
Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult | Level 1

Duration
7 Days

Highest Altitude
13,789 ft

Age
12 to 62 years
Duration
7 Days
Age
12 to 62 years
Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult | Level 1
Highest Altitude
13,789 ft
Nafran Valley Trek
The New Classic Trek In Kashmir
For a long time, we’ve been looking for another trek in Kashmir that matches up to our blockbuster treks, Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar.
For us finding anything that compares to the great two is like looking for an elephant with wings. “It’s near impossible for any trek to compare with the Kashmir Great Lakes or the Tarsar Marsar. It is hard to match up to the grand meadows, the turquoise blue lakes and picture-perfect landscapes of these two treks,” says Sandhya UC, who led the exploration and documentation of the Kashmir Great Lakes (2011) and Tarsar Marsar (2015) treks.
“We have looked for trails in the remote parts of Kashmir, Jammu, around Naranag, near Margan Pass, even towards the Thajiwas glacier. While each of these is beautiful, there’s always been some issue. Either the trek is too short, too monotonous, runs through disturbed areas, or has incomplete trails,” says Sandhya.
Now, for the first time in seven years, we have found a trek that matches up to the KGL and Tarsar Marsar in grandeur, variety and the kickback.
We are talking about the Nafran Valley trek.
When the first exploration team returned, they were singing praises of the trek. They claimed it was as good, or even prettier than the Tarsar Marsar. We took it with a pinch of salt. Everything in Kashmir is beautiful. But was it matching up to Tarsar Marsar?
So we sent another exploration team to truly assess the trail. Does it have a variety — of forests, meadows, lakes, and alpine experiences? Does it have terrific camping options? Does it promise adventure? These are all questions they went with.
And did they come back with answers and how! They came back with photographic evidence, a day to day assessment of the trek and 4 great reasons why the trek is outstanding.
Nafran Valley Videos
Watch this video to get an idea of the Nafran Valley Trek
Quick Itinerary
A route map of the Nafran Valley trek
Day 1
Drive from Srinagar to Aru
Drive Distance: 100 km | Drive Duration: 3-4 hours | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels
Transport will be organised from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, Srinagar at 8 am sharp. The cost is Rs 3,000 for a 5-6 seater and needs to be paid directly to the driver.
Note: The process of your registration, health screening, and document verification starts at 4.00 PM. Ensure you reach Aru on time for it. Do not travel elsewhere on this particular day before your trek.
Day 2
Drive from Aru to Mondlan. Trek from Mondlan to Bhaj Margi
Trek Distance: 6.35 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude Gain: 7960 ft to 10374 ft
Easy to Moderate
Day 3
Trek from Bhaj Margi to Nafran Valley via Arram Pathri Ridge
Trek Distance: 8.25 km | Trek Duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 10374 ft to 11358 ft via 11482 ft
Easy to Moderate
Day 4
Trek from Nafran Valley to Harnag Lake via Harnag Pass
Trek Distance: 4.40 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11358 ft to 12099 ft via 12509 ft
Moderate
Day 5
Trek from Harnag Lake to Harbhagwan Lake and back to Harnag Lake
Trek Distance: 9.20 km | Trek Duration: 9 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 12099 ft to 13,789 ft and back
Difficult
Day 6
Trek from Harnag Lake to Arram Pathri
Trek Distance: 7.15 km | Trek Duration: 5.5 hours | Altitude Loss: 12099 ft to 11,482 ft
Easy to Moderate
Day 7
Trek from Arram Pathri to Aru. Drive to Srinagar
Trek Distance: 8.20 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,854 ft to 7960 ft
Easy. You are expected to reach Srinagar by 8.00 PM. Cost will be Rs 3,000 per cab (5-6 Seater).
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
- At the base camp, your stay will be arranged in lodges.
- On the trek, you will be staying 3 in a tent.
- We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.
Please note: Twin sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.
A route map of the Nafran Valley trek
PRO-TIPS
Book flexible flight tickets:
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.
Break your journey at Delhi
Choose to book a flight that hops in at Delhi, instead of one that goes directly to Srinagar This will make your journey even more flexible.
Campsites at a Glance
At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Nafran Valley trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.
Why Trekking With Indiahikes Is Different
People have always told us that trekking with us is different. That it is not just about the trek.
Our trekkers go as far as to tell us that it is a life-changing experience. They feel a renewed sense of confidence, they feel more inclined towards sustainable living, and they even feel independent enough to trek on their own. As our founder, Arjun Majumdar, says, "It's almost like seeing two different people before and after the trek."
This is what makes trekking with Indiahikes different. The experience is designed in such a way that it has a deep impact on trekkers. Our Trek Leaders are trained in experience facilitation, to ensure that trekkers take the best out of being in the outdoors. This is why trekkers love trekking with Indiahikes.
What I Like About the Nafran Valley Trek
Nafran Valley is Best Discovered Through Pictures
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 surficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Nafran Valley 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.
PRO TIPS
Why fitness matters on the Nafran Valley Trek
On Moderate-Difficult treks like Nafran Valley, 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 15,000+ ft. There will also be technical sections (such as rockfall zones, near-vertical sections, glacier walks), which our technical teams will help you navigate.
Your goal is to comfortably run 5 km within 32 minutes.
Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll need to submit a Treadmill Test report within 7 days of registration.
Available Dates
Other Treks Like Nafran Valley
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