New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon
New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon

Difficulty

Moderate-Difficult | Level 2

Duration

7 Days

Highest Altitude

13,060 ft

Age

12 to 62 years

Duration

7 Days

Age

12 to 62 years

Difficulty

Moderate-Difficult | Level 2

Highest Altitude

13,060 ft

Bodpathri Lakes Trek

The new discovery that could be one of the greatest treks in Kashmir

Our Remote Trek Documenter, Saliyah Ahmad and our Senior Trek Leader, Nitesh Kumar, who has designed our Gidara Bugyal, the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek and the recent Ranthan Kharak trek, explored the Bodpathri Lakes trek and put it down in a very simple line. They said, "One emotion to describe this trek is in a word — ZABARDAST!"

There are treks like Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar and Nafran Valley. People post about these treks and go gaga. But the Bodpathri Lakes Trek, like an older brother, was waiting for its time. After being under the army's jurisdiction for decades, the trek can now stand up on its own and claim its place among the greatest treks of Kashmir. 

There are several reasons why anyone will feel this trek is one of the greatest in Kashmir:

  • Trekkers have never stepped into such a beautiful part of Kashmir. This region was out of bounds until a few years ago. Even now, you see remains of army bunkers and trenches on the trail. What has stayed in the untouched beauty that no one has seen before — the forests, meadows, valleys, rivers and lakes. All come together to show you a side of Kashmir that none of our other treks has shown. 
  • There are 6 majestic alpine lakes to see. Two of them, the Bodsar and the Pamsar, are at par with our lakes on the KGL and Tarsar Marsar. Lakes like the Pathrisar, Lokutsar and Damansar are no pushovers either. Then there are the cute Navkansar twin lakes.
  • Trekkers traverse through the mind-boggling carpeted beauty of the Ashtaar valley. And then discover there are 4 more such beautiful valleys to trek through. The Guruwansar, Pamsar, Bodsar and the Gadtar valleys. Each is distinctly beautiful. Each has a strong character. 
  • The start of the trek itself feels like paradise. There is a reason why it is called Doodhpathri (the valley of milk). The golf course-like bowl-shaped valley stuns anyone with its velvety green splendour. 
  • The forest trails outside Doodhpathri are very enchanting. The coniferous trees are so tall that we cannot see their tops. 
  • The KGL and Tarsar Marsar treks boast of some great meadows. On the Bodpathri Lakes trek, the meadows are the highlights. They are vast and endless, like a sea, in every direction. You are in the middle of it. It is 360 degrees of manicured alpine meadows — for days.
  • Rarely will you witness a golden sunrise as beautiful as from the camps around the Gurwansar lake. The sun rises from the meadows torching everything in a golden light. The alpenglow on the snow-capped mountains only adds to this splendour.
  • On this trek, you camp beside the most picturesque meadows, valleys, rivers and river delta. If you think you have camped at some exotic locations on your other treks, then the campsites of the Bodpathri Lakes trek will make you rethink those campsites. 
  • You finally enter the forbidden meadows of Tosamaidan. The beauty of Tosamaidan makes you end the trek on a high.

Quick Itinerary

Day 1

Drive from Srinagar to Doodhpathri

Drive distance: 55 km | Drive Duration: 2.5 hours | Pick-up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar

Transport will be organized at 10 am from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar. The cost of the cab is Rs 500 per person and needs to be paid directly to the driver.

Day 2

Trek from Doodhpathri to Ashtaar Valley

Trek distance: 10.5 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

Altitude gain: 8,900 ft to 11,525 ft

Easy-Moderate. Gradual ascent through forests, meadows and ridge.

Day 3

Trek from Ashtaar Valley to Gurwansar

Trek distance: 7.1 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

Altitude gain: 11,525 ft to 12,514 ft

Moderate. Long gradual Ascents on meadows along with river crossing.

Day 4

Trek from Gurwansar to Duriem via Pamsar Lake

Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours

Altitude gain: 12,514 ft to 12,621 ft via 13,060 ft

Moderate- difficult. Long walks and steep ascents through boulder sections 

Day 5

Trek from Duriem to to Gadtar via Bodsar Lake, Trastar Lake, Navkansar I,II & Damamsar Lake

Trek distance: 10.5 km | Trek Duration: 8 hours

Altitude gain and loss: 12,621 ft to 12,545 ft via 13,000 ft

Moderate- Difficulty. Long walks, steep ascents & descents through boulder sections  enroute to Bodsar Lake & Navkansar I.

Day 6

Trek from Gadtar to Tosamaidan. Drive to Srinagar

Trek Distance: 11 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude loss: 12,545 ft to 10,080 ft

Drive Distance: 80 km | Drive Duration: 3.5 hours

Moderate. Gentle descents all the way  along with river crossing on rocks.

Day 7

Buffer Day

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. The buffer day is mandatory to keep in your itinerary.

If the buffer day is used,  you have to pay us Rs 1,800 per day +5% GST. The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day.

IMPORTANT POINTS

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.

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

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

Stay facility: You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers need to make their arrangements for a stay in Srinagar at the end of the trek.

PRO-TIPS

  • Advisory Note: 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.
  • 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.

Day 1

Drive from Srinagar to Doodhpathri

Drive distance: 55 km | Drive Duration: 2.5 hours | Pick-up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar

Transport will be organized at 10 am from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar. The cost of the cab is Rs 500 per person and needs to be paid directly to the driver.

Day 2

Trek from Doodhpathri to Ashtaar Valley

Trek distance: 10.5 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

Altitude gain: 8,900 ft to 11,525 ft

Easy-Moderate. Gradual ascent through forests, meadows and ridge.

Day 3

Trek from Ashtaar Valley to Gurwansar

Trek distance: 7.1 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

Altitude gain: 11,525 ft to 12,514 ft

Moderate. Long gradual Ascents on meadows along with river crossing.

Day 4

Trek from Gurwansar to Duriem via Pamsar Lake

Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours

Altitude gain: 12,514 ft to 12,621 ft via 13,060 ft

Moderate- difficult. Long walks and steep ascents through boulder sections 

Day 5

Trek from Duriem to to Gadtar via Bodsar Lake, Trastar Lake, Navkansar I,II & Damamsar Lake

Trek distance: 10.5 km | Trek Duration: 8 hours

Altitude gain and loss: 12,621 ft to 12,545 ft via 13,000 ft

Moderate- Difficulty. Long walks, steep ascents & descents through boulder sections  enroute to Bodsar Lake & Navkansar I.

Day 6

Trek from Gadtar to Tosamaidan. Drive to Srinagar

Trek Distance: 11 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude loss: 12,545 ft to 10,080 ft

Drive Distance: 80 km | Drive Duration: 3.5 hours

Moderate. Gentle descents all the way  along with river crossing on rocks.

Day 7

Buffer Day

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. The buffer day is mandatory to keep in your itinerary.

If the buffer day is used,  you have to pay us Rs 1,800 per day +5% GST. The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day.

IMPORTANT POINTS

➤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.

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

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

➤Stay facility: You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers need to make their arrangements for a stay in Srinagar at the end of the trek.

PRO-TIPS

  • Advisory Note: 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.
  • 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.

Campsites at a glance

At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Bodpathri Lakes trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.

Ashtaar Valley Campsite. Image by Nitesh Kumar

Dander Meadow. Image by Nitesh Kumar

Doodhpathri basecamp. Image by Nitesh Kumar

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible. 

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences. 

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.  

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine. 

Nitesh Kumar, Senior Trek Leader

Nitesh is one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has done over 27 treks in the Himalayas, and over 70 treks all over India. He is the mastermind behind the design of the Bodpathri Lakes Trek itinerary. He explored this trek all in 3 days! Read what he has to say about the Bodpathri Lakes Trek here.

What I Like About the Bodpathri Lakes Trek

What I Like About the Bodpathri Lakes Trek

Nitesh Kumar, Senior Trek Leader

Nitesh is one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has done over 27 treks in the Himalayas, and over 70 treks all over India. He is the mastermind behind the design of the Bodpathri Lakes Trek itinerary. He explored this trek all in 3 days! Read what he has to say about the Bodpathri Lakes Trek here.

1. Stunning Meadows of Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan

The untouched meadows on the Bodpathri Lakes trek will leave you speechless. Meadow and trekking in Kashmir go usually hand in hand. However, on the Bodpathri Lakes Trek, the meadows are endless.

You will see herds of sheep and horses grazing in these meadows with tranquillity. Do not be surprised to see a few shepherd huts spread across this vast landscape.  

During the months of the monsoon, these meadows will be draped with flowers of many colours. 

Right from Day 1 to the end of the trek, different aspects of the meadows are a constant company. Meadows are your ally throughout the entire journey from Doodhpathi to Tosa Maidan.

The untouched meadows on the Bodpathri Lake trek. Picture by Trek leader Nitesh Kumar

2. The Lakes of Pir Panjal Valley

When we talk about trekking, the lakes of Kashmir are always something to look out for. The alpine lakes in the Pir Panjal valley are another treat for trekkers. 

On this trek, you don’t have just one or two. The trek has 6 alpine lakes which trekkers can trek to, camp nearby and have an experience that anybody dreams about.

The colours on the lakes of the Bodpathri Lakes Trek are something to experience and witness. Whatever photos or videos you see online, the real beauty cannot be captured. However, the sight of these lakes is hidden inside the valley until Day 4 of your trek.

Bodsar Lake is the biggest lake on the trek. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

3. The Grandness and thrill of crossing three valleys

What makes Bodpathri Lakes a grand trek is a thrill of crossing three different valleys. You trek through undulating meadows and valleys as much as the eyes can see. The kid in you comes out alive when hopping between boulders, crossing streams or walking on long stretches of rolling meadows. 

Particularly at the Bodpathri Lakes trek, you have the cold waters to navigate. Trekkers will have a sense of excitement before and after crossing the stream.

When going from one valley to another, you cross many ridges, undulating meadows, river crossings, and boulders and even observe the spectacular delta formation.

It's a vast expanse of undulating meadows and valleys to trek through. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

4. Campsites and the experience of camping on the Green Carpets

On the trek of Bodpathri Lakes, you will be camping on different terrains. You get an opportunity to camp in the meadows, next to a river, a delta, and a lake.

Getting to experience camping in these such varieties of the landscape is very unique and something you don’t get to experience on other treks. This experience itself is something worth going on the trek.

Camping on the lush meadows of Kashmir is an exquisite experience. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

Situated at 13,000 ft, Bodsar Lake is the biggest lake on the trek.

Picture by: Nitesh Kumar

Bodsar Lake

Know Your Trek

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 Bodpathri 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 that extremely useful.

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PRO TIPS

Why fitness matters on the Bodpathri Lakes Trek

On Moderate-Difficult treks like Bodpathri Lakes Trek, you’ll walk for about 8-12 km each day. Gradual to steep ascents and descents are common on all days. Expect to reach high altitudes of 13,000+ ft. There will also be technical sections (such as rockfall zones, near-vertical sections, and glacier walks), which our technical teams will help you navigate.

Your goal is to comfortably run 5 km within 32 minutes.

How to Get Fit for Your Trek

Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll need to submit a Treadmill Test report within 7 days of registration.

Leaving Mountains Better

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.

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