TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

SUITABLE FOR

Kashmir treks are synonymous with lakes and meadows. With treks like the Kashmir Great Lakes, the Tarsar Marsar, the Bodhpatri, and the Nafran Valley already in the picture, it’s hard for any trek to match them. Yet, we have another terrific trek in Kashmir—the Tulian Lake trek—that does equal justice to these great treks. 

Along with stunning meadows and an alpine lake, the Tulian Lake trek has something that our other treks in Kashmir do not: the famous flora of Kashmir. 

There are pine, fir, chir, and spruce trees. You may think you have seen these trees before, but you have not.

These forests differ significantly from those in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, or Sikkim. They resemble European vegetation more than they do our Indian forests. 

On the Tulian Lake Trek, we are in these European kind of settings for three days, compared to a few hours on our other treks. In between these forests are some of the loveliest clearings. 

The turquoise blue Tulian Lake at 12,000 ft, with icy bergs floating on it, is unlike our other Kashmir lakes. Beyond the lake's snowy reaches are snow-capped peaks that soar over 15,000 feet. Being in the towering presence of such mountains on the edge of a lake is something a trekker is unprepared for. The lake is vast, almost a kilometre long, and shaped like the figure of eight. The shape compels you to look around every curve. 

The Tulian Lake trek is a complete Kashmir trek. It has some of the most incredible forests, the grandest meadows, jaw-dropping clearings, stunning valleys in which you camp, and a gorgeous alpine lake. If trekkers want more from a trek, getting it is impossible. 

The Tulian Lake Trek is accessible for a longer duration compared to other Kashmir treks. You can do the trek from the middle of May until the middle of October. 

This fee includes everything from basecamp to basecamp.

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.  

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Tulian Lake trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find these extremely useful.

➤ Special Cancellation Policy for the Tulian Lake trek: Because of a govt. order in Kashmir, we have extremely limited slots for our Kashmir treks. This has increased the demand for the trek. Which is why we have a special cancellation policy for this trek. It is designed to help trekkers take an early call about their trek. 

If you cancel your trek between 60 days to 1 day of the trek, you do not get any refund or a voucher. You forfeit your entire trek fee. 

If you cancel the trek over 60 days before the trek date, you get a refund with 10% cancellation charges. 

➤Advisory Note: For all your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends completely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.

➤Unforseen Changes: In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise. 

There are often uncertainties when it comes to trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets, that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are easily available with most airlines.

➤Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek.

➤Stay facility: Please note that you will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers need to make their arrangements for a stay in Srinagar on Day 0 and Day 5.

You are going on a Himalayan trek, where there are several unpredictable factors. It's best to book flexible flight tickets, which you can reschedule if required. These are available for a small added cost with most travel companies.

What we like about the Tulian Valley Trek

Honestly, the Tulian Valley trek, which climbs to 12,087 ft, is not too difficult. It is rated as 'moderate'. That too only because trekking days are slightly long. 

A moderate rating refers to marginally longer trekking days with a few steep climbs (example: climb to Tulian lake). This makes it a notch more difficult than the easy-moderate treks like Kedarkantha and Dayara Bugyal.

But the trek has easy exits and there are no technical sections.

Apart from AMS, be careful during the steep ascent/descent to/from the Tulian Lake. It is a short one but can get tricky if you are descending during the rains. Wearing good quality trekking shoes with a great grip helps here. (For details read: How To Choose The Best Trekking Shoes In India)

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include, altitude gained every day, length of trek everyday, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Base on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

The best time to do the Tulian Valley trek is from May to October. That’s like 3 different seasons and the trek looks different in all these seasons. 

Trekking to Tulian Lake in the month of May to mid-June is like a winter trek. The lake is frozen and there is a good amount of snow in the valley. By the end of June, snow starts to melt and the lake turns to its turquoise blue. 

No. of warm layers required: 5 warm layers

July and August months are the traditional monsoon season in the rest of the Indian subcontinent, but things are different in the Kashmir Valley.

Kashmir receives only mild rainfall in July and August. Not at all like in Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand. That's because of the Pir Panjal range which prevents most rain clouds from reaching the Kashmir valley. It’s a boon because it makes for a comfortable trekking experience. 

This is also when the meadows and valleys are lush green, the lake is at it’s blue and the temperatures are comfortable to trek in.

No. of warm layers required: 3-4 warm layers

As you move towards the beginning of September and October, the meadows start turning golden brown. The temperature starts to get colder. 

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Homwas. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Tulian Lake trek.

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

| Pro tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. ID cards of either Aadhar card or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  

Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. Please note there is no facility to get printouts and photocopies at Aru. 

Tulian Lake trek requires sturdy trekking shoes, has good grip, has ankle support, and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

| Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.

| Rental: We have the Trek series and the MH series are available for rent from the Crosstrek Rental store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean. Rent here - MH 100 and Trek 100.

For a trek like Tulian Lake, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.

| Rental: The 55-litre backpack is available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack. Rent here.

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required. 

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.
Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space since you’re already carrying them. 

The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 13,200 ft. At these altitudes, it can get cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 3 insulation layers for this trek.
You will need 2 light fleece layers and 1 full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

A padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.

Note: Down/feather jackets are not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.

| Rental: Padded jackets are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. They are custom-made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter. Rent here.

Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry two just in case it rains. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon in case of small stream crossings/rain.

| Buying tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks.

| Track pants or trek pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trekking pants -- so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup.

Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek. 

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Tulian Lake without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first.

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a trek like Tulian Lake, especially in early July expect to walk on long stretches of snow. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection.

| Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.

Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section, you must never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed.

| Rental: The polarised hiking sunglasses are available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a pair of sunglasses. Rent here.

| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.

| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens.   

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sunstrokes, quick dehydration, and a sharp drop in trekking performance.

| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woollen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.

| Buying Tip: The Crosstrek suncap is available for purchase at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. It is custom-made for our Himalayan treks with UV Protection and an adjustable strap. Buy here.

| Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks. They prevent sunburns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way. 

On a trek like Tulian Lake, you are going to be handling snow quite a bit if you trek in early July You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek. These are also very useful when it rains to keep your hands dry and warm. 

| Buying tip: The Crosstrek Waterproof gloves are available at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Buy here. 

Ensure these cover your ears. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. This is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, and a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.

Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woollen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. Do not get a woollen cap that only covers your head. 

| Buying Tip: The Crosstrek Fleece cap and the Crosstrek neck warmer are available for purchase at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. Buy here - Crosstrek Fleece Cap and Crosstrek Neck Warmer.

Apart from two sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry. As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug at the night. If you cannot get woollen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

| Buying Tip: Waterproof socks are available for purchase at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Buy here.

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Tulian Lake trek you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles.

| Buying tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you. 

| Rental: Headlamps are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Tulian Lake trek there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

| Rental: Imported side-locking trekking poles are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.

On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing.

Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.

| Rental: High-grade ponchos are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes and your warm gear in your backpack. Your backpack must stay dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain-covers. If your backpack does not have a rain cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover or (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic. 

| Rental Tip: Rain covers are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.

| Pro tip: It's good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories, and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.

In your daypack, you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, a headlamp, some snacks, and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites.

A day pack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not day packs. Do not get them.

Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics -- toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.

| Pro tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.

Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Tulian Lake.

| For women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose of your sanitary waste.

Carry a lunch box, a coffee mug, and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leakproof. You are expected to wash your cutlery. Trekkers often expect Indiahikes to wash their cutlery. When you allow Indiahikes to wash your cutlery, your cutlery becomes part of a mass washing system. You immediately invite germs, and bacteria to settle on your cutlery. The incidence of stomach disorders rises exponentially.

| Rental Tip 1: Tiffin boxes can be rented at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.

| Buying Tip: The 'Trekker for Life - All purpose mug' is available for purchase at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. Buy here.

| Pro tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high-grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at its highest. Watch this video on why steel cutlery is better than plastic.

3. Two 1 litre bottles or a 2-litre hydration pack:

Tulian Lake has long walking days. You need to carry two one-litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.

| Rental Tip 2: You could rent lightweight thermos flasks from the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.

| Rental Tip 3: Water bottles can be rented at the Crosstrek Rental store. Rent here.

Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tulian Lake Trek

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 35 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 35 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 35 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Over 20,000 people trek with Indiahikes each year and vouch for our unmatched safety standards.

Click Here For Frequently Asked Questions

Trekker's Share Their Experience With Indiahikes

Here are unedited reviews shared by trekkers

1. There are often uncertainties when it comes to trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets, that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are easily available with most airlines.

2. In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise.

We go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However, trekking with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments from your end.

Eligibility Criteria For Tulian Lake Trek

Complete information on the Tulian Lake trek. Trek details, itinerary, reviews, cost, maps, photos, videos and more. 

Tulian Lake Trek 2024 - Treks In Jammu and Kashmir - Indiahikes

The Grandest Trek in J&K with 10 lakes, 4 meadows and endless jaw-dropping moments

Introduction written by Suhas Saya, Explorer and Documenter at Indiahikes, who completed the trek in August 2023.

“Things are still sinking in for me after what we got to witness on this exploratory trek. I am unable to put words into what we went through in this hidden gem of Jammu and Kashmir. 

First, the forest section. I haven't seen any other treks in Kashmir with such dense forests. It's a mix of pine and oak. There were such deafening sounds from cicadas and birds as we walked that we couldn’t hear each other speak. For most of us, this transported us to our Uttarakhand forests. 

Next, the alpine lakes. Not 1, 2, or 7, 8. We were lucky to see 14 alpine lakes on this exploratory trek! We didn't even get the chance to walk around all the lakes. They were massive. What was more special were the climbs to the passes, which acted as vantage points to view these lakes. The colours changed from oceanic blue to turquoise to teal. The shapes changed. At every turn, just watching them was a treat. 

And then the meadows! Four different meadows over six days. Thera, Paindhari, Kuan and Byad which extends to Sarota. Each was magnificent in its own right. Thera allowed us to camp on a beautiful mound that nobody wanted to leave. Kuan reminded us of the moon-like landscape of Gidara Bugyal. Byad transported us to the sprawling meadows of the Kashmir Great Lakes. The setting of these meadows was something else. Multiple valleys snaked out of the meadows. Streams flowed in abundance. Mountains bordered the meadows like gentle giants. I remember smiling for no reason for an hour and shaking my head in disbelief at what I was seeing. 

For all the trekkers in the team, this was by far the best trek they have done till date (including 5 who have done other Kashmir treks). I am still unable to believe what I saw. Having been to the Kashmir Great Lakes and Warwan Valley, two of the grandest treks in Kashmir, I must say they have tough competition."

Pir Panjal Lakes - Complete Trek Information 

Use this section to learn about the Pir Panjal Lakes Trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find these extremely useful.

➤Advisory Note: For all your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends completely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.
➤Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek.

➤Stay facility: Please note that you will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers need to make their arrangements for a stay in Srinagar on Day 0 and Day 7.

Suhas is the head of the DIY and Documentation Team. He has been working at Indiahikes for the past 7 years. Nature, adventure, and wildlife are the top things that get his heart racing. He has done more than 14 Himalayan treks - a few of them are Roopkund, Kuari Pass, Dayara Bugyal, Buran Ghati, Kashmir Great Lakes, and Warwan Valley. He has done a few explorations in the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and around Bengaluru. And it was he who explored the grand Phulara Ridge trek. Suhas was also involved in the exploration of the Pir Panjal Lakes trek. 

We mark the Pir Panjal Lakes Trek as Moderate-Difficult for a few reasons:

This is because even though the highest altitude is not too high, you gain the altitude pretty quickly starting from Chandimarh. This is not easy. You gain this altitude in a relatively shorter distance. That means it’s quite a climb on the first day. On each day, you gain around 2,500 ft - 3,000 ft. This means you have some steep climbs. For example, on the very first day you gain an altitude of 3,500 ft. Because of the quick altitude gain, there are possibilities of AMS. 

The trek also has multiple ascents and descents. You need to cross three passes on this Pir Panjal Lakes trek. The climb to the lake and the descent back are steep. The trek has long-distances to be covered every day: you cover on average 8-9 km each day and 52 km in a span of 6 days. That means, on average, you cover 9-10 km every day.

That's doable in a well-paced itinerary, like the one we follow for the Pir Panjal Lakestrek at Indiahikes. The key is to pace it out and let your body get acclimatized to the higher altitude. 

Apart from the distance and altitude, the terrain also plays a role in making it a moderate-difficult trek. On this trek, you need to navigate and traverse boulder sections. These boulders are a blend of big and small ones to tackle on the trail. Ascent to the lakes is full of boulders and can be taxing on your legs. It becomes trickier if it rains. Wearing good quality trekking shoes with a great grip really helps here. (For details read: How To Choose The Best Trekking Shoes In India)

But the trek has easier exits and there are less technical sections. 

If you cut short the itinerary, say skip camping at one of the campsites , then you are exposed to the risk of AMS. In such a situation, be very cautious for any discomfort in your body which may point to AMS. We will talk about this in detail in the next section.

Apart from AMS, be careful during the steep ascent and descent to and from Nandansar. It is long and tricky if you are descending during the rains or if there is whiteout on the trek. Wearing good quality trekking shoes with a great grip really helps here. (For details read: How To Choose The Best Trekking Shoes In India)

The Pir Panjal Lakes Trek, which climbs to almost 13,330 ft, is rated as Moderate-Difficult 

The best time to do the Pir Panjal Lakes Trek is from the end-June to start of September. It is the traditional monsoon season in the rest of the Indian subcontinent, but things are different in the Jammu and Kashmir Valley.

Jammu receives mild rainfall in monsoon. Not at all like in Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand. That's because of the Pir Panjal range which prevents most rain clouds from reaching the valley.

It’s a boon because it makes for a comfortable trekking experience. In all the other seasons, it’s too cold to trek, the trail and the meadows are buried under snow for the most part.

But even if we look at just one season, the Pir Panjal Lakestrek changes appearance and colour throughout - June, July, August and September.

When you trek in end of June and early July, you can expect to see remnants of snow by the highest lake on the trek - Nandansar. You may even see melting ice floating in the lake. This setting offers a fleeting glimpse of what the landscape looks like for the rest of the year - buried under snow, punctuated with frozen lakes. Sometimes, even if it’s not the best phase to complete the trek, the sight is spellbinding.

Presence of snow: Trekking opens on the Pir Panjal Lakes trail in the mid of June. Until then the upper reaches are under heavy snow. The lower meadows open earlier. 

Day time temperature: Between 19 °C and 24 °C | Night time temperature: Between 3 °C and 5 °C

Pir Panjal Lakes Trek between end-June and mid-July

After mid-July, the Pir Panjal Lakestrek starts revealing itself in full glory.

You experience this beauty, especially in the meadows, as you trek over tiny flowers of colors ranging from violet, and purple to yellow and white.

Frozen chunks of the alpine lakes have melted by now. Waters of Pir Panjal Lake are deep blue. Look at these lakes from the vantage point, it has this signature royal-blue shade that you see in most of the Kashmir treks’ photos.

Cold sets in as the season progresses to the end of August and the start of September. The evening showers become frequent. But when the clouds part during this time of the year, you witness brilliant blue skies. Their reflection deepens the blue of the alpine lakes, especially Nandansar and Laksukhsar.

You will also see a change in the colour of the meadows. They turn golden brown.

The grass no longer retains the soft, fresh green tinge. The flowers wilt too. And yet, there’s a beauty to this change of tone. 

You can do this trek until the start of September. So, it’s doable. Post mid of September, it may not be the most comfortable time, given the cold temperatures.After mid-July, the Pir Panjal Lakes trek starts revealing itself in full glory.

Frozen chunks of the alpine lakes have melted by now. Waters of Pir Panjal Lakes are deep blue. Look at these lakes from the vantage point, it has this signature royal-blue shade that you see in most of the Kashmir treks’ photos.

Presence of snow: Now, the snow has almost melted. And the trail is carpeted with bright green meadows, which are in contrast with the rugged, grey mountains rising at the fringes. The best part is, that these meadows are densely dotted with so many wildflowers! Rains -- more like evening showers -- pick up during this time.

Day time temperature: Between 20 °C and 25 °C | Night time temperature: Between 2 °C and 4 °C

Pir Panjal Lakes Trek from mid-July to the start of Sept

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Homwas. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Pir Panjal Lakes trek.

Note: Please carry the above document with you. The document needs to be downloaded (PDF), filled in, signed, and handed over to the trek leader at the base camp. Please print these back-to-back on two sheets. Do not print separately and help in reducing paper usage.

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.

Pir Panjal Lakes trek requires sturdy trekking shoes, has good grip, has ankle support, and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

For a trek like Pir Panjal Lakes, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Pir Panjal Lakes Trek without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first.

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a trek like Pir Panjal Lakes, especially in early July expect to walk on long stretches of snow. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection.

On a trek like Pir Panjal Lakes, you are going to be handling snow quite a bit if you trek in early July You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek. These are also very useful when it rains to keep your hands dry and warm. 

| Buying tip: The Crosstrek Waterproof gloves are available at the Crosstrek Merchandise store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Buy here.

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Pir Panjal Lakes trek you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles.

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Pir Panjal Lakes trek there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Pir Panjal Lakes.

Pir Panjal Lakes has long walking days. You need to carry two one-litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 32 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 32 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 32 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

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