17-23
Jul
UTTARAKHAND
KASHMIR

Trip Overview.
Treks in Kashmir are like Sunday afternoon music. Relaxed, full of sunshine, and heartwarming. Pictures and stories of Kashmir can never do justice to the feeling of walking for hours along endless meadows drizzled with wildflowers and hidden lakes surrounded by snowcovered peaks. We are very excited to be there as you experience this magical land.

This is a 5-night 6-day trip. The trek is for 4 days with 3 nights of camping. Our first and last night will be in hotels. Our first night's stay in Pahalgam will be at Pine and Peak. Nestled amidst pine forests, away from the busy town, this hotel is ideal for a day of acclimatizing before for the trek. On our final night after the trek, we'll be staying in Srinagar at a boutique hotel situated atop a green hill with a stunning view of the Dal Lake.


Trek Overview.

Starting from Aru village at an elevation of 7950 feet, this trek winds through the beautiful meadows of Lidder Valley, tracing alongside river streams until it culminates at Handil Sar – a serene freshwater lake surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks. Covering a distance of approximately 47 km and reaching a maximum altitude of 3700 meters, each day entails 5 to 8 hours of walking.

With a predominantly gradual ascent and occasional steep sections, this trek is perfectly suited for individuals who are reasonably fit, fairly active, or accustomed to shorter treks and are eager to push themselves further. It also offers an excellent introduction to Himalayan trekking for first-timers who feel prepared for a moderate yet rewarding adventure.

GRADE 2
BEGINNER

Location & Weather

Located 12 km from Pahalgam in the
Trans-Himalayan Region. Aru Valley is
a quaint, and tranquil hill station
amidst pine and conifer trees,
picturesque meadows, and misty
valleys, Aru, is a gateway for trails to
more than 25 stunning alpine lakes
and innumerable high-altitude ponds.

Weather.

☀ 25-28° C in the afternoons
☾ 5-10° C at higher camps
Low chances of rain/ hail.
No chances of snowfall.

Itinerary

DAY

01

17thJuly

Arrive in Pahalgam
Drive distance: 112 km; Time: 3 hr
Arrive in Srinagar in the morning and after a 3-hour drive reach Pahalgam by Lunch. Rest in the afternoon and meet in the evening for a short excursion and opening circle for the trip. Turn in early after dinner to be fresh for the trek the next day.
Overnight at The Pine and Peak.

DAY

02

18thJuly

Arrive in Aru, 2450 m. Trek to Lidderwat, 2800 m.
Drive distance: 12 km; Time: 7 hrs
Starting from the quaint village of Aru, a short drive from Pahalgam, our hike today follows the Lidder River. After an initial climb, the trail flattens out, leading us through picturesque pine forests and lush meadows. Finally, we reach our first campsite nestled amongst trees and by the tranquil river Lidderwat.
Overnight at the Unbound Campsite.

DAY

03

19thJuly

Trek from Lidderwat, 2800 m to Satlunjan, 3,000 m
Trek distance: 4 km; Time: 3 hrs
Today is a shor ter walking day and that gives us time to take it slow. It is a largely flattish trail with the occasional steep section. Today is yet another picturesque day that takes you across Gujjar settlements. Our destination for the day is the Satlunjan Campsite, nestled in a scenic meadow where the Rohil Valley meets the Kholahoi Nala. This expansive meadow, graced by the flowing river, provides an idyllic setting for our campsite for the next two nights.
Overnight at the Unbound Campsite.

DAY

04

20thJuly

Trek from Satlunjan, 3,000 m to Handil Sar,3,700 m to Satlunjan, 3,000 m
Trekking distance: 16 km; Time: 8 hrs
This is our Summit day. After a steep start, it is a beautiful gradual climb along the long and wide high-altitude Rohil Valley all the way to Handil Sar. At 12,000 ft this picturesque lake is the highest point of our trek. After enjoying a long picnic lunch and capturing plenty of photos, we'll return via the same route, passing Parwa top, and descend to our campsite at Satlunjan meadows.
Overnight at the UNBOUND Campsite

DAY

05

21thJuly

Trek from Satlunjan to Aru, 2450 m
Trekking distance: 15 km; Time: 6-7 hrs
Drive Distance: 112 km; Drive time: 3 hours
We leave early on this day and make our back to Aru but this time via Lidderwat meadows. This is a long day but a gradual descent all the way to Aru. You should reach Aru by lunchtime. After lunch, we drive to Srinagar to our serene boutique hotel overlooking the Dal Lake just in time for a sundowner. Meet in the night for the farewell party.
Overnight at a Srinagar Hotel.

DAY

06

22thJuly

Depart for the Airport
Morning is free to relax or go for a shikara ride or swim in the infinity pool. Check out before lunch and head to a popular local café for lunch on the way to the airport. Indulge in some shopping or local sightseeing if time permits. Take the late afternoon/evening flight back

Getting there and back

Please contact/ email for more information

Inclusions

Stay

  • 1 Night before at The Pine and Peak on a twin-share basis
  • 1-night stay after the trek at a luxurious boutique hotel on a twin-share basis
  • 3 Nights at the Unbound Campsite

Facilities

  • Generously roomy world class MARMOT tents on twin sharing
  • Our custom designed sleeping system with air mattresses and
    heat pads
  • Spacious dry pit bathroom tents and hot shower facilities
  • Dedicated community and dining tents with books, games, and great conversations
  • Porters / Donkeys to offload your main backpack
  • All transfers to and from Srinagar Airport in Innova Crystas with max 2–3 people per car

Meals

  • All meals from Lunch on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 6 are included
  • Meals on the trek to nourish your body and soul prepared by our specialty chefs
  • Select and limited alcohol to keep you warm at the campfire on trekking nights
  • Farewell Dinner with open bar with top shelf alcohol during happy hours
  • Excellent coffee

Crew

  • 1 Trek leader and 2 Mountain Guides trained and certified in first aid, CPR and mountain rescue to ensure we are ready to deal with any situation.
  • Dedicated camp manager and housekeeping staff
  • Adequate Porters and Helpers

Safety

  • Thoroughly researched and recced trekking routes
  • All internal transport by trusted vendors in Innova Crysta
  • Fitness routine before the trek to help you prepare and enjoy the trek even more.

* In the event that any item from the list of inclusions becomes unavailable due
to logistical, legal or other reasons, Unbound reserves the right to remove that
item from the inclusions of the trip.

Exclusions.

  • Room upgrades
  • Air Travel to and from base city
  • Activities like Flying Fox, ATV Ride, Go Kar ting.
  • Personal purchases
  • Tips
  • Insurance
  • Extra food and beverages
  • Anything not mentioned in Inclusions

Trip Cost

Please contact/ email for more information.

Please refer to Cancellation Policy document and the Trip Disclaimer document
before signing up.