Aru and our campsite is located in a beautiful location by the Lidder River.

Day 2 : Trek From Aru To Gagad Pathri

    • Altitude: 2,910 m
    • Trek Duration: 5 hrs approx.
    • Stay: In camps (twin sharing)

This is our first day of trekking and today we will trek from Aru to Gagad Pathri. The trek starts with a gentle uphill climb and after walking for about 800 meters, you will enter a forested zone. Continue walking and after some time the trek forks into two. The left trail leads to a clearing with a vantage point. It takes about 3 hrs to reach. The right path, on the other hand, leads us to our campsite.

Follow the trail on the right which will lead you to a muddy patch. There’s also a higher road that can be taken during the rainy days when there is too much mud but it is not accessible most of the time. Once you reach the muddy patch, it’s a steep uphill climb of about 500 meters at the end of which you will reach a shepherd settlement called Geerwad. From here on, you will walk on grasslands and forest covers all the way to a small riverside clearing. This is Gagad Pathri, your campsite for the night.

We will find a suitable location to pitch the camps. The mountain stream serves as the water source, however, the water is a little milky color. Using chlorine tablets is recommended here.

After a hearty dinner, you will retire to your tents to rest for the night and wake up refreshed the next day for the trek.

Day 3 : Trek From Gagad Pathri To Nafran Valley

    • Altitude: 3,435 m
    • Duration: 9 hrs
    • Stay: In tents (twin-sharing)

Today we will start our trek by crossing a wooden plank bridge to get on the right side of the river followed by another crossing that will again take you to the left side of the river. Here, you will observe a couple of mud huts that serve as the summer dwellings of the shepherds. This clearing is called Kansal Pathri. Keep walking uphill along the ridge on your left towards Aaram Pathri.

Once we reach Aaram Pathri, you have to take another ridge to your right side to arrive at Nafran Valley. While the trails start out a little steep but become gradual eventually and the climb to Nafran Valley is a mix of steep and gradual ascends through huge boulders and rocks. Proceed with caution here as some sections can be a little slippery. This section makes the trek a little difficult. But after the climb is over, you arrive at a small meadow with a beautiful stream running through it. This is where Nafran Valley starts.

Walking past the meadows of the valley we will climb further ahead and after climbing for a few spurs, the trail opens into a gorgeous meadow with beautiful rock formations and a gurgling stream running through it. This is where we will camp for the night. The campsite is surrounded by big mountains on three sides making it a wonderful location to camp. Soak in the scenery of the beautiful Nafran Valley and retire in the tents for the night.

Day 4 : Acclimatization Day At Nafran Valley | Visit Harnag Lake Via Harnag Pass

    • Altitude: Harnag Pass – 3,740 m
    • Trek Distance: Duration: 9 hrs
    • Stay: In tents (twin-sharing)

Today we will trek from Nafran Valley to Harnag Lake via Harnag Pass and back to Nafran Valley. We will stay another night for acclimatization purposes since you have gained a significant amount of altitude.

Day 5 : Trek From Nafran Valley To Aaram Pathri

    • Altitude: 3,400 m
    • Trek Distance: 2.5 km approx. | Duration: 2 hrs approx.
    • Stay: In tents (twin-sharing)

Today’s trek is fairly easy compared to the previous day. You have done the toughest part of your trek, now you will descend back along the beautiful meadows, all the way to Aaram Pathri. We will camp at Aaram Pathri at night.

Enjoy your walk along the beautiful meadows and occasionally stop by to capture the beauty of nature all around. The walk down is going to be pretty mild on your legs. Aaram Pathri Campsite is a beautiful campsite on a large meadow that offers a splendid presentation of natural beauty. The sunset over the Bhoj and Deodar trees makes the golden hour look absolutely magical here. Rest well after a delicious dinner at the campsite.

Day 6 : Trek From Aaram Pathri To Bhaj Margi

    • Altitude: 3,100 m
    • Trek Distance: 11 km approx. | Duration: 5 to 6 hrs
    • Stay: In tents (twin sharing)

Today we will trek from the Aram Pathri campsite to the Bhaj Margi campsite. From your campsite, head towards the ridge on the south and climb on it. The trail here is steep and goes through shrubbery and trees and there are patches of loose soil, gravel, and jagged rocks here and there before you reach the top of the ridge. You get to see a stunning view of the valley below.

From here on the trail becomes downhill towards a meadow. Follow down the sloped meadows heading in a southwest direction and then along a ridge that heads towards the southeast direction and this will lead you to your next campsite Bhaj Margi. Bhaj Margi is yet another vast meadow like Aaram Pathri that has shepherd huts scattered all across it. On the southeastern side of your campsite, there is a small stream and a larger one in the far east corner. Both of these can be used as water sources.

We will find a suitable spot to pitch our tents for an overnight stay.

Day 7 : Trek From Bhaj Margi To Aru And Drive Back To Srinagar

    • Trek Distance: Bhaj Margi to Mondlan – 6 km | Duration: 6 hrs
    • Drive Distance: Mondlan to Aru – 8 km | 20 minutes
    • Aru to Srinagar – 112 km | 4 hrs
    • An easy and gentle walk down to the valley.
    • Expect to reach Srinagar by 8:00 PM

This is the last day of trekking in the mountain and also the last day of this beautiful journey. Today we will trek back from Bhaj Margi to Aru and drive back to Srinagar. From the campsite, the trail keeps going southwest until you reach a large wooden gate, which marks the end of the trail. You will now follow a muddy path through a forest cover all the way down to a small shepherd settlement called Shul Margi.

From Shul Margi, you will have to cross a small stream to move further downwards and then again you will have to cross a bigger stream and enter into a forested zone. The forest runs parallel to the road that leads you to Aru. But we will continue on this forested trail and it will lead us into a big clearing that offers a stunning view of Pahalgam.

From here, it is a short descent to Mondlan village situated beside a small mountain stream. Mondlan is 8 km away from Aru and it takes a drive of about 20 minutes to reach Aru. We will have lunch after reaching Aru and then head on towards Srinagar. From Aru is a 112 km distance to Srinagar and we will again drive through the same scenic route that we came on the first day to reach Srinagar. You can expect to reach Srinagar by 8:00 PM.

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