Experience Kyrgyzstan’s Pristine Glacial Lake

Trek Difficulty

Trek Duration

Highest Altitude

SUITABLE FOR

Trek to Kyrgyzstan’s Pristine Glacial Lake

The Ala-Kul or the Ala-Kol trek in Kyrgyzstan is a grand crossover trek that takes you close to the most beautiful glacial lake we have seen outside India, the Ala-Kul. Kul or Kol in Kyrgyz means a ‘lake’, hence the name means the ‘Ala Lake’ trek.

The milky-blue Ala-Kul lies at approximately 11,580 ft in the Tien Shan mountain ranges of Central Asia. You’ll have to cross the thrilling Ala-Kul Pass at 12,750 ft to get to this lake.

This challenging trek takes you through the most beautiful coniferous forests and grasslands of the Altyn Arashan and Karakol Valleys, where the landscape is dotted with wildflowers of varying colours and gushing rivers.

As you gain altitude, the lush green valley opens up to alpine meadows sprinkled with juniper shrubs, moraine and scree. This combination of scenery is rarely seen elsewhere. It’s like a combination of our treks from Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, where you get to walk on the green carpet of meadows lined with coniferous trees, and see snow-capped mountains, witness a glacier, and camp next to a glacier-fed lake.

Kyrgyzstan also has a striking resemblance to India. So much so that when our founders and the rest of the team landed in Bishkek, they felt like they were in a city that is much like Srinagar in India. They felt welcomed in a land that is so far away from home.

Not just the city, it has a rich culture and tradition, and the people are very approachable. Just like shared taxis here in India, Kyrgyzstan has ‘marshrutkas’ (maxi-van type shared taxis) and buses that keep you well connected across cities. Whether it is stays, food or travel, everything is pocket-friendly.

The Ala-Kul trek is suitable for trekkers who have experienced high-altitude treks before. And if you are a beginner, you’ll have to be in the best of fitness to do this ‘moderate-difficult’ level trek.

Please note that the experience of this trek will be different from a typical Indiahikes experience:

The trek will be run in an assisted Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style: This means we are going to be doing the trek all by ourselves, without the regular Indiahikes support team. In terms of safety, our highly trained Trek Leaders will be with you. You will not have to carry any tents or sleeping bags but you have to help with cooking meals and pitching tents, including toilet tents.

The food will be different: You may not find your usual Indiahikes food. Instead, you will be served good local cuisine. On camp days, the food will be Indian.

Apart from these, you can expect to see our own tents, our toilet tents and our Green Trails practices.

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Watch these videos to get a glimpse of the trek

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a high altitude 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 Ala-Kul 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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This trek will be run in a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. This means we are going to be doing the trek all by ourselves, without the regular Indiahikes support team. You have to help with cooking meals, pitching tents, including toilet tents. You will not have to carry any tents or sleeping bags, but you will have to help with other things and work together with the team.
Expect the experience to be different from a typical Indiahikes experience. In terms of safety, our highly trained Trek Leaders will be with you. You can expect to see our own tents, our toilet tents (much better than the current system there!) and our Green Trails practices.
In terms of food, you may not find your usual Indiahikes food. However, on camp days, the food will be Indian.

If you're planning to travel to Bishkek, opt to fly via Tashkent in Uzbekistan. If you have a couple of days to spare, Uzbekistan has a lot of places of interest like Samarkand, Madrasa etc., that cannot be missed if you are travelling all the way to Kyrgyzstan.

While returning, you will reach Karakol by late afternoon. Plan your travel by keeping a couple of spare days in hand. Visit Issyk Kul lake, Osh Bazaar and many other tourist attractions in Kyrgyzstan.

Arjun Majumdar, the Founder of Indiahikes, went on this exploratory trek almost a decade ago. He is a veteran of the trekking community in India. He’s an expert when it comes to the trek. Here’s Arjun talking about one of the Best Treks for Summit Views in the country.

Here, we rate Ala-Kul as a ‘moderate-difficult’ trek. It is a high-altitude trek that takes you close to 13,000 ft. The trek climbs rapidly and your safety depends a lot on the preparation you put in for the trek.

The trek is long and strenuous. It also climbs quickly. Having prior experience trekking in the high altitudes helps accustom you to hardship. Having know-how about Acute Mountain Sickness greatly helps in dealing with altitude issues you may face on the trek.

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

The best time to be on this trek is from the beginning of July to the middle of September. In fact, that’s the only time you can trek here. In all the other seasons, The Ala-Kul lake trail is buried under snow.

July to September happens to be peak summer transitioning to Autumn and the best time to trek in Karakol. The landscape comes alive during this window. And even though the window is tight, you notice the landscape changing colour and texture as the months proceed.

This is peak summer in Karakol. The upper reaches of the trek starts crawling out of the snow blanket in July. It’s warm and you experience light evening showers during this month.

The trail to Ala-Kul opens in the first week of July. Snow still remains at higher altitudes, at Ala-Kul Pass and at the Ala Kul lake. But the trek is more or less accessible.

Caution: It’s risky to attempt a pass crossing when there’s too much snow. So hold back and exercise safety.

As the snow melts, colourful flowers start appearing on the meadows. You see flowers throughout the Ala-Kul trekking season. But the colours of these flowers vary based on the month.

The landscape has lush green meadows punctuated with the Ala-Kul lake that is still frozen in parts.

After mid-July, a robust trekking season begins on the Ala-Kul trek. Expect bright sunny mornings with some evening showers.

The trail is carpeted with green meadows everywhere. They look dramatic in contrast with the rugged, grey mountains around it. The best part is, these meadows are densely dotted with wildflowers!

Frozen chunks of ice in the Ala-Kul lake, and on the trail would have melted.

Ala-Kul Trek from mid-July to the third week of August

After the end of August, cold sets in.  Rains reduce giving way to one of the best times to do the trek. The clouds part during this time of the year and you witness brilliant blue skies. Their reflection deepens the blue of the Ala-Kul lake.

Photography Point: It's a sight to behold from Ala-Kul Pass. You can catch Mt Palatka with its glacier, Mt Karakol, the rest of the snow-clad mountains, and the Ala-Kul lake in one frame. The lake flashes a milky-blue colour under the clear sky.

Another stark change that happens in early September is the change in colour of the meadows. The grass no longer retains the soft, fresh green tinge. The flowers change. And yet, there’s a beauty to this change of tone.

We usually stop our trek after the second week of September. It turns colder and chances of snowfall increase. That raises the difficulty of the trek and it's highly risky to cross the Pass.

Ala-Kul Trek from end-July to mid-September

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 Diamox starting from Karakol every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend down to Karakol. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Ala-Kul trek.

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises.   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar card, passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  

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

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

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.
Consultation fee: Rs 300

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.

Ala-Kul requires trekking shoes that are sturdy, have good grip, have 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 really 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 on 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. Rent here.

For a trek like Ala-Kul, 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 on rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack. Rent here.

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

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.

Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is a 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.)

Buying Tip: You can get dry-fit T-shirts from Decathlon. Also, stores like Reliance Trends, Max have dry-fit T-shirts. They don’t usually cost much.

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. 

For the Ala-Kul trek, you will need at least 4 warm layers.

You will need 1 pair of inner thermals,  light fleece layers, 1  light sweater and 1  padded jacket. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

For your outer later, a padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t really 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 really 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 on rent at the Indiahikes store. They are custom made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter. Rent here.

Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry one 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 trek 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 Ala-Kul without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first. 

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a trek like Ala-Kul, 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. 

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

Buying 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.  

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. Read this article for more guidance on managing contact lenses on treks.

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sun strokes, 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 woolen 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 sun burns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way. 

On a trek like Ala-Kul, you 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.   

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. Which is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, 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 absolutely essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woolen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. Do not get a woollen cap that only covers your head. 

Apart from two pairs of 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 in the night. If you cannot get woolen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

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 Ala0Kul 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.

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Ala-Kul 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 on rent on the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

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

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

Rental: High grade ponchos are available on rent on the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes, your warm gear in your backpack. It is important that your backpack stays dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built in rain-covers. If your back pack does not have a rain-cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover (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.

Some trekkers opt to offload their bags to a mule on the Ala-Kul trek. While we do not encourage this practice, in case you opt for offloading, then carrying a daypack is mandatory. In your daypack you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites. 

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

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

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

Pro Tip: Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Ala-Kul. 

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 your sanitary waste.

Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leak proof. You are expected to wash your own 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, bacteria to settle on your cutlery. 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 the highest. 

Two 1 litre bottles or a 2 litre hydration pack: Ala-Kul has many hours of trekking everyday (approximately 6 hours). 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. Rent here.

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

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

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

Ala-Kul Lake Trek 2024 - Treks In Kyrgyzstan - Indiahikes

kyr kyrgyzstan ky Ala Kol Alakul Alakuul ala-kul ala kul kyr AK

A spectacular trek in the northernmost part of Kashmir

TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

India ends at Gurez. The significance of this is enormous. If you look at our country as a whole, we travel upwards from Kanyakumari. There comes the point where we cannot travel any further north. That part of our country is Gurez.

The significance is that the Gurez is the last latitude of India, which is why it is very unlike any other part of Kashmir. The topography changes totally even though it is only 6 hours north of Srinagar. You will notice it in the trees especially. The trees are different, and so are the way they are laid out in the valley. The Razdan pass you cross to get to Gurez pushes you to a very different landscape. Just like how it is when you cross the Rohtang Pass in Manali. In fact, our trek in Gurez reminds us more of our treks in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia than they do of our treks in Kashmir -- so different is the landscape. We feel we are in a different locale even though we are in Kashmir.

The Gurez valley trek has astoundingly different forests, grasslands and two lovely lakes (and one we camp beside). The scenery is spectacularly unusual.

Note: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkers along with a trek leader are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. You will be helping in carrying a few of the gears and equipment as a team. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker. 

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

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

Use this section to learn about the Gurez Valley Trek. It has in-depth information about each trekking day, 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.

➤DIY Style of Trekking: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkres along with a trek leader are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker

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

➤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: You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers must make arrangements to stay in Srinagar at the end of the trek. 

➤Note for foreign trekkers: Gurez can not be done by foreign trekkers. Permissions are issued only for Indian citizens.

Advisory Note: There are often uncertainties regarding 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 readily available with most airlines.


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.

Nitesh is the Chief Explorer and one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has led & explored the most famous treks across our country, like Bodpathri Meadows and Gidara Bugyal. He is also the mastermind behind the design of the Gurez Valley Trek itinerary. Read what he has to say about the trek here.

Gurez Valley Trek, which climbs to 13,188 ft, is not too difficult. It is rated as 'Moderate Level 3'. The trek of Gurez Valley Trek is slightly more manageable compared to Bodpathri. However, the trek is more challenging compared to Tarsar Marsar. 

A moderate rating refers to marginally longer trekking days hovering at altitudes of around 12,000 feet on most of the days. You will be trekking for 7-8 km on average every day. 

But the trek has easy exits, and there are fewer technical sections.

The second factor in rating this trek under Moderate level 3 would be the boulder sections after Khaari Campsite & a steep descent towards Patalwansar II lake. You need good legs and a sense of control when navigating these sections. Trekkers who are not confident in placing their footing will find navigating and going swiftly through these boulder patches challenging. 

The last point would be the long descent on the 5th day of the trek n route to Dawar. You need to be careful about a few patch s of the descent. Having a trekking pole and knee cap (for those with knee niggles) helps. 

Is the Gurez Valley Trek Safe? The answer would be - Yes. Trekking to Gurez Valley is safe even though it lies in the remote trails of Kashmir, away from civilization. The reason for this is the strong presence of the army. There is a check post at Bandipora. There are army base camps even on the trail. Hence, there is tight security and it is safe to do this trek even if it lies very close to the border of Pakistan.

Coming back to the trail, being mentally prepared for the trek is as important as being physically prepared to stay safe. For this, it is crucial to have a clear mental picture of the trek. Quickly, here it is:

| Trek in a nutshell: On the Gurez Valley Trek, you go up to an altitude of 13,188 ft. The days are divided so that the altitude gain is not too much. However, you could be hit by AMS on any of these days. At Indiahikes, we believe that as long as you are well-informed and well-prepared, you can easily survive at high altitudes.

To do this effectively, let’s break down and examine various aspects of the Gurez Valley Trek from the perspective of safety:

The closest hospital to the Gurez Valley Trek

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

The best time to be on this trek is from the beginning of July to the middle of September. That’s the only time you can trek here. In all the other seasons, Kashmir trails are buried under snow.

This season brings up many questions in the mind of a trekker. Primarily because it is monsoon in the rest of the country, will it rain heavily on the trek? Well, most trails in Uttarakhand are shut during this time. But things are different in Kashmir.

If you observe the map, you see the Pir Panjal range separating Kashmir from the rest of the Indian subcontinent. This range is 288 km long and 40-50 km wide. It blocks most rain clouds from crossing over into the Kashmir Valley.

This divide determines the nature of precipitation and the vegetation in this rainshadow area. All of which stand very different from the rest of the country.

July to September is peak summer, transitioning to Autumn and the best time to trek in Kashmir. The landscape comes alive during this window. And even though the window is tight, you notice the landscape changing colour and texture as the months proceed.

This is peak summer in Kashmir. The upper reaches of the trek start crawling out of the snow blanket in July. It’s warm, and you experience light evening showers during this month.

The trail to Gurez Valley opens in the first week of July. Snow remains at higher altitudes. But the trek is more or less accessible.

As the snow melts, colourful flowers start appearing on the meadows. You see flowers throughout the Kashmir trekking season. But the colours of these flowers vary based on the month.

The landscape has lush green meadows punctuated with alpine lakes that are still frozen in parts.

Presence of snow: Snow remains at higher altitudes. But the trek is more or less accessible. As the snow melts, colourful flowers start appearing on the meadows. You see flowers throughout the Kashmir trekking season. But the colours of these flowers vary based on the month. The landscape has lush green meadows punctuated with alpine lakes that are still frozen in parts. 

Day time temperature: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time temperature : Between 2 °C and 7 °C

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

After mid-July, a robust trekking season begins in Gurez Valley. Expect bright sunny mornings with some evening showers. Rains are still mild compared to rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The trail is carpeted with green meadows everywhere. The best part is that these meadows are densely dotted with wildflowers!

Presence of snow: Most snow has melted by now. Frozen chunks of ice in Patalwansar I & II would have melted.

Day time temperature: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time temperature : Between 4 °C and 8 °C

Gurez Valley from mid-July to third week of August

After the end of August, cold sets in. Rains reduce, giving way to one of the best times to do the trek. The clouds part during this time of the year, and you witness brilliant blue skies. Their reflection deepens the blue of the alpine lakes.

Another stark change that happens in early September is the change in the colour of the meadows. The grass no longer retains the soft, fresh green tinge. The flowers change. And yet, there's a beauty to this change of tone.

We usually stop our trek after the second week of September. It turns colder, and the chances of snowfall increase. That raises the trek's difficulty, and crossing the pass is no longer possible. The trail on the other side becomes inaccessible.

Presence of snow: You can expect snowfall during the second week of September

Day time temperature: Between 14 °C and 18 °C | Night time temperature : Between 0 °C and 5 °C

Gurez Valley from Aug-end to second week of September

No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medication 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). Being on a preventive course of Diamox dramatically reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Gurez Valley Trek

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again, part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever and 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 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 the 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 knee pain issues.

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.

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 medication to your trek leader. Some medicines get distributed to villages on the trek, and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.  

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Either having an Aadhar card or passport will do. The forest department requires this for your identification. 

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

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

Keep essential 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. You need to show your ID card even while trekking at a couple of army check-posts. 

Gurez Valley Trek requires sturdy trekking shoes, good grip, ankle support, and can handle snow. You have a long distance to cover every day. Also, there is a bouldery section to cross after the Satsar campsite, along with a few stream crossings. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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