Trek Difficulty
Moderate-Difficult
Trek Duration
7 Days/ 6 Nights
Highest Altitude
13,779 ft
Suitable For
12-62 years
Kalapari Trek Overview
The Kalapari Lake Trek is the stunning alpine lake trek in the beautiful Suru Valley. The trek starts with a pick up at Srinagar, driving to the base camp at Panikhar and reaching up to Lomvilad Pass at 4456 meters. This 7-day trek combines driving and trekking through remote villages, high-altitude meadows, glaciers traverse, and scenic mountain valleys.
The journey begins with a drive from Srinagar to Panikhar, a quiet village in Suru Valley. From there, trekkers walk to Chumak and gradually reach Kalapari Base, which offers amazing views of snow-covered peaks and Kalapari Lake. On Day 4, trekkers explore Bobang Glacier and move to Pir Palo. The next day is the highlight of the trek, reaching Lomvilad Pass – the highest point of the trip. After enjoying the views and quiet of the mountains, trekkers return back to Chumak and finally to Panikhar, before driving to Srinagar.
The trek is moderate in difficulty and suitable for those with good fitness or even fit beginners. It covers around 53 kilometers in total. The best time for the Kalapari Lake Trek is from June to September when the weather is pleasant and sunny. The altitude gain of the trek is gradual. It’s an ideal trek for those who enjoy peaceful mountains, glaciers, and offbeat adventure in Ladakh.
One of the fantastic features of this trek is the glacier traverse. Imagine trekking and beholding the grand glacier. This is not the feature of any other trek in India.
Srinagar is the nearest airport and railway station to the trek, hence our pick up and starting point is always Srinagar. Further Srinagar is at lower altitude this helps in acclimatization.
Trek Fee
₹22,000.00 Original price was: ₹22,000.00.₹17,500.00Current price is: ₹17,500.00.
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Kalapari Lake Trek Itinerary
Day 1 Drive from Srinagar to Panikhar
- Distance: 210 km
- Duration: 8–9 hours by road
- Altitude: Panikhar – 3400 meters
The trip starts early from Srinagar. You will drive through beautiful valleys and cross towns like Sonamarg, Drass, and Kargil. You will pass through Zoji La Pass (3528 m) on the way.
The drive is scenic you will see the famous Kargil War memorial and stop there to pay homage to the fallen heroes. Further you will be going through the second coldest inhabited place i.e. Drass Valley.
The road is long but full of stunning views – rivers, green fields, and distant mountains. By afternoon or evening, you’ll reach Panikhar, a small village in the Suru Valley. It is peaceful, with kind locals and simple guesthouses. Spend the evening resting and preparing for the trek. The night is cooler here due to the high altitude.
Day 2Trek from Panikhar to Chumak
- Trek Distance: 8 km
- Trek Time: 5 hours
- Altitude: Chumak – 3635 meters
After breakfast, begin your trek from Panikhar village. The trail moves through grassy fields and rocky paths along the stream. You will see wildflowers, grazing sheep, and views of surrounding hills. The walk is moderate and has a gentle climb. After about 5 hours of walking, you will reach Chumak, a quiet and flat campsite near a stream. This place is good for setting up tents and resting. You may feel a bit tired due to the altitude, so drink plenty of water and rest well.
Day 3Chumak to Kalapari Base
- Trek Distance: 7 km
- Trek Time: 6 hours
- Altitude: Kalapari Base – 3936 meters
Start early as this day has more climb. The trail is steeper and passes through boulders, green patches, and small streams. You’ll cross small ridges and get your first views of snow-capped peaks. As you move higher, the air feels thinner. After 6 hours, you will reach Kalapari Base. This site has amazing views of mountains and is close to Kalapari Lake. Camp here for the night. The place is cold, so wear warm clothes. Enjoy a peaceful evening in nature.
Day 4Kalapari to Pir Palo with Bobang Glacier Exploration
- Trek Distance: 10 km
- Trek Time: 5 hours
Today is an exciting day. You will explore the Bobang Glacier, a beautiful area with ice, snow, and rocky paths. Start your trek early and move towards Pir Palo. The walk is mostly flat but a bit long. You will see the glacier up close, hear the sound of ice melting, and may see some rare birds. The trail takes you to Pir Palo, a quiet pasture area. Spend time exploring and taking pictures. After exploration, camp here or return to Kalapari Base (depending on your route plan). Be careful while walking near glacier areas.
Day 5Explore Lomvilad Pass
- Trek Distance: 13 km
- Trek Time: 7 hours
- Altitude: Lomvilad Pass – 4456 meters
This is the toughest and most beautiful day. Start early and carry enough water and snacks. The trail goes through steep and rocky terrain. As you climb higher, the view becomes more breathtaking. After 6–7 hours of hiking, you will reach Lomvilad Pass – the highest point of the trek. From here, you can see snow-covered peaks, valleys, and distant glaciers. Spend some time here and enjoy the silence of the high mountains. After the pass, return to the camp slowly and rest for the night. The temperature drops quickly, so stay warm.
Day 6Trek back to Chumak from Kalapari Base
- Trek Distance: 7 km
- Trek Time: 5 hours
After breakfast, start your journey back to Chumak. The trail is mostly downhill and takes about 5 hours. The return walk is easier and gives time to enjoy the views again. You can take short breaks and click photos. On reaching Chumak, set up your camp and relax. This day is good for recovery after the long trek to Lomvilad. You’ll feel the air getting thicker again as you descend, which helps in better sleep and rest.
Day 7 Chumak to Panikhar Trek, Drive to Srinagar
- Trek Distance: 8 km
- Trek Time: 4 hours
- Drive Distance: 210 km
- Drive Time: 8–9 hours
Wake up early and begin the final trek back to Panikhar. The path is the same as Day 2 and takes around 4 hours. Once you reach Panikhar, take a short rest and begin your drive to Srinagar. The long drive passes through the same beautiful route via Kargil and Sonamarg. You will reach Srinagar by late evening. This marks the end of the Kalapari Lake Trek. Enjoy your hotel stay or houseboat rest in Srinagar.
What Are The Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions – What is Included in the Trek Cost
- Comfortable Tent Accommodation (Twin Sharing)
You will be provided with clean, spacious, and waterproof tents for all the nights during the trek. Each tent will be shared by two people. These tents are specially designed for high-altitude trekking and provide protection against cold, wind, and rain. - Sleeping Essentials
Every trekker will get a good-quality sleeping bag and sleeping mattress for warmth and comfort. We also set up separate toilet tents and a kitchen tent at each campsite for hygiene and convenience. Toilet tents are private and help maintain cleanliness during the trek. - Nutritious Meals Every Day
You will be served four meals daily during the trek – Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Snacks, and Dinner. Our cook and kitchen team try to prepare different dishes every day so that the food doesn’t feel repetitive. Hot meals are served fresh, and we use safe drinking water for cooking. - Trek Permits and Government Passes
All the official passes and permissions required for the trek, including entry to restricted areas, forest permits, and local administration approvals, are included in the cost. You do not need to worry about paperwork. - Medical and Emergency Support
A well-equipped First Aid Kit is always carried during the trek. It includes all necessary medicines for altitude sickness and general mountain-related problems. We also carry an oxygen cylinder, portable stretcher, and other emergency medical supplies for safety. - Trained Trekking Staff and Support Team
You will be guided and taken care of by a skilled team that includes a mountaineering-certified trek leader, experienced guides, cooks, ponymen (mule handlers), and helpers. Ponies will carry the common equipment like tents and kitchen items, so you can walk freely with a light backpack. This support system ensures a safe and smooth trek.
Exclusions – What is not Included in the Trek Cost
- Transport from Srinagar to Panikhar and Back
The cost of transportation from Srinagar to Panikhar (starting point of the trek) and the return journey back to Srinagar is not included in the base trek cost. This will be arranged separately, and the charge is ₹4000 per person (round trip) in shared vehicles. The drive is long and scenic, and vehicles will be comfortable and suitable for mountain roads. - Personal Porter or Backpack Offloading Service
If you do not wish to carry your own backpack during the trek, you can request offloading service. A porter or pony will carry your bag for an extra charge of ₹3000 per bag for the full trek. Please note, the maximum weight allowed per bag is 10 kg. Bags above this weight may not be accepted. - Insurance and Trekking Permit Fee
Personal travel or trek insurance is not included. Trek insurance, which is recommended for high-altitude safety, is available at an additional ₹650 per person. Also, a separate permit fee of ₹2000 per person is applicable and must be paid before the trek. This fee goes toward local authorities and community support. - Meals During the Road Journey (To and From Panikhar)
Any meals or snacks you buy while traveling by road from Srinagar to Panikhar or back to Srinagar are not included. You’ll be stopping at local restaurants or dhabas, where you can eat as per your choice and budget. - Anything Not Clearly Mentioned in the Inclusions List
Any service, facility, or item that is not listed under the inclusions will be considered excluded. For example, personal trekking gear (jackets, shoes, poles), personal medicines, laundry, extra snacks, phone calls, bottled water, tips to staff, or any kind of emergency evacuation (if needed) will not be covered in the trek cost.