Kashmir Tarsar Marsar Trek - Route and Timings August 2022

 

Kashmir Tarsar Marsar Trek August 16 to 20th 2022

A detailed day wise route desctiption and timings of the popular Tarsar Marsar trek by South Col Expeditions in August 2022 - due to bad weather and lack of days we could not cross over the Sonomas pass to Sumbal but returned to Lidderwat/Aru the same way.

August 16th 2022 Pahalgam to Aru to Lidderwat 

We drove from Pahalgam to Aru 2440 metres in about 30 minutes and started out from Aru around 8 am. It had rained for 14 hours nonstop the previous day but the weather had cleared up and the sun was out with blue skies. The first part of the trail from Aru to the Agricultural station was extremely muddy and slippery thanks to all the pony traffic as well as the incessant rains. This portion of the trail took us around one hour which should have normally taken 30 minutes. We reached the first meadow around 9 am and after a short break plunged into the forest - this part was also quite muddy and it was heavy going - finally after around 2 hours from Aru we emerged into the meadows for a brief while and the trail had dried out somewhat due to the morning sun. The river Lidder thundered through the gorge below while thick pine forests surrounded the adjacent hills. We met few tourists and some locals making their way down from Lidderwat to Pahalgam and some shepherds as well. Finally around 11.30 am at around 2670 metres we reached a small tea shop - further up on the ridge was another tea shop serving tea and Maggi noodles. The distance was around 7 km from Aru.  After a quick break we carried on the trails through the meadows soon descended to the Lidder river.  This idyllic section of the walk followed the Lidder river and was incredibly beautiful with the river flowing adjacent to the trail. We soon came to another tea shop - the third one on the trail from here the path climbed up to another small meadow before again plunging down a steep path to the river. You finally cross a bridge across the Lidder and climb up to the meadows of Lidderwat.  As we reached Lidderwat and stopped for lunch the rain came down once again and carried on till around 5 pm in the evening after which the weather did clear up and we saw some blue skies in the clouds - hope for tomorrow. 
Aru to first meadow 1 hr - should be 30 minutes in dry weather; First meadow to first tea shop 2 hrs to 2 hrs 15 min; First tea shop to second tea shop 30 min; Second tea shop to third tea shop 45 min Third tea shop to Lidderwat 45 min to 1 hr 
Aru to Lidderwat 4.5 to 5 hours depending on trail conditions - 10.7 km 18695 steps
Aru 2430 m 34 5 31 N 75 15 57E Lidderwat 2775m 34 9 35 N 75 14 31 E 

Gokyo Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek via Phortse October 2021 -Route and Timings

 

Namche to Gokyo to Phortse to Pangboche to Namche October 2021

Route details and timings for this route is below
October 21 Namche to Dole 

We left Namche on a sunny clear morning after the rain with all the peaks  visible - the broad trail mostly level with a few ups and downs was a lovely walk with all the peaks from Taboche to Thamserku visible including Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. We reached the beautiful Ama Dablam Lodge at Kyanjuma in about less than two hours with many photography stops on the way. After a tea break at the lodge we started out for Mong la. Within five minutes there was a sign posted trail junction - the upper trail went to Gokyo and the lower trail to Everest Base Camp. A new trail had been constructed in the initial part of the climb with proper hand railings and steps - this steep climb took about half an hour with mesmerizing mountain views all around. On reaching the top there was a small resting spot from where Mongla could be seen as well as the trail leading upwards. We followed the trail climbing uphill contouring the hillside and had great mountain views all the way. We stopped for lunch at the Hilltop lodge in Mongla. After lunch we started out on the rapid descent to Phortse Tenga. The trail dropped fairly sharply for the first 20 minutes before easing out into a gentler descent - in about an hour from Mongla we came to the two lodges of Phortse Tenga and the trail diversion which was marked - the upper trail led to Dole and the lower trail led to Phortse. The Dole trail initially climbed very gently and in about 20 minutes reached the Dole National Park check post where the permits are checked. Soon after the trail crosses a waterfall and then begins to climb steeply fir about 30 minutes before the trail levels off and reaches a resting spot with a stone bench which provides a welcome break. After this the climb continues through the rhododendron forest. Across the valley the village of Phortse is your constant companion in about an hour another waterfall is reached and ahead you can see the trail contouring up the hillside. Finally the trail skirts the hillside takes a turn and the lodges of Dole come suddenly into view. 
Namche 3450m to Kyanjuma 3615m 27 49 22N 86 43 52E 1 hr 45 min to 2 hrs Kyanjuma to Mongla 3980m 27 50 22N 86 44 12E 2 hrs Mongla to Phortse Tenga 1 hour to 1 hour 15 min Phortse Tenga 3650m to Dole 4110m 27 52 4N 86 43 50 E 
2 hrs to 2 hrs 15 min