Shrinking fast
The glacier covered 13.57 km² in 1963 and 10.69 km² in 2005. It was about 5 km long in 1974, and in the Ice Age it reached at least 35 km.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Kolahoi is the biggest glacier of the Lidder valley, and it is shrinking.
3,850m
Glacier viewpoint
~37km
Walking, over 4 days
5,425m
Kolahoi peak
21%
Glacier area lost, 1963–2005
💪 Moderate☀️ Jul–Sep⛺ 3 camps⚠️ Check it's open
Day by day
Five days, step by step
This is Himalaya Shelter's plan. Its days add up to 36–38 km on foot.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Srinagar → AruVia Pahalgam~110 km · 4 h🛏️ Aru · 2,414 m
- Day 2Aru → LidderwatAlong the Lidder10 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Lidderwat · 2,783 m
- Day 3Lidderwat → DudhsarPast Satlanjan, up to the high camp8 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Dudhsar · 3,810 m
- Day 4Dudhsar → Kolahoi Glacier → SatlanjanThe glacier viewpoint, then down7 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Satlanjan · 3,185 m
- Day 5Satlanjan → Aru → SrinagarDown the valley, then the drive11–13 km · 5–6 h
Stories and nature
The source of the Lidder
Water for Anantnag
Kolahoi is the main source of the Lidder, which brings drinking and farm water to Anantnag district and joins the Jhelum near Khanabal.
Climbed in 1912
Kolahoi (5,425 m) is the highest mountain in Kashmir Division. A British medical team led by Dr Ernest Neve first climbed it in 1912.
Hangul and brown bear
The Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, 511 km² around Aru up to Kolahoi, shelters the hangul, the Himalayan brown bear and the Kashmir musk deer.
When to go
High summer
Most sources put the season between June or July and September.
June
The high section above Lidderwat may still be under snow.
Jul–Aug
The main season, with some monsoon showers.
September
Wildflowers and quieter trails.
October
Cold and windy, with snow and whiteouts possible.
Plan your trip
Getting to Aru
Srinagar is the gateway. Aru is 12 km beyond Pahalgam, at the road end.
- Srinagar🚕 Shared cab, about ₹3,000–5,000 a car, ~3 h
- Pahalgam🚙 12 km, about 30 min
- Aru
Local taxi unions may stop cabs from outside the region from going up to Aru.
Check it's open
Aru was shut after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack and reopened on 29 September 2025. In February 2026 high-altitude treks still needed clearance. We found no 2026 notice for Kolahoi itself.
Cost
Himalaya Shelter charges ₹25,000 + 5% GST, from Pahalgam. Offloading is ₹400 a bag a day.
Permits
J&K charges ₹100 a day for Indians to trek in a sanctuary. Guides arrange the trek permit in Pahalgam; carry ID and a medical certificate.
Phone
Prepaid SIMs from outside J&K don't work. Only BSNL postpaid works in Aru.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Check it's open
Aru was shut after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack and reopened on 29 September 2025. In February 2026, forest trek permits were still described as suspended and high-altitude treks as needing clearance. Super Trekkers, Feb 2026
Bring cash
Draw enough cash in Srinagar before you leave for Aru. Bikat Adventures (Tarsar Marsar, also from Aru)
Phone signal
Prepaid SIMs from outside J&K don't work. Only BSNL postpaid works in Aru. Bikat Adventures (Tarsar Marsar, also from Aru)
No charging
There are no charging points once you leave Aru. Bring a charged power bank. Bikat Adventures (Tarsar Marsar, also from Aru)
Trek permit
The permit comes from the Wildlife Warden office in Pahalgam, about ₹200–400 a person. Your guide usually arranges it. Forest staff check for a guide at Aru. ViaKashmir (April 2026)
Aru entry
J&K Tourism charges ₹30 a person to enter Aru valley. Charzan Holidays
Guide and pony
A registered guide costs about ₹1,000–1,500 a day, plus food. A pony for gear is about ₹700–900 a day. ViaKashmir (April 2026)
Offloading
Himalaya Shelter charges ₹400 a bag a day, for up to 12 kg. Himalaya Shelter
Getting to Aru
A shared cab from Srinagar is about ₹3,000–5,000 a car for 5–6 people. A cab from Pahalgam to Aru is ₹350–500 one way. TrekUp India
Cold nights
In October, nights at the base camp drop to freezing or below. ViaKashmir (April 2026)
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Bikat Adventures: Tarsar Marsar packing list (same start at Aru; no Kolahoi-only list found).
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 5 operators with a Kolahoi page in October 2026. Only Himalaya Shelter shows a price, none shows fixed dates, and we found no 2026 notice confirming the trek is open, so ask for the permit in writing before you pay.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.