Day 1 - Drive from Srinagar to Chandimarh
Drive: 125 km, 4 hrs
Altitude: 5,200 ft (1,585 m) – 5,184 ft (1,580 m)
Accommodation: Hotel/Guest House
Meals: Dinner
The journey Pir panjal lakes trek starts from Srinagar to Chandimarh is a pleasant one, winding through beautiful Himalayan roads. Today, you will drive through the famous Mughal Road. The sights of surrounding mountains and rivers flowing alongside the roadside will fill you with immense joy and positivity. You will surely be mesmerized by the beauty of this journey. Upon reaching Chandimarh, you will be accommodated in a hotel or guest house.
In the early evening, after getting some rest, you can go explore the beautiful Noori Chamb waterfall, which is located very near to your accommodation.
Day 2 - Trek from Chandimarh to Thera
Trek: 7-8km, 7 hrs
Altitude: 5,184 ft (1,580m) – 9,360 ft (2,853 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Today is the day when you will start your trek from your accommodation in Chandimarh. After enjoying a healthy breakfast at the guesthouse, you will begin your trek through the lush green forest. It will be a continuous ascent, which may feel exhausting at the beginning. The forest gradually opens up into small clearings known as ‘kharaks.’
After trekking for about 6-7 km, you will emerge from the forest, greeted by a vast open valley known as Girjan Meadows. In this region, you’ll find some beautiful Doks made by shepherds using stones and wood. From there, you will proceed to Bada Thera meadows, where we will set up our campsite.
In the evening, you will have the opportunity to witness a spectacular sunset from the campsite.
Day 3 - Trek from Thera to Khuan
Trek: 9-10 km, 8 hrs
Altitude: 9,360 ft (2,853 m) – 10,900 ft (3,322 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Today’s trek will involve a mix of ascents and descents through forests, ridges, and a few sections with boulders. You will begin your trek from the meadows and enter the forests, eventually leading to the beautiful meadows of Khuan. We will set up our camp at this meadow near a water stream and retire for the day, listening to the soothing music of the seamlessly flowing Himalayan river.
Day 4 - Trek form Khuan to Neelsar
Trek: 5-6 km, 5-6 hrs
Altitude: 10,900 ft (3,322 m) – 12,170 ft (3,710 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Today is the day when you will finally get to witness and experience the beauty of the Himalayas that you have come here for. However, reaching there will not be an easy walk. You will start your trek from Khuan meadows, and after ascending and descending through boulders, meadows, and forests, you will reach the first lake of the trek, Neelsar. Neelsar derives its name from the beautiful color of its waters. Today, we will set up our campsite near this beautiful lake. You can choose to explore the nearby lakes as well.
Day 5 - Trek from Neelsar to Chandansar
Trek: 7 km, 7-8 hrs
Altitude: 12,170 ft (3,710 m) – 12,925 ft (3,939 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Today, you will have the opportunity to explore three of the most beautiful lakes in the Pir Panjal Range: Kaldachinisar, Nandansar, and Chandan Sir. You will first need to climb to the Kaldachini Pass, which will be a challenging ascent through boulders. Once you reach the Kaldachini Pass, you will be rewarded with a mesmerizing sight of the lakes you have visited so far, as well as the lake you will be visiting today.
After descending from the Kaldachini Pass, you will arrive at Kaldachinisar or Kaldachini Lake. From there, you will ascend through boulders to reach Nandansar, which is the largest lake in this circuit. After witnessing the stunning beauty of Nandansar, you will climb for a while to reach the beautiful Chandansar. We will set up our campsite by this lake and retire for the day.
Day 6 - Trek from Chandansar to Handusar to Nandansar
Trek: 9-10 km, 7-8 hrs
Altitude: 12,925 ft (3,939 m) – 13,330 ft (4,063 m) – 12,315 ft (3,754 m)
Accommodation: Camping (Alpine Tents)
Meals: Breakfast + lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Today’s trek will mainly traverse a mix of meadows/grassy land and boulders. You will need to cross the pass named “Khabi ki Gali” to catch sight of the other lakes. After completing this challenging climb, the first lake you will encounter is Laksukhsar. Moving further from Laksukhsar, after a short ascent, you will reach Handusar. After spending some time there, we will begin our return trek to Chandansar. From Chandansar, we will proceed to Nandansar and camp by this beautiful lake. This will be your last night in these divinely beautiful mountains. Consider yourself lucky to have witnessed such magnificent landscapes.
Day 7 - Trek fromNanadansar to Peer ki Gali and Drive to Srinagar
Trek: 10 km, 6 hrs
Drive: 125 km, 4 hrs
Altitude: 12,315 ft (3,754 m) – 11,450 ft (3,490 m) – 5,200 ft (1,585 m)
Meals: Breakfast
We will start early in the morning so that we can reach the basecamp on time and depart for Srinagar.
After having an early breakfast, we will begin today’s trek. We will need to cross a mountain stream, climb for a while, and then descend to reach Peer ki Gali. From Peer ki Gali, we will board the vehicles and head back to Srinagar.
