TREK DIFFICULTY
Moderate-Difficult | Level 1
TREK DURATION
9 days
HIGHEST ALTITUDE
13,040 ft
TREK STARTS FROM
Chandimarh, Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir continues to throw surprises at us. Just when we thought we had seen the best of the land, here’s a new trek that has made us extremely excited.
The new Pir Panjal Lakes Trek, right in the middle of the Pir Panjal range, has had us excited ever since we saw the first pictures sent by our exploration team.
What has stunned us is the combination of terrain. First, there are the deep forests of the Pir Panjal range. An entire day is spent trekking among towering conifer trees, whose intoxicating aroma fills the air.
Then there are the lakes: not one or two, but seven lakes (and more to be discovered)! Each lake is tucked into a bowl cut out of the mountains, with snow patches dropping gracefully into the water.
You don’t see all the lakes together. You see one, and the view stuns you. You cannot imagine that a lake this beautiful could be in such a place. And then you climb a ridge, and you see another lake. This time, you are wondrous.
Then, in a series of unbelievable trekking moments, you see one lake after another. Each lake has a different shape and size. Some are turquoise, others are aquamarine, and still others are transparent. It is the grandest display of lakes we have seen.
Then we come to the grasslands. They are so vast and endless that you cannot take in the scene in one glance. Each of the grasslands is different. Somewhere in the folds of the mountains, they connect. Discovering the next grassland is an adventure that we look forward to.
In the middle of these grasslands are ‘Dhoks’ or tribal settlements, which the local shepherds use for their dwellings. Their origins are from an era gone by, yet here they are, thriving and giving shelter to numerous shepherds that wander these grasslands. Horses roam freely in the heart of these grasslands, and sheep graze with unconcerned disdain.
We have not been as excited about a trek in recent times as we have been about the Pir Panjal Lakes Trek.
Our interactions with the shepherds tell us that there are many more lakes, and they are grander and better than what we have already seen. It’s hard to believe!
Unable to contain our excitement, we have sent a second team to explore the trek further to see if we can uncover more lakes and other hidden grasslands.
Trekkers are in for a treat when they get to explore the Pir Panjal Lakes trek. This side of Jammu and Kashmir is untouched, even by the region's people. Yet what it has in store excites us when we consider the possibilities.
As Indiahikes, we will unlikely open this trek for our trekkers this year. The trek still needs to be defined further.
This is why we are calling for a team of explorers who want to join us on an exploratory trek starting 30th August to document, map, and define the trail for future generations.
Quick Itinerary
Day 1
Drive from Srinagar to Chandimarh
Drive distance: 127 km | Duration: 4 hours | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: next to Hotel Ameera, Srinagar.
We will pick you at 8.00 AM. Have lunch on the way and reach Chandimarh via Behrangala. Cab cost – Rs 7,000 per vehicle (5-6 Seater), to be paid by trekkers directly to the driver.
Day 2
Trek from Chandimarh to Thera
Trek distance: 8 km | Duration: 8 hours | Altitude gain: 5986 ft to 9450 ft
Day 3
Trek from Thera to Khuan
Trek distance: 7.8 km | Duration: 7 hours | Altitude gain: 9450 ft to 10890 ft
Day 4
Trek from Khuan to Nandansar via 7 lakes
Trek distance: 9.8 km | Duration: 8-9 hours | Altitude gain: 10890 ft to 12740 ft (via 13010 ft)
Lakes: Neelsar, Sukhsar, Kaldachni, Katoriasar, Gumsar, Dingsar and Nandansar
Day 5
Trek from Nandansar to Bhagsar
Trek distance: 10.8 km | Duration: 9 hours | Altitude gain: 12740 ft to 12950 ft (via 13589 ft)
Lakes: Chandansar, Laksukhsar, Handusar, Sona sar, Barani sar
Day 6
Trek from Bhagsar to Sarota
Trek distance: 8.7 km | Duration: 7 hours | Altitude loss: 13100 ft to 11550 ft (via 13430 ft)
Day 7
Trek from Sarota to Chandimarh
Trek distance: 16 km | Duration: 8 hours | Altitude loss: 10,664 ft to 9,368 ft
Day 8
Drive from Chandimarh to Srinagar
Drive distance: 125 km | Duration: 5 hours
You are expected to reach Srinagar by 12 noon. So you can plan to either take a flight post afternoon time or explore Srinagar this day. The cost will be Rs 7,000 per cab (5-6 Seater).
Day 9
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. 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
➤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 8.
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.
Pir Panjal Lakes Trek Video
Photo Gallery
Highlights of the Pir Panjal Lakes Trek
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 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.
Day 1: Drive from Srinagar to Chandimarh

Drive distance: 125 km | Duration: 5 hours
The drive from Srinagar to Behrangala takes you through the district of Shopian.
The big highlight of this drive would be travelling via the iconic Mughal road. This ancient route was used by the Mughals in connecting the Pakistan Karokaram valley to the Srinagar valley. This road crosses the Pir Panjal range
From Behrangala, you need to then reach Chandimarh, which is a small village.
Chandimarh has a very small market and is a beautiful place to explore around. At the market, one can try the local cuisine of butter chai and the bread of Fulka. If you have more time, do go to Noori Chamb waterfall or in taking a stroll with the Chath Nalla flowing here at Chandimarh.
You will be staying the night here in the Tourism Lodge Guest house and meet the trek leader, team for the safety checkin and registration process.
Do not worry if you miss going to this waterfall since tomorrow, your trek starts by crossing this.
Day 2: Trek from Chandimarh to Thera

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

Altitude gain: 5,804 ft to 9,368 ft

Trek gradient: Easy-Moderate. Gradual ascent until Cheii villages followed by a combination of steep ascent and again a gradual ascent. The last section to the campsite again has a steep ascent.
The day starts from the Tourism lodge towards the Noori Chmab waterfall.
Take the gradual ascent to reach the road head. You will spot a Government school and a little ahead is a 400 year old Shiva temple. This road leads to a village whic you dont have to go through. Take the deviation which takes you to the entrance of the forest section where the mud trail starts.
This day is through mostly through this dense wild forest. It is a mixed forest with fir and pine popping in between. The trail is a gradual climb. About 3 kms into this trail, you come across the last village, known as the Cheii village.
The setting of Cheii village is a picturesque setting. The entire village is built with structures and houses made of mud, straw. Few houses are scattered and few in clusters, this is something very unique to witness for trekkers. The villagers here sustain their living with local produces. Houses have no cylinders in their kitchen and people use firewood to cook. The villagers are also very warm, welcoming towards trekkers.
Go to the view point at the top. Towards the right, look out for the scattered bushes which resembles tea gardens of Darjelling.
From the Cheii village, the trail now takes a steeper ascent through the forest section. This forest suddenly transforms into a different setting. You now have some oak trees, with pines, fir and junipers around you. This is a different vegetation compared to the section before the village. Combined with a few clearings in this forest, you will be lost listening to the birds chirping as you climb for another 2 kms.
Trek through the forest section and to a big surprise! End the forest to The landscape just opens up to the view of the flowing river and a huge endless valley. Now you have officially entered the Girjan meadows with a small temporary dhaba located here.
Girjan Meadow is one of the largest meadows of the Poonch region with green hillocks around you. Reach the top of the hillock towards your first campsite.
Towards the left, you can see multiple clusters of stepped Dhoks (Sheperd huts) on a hillock setting and the other side daunting with the Pir Panjal ranges. This view is a different world in itself and has multiple opportunities to explore around.
Do not miss on going to the sunset point facing towards the left. You can walk bare foot around the lush soft meadow and if you get lucky, you get to witness the floating clouds with the sunset in the back drop.
Day 3: Trek from Thera to Khuan

Trek distance: 8 km | Duration: 8 hours

Altitude gain: 9,368 ft to 10,900 ft

Trek gradient: Moderate. Initial steep climb to reach the forest section and then flat walk. Gradual ascent for 2.5 km to reach Panjdhari army camp. Flat walk to reach Khuan
Today’s trek is going further on the Girjan meadows. Even though its the same connecting meadow, the landscape changes as you keep going higher on this meadow region.
The day starts with a small ascent from the Thera campsite to the forest section. This forest is with with pine trees and oak bordering the forest. Look out for the butterflies fluttering around and chirping of birds. You will be amazed to see how the forest ends and you have Bada Thera starting. It is about an hour away from the campsite to this meadow section of Bada Thera.
You can roll around this meadow, walk bare foot and one of our favourtie sections to just climb up a hillock. You get the panoramic view of the Pir Panjal at the view point of Bada Tera. This is also the place where you can fill water bottles.
Ascend from Bada Thera to reach the ridge with a zig zag walk. Form the top of the ridge, you get to see the entire view of the the forest that you crossed, the river, valley, Bada Tera, Dhok and the previous campsite.
From the ridge, you next approach the last forest section. This would be the last forests for the next few days. This forest is a mix of gradual ascent and a little descent. So make the best use of this forest and enjoy this section before entering a tiny ledge. This trail from the ledge can be used as an exit point for any evacuations, which is a steep descent to a village. The ridge opens up the views of both the side of the valley, including the Pir Panjal mountain along with the Tathakuti peak.
After about an hour, you come to Panjdhari. You have an army camp and helipad located at this location of vast openness.
Panjdhari is where the expansive meadow starts and the forest section ending. You are just 2 km away from the second campsite of Khuan. All your efforts of ascent through the forest and ridge climb just vanishes away from Panjdhari. You are treated with a flat walk and a reward awaiting.
Khuan campsite is again a paradise for explorers. One section of Khuan has a boulder patch while the rest is a complete green meadow. One can go and just lie down or sit, read a book, run around and play frisbee. There is also a hillock which can be climbed in 45 minutes and for trekkers to enjoy the sunset or just zooming out to witness the larger landscape.
Day 4: Trek from Khuan to Nandansar. Explore around Nandansar

Trek distance: 9 km | Duration: 9-10 hours

Altitude gain: 9,690 ft to 11,720 ft

Trek gradient: Moderate-Difficult. Initial steep ascent. Gradual ascent on Boulder for 2hrs. Gradual ascent until the clearing and then flat walk 200mts before reaching the lake and then 60° climb to reach Nandansar.
Today is perhaps the most awaited day for trekkers. You trek to see the first alpine lake of Nandansar and camping close to this charming lake. But this also comes with a much more challenging day compared to the previous two days.
The day starts with a climb through the boulder section. The ascent goes for an hour to reach the top. Trekkers need to navigate and traverse multiple patches of boulders. You have boulders of different shapes and sizes. This is one of the reason why the trek is marked as moderate-difficult along with the longer distances which need to be covered.
Trekkers need to have strong legs and be nimble enough to tackle these boulders.
Once you end the boulder section, dont forget to turn back and to see the view. You have the view of Khuan, the meadows until the valley of Panjdhari. You are in for a bit of a breather after this top of the boulder section and until about 200 meters before the lake.
Towards the left of the trail is the morain section. The mountain side has a lot of boulders, scree and is a rocky section. And towards the right, is the view of the valley, meadows and is a flatter walk.
However, around 200 meters before the lake is a short climb to reach the lake. Nandansar is hidden and cannot be seen before the climb.
The view of Nandansar is magical and this view of the alpine lake is worth all the efforts. Soak in to the views, click your photos and then go down to walk along the glades of Nandansar. You will be setting up your campsite where you have a good flat patch.
In the evening, you can drop your main backpack and then go for a small exploration to visit other lakes close to Nandansar. The lakes surrounding today are approximately at a radius of 2-3 kms.
The first lake which is the closest to visit is the lake of Khaldachni. Traverse the boulders of Nandansar for a kilometer. It takes about half an hour to reach Khaldachni. Sit down, take a small break and have some water.
Your eyes will catch attention in wanting to see more and get attracted in wanting to climb to the top of the ridge. From the top of the ridge of Khaldachni at 13,400 feet, is where you get to see all the other lakes. You will get to see the lakes of Katoriasar, Neelsar, Dingsar, Sukhsar all together.
Spend about an hour or two and come back to Nandansar to camp for the night.
Day 5: Exploration Day and trek towards Bhagsar

Trek distance: 10 km | Duration: 9-10 hours

Trek gradient: Moderate-Difficult. Rocky and bouldery terrain near the lakes and meadows in between with a few stream crossings
This day is a very exciting day for the team going for the re-exploration.
The mail goal or objective for the team will be to explore all the lakes until Bhagsar and then either camping close to Bhagsar or coming back towards Nandansar post the exploration. What you get to witness and document will be a surprise.
There are chances of finding more lakes than what is known or find a ridge connecting the lakes.
The arial distance is around 7 km from Nandansar and expect to trek close to 14-15 kms which the team will cover on this day. You will be trekking towards Chandansar, Handusar and covering the lakes of Baranisar, Bhagsar, Sonasar.
Depending on what the team explores, the fitness and the morale, trekkers will either camp close to Bhagsar or come back towards Nandansar.
Day 6: Trek from Bhagsar to Surota

Trek distance: 9 km | Duration: 9-10 hours

Altitude loss: 11,720 ft to 10,664 ft

Trek gradient: Moderate.
The trek from Nandansar to Panjdhari pretty much follows the similar trail on the way back if you are ending the trek at Chandimarh.
There is another alternative route which goes towards Pir Ki Gali. However, this route is much more steeper for trekkers.
If the team is going back to Chandimarh, you will retrace your path via Khuan and camp at Panjdhari.
Day 7: Trek from Surota to Chandimarh

Trek distance: 16 km | Duration: 8 hours

Altitude loss: 10,664 ft to 9,368 ft
This is your last day of trekking in Pooch and descending back to the start point of the trek.
The descend takes you initially through the meadows and the ridge. Later, you are completely immersed through the forest section until you reach the Tourism Guesthouse at Chandimarh.
You can expect to reach by evening time.
Day 8: Drive from Chandimarh to Srinagar

Drive distance: 120 km | Duration: 5 hours
You are expected to reach Srinagar by 12 noon. So you can plan to either take a flight in the evening or explore Srinagar this day. The cost will be Rs 7,000 per cab (5-6 Seater)
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. 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.
Moderate - Difficult | Level 1
The Pir Panjal Lakes Trek, which climbs to almost 13,000 ft, is rated as Moderate-Difficult | Level 1.
We mark the Pir Panjal Lakes Trek as Moderate-Difficult Level 1 for a few reasons
1. The quick altitude gains: 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 4,000 ft. Because of the quick altitude gain, there are possibilities of AMS.
2. The long-distances covered everyday: you cover on average 8-9 km each day and 52 km in a span of 6 days.
3. The steep ascents and descents: The climb to the lake and the descent back are steep. Apart from this, there are also quite a few ascents and descents.
4. Boulder sections on the trek: 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)
While the Pir Panjal Lakes trek remains untouched during times of unrest, getting to the base camp involves travelling through populated route like Mughal Road.
On your drive to Chandimarh, be mindful of where you are going, how you are travelling and if your mode of transport is reliable.
|Thumb Rule: Stay cued into the news. Be curious about what’s happening around you. Keep a check on areas that are flagged red. Check if the transport is getting affected and be forthcoming on enquiring about alternate routes.
Be aware, but do not worry or panic. Stay calm and keep the following pointers in mind when you are travelling:
- If you’re staying overnight at Srinagar, stay in touristy areas like Dal Lake or Lal Chowk.
- Blend in with the crowd in terms of dressing and behaviour.
- Avoid going to downtown areas. Stick to tourist spaces as they tend to be safer and well-protected during times of unrest.
- Don’t panic if there is a curfew. Keep calm and wait for it to pass.
When you are exposed to trekking in the high altitudes, your body might not be well rested or acclimatised to the altitude. There are always risks of AMS even for the fittest and the most experienced trekkers. It is very important that you pay close attention to your body and the symptoms on a high altitude trek. Stay alert for any signs of altitude sickness.
Attend to your uneasiness and take curative measures. Check your vitals before you start the trek - Your BP reading, oxygen saturation levels at every campsite at least twice. If you are feeling uneasy, you can even go on a curative course of Diamox. Hydration and rest is very important as well. If you do not feel normal after a few hours or overnight, do not proceed further on the trek.
To help you understand AMS better, we've put together a complete guide about it. This is a series a videos you must watch before you get onto any high altitude trek:
- What Is Altitude sickness? A Quick Look At AMS, HAPE And HACE
- How To Treat Altitude Sickness – AMS, HAPE, & HACE
- How To Prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), HAPE and HACE
- 3 Life Saving Drugs You MUST Have To Tackle Altitude Sickness – AMS, HAPE and HACE
If you experience any symptoms of AMS, even in the slightest, start taking steps to treat the sickness.
At Indiahikes, our Trek Leaders are trained and equipped to take care of any emergencies related to AMS.
Medical Emergencies can strike on any trek. The key to dealing with them lies in knowing your exit points. Know how to get out and reach the nearest hospital quickly.
On the Pir Panjal Lakes trek, your best bet is to descend to Chandimarh or Pir ki Galli.
In case of a medical emergency, the closest hospital is at Surankot. It's a Sub District Hospital, 18 km from the basecamp .
The best time to do the Pir Panjal Lakes Trek is from mid-June to the end 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 only 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 Lakes trek changes appearance and colour throughout -June, July, August and September.
Pir Panjal Lakes Trek between mid-June and early-July
Day time temperature: Between 20 °C and 25 °C | Night time temperature: Between 3 °C and 5 °C
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.
No. of warm layers required: 3-4 warm layers
When you trek in 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.
Pir Panjal Lakes Trek from mid-July to the end of August
Day time temperature: Between 20 °C and 25 °C | Night time temperature: Between 3 °C and 5 °C
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.
No. of warm layers required: 3-4 warm layers
After mid-July, the Pir Panjal Lakes trek 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 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.
Pir Panjal Lakes Trek from the end of August to the end of September
Day time temperature: Between 20 °C and 25 °C | Night time temperature: Between 3 °C and 5 °C
Presence of snow: The meadows start transitioning from green to golden brown. Rains -- more like evening showers – remain this time too. The temperature starts dropping down.
No. of warm layers required: 3-4 warm layers
Cold sets in as the season progresses to the end of August. 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 of Sundarsar.
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 till the last week of September. So, it’s doable. But it may not be the most comfortable time, given the cold temperatures.
It is great to see you going on the Pir Panjal Lakes Trek, one of the most beautiful treks in India. While it is a great trek to do, you need to get your travel plan worked out perfectly.
Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do next. Use this guide and nothing else to plan your travel.
There are two ways to reach Behrangala, the base of the trek - either from Srinagar or from Jammu.
Traveling from Srinagar is a better option.
Indiahikes pick-up is also arranged from Srinagar. So, if you are choosing our pick up, then you will have to reach Srinagar on your own.
Planning your onward flight/train journey:
If you are traveling from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai or any other city, book your air tickets for Day Zero, the day before Day 1 on the itinerary. If your trek start day is 24 July, book your air tickets for 23 July to Srinagar.
Fly directly to Srinagar
We recommend this. It gives you an added rest day at Srinagar or even better if you can head towards Behrangala.
If you are taking the pickup through Indiahikes, then your Experience Coordinator will share the details a week prior to your trek date.
However, if you intend to take an adventure of traveling on your own, then you can go through the details given below:
From Lal Chowk, Srinagar there are frequent shared taxis available to Poonch. You will have to get down at Behrangala on the way. It costs Rs 800 per person.
Reaching Behrangala from Jammu
Reach Jammu a day before the start date of your trek.
There are shared Taxis from Jammu, from the City land Travel Stand to Poonch. The cost per person is ₹800 per person.
From Poonch, you will have to take another shared taxi to reach Behramgala. However this is a much longer route and can take about 6-8 hrs to reach Behramgala.
Planning your hotel/stay
Hotel Options at Srinagar
Hotel Chinar Inn is one option. It has clean rooms with good amenities.
If you are trekking with Indiahikes, the cost will be Rs 1,500 per person for a stay and meals (dinner and breakfast). This is for a twin sharing room.
For a single person per room, it costs Rs 2,300 per person for a stay and meals (dinner and breakfast)
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/5V3CgXgAyD2biGcK6
Contact Number: 7006608852 (Firoz)
Royal Athena Houseboats is another option. In addition to good amenities, it gives you the experience of staying in a boathouse.
If you are trekking with Indiahikes, the cost will be Rs 1,750 per person including dinner and breakfast.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Zq4BCzTGuBGzawP18
Contact Number: 7006608852 (Firoz)
Alhamra Retreats is a guest house with good facilities available.
If you are trekking with Indiahikes, the cost of a twin-sharing room is Rs 2,100. For an extra bed in the same room, it costs Rs 700 extra. Triple sharing is Rs 2,800 and four sharing is Rs 3,500.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/6DCEkw7k7gDGwM449
Contact Number: +91 95965 56700 (Rehan Bakshi)
Other hotel options that are close to the pick-up point:
Hotel Care is just next to our Base, the pick-up location of the trek. Hotel Adlife and Hotel Centre Point are two other recommendations
Hotel Options at Jammu
Hotel Lords Inn is one of the options where you can stay in Jammu. You can easily find other options online. But make sure you book a hotel near to the Taxi Stand.
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.
- Medical and Disclaimer certificate. There are two sections to this. One is to be filled by a practicing doctor and the second is filled by you. The disclaimer certificate is a legal requirement.
Download the PDF, read carefully, print it back to back, and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during the registration at the base camp. This is a requirement by both the forest department and Indiahikes – Download the PDF
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.
PRO TIPS
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.
1. Trekking Shoes:
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.
| 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 by Decathlon available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean.
2. Backpack:
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.
| 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 48-litre backpack by Adventure Worx 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.
3. Clothes:
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.
Base layer:
3 T-shirts:
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.
3 insulation layers:
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.
1 Outer layer:
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 made by Fort Collins are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. They are custom made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter.
Two trek pants:
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 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.
1. Sunglasses:
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.
| 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.
| 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.
2. Suncap:
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.
| 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.
3. Synthetic hand gloves:
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.
4. Woollen cap or Balaclava:
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.
5. Socks (3 pairs):
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.
6. Headlamp:
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.
| 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.
7. Trekking pole (a pair):
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.
| Rental: Imported side-locking trekking poles are available for rent at the Indiahikes store.
8. Rainwear:
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 Indiahikes store.
9. Rain cover for your backpack:
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.
| 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.
10. Daypack (20-30 ltrs, optional):
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.
Other mandatory requirements
1. A toilet kit:
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 Pir Panjal Lakes.
| 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.
2. Cutlery:
Carry a lunch box, a 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.
| 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:
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.
| Rental: You could rent lightweight thermos flasks from the Indiahikes store.
4. Plastic covers:
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.
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 Pir Panjal Lakes 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.
The Pir Panjal Lakes Trek is close to 55 km long.
On this trek you will gain an altitude of 8,000 ft in total over a period of 6 days to have an enjoyable experience. The trail mostly follows the section of forests, clearings, then into the alpine meadows and stunning lakes.
Yes, it is safe to trek in Kashmir. Talking about Poonch, while the trek remains untouched during times of unrest, getting to the base camp or onto the trail might raise concerns in times of unrest.
So, here are certain pointers to keep in mind when you are travelling from Srinagar to Chandimarh:
- If you’re staying overnight at Srinagar, stay in touristy areas like Dal Lake or Lal Chowk.
- Blend in with the crowd in terms of dressing and behaviour.
- Avoid going to downtown areas. Stick to tourist spaces as they tend to be safer and well-protected during times of unrest
- Don’t panic if there is a curfew. Keep calm and wait for it to pass.
The Pir Panjal Lakes trek is situated in the Poonch Region of Jammu. The trek starts from a small village called Chandimarh near Behrangala, a picturesque hamlet, which is 60 km before Poonch.
The Pir Panjal Lakes Trek, which climbs to almost 13,000 ft, is rated as 'Moderate-Difficult | Level 1'. This is because even though the highest altitude is not too high, you gain this altitude pretty quickly.
Each day, you gain an altitude of about 2,500 ft - 3,000 ft. This is not easy. You gain this altitude in a relatively shorter distance. That means it’s quite a climb on each day of the trek.
A moderate rating refers to marginally longer trekking days with a few steep climbs (example: climb to Nandansar). This makes it a notch more difficult than the easy-moderate treks.
A Himalayan trek like Pir Panjal Lakes trek requires a really good fitness level. The trek has long climbs and steep descents daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:
Run at least 5 km in 32 minutes before your trek. Consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 25 km a week or 100 km in a month. It's a minimum mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us.
You will get mobile connectivity of Airtel, Jio and BSNL till the first campsite. After that the network is sketchy and almost non-existent.
Better to make sure you finish all your important telephone calls before starting your travel to the basecamp. Inform family members about poor connectivity during the trek.
Note: Prepaid SIM cards do not work in Kashmir.
As for electricity, you won’t have access to electricity or charging points anywhere during the trek.
We have a cloakroom facility available at the basecamp for extra luggage. It costs Rs 200 per luggage. You can keep up to 10 kg.
(The luggage could be a backpack/suitcase/duffel bag or anything similar.).
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.
Fitness target:
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.
How to achieve this fitness?
- Start jogging at least 4 days a week
- 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 32 mins.
- You must be able to run 5 km in 32 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.
Strength training tips:
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.
What to upload?
- A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling
- Monthly summary of your routine
Why fitness matters:
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.
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