If you're planning a trek in Karnataka — be it Netravathi, Kudremukh, Kumara Parvatha or any other — there's one important step you can’t miss. You need to obtain permits from the Karnataka Forest Department.

These permits are not just for formality. They help the forest department regulate footfall on the trails and protect the ecosystem we are trekking through. However, we have seen that getting a permit can sometimes feel a bit confusing. 

So here’s a simple guide to help you through the process, step-by-step.

This guide was created by our trekkers, Isha Bhartiya and Naveen KS when members of the Indiahikes Trekking Club (Bangalore Chapter) went out to document the Brahmagiri Trek.

Steps to Obtain Permits for Trekking in Karnataka

Step 1: Visit the Aranya Vihaara Website  

All permits are issued online through the official portal: https://aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in 

The website is available in both English and Kannada. First-time users need to create a login ID.

These are general rules that apply to most forest treks in Karnataka:

Bookings must be made at least 2 days in advance.  

You can book permits up to 30 days ahead.  

Most forest treks are open seasonally, generally from September to February.  

Daily quotas are enforced to reduce pressure on the trail. These range from 100 to 300 visitors per day depending on the trek.  

One login can be used to book for up to 10 people.  

There is a minimum age requirement for each trek, and the cut-off age can vary depending on the trek. Even the permit fee may differ based on the age group you fall into.

You need the following information for each person:

Government ID (Voter ID, PAN, Driving License, Ration Card, or Passport)  

Make sure you are logged in with your ID before you search for Trek Availability. Once you are logged in:

Go to the "Search Trek Availability" section  

Select the District where your trek is located. If you do not know which district your trek falls under, refer to this table.

If slots are available, you will be able to proceed with booking

Select the available time slot (usually morning hours like 6:00 am to 10:00 am)  

Make payment using Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Wallet

Go to the “My Bookings” section on the website  

Download or print your permit. This must be carried with you on the trek along with the Government ID you used to book your trek.

District-Wise List of All Treks on Aranya Vihaara

District Wise List of All Treks on Aranya Vihaara Website

The Aranya Vihara website requires you to know the district your trek falls under before you can proceed. You need to first select the district, after which you’ll see a dropdown of treks available in that region.

But we noticed that figuring out the correct district for your trek can be tricky. This often leads to confusion and takes up unnecessary time and effort.

To make things easier, Isha Bhartiya — one of the most enthusiastic members of our Indiahikes Trekking Club (Bangalore Chapter) — put together a district-wise list of all treks listed on the Aranya Vihara site. You can use her table to quickly find your trek.

For a long time, getting permits for forest treks in Karnataka was quite a maze. Many of us remember struggling with the old Karnataka Eco Tourism website — it was clunky, slow to load, and left trekkers confused and frustrated. Independent trekkers often gave up midway or landed at the base without a permit, not knowing what to do next.

At Indiahikes, we see the new Aranya Vihara portal as a much-needed upgrade. It has brought all forest treks under one roof and made the booking process far more streamlined. We’ve used it ourselves and found it to be much more reliable. Not only does it help you plan better, but it also supports the forest department’s efforts to protect these fragile ecosystems.

How Transparent Regulations Help Both Trekkers and the Trekking Trails

What stands out the most is how well the new system regulates trekking — from daily caps on trekkers to fixed entry timings and strict rules like the plastic ban. 

This kind of regulation is something we strongly resonate with at Indiahikes. Even in Uttarakhand and Himachal, where we run our Himalayan treks, we’re in ongoing conversations with forest authorities to implement similar systems. It helps ease pressure on crowded trails and brings attention to equally beautiful but lesser-known ones. If trekking has to grow in India, this is the only sustainable way forward.

Now that the Karnataka Forest Department has rolled out regulations, we’re seeing the results firsthand. Popular trails like Kumara Parvatha and Kudremukha are less crowded, and the overall experience has improved noticeably. 

Just a few years ago, Kumara Parvatha was littered with plastic. But when some of our team members trekked there this February, they were pleasantly surprised — the trail was impressively clean, and forest staff were strictly checking for plastics at the entry gates.

This shift has also nudged trekkers toward lesser-known trails like Brahmagiri or Ramadevarabetta. That’s been further reinforced by the improvements in how information is shared on the Aranya Vihara portal. 

Compared to the older platform, it’s far more transparent. You now get access to details like starting points, ending points, and sometimes even downloadable GPX files — making it much easier to plan your trek. While these files can occasionally be outdated, it’s still a move in the right direction.

There’s definitely room for improvement — especially when it comes to real-time updates and accuracy. 

Sometimes, starting or ending points change, but those updates don’t reflect on the website. In other cases, it’s unclear whether a guide is mandatory for a particular trail. This is particularly true for the lesser-frequented treks, where unexpected changes can catch you off guard. So we always recommend cross-checking with locals or recent trekkers before you go, just to be sure.

That said, from what we’ve seen at Indiahikes, this system is already making forest treks in Karnataka more accessible and better managed. It’s a strong foundation to build on. If you’re planning to trek independently in Karnataka, you now have better tools at your fingertips. And more importantly, the new regulations are ensuring that trekking in Karnataka becomes more sustainable.

How to navigate Aranya Vihaara Site and Detailed District-wise list of all treks

How to Get Permits for Trekking in Karnataka

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How to Get Permits for Karnataka Treks like Netravati, Kudremukh, Kumara Parvatha and others

Trekkers often ask us for hotel recommendations before or after their treks. Finding a good place using online listings can be tedious and tricky.

So, through our network of trekkers and trek leaders, we have put together the best hotel recommendations near cities like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Manali, Srinagar and Kathgodam. 

These are tried-and-tested recommendations—places we trust for comfort, cleanliness, and convenience. They’re also located near town centers and your pick-up points.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly stay or something a little more premium, you’ll find an option that suits your needs below.

Disclaimer: The hotels or places of stay we’ve suggested are simply recommendations from our side. We encourage you to take your time, go through photos, read reviews, and check anything else that matters to you before making a choice.
This article was last updated on- 16th April 2025.

Hotel Options at Rishikesh

Live Free Hostel Rishikesh

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 800- 1,000
Distance from Pick-up: This is the pick-up point
Amenities: Free wifi, restaurant, entertainment
Phone number:
Booking link: Click here



Joeys Hostel Rishikesh 

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 1,200- 2,000
Distance from Pick-up: 500 metres
Amenities: free wifi, airport shuttle, restaurant
Phone number: 07217482824
Booking link: Click here



The Hosteller, Upper Tapovan (3-star)

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 600- 5,000
Distance from Pick-up: 1 km
Amenities: Free wifi, airport shuttle, indoor games
Booking link: Click here



GoStops

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 600- 3,000
Distance from Pick-up: 3.5 km
Amenities: Laundry service, movie room, doctor on call
Phone number: 7428882828
Booking link: Click here


Hotel Options at Dehradun

Lords Eco Inn

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 2,500- 3,500
Distance from Pick-up: 1.5 km
Amenities: Free wifi, complimentary breakfast, doctor on call, 
Phone number: +91 750 022 0777/ +91 750 011 0777
Booking link: Click here



Grand Legacy Beacon (3-star)

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 3,000- 5,000
Distance from Pick-up: This is the pick up location
Amenities: Restaurant, high quality staff
Phone number: -
Booking link: Click here



Nomads Hostel

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 1,000- 1,200
Distance from Pick-up: 100 metres
Amenities: Kitchenette, Cafe, Luggage Assistance
Phone number: 9760596464
Booking link: Click here


Hotel Options at Kathgodam

Naini Hill Inn (2-star)

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 3,000- 5,000
Distance from Pick-up: 500 metres
Amenities: Wifi, air conditioning, free cancellation (till 24 hrs)
Phone number: 7302228955
Booking link: Click here



Royal Windsor Hotel (3-star)

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 2,500- 6,000
Distance from Pick-up: 2.7 km
Amenities: Restaurant, 24 hour room service, laundry service
Phone number: 78957 63000
Booking link: Click here


Hotel Options at Srinagar

Hotel Akbar Inn (2-star)

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 2,500
Distance from pick-up: 3.5 km
Amenities: Wifi, laundry service, cafe
Phone number: 09811028204
Booking link: Click here



Hotel Green Leaf (3-star)

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 6,000- 8,000
Distance from pick-up: 3.4 km
Amenities: Room service, 24-hour frontdesk, wifi
Phone number: -
Booking link: Click here



Take a look at these options if you would like to experience the famous houseboats of J&K:

Floating Heaven Group Of House Boats (3-star)

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price range: Rs 5,000- 8,000
Distance from Pick-up: 5.5 km
Amenities: 24x7 room service, customized meals, luxurious rooms
Phone number: 08803357716
Booking link: Click here



Royal Athena Houseboats

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: -
Distance from Pick-up: 6.5 km
Amenities: Parking, wifi, power back-up, laundry service
Phone number: 9103111178
Booking link: Online booking unavailable 



Houseboat Nightingale (3-star)

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price range: Rs 5,000
Distance from Pick-up: 1.6 km
Amenities: pet friendly, kitchen
Phone number: 09419439155
Booking link: Click here



Hotel Options at Manali

Fursat - Boutique Homestay & Hostel

Location: Click here
Price Range: Rs 3,000 
Distance from IH Manali campus: 200 metres
Amenities: Yoga room, game room, restaurant
Phone number: 
Booking link: Click here


Hotel Options at Rohru (Buran Ghati and Rupin Pass)

Shaktan homestay

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 400- 500
Distance from pick-up: 10 metres
Amenities: A very basic accomodation
Phone number: 9816071623
Booking link: Book on call



Hotel Park View

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 800- 1,500
Distance from pick-up: 400 metres
Amenities: Close to market and ISBT
Phone number: 8091059987
Booking link: Book on call



Hotel river view 

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 1000- 1,800
Distance from pick-up: 1 km
Amenities: Restaurant, laundry
Phone number: 9816041737
Booking link: Click here



Monal Hotel and Restaurant

Location: Click here to view on Google maps
Price Range: Rs 1000- 2,000
Distance from pick-up: 900 metres
Amenities: Restaurant
Phone number: -
Booking link: Book on call

Hotel Options at Siliguri

Hotel Insta18

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 1,800- 2,500
Distance from pick-up: 6 km to NJP Railway Station
Amenities: Newly built & very clean rooms. Close to bus stand and main road. Can get sharing auto easily to NJP station. 
Phone number: 09593906660
Booking link: Click here




Hotel Saluja

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 1,300- 2,000
Distance from pick-up: 5 km to NJP Railway Station
Amenities: Clean rooms, easy access to Hong Kong market, easy to get autos and buses
Phone number: 09800417999
Booking link: Click here


Mansons Homestay Bagdogra 

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 2,000- 3,000 (for a double room)
Distance from pick-up: 1 km to Bagdogra airport
Amenities: 15 mins walk to the airport, clean and neat, a garden
Phone number: 09932964841
Booking link: Click here




Himmat Giri Farmstead Bagdogra 

Location: Click here to go to Google maps
Price Range: Rs 1,000 for a single bed in double sharing room, and Rs 2,500 for a double room.
Distance from pick-up: 1 km to Bagdogra airport
Amenities: 15 mins walk to the airport, farmstay experience, good host
Phone number: 09734011183
Booking link: Book on call

Indiahikes is India's largest trekking community, and this article exists thanks to trekkers like you.

If you come across any incorrect or outdated information, please email us at experience@indiahikes.com and CC upayan@indiahikes.com.

Have better recommendations? We'd love to hear them! Share your insights with us at the same email.

Tried and tested budget plus premium hotel recommendations at Manali, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Kathgodam, and Srinagar.

Hotel recommendations by Indiahikes

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How to Get Permits for Karnataka Treks like Netravati, Kudremukh, Kumara Parvatha and others

Where to Stay Before or After Your Trek? Our Hotel Recommendations

Nepal’s trekking infrastructure makes it an attractive destination for independent trekkers. The trails are well laid and marked in most places. Almost all big treks have a network of tea houses, where you can stay and get fresh cooked meals. So, if you are fit and confident about directions, you can trek solo on a lot of trails, without a guide or a porter.

If you are planning a solo trek to Everest Base Camp, you need to plan your expenses carefully. The ease of access comes with the disadvantage of a lot of temptations, when it comes to food, beverages and facilities – usually at inflated costs.

This guide demystifies the expenses for this trek. We have broken down the expenses into these subheadings for each trek – travel, accommodation, food, drinking water, wifi and charging, SIM cards, guides/porters and trek permits.

Lukla is the starting point for the Everest Base Camp trek. To get here, you first need to reach Kathmandu. During the trekking season, the traditional way of taking a flight to Lukla directly is not available. 

You need to go to Ramechhap on road, and then take a flight to Lukla. 

Start your travel at 12 AM. It takes approximately 5-6 hours to reach Ramechhap. Aim to reach the airport there at 6 AM. 

It will cost you NPR 3,200 per person for the cab. It is usually a van type vehicle that can seat 8-9 people. 

It is very normal for flights between Ramechhap and Lukla to be be cancelled or rescheduled. So make sure you keep a couple of days as buffer before booking your onward journey.

Book your return flight from Lukla to Ramechhap as well. 

Tip: Do not hesitate to reschedule your return flight to Ramechhap if you finish your trek earlier than planned. Given the unpredictability of weather there, airlines do not charge for a reschedule.

You stay in tea houses on the Everest Base Camp trek. These are small lodges that can accommodate 20-30 trekkers. Fresh food is available in all tea houses.

A room in a tea house costs NPR 1500 per day (1 NPR is approximately 0.63 Indian rupees) . At higher altitudes, it can even go up to NPR 2,000 if the demand is very high. As you can see, room rates are not very high. However, you are obliged to have your meals at the same place that you are staying, especially dinner on the night you arrive and breakfast on the following morning.

Tip: Request the owner of the tea house from where you are starting to book a room for you at your next stop. Share a room to bring down the cost.

Food is perhaps the most expensive component of your trek in Nepal. You get everything from sandwiches to dal-bhaat to pizzas and desserts in the tea houses. But they all come at a cost.

Here is a comparison of the costs of meals in different places:

At Lukla, expect to pay NPR 600 per meal; taking the food cost per day to about NPR 1,800.

At Namche Bazaar, expect to pay NPR 750 per meal; taking the food cost to NPR 2,300.

However, at Gorakshep, you will pay NPR 1,200-1,400 per meal; taking the cost to NPR 4,100. 

The meals described here are simple dal-bhat. If you want to eat other items, the cost will go up accordingly. These tea houses serve a wide variety of food. 

Tip: Stick to dal-bhaat for your main meals. The food is wholesome and the servings are unlimited. Carry plenty of nuts and dry fruits to avoid buying overpriced snacks.

Inside picture of a Restaurant (Hotel Kamal) at Namche Bazar. Picture by Vijesh

Tap water is safe to drink at all tea houses. However, this is not the case at Gorakshep. Here, you need to buy drinking water at NPR 500 a litre. The water here is otherwise dirty.

Tip: If you have a water purifying bottle, use it at Gorakshep to avoid paying for drinking water.

Tea houses start charging you money from Phakding onwards. Use of charging points costs NPR 300-600 according to the device that you are charging. It will cost you NPR 300 to charge your mobile, NPR 500 to fully charge a powerbank. Each tea house will have a chart that will display the rates. These costs will go up as you go higher. 

Tea houses also charge for wifi. At Lobuche, it costs NPR 1,200 to purchase wifi for the whole day. And NPR 1,800 for 2 days. 

Tip: Namche Bazaar has restaurants that provide free wifi if you eat there. Finish all your calls and messages before starting from here.

You can purchase a local NCell SIM card for NPR 500 and recharge it for making telephone calls. Around 30 minutes talk time to India will cost you around NPR 50. Network is available up to Dole. Trekkers usually reach Dole on the fourth day of trekking.

Tip: The call costs less if you add 0124 to the Indian number that you dial.

You need two permits to trek to Everest Base Camp. 

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit: This local permit is required to enter the Khumbu region. You can refer to this as trek permit. It will cost you NPR 2,000. 

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: You will be trekking inside this National Part which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cost of entering the park is NPR is NPR 1,500. 

This is the cost of permits for SAARC Nationals. 

Citizens of SAARC countries can collect this from Monjo. This is close to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. You can go here after you reach Phakding from Lukla. Other citizens can get this at Kathmandu. 

It is possible to hire a guide and a porter before you begin the trek. You can do this either in Kathmandu or in Lukla. Guides charge NPR 1,700 per day and porters charge NPR 1,500-1,600 per day. If they are local guides and not hired through a company, you will need to pay them in cash.

If you decide to hire a guide or a porter after reaching Lukla, ask around in hotels to find them.

Tip: It is possible to do the entire trek on your own and avoid this cost altogether. It is more expensive to hire guides and porters through a company than on your own.

However, if you have hire guides and porters, they will expect you to tip them generously at the end of the trek. Tipping is a huge culture in this region. 

How much cash should you carry on the Everest Base Camp trek?

Most places in bigger cities such as Kathmandu accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. However, once you begin your trek, you will have to make all payments in cash. Tea houses do not accept cards.

Indian and international debit cards work in Nepal in select ATMs. Visa, Visa Electron, Plus, MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus international debit cards work at SBI ATMs. Plus, Visa, Cirrus and Union Pay debit cards work at Siddhartha Bank ATMs. SCT and Visa cards work at Everest Bank ATMs.

The charge for withdrawing cash varies depending the bank. Withdrawing money from an SBI Nepal ATM using an SBI debit card from India has a transaction fee of Rs.35. You can also use your credit card to withdraw money from ATMs. However, this is quite expensive as there is a charge of NPR 500 for every transaction. So, it is best you carry sufficient cash with you.

So for EBC Classic Trek of 12 days, you will need at least NPR 4,000 per day on average just on food for the trek. If you add on other charges like sim card, electronic charging, drinking water, etc, this cost might even go up. If you factor in the charges for trek permit and additional cash for emergency use, you will need to take at least NPR 50,000 - 60,000 in cash with you. This amount will be higher if you decide to hire a guide or a porter so plan accordingly.

If you are going with Indiahikes, stay, permits, guides charges are taken care of by Indiahikes. 

Keep in mind that in addition to this amount, you will also need to budget for at least 2 days to account for bad weather. 

We hope these budgeting tips come in handy when you plan for your trek. Do comment below with some of your own tips that could help others.

Points in this article were shared by Faizan Devdi and Rishivar Mukherji who led EBC batches in the year 2024. 

This article has been last updated by the Indiahikes Information team on 26th December 2024.

Cover Image of Chola Pass taken by Abhirup Paul.

1. If you want more information about this trek: Check our Everest Base Camp Trek page here with detailed information on trail routes, things to take, pictures and much more.

2. If you want to work with us: Head over to our careers page. We have lots of positions open. We also have lots of applications coming in. So the sooner you apply, the better.

3. If you think this article might help your friends: Share it on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

4. If you ended up here by chance and were actually looking for treks to do: Then head over to our upcoming treks page. You’ll find all our Himalayan treks there.

Trekking in Nepal can be an expensive affair. It's important to budget your trek so you reduce your expenditure at the tea houses and on the trail. This guide demystifies the expenses for this trek. We have broken down the expenses into different subheadings to make it easy for you.

How To Budget Your Everest Base Camp Trek

In a previous article about sun damage at high altitudes, I touched upon the importance of wearing sunglasses when trekking in the snow. But in doing so, I realised that I had left out one group of trekkers: those who wear eyeglasses/spectacles.

In this article, I will share how people who wear contact lenses or eyeglasses can protect their eyes from UV damage on high-altitude treks.

But first, let’s have a quick recap of why you need to wear sunglasses on a high-altitude trek, especially when trekking in the snow:

Our eyes are prone to sunburns as much as our skin is. The sunburn of the eye is called photokeratitis (also called snow blindness). This condition is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays, a component of sunlight. Too much UV exposure can damage the eye’s cornea and cause a burning, gritty sensation in the eyes and temporary blindness.

Now, snow is a very reflective surface. This means that it is very efficient at reflecting UV rays. When you trek in the snow, your eyes are constantly bombarded by these UV rays, putting you at a high risk of snow blindness.

So we know that we need sunglasses when trekking in snow. People who don’t wear spectacles (or are contact lens users) can simply put on UV-protected sunglasses. But what are the options available for bespectacled trekkers? Let’s have a look.

Sunglasses over spectacles

There are a few options for people who use spectacles to protect their eyes from UV rays:

This is an old hack in the books of many trekkers. Indiahikes in-house doctor Sreelakshmi went with this style on her Kashmir Great Lakes trek. “I carried my contact lenses with me but it was too much of a hassle to keep wearing and removing them daily. In the end, I just ended up wearing sunglasses over my spectacles. Although it was a bit tight around my ears and nose, it was not that big of an issue. I was able to complete the whole trek quite comfortably”.

Sunglasses with power lenses

Custom-made sunglasses with corrective power are the most comfortable option for trekkers with spectacles. However, such custom sunglasses are expensive, costing anywhere between Rs 3000 to Rs 7,000 for a good frame with scratch resistance. 

Frankly, we don’t recommend this unless you’re trekking in snow 7-8 times a year. If you’re trekking just once a year or so, this is not an economical option.

A trekker wearing Sunglasses with power lenses, passing the bamboo forest of the Sandakphu Phalut trek. 

Clip-ons over prescription glasses

Clip-on glasses are glasses that you can attach on top of your regular spectacles. They do a pretty decent job and can be attached or removed easily. Clip-on glasses are a much more economical alternative to custom sunglasses with power.

Clip-on glasses are available easily in most trekking stores. Additionally, you can also find clip-ons in local spectacle shops easily. Check this out at Decathlon.

Fit-over-sunglasses

Fit-over sunglasses work on the same idea as clip-on glasses but instead of fixing only a set of lenses over your spectacles, fit-over sunglasses are whole sunglasses that you wear on top of the spectacles.

They look like regular sunglasses but are built like a light-weight shell so that they can fit snugly over most styles of spectacles.

Fit-over sunglasses sit comfortably over your regular spectacles and are quite convenient to trek with. Photo by Deep Thakkar

One of our trekkers who is a regular user of these fit-over sunglasses had brought one to our Bangalore office. We tried it out ourselves and the sunglasses fit comfortably over our spectacles. Those were so comfortable that we didn’t notice that we were wearing another set of glasses over our spectacles.

These fit-over sunglasses are found at local spectacle stores, lenskart, and other brand outlets.

A trekker wearing fit-over sunglasses on the Dayara Bugyal trek. Notice that the sunglasses are covered on the sides as well thereby preventing any glare or UV rays from reaching the eyes. Photo by Harikrishnan

Photochromic lenses

Photochromic glasses are spectacles that can transition from clear glass to dark shades that are anti-glare, depending on exposure to the sun. However, there are some things that you must consider before using these glasses on a trek:

Ensure that you get these lenses in a full-frame spectacle. Frameless glasses are fragile and can easily break on a trek.

Because photochromic lenses change colour automatically depending on light exposure, some people find it uncomfortable to use.

These types of lenses are expensive and might not be worth spending your money on.

There are a good number of eye protection options available for bespectacled trekkers. From our experience, fit-over and clip-on sunglasses are affordable and work pretty well. However, fit-over sunglasses should be preferred in snow conditions since they can cut off the side glare which a clip-on lens will not be able to do.

If you wear glasses, your best option is to get clip-on sunglasses. It is hassle-free and economical. 

However, if you’re a trekker who is in snow several times a year, then you could go for sunglasses that are tuned to your power. That’s the most convenient option. 

I hope this article helped you with a lot of questions about what to use & how to use sunglasses with your spectacles. Additionally, if you are confused about whether to wear spectacles or contact lenses on a trek: Head over to this article which discusses the pros and cons of using either of them on a trek. 

Sunglasses for trekkers who wear spectacles. Different options for eye protection. Need for wearing sunglasses on a high altitude or snow trek.

How To Use Sunglasses With Spectacles

I’m writing this post with a bit of exasperation. 

These stats will explain why: Out of the 260 calls we receive every day, at least 40 are about the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar treks, requesting slots in full groups. 

Most of our KGL and Tarsar Marsar groups were filled last year. Even after opening new groups, we are left only with the last few slots. The trek doesn’t have a higher carrying capacity. 

But here’s something most trekkers don’t know. 

We have seven other equally fantastic treks in Jammu and Kashmir. Most are on par with the beauty and adventure of the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar. 

Given that these are new treks, trekkers don’t know them yet. But give it two years, and you’ll see these treks with a rush similar to KGL and TM. 

As a subscriber to my emails, I hope you use this information well and plan treks to other Kashmir treks instead of waiting on the most famous (and crowded) ones. 

Here’s the full list of 7 other great treks in J&K. 

If you have the Kashmir Great Lakes in mind, then Nafran Valley is a trek that makes the best alternative. I strongly recommend it. 

There are three reasons it makes a great alternative to KGL 

(a) The beautiful lakes of Harnag and Harbhagwan. 

Here’s a fact. This trek is so picturesque that it has been featured in our Mountain Lovers Gold Calendar since we discovered it. Only a handful of treks are chosen to be featured here, yet we can never ignore this trek. 

The big bonus is that you camp right next to the famous Kolahoi glacier.

Harnag Lake is the biggest and the most beautiful lake on the Nafran Valley trek. You get to walk beside this lake for two days! Picture by Bijju Shekar.

Bhaj Margi meadow is the grandest meadow of the Nafran Valley trek. If you are blessed with the clear weather, the morning or evening sunlight hitting the meadows is a stunning sight to witness. Picture by Diptarka Gupta.

Here’s the ultimate grassland trek in Jammu and Kashmir. Trekking from one valley to another, you will be treated to some of the region's most expansive grasslands. By now, trekkers know that if any grasslands come close to the Swiss Alps, they are the grasslands of J&K. That’s what you see on this trek. 

Yet, the grasslands are just one of the highlights of this trek. You also see around seven beautiful lakes on this trek, which gives you a classic Kashmir experience. 

The sunset from the Ashtaar Valley campsite makes you never want to leave this campsite. In fact, this is the case with almost all the campsites on the Bodpathri meadows trek. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

A 10-minute gradual ascent from the Ashtaar Valley, you'll view the Tatakooti mountain. The sunrise from here is majestic, making the valley below, look magical. Picture by Pritish Bhanushali.

Bodsar lake is arguably one of the most beautiful lakes on the trek. You keep seeing the lake for hours even after you start ascending to Gadtar, you just have to turn back to take a look every now and then. Photo by Pritish Bhanushali.

This is the rarest of the treks you can do in J&K because it is our only trek in the Kishtwar region. Kishtwar, in the south of J&K, has some of the most beautiful valleys you can see. 

The Brammah Valley is no ordinary valley. Rising at the end of the valley is a peak that betrays most mountaineers who attempt to climb it: Brammah Peak, a most sought-after summit to climb, but very few mountaineers have scaled it. It is among the most beautiful 6,000-metre summits in our country. On the Brammah Valley trek, you see the full face of the mountain from bottom to top. But two more towering peaks exist in the valley: the Brammah Wife and the Eiger.

On the other hand, this is the culture trek of the region. Much like how Har Ki Dun in Uttarakhand is teeming with culture, history and mythology, Brammah Valley gives you a wonderful cultural immersion. You see something rare in this isolated valley: a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim culture in this region: With mixed traditions, architecture, rituals and festivals, it’s a rare amalgamation of cultures, which is heartening to see. 

PS: This is the only J&K trek you can do in May and June. This is a great option if you plan to trek in the summer and want to avoid the Uttarakhand rush. Most treks in J&K open only in July and August. 

The grand Kiddhar Maidan, which is also a delta with backdrop of Mt. Eiger, Mt. Tarparan, and Brammah glacier. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

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