Tarsar Marsar Trek Vs Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek V/S Tarsar Marsar Trek
On India’s trekking map, the valley of Kashmir is regarded as a heavenly location. Every trekker has at least one Kashmir trek on their bucket list after seeing the valley’s stunning photos. While deciding between Kashmir Great Lakes v/s Tarsar Marsar Trek you need to take into account a lot of things that are unique to Kashmir Treks.
Additional resources: Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Packing List
Why Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
When KGL was getting popular, it had a profound effect on the trekking community, this was a result of the opportunity to explore the offbeat side of Kashmir. There is no way to describe the thrill of trekking in Kashmir’s valleys. The trek begins at the well-known Sonamarg and leads through forests of silver birch. Nichnai Pass, Gadsar Pass, and Jiz Pass are the three passes you cross on the KGL trek. The trail begins at a small community in Sonamarg and climbs through dense forests, river crossings, and lush valleys. At Gadsar Pass, trekkers reach a maximum elevation of about 13,800 feet.
The scenery changes every day, ranging from verdant pastures and undulating hills to untamed mountain ranges and breathtaking lake views. A new look and new experience every day, that’s what the trek is giving you to be very precise.
You can see breathtaking views of the pure blue alpine lakes from each of these passes. The KGL trek is incredible, involving navigating your way between passes, passing through stunning valleys, and discovering roughly seven alpine lakes. It is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking hikes.
Because of its moderate to challenging difficulty, the trek is best suited for people who have done trekking before and are in good physical condition.
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the trek enhances trekkers’ cultural knowledge by introducing them to Gujjar and Bakarwal shepherds who graze their cattle in the meadows. Trekkers descend through pine forests near Naranag, where the journey comes to an end, and then head back to Srinagar.
Highlight of Kashmir Great Lakes:
- Renowned for its seven breathtaking alpine lakes, which include Gangabal, Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, and Satsar.
- With their pristine waters reflecting the surrounding snow-capped peaks and verdant meadows, each lake offers a unique beauty.
- You travel through a variety of environments, from rocky terrain and snow-covered trails to vibrant flower-filled valleys and verdant meadows.
- Numerous high-altitude passes must be traversed during the trek, including the 4,100-meter-high Nichnai Pass and the 4,200-meter-high Gadsar Pass.
- You will be treated to breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, such as Pakistan’s Harmukh and Nanga Parbat, during the trek.
- Trekkers face an exciting challenge as they traverse these passes, which offer stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan range.
Recommended: Best Time For Kashmir Great lakes Trek
Why Tarsar Marsar Lakes Trek
The jewel of Kashmir that got discovered after the Kashmir Great Lakes – that is Tarsar Marsar Lake Trek.
Deep within the Pahalgam valley is Tarsar Marsar. From the charming village of Aru, you can follow this far more pristine and unexplored trail. This trail leads to the exotic emerald blue lakes of Tarsar and Marsar, the twin sisters, via the rolling meadows of Lidderwat and Sekhwas.
You reach what the Kashmiris call the “heart of Kashmir” on this trek. The trip to Tarsar and Marsar transports you to a different world with its picture-perfect campsites, the timeless beauty of the Kashmir valleys, and the amphitheater views of the surrounding mountains. Without a doubt, this is utopia.
One of the trek’s highlights is the campsite close to Tarsar Lake’s glistening blue waters. The next significant destination is Marsar Lake, which gives the trip an air of mystery because it is still partially obscured by clouds and mist.
The trek, which has a maximum elevation of about 13,500 feet, is categorized as moderate, so both novice and expert hikers can enjoy it. With milder climbs and descents, the trail requires less work than the Great Lakes trek.
Highlights of Tarsar Marsar:
- The twin alpine lakes of Tarsar and Marsar are the reason behind the fame of the Tarsar-Marsar Trek.
- Surrounded by verdant meadows and snow-capped peaks, making for an incredibly beautiful scene.
- The trail meanders through vast meadows and thick pine forests, passing by the stunning Aru Valley and Lidderwat.
- The Sundarsar Lake, a smaller but no less fascinating lake close to Marsar, is another trek highlight.
- The journey provides sweeping views of Kolahoi Peak and other magnificent Himalayan peaks.
| Feature | Tarsar Marsar Trek | Kashmir Great Lakes Trek |
|---|---|---|
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Difficulty Level
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Moderate to difficult (steep ascents and descents)
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Moderate (gradual ascents and descents)
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Scenic Beauty
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Picturesque villages, lakes, and meadows
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Majestic lakes, Himalayan views, meadows
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Distance & Duration
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47 km, 7 days
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63 km, 7–8 days
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Accommodation & Camping
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Camping facilities
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Camping, trekkers’ huts, and homestays
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Best Time to Visit
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June to September
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June to September
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Kashmir Great Lakes v/s Tarsar Marsar: Comparison
1. Level of Difficulty
Tarsar Marsar Trek is an easy to moderate trek. Its total distance is around 50 km. The highest altitude of this trek is 3980m. The trail is mostly easy and quite definite with meadow walks. However, there is a boulder section near Shekwas that one has to cover before reaching Tarsar Lake.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is moderate to difficult. Its total distance is around 70 km. The highest altitude of the trek is 4100m. The trail is for the first three days an ascend and on the last day of the trek, there is a tiring descend which is quite heavy for beginners. The trail has some river crossings and boulders well.
Read More: Kashmir Great Lakes Difficulty Level
2. Trek Trail
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a circuit trek. It means it starts from one place and ends at another place. It doesn’t come back to the same place wherefrom the trek is started. The starting point of the trek is Shitkadi and the endpoint is Naranag.
Tarsar Marsar Trek comes through the same route and ends at where it is started. It starts and ends in Aru village. For the last two days of the trek, one has to trek on the same trail to return to Aru.
3. Price
Another important factor that can affect your decision to choose between these two treks is the cost of these treks. Although both of these treks are done in same number of days, their selling price varies.Tarsar Marsar has less market price than Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. This is one of the deciding factos when considering Tarsar Marsar Trek vs Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.
4. Number of Lakes
Tarsar Marsar has three lakes in total: Tarsar Lake, Marsar Lake, and Sundersar Lake. Among them, camping is done only at Tarsar Lake.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek has around 14 lakes, however, the itinerary allows only 8 lakes to be viewed. Camping is done almost near all the lakes. And one fantastic feature of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is that one doesn’t have to take a detour to see a lake, they all are charmingly placed along the trail. Some of the prominent lakes of the Great Lakes are Vishansar, Krishnasar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Nundkol Lakes.
5. Passes
One of the reasons that make Tarsar Marsar Trek easy is that it has no mountain passes. So there is no sharp ascend or descend. The entire trek is in Lidder valley and gets finished within this valley.
In Kashmir Great Lakes Trek three passes make it difficult. The most difficult pass is the Gadsar Pass which is at an altitude of 4100m. There is a tiring ascend to it and then an equally long descend to the campsite. Other passes are Zajibal Pass and Nichnai Pass.
6. Campsites
Both the Tarsar Marsar and Kashmir Great Lakes treks offer an abundance of amazing campsites. Your expectations will be greatly exceeded by the picturesque campsites that are unique to Kashmir.
The reason behind my decision to do Tarsar Marsar instead of Kashmir Great Lakes. The opportunity to camp directly next to the high alpine lakes of Tarsar and Sundersar, however, is what makes the Tarsar Marsar trek special and different from KGL or any other trek. You can’t camp next to such luscious blue glacial lakes anywhere. Tarsar Marsar is now far ahead of KGL as a result. To fully appreciate the awesomeness of this, you must experience it.
Can you do Kashmir Great Lakes Solo? Find it out HERE…
7. Thrill of Adventure
Trekking is approached differently on these two treks. KGL entails a pass crossing on the second day of the trek, followed by two additional pass crossings and an ongoing ascent and descent.
On the other hand, the Tarsar Marsar trek consists of trekking across expansive meadows and stunning valleys for the other days, with only one significant pass crossing on the fourth day. Compared to the Tarsar Marsar trek, the KGL trek offers more views of the mountains due to the terrain. In contrast to the smaller lakes of KGL, the Tarsar Marsar trek offers you two enormous lakes that change color based on the season, weather, and angle of view.
8. Popularity KGL v/s Tarsar Marsar
Kashmir Great Lakes attracts more trekker with its poplurity.. In contrast, there is significantly less foot traffic in Tarsar Marsar. There aren’t many other trekkers on this trail, and it’s very likely that your team will be the only one there because it’s still new, unusual, and unspoiled.
Pros and Cons of Each Trek
| Trek | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
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Tarsar Marsar Trek
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Picturesque villages and scenic beauty
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-Steep ascents and descents can be challenging
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Less crowded compared to KGL Trek
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Limited accommodation options
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Opportunities to spot wildlife like bears and deer
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Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
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Majestic lakes and stunning Himalayan views
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Can be crowded during peak season
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More accommodation options (trekkers’ huts, homestays)
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Longer distance and duration may challenge some trekkers
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Gradual ascents and descents, easier for beginners
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Our Recommendation:
If you want to experience the raw beauty of Kashmir, both Tarsar Marsar and Kashmir Great Lakes (KGL) treks are worth exploring. Each offers distinct landscapes – Tarsar Marsar takes you through secluded forests, verdant valleys, and hidden gems of Kashmir, with fewer trekkers on the trail. In contrast, KGL is popular and draws large groups, with busier campsites.
While KGL is often called the prettiest trek in India, Tarsar Marsar matches its beauty with greener meadows and exotic campsites. KGL valleys are more vibrant with colourful wildflowers.
KGL suits experienced trekkers due to its tricky sections and long walking hours. Tarsar Marsar is better for beginners, though with proper preparation, beginners can attempt KGL too, it’s challenging, but not unachievable.
In Tarsar Marsar Trek vs Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, we feel both of these treks are charming
and breathtaking. We suggest Tarsar Marsar Trek to all beginners and people who live sedentary life. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek should be taken by someone who has quite an active life and who is routinely doing treks or intermediate exercise at least.
FAQ's
Which trek is more difficult, Tarsar Marsar or Kashmir Great Lakes?
Kashmir Great Lakes is more difficult, with longer days and higher passes. Tarsar Marsar is easier and suitable for fit beginners.
Which trek has better scenery?
Both are stunning, but KGL offers more lakes and varied landscapes, while Tarsar Marsar is known for its lush meadows and tranquil lake campsites.
Which trek is more crowded?
Kashmir Great Lakes is more popular and crowded, especially in peak season. Tarsar Marsar is quieter and less frequented.
Which trek is better for beginners or families?
Tarsar Marsar is better for beginners and families due to its gentler terrain and shorter trekking days.
How do the routes and campsites differ?
KGL is a point-to-point trek with multiple high-altitude lake camps. Tarsar Marsar is an out-and-back route with fewer, more secluded campsites.
What are the costs like for each trek?
Tarsar Marsar is generally less expensive than Kashmir Great Lakes, despite similar durations.
What about mobile network and facilities on these treks?
Both treks have limited or no mobile network and basic camping facilities; do not expect electricity or charging points on the trail
