Kashmir Winter Trek

Welcome to the Winter Wonderland!

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Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Altitude

2600 Metres

Duration

6 Days

Kashmir's Winter Wonderland!

Introduction : Winter trek in Kashmir

Trekking in Kashmir always leaves adventurers speechless with its stunning landscape and beauty. But more so, explore this wonderland during winters is an entirely different experience altogether. Winter in Kashmir is a truly magical experience. As the valleys and mountains turn into a snowy paradise, trekkers can enjoy stunning views of white peaks, frozen lakes, and quiet forests covered in snow. The cold air refreshes your spirit, and the peaceful silence of the landscape offers a chance for relaxation and reflection.

Winter treks, like the Marchoi Valley Trek, come with their own challenges, given the peaking temperatures. However, the rewards are incredible—breathtaking sights, camping in snow, the excitement of exploring a winter wonderland, and the chance to see Kashmir’s beauty at its best. Whether you’re an experienced trekker or ac complete beginner, winter trekking in Kashmir is an adventure you won’t forget. The Marchoi Valley trek traverses some of the hidden jewels in the Kashmiri mountainscape. the pristine alpine meadows along with pine and silver birch forests. With glacier-covered mountains in the distance, snow all around and beautiful winter forests the Marchoi Valley trek is guaranteed to bring out your inner child

Starting from the popular hill station Naranag, the trail follows ancient routes taken by the Gujjars, the nomadic shepherds of Kashmir. Every day on the trail, trekkers are treated to breathtaking views of rugged snow-capped mountains, colourful grasslands, and trout-filled crystal clear streams.

Words cannot describe the beauty of the Marchoi Valley and it is a different world altogether, frozen waterfalls, a blanket of snow and ice bridges make the experience a mystical one. The penultimate day of trekking is spent hiking to Shadimarg. This is the highest point of the trek at around 2600 metres in altitude.

Highlights :

Region : Kashmir

Start point : Naranag

End Point : Naranag

Accommodation : Hotel and camping

Duration : 6 Days (4 days of trekking)

Level : Easy to Moderate

Challenges : Temperature

Best time to Visit:

While the Marchoi Valley is accessible year-round, if you wish to embark upon it for a winter adventure, December to February is an enchanting time to explore. The valley transforms into a winter wonderland, with snow-capped peaks and glistening frozen lakes. The best months for this trek are January and February, when the snowfall creates a magical atmosphere. However, given the current circumstances with changes in weather and delays in snowfall, it is recommended you keep a slight flexible schedule.

Who is this trek for ?

The Marchoi valley trek popularly known as the Kashmir winter trek is a beginner friendly trek that can be taken up by amateurs and first time trekkers. Having prior trekking or camping experience is not necessary.

The daily distances of the trek are approximately between 3 to 6 kms which is very doable. Moreover, the maximum altitude of the trek is only 2600 meters, making it an apt choice for beginners as acclimatization is not an issue. The only preparation that can be challenge on the Kashmir winter trek is the temperature and adapting to the cold especially during the night. Hence having the correct gear is very very essential to ensure your comfort. The Kashmir Winter Trek/ Marchoi valley, is an unforgettable journey filled with natural beauty and adventure. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a novcie looking for a unique winter adventure, this trek promises to leave a lasting impression on you.

Upcoming Treks

December 2024

28th Dec - 2nd Jan

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Brief Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival at Srinagar and overnight in a hotel.
Day 2 - Drive from Srinagar to Naranag & trek from Naranag village to Dumail (2 hr) to set up base camp.
Day 3 - Trek from Dumail to Marchoi Valley via Shingdi and back to Dumail (6 hrs).
Day 4 - Trek to Shadimarg Top.
Day 5 - Trek from Dumail to Naranag (2 hrs) and drive to Srinagar.
Day 6 - Fly out of Srinagar

Inclusions & Exclusions

Trip Cost Includes:

Camping accommodation on double sharing basis.
Hotel stay in Srinagar for 2 nights on MAP plan, twin sharing.
Airport transfers "in groups".
All meals and beverages during camping.
All camping equipment, including sleeping bags, mattresses, dining tents, stools, toilet tent etc.
Experienced Guides & support staff.
Trekking permits.
Porterage for duffle bags weighing upto maximum 10 kgs.
On ground group transportation from Srinagar to Naranag and back.

Trip Cost DOES NOT Include:

Flights in and out of Srinagar.
Travel insurance (Mandatory for permits).
Personal clothing and equipment.
Individual pickup or drop for airport.
Tips for local staff and guides.
Lunch/ extra food or beverage orders in Srinagar.
Single supplement tent or hotel accommodation.
Extra expenses for duffle bags beyond the weight limit specified.
Personal guide needed for support/day bag.
Expenses arising out of early/delayed arrival of participants from the trek due to force major/health/personal reasons etc.
Any expenses arising out of delay due to force major/situations beyond the control of the operator.
Anything not specifically mentioned in the "Inclusions".

Things to carry

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Extreme temperature variations, high altitude, snow glare & proximity to sun are certain factors which necessitate the need to for proper mountaineering and trekking equipment. In order to enjoy your experience in the mountains, we have recommended that you carry the following with you.

Apparel

Thermal Inners - At least 1 pair of Top and Leggings
2 to 3 shirts or long-sleeve shirt (cotton / dryfit)
1 or 2 pairs of trekking pants (no denim!)
1 Sweater/Sweatshirt
1 Fleece Jacket
1 Down Jacket
1 Waterproof Layer like raincoat or wind-cheater
1 pair of hiking boots
1 pair of comfortable sandals/floaters/sneakers
4 to 5 pairs of cotton socks (for day)
2 pairs of thick/woollen socks (for night)
Gloves - liner and outer
Sun hat
Woollen cap
Buff

Accessories

Duffel bag / Rucksack (60L+)
Daypack / Backpack (20-30L capacity)
Sleeping bag (can be bought or rented in Kathmandu)
2x 1L Bottles (to carry drinking water)
Lunchbox
Torch + Batteries / Headlamp
Knee/Ankle/Wrist Guards
Trekking Poles
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Moisturiser
Hand Sanitiser
Personal Medical Kit
Personal Toiletries Kit with toilet paprt
Snacks
Trekking poles

Fitness

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There are three main aspects of training to focus on – strength training, cardiovascular training, and trekking + trekking alternatives.
Strength training involves training different muscle groups, so that they can become stronger. There are different exercises for each muscle group, and working them all out 2x-3x a week should be enough to help you get comfortable trekking.
Legs / lower body - exercises like squats, glute bridges, step ups and leg presses with help you develop stronger muscles in the lower body.

Core - Exercises like planks, bicycle crunches and leg raises can help with core stability; Pilates is also a core-intensive type of workout that will help.

Upper body - Bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups and dips will help develop these muscles. You can also use resistance bands or light weights to develop them further.
It’s vital to do plenty of cardio training before your trek, so that you can get the most out of your experience
Running - This is the most recommended form of cardio activity, as it activates a lot of the same muscles as trekking. Being able to run 10km in 60 minutes will allow you to get the most out of your trek.

Cycling / Swimming - If you have knee issues, or don’t enjoy running, you can also opt for cycling and swimming. Being able to cycling 30-50km or swim for 30-40 minutes, thrice a week, should be good to help you with treks like EBC.

HIIT training / Crossfit - Another option to level up your cardio training is to opt for high intensity aerobic exercises like HIIT or Crossfit, 2-3 times a week
The aim is to get your heart rate up, so you do not get winded on long days of trekking
Hiking
Try to get outdoors and go for a hike on the weekends! Uphill trails of 4-8 kilometres are will help you get used to trekking. Make it a point to carry a loaded backpack, and walk in your trekking shoes.
Hiking Alternatives
Climbing stairs, and using the treadmill or stairmaster on an incline, will help prepare you for treks. Make it a point to carry a loaded backpack so that you can get used to the extra weight; and use your trekking boots, so that you can break them in and walk comfortably.
If you’re confused with all this information, no need to worry! The most important thing with training is consistency, and staying injury-free. Your training week should ideally have
Strength training - 3 sessions
Cardio training - 3 sessions
Hiking - 1 long session, best on the weekends
Rest and stretching - at least 1 day

FAQs

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival at Srinagar, Drive to Naranag and spend the night in a Village Home stay.

The first day on the Kashmir Winter trek. Adventure-Pulse representatives will pick you up from the Sheikh ul Alam Airport, also known as the Srinagar airport. You’ll then start the drive to Naranag which is a 4-hour drive. The takes you to the heart of Kashmir. At Naranag, you can visit the famous temple built in the 8th century. You will spend the night at a comfortable homestay where you can try some of the local cuisines and learn about life in the mountains.

Day 2 : Trek from Naranag village to Dumail (2 hr) and set up base camp.

Our first day of trekking on the Marchoi Valley trek. We start the day by trekking towards Dumail. This will serve as our base for the rest of the trek. The trek begins with a steep climb from Naranag into the pine forests that surround it. The trail diverts from the trail to Gangabal Lake (The last lake on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek) and makes its way through Silver Birch trees down to Dumail. The trek itself should take close to 2 hours. This will also be the first day of camping in the snow.

Day 3 : Trek from Dumail to Marchoi Valley via Shingdi and back to Dumail (6 hrs).

From our base at Dumail, we’ll start today’s journey by trekking to the Marchoi Valley. To get to the valley we’ll be crossing Shingdi. Shingdi is a pasture used by the Gujjars and Bakarwals as grazing sites during the Summer. However, when you arrive, it’ll be under a couple of feet of snow. The trek to Marchoi will take close to 3-4 hours. Once in the valley, we’ll spend some time exploring this untouched valley. There are a couple of streams with Himalayan Trout, identified with their characteristic black spots. After exploring the Marchoi valley, we’ll head back to our base of Dumail. The night will be spent in tents at Dumail.

Day 4 : Trek to Shadimarg Top.

The longest day on the trek. The trek to Shadimarg top is definitely the best day of the trek. The trek to the top will involve a 4-5 hour trek depending on the snow conditions. Walking through deep powder snow is tiring and slows the pace down. Once at the top, you get a beautiful view of the valley below. You can also spot a couple of lakes in the distance. After relaxing at the summit, we’ll start our journey back to Dumail.

Day 5 : Trek from Dumail to Naranag (2 hrs) and drive to Srinagar.

The last of trekking. We start our journey back to Naranag after a scrumptious breakfast. Once we reach Naranag, we’ll be greeted by our cabs that will take us back to Srinagar. Accommodation in Srinagar will be at a hotel overlooking the Dal Lake.

Day 6 : Fly out of Srinagar

Adventure-Pulse representatives will escort you to the airport in time for your flight.

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