Twin sisters
Tarsar and Marsar are separated by one mountain and called twin sisters. Yusuf Shah Chak, a 16th-century ruler of Kashmir, compared his tears to their streams in a love poem.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Tarsar Marsar is a lake trek: pine forest, shepherds' meadows, and three high lakes in a row.
3lakes
Tarsar, Sundersar, Marsar
4,024m
Marsar ridge
46km
Walking, over 6 days
3,800m
Tarsar, iced in summer
💪 Moderate☀️ Jul–Aug⛺ 5 camps🚗 103 km from Srinagar
Day by day
Seven days, step by step
This is Bikat Adventures' plan. Kashmir Travels gives 47 km for a similar route.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Srinagar → AruVia Pahalgam103 km · about 2 h🛏️ Tents · 2,450 m
- Day 2Aru → LidderwatPine forest and the Lidder river8 km🛏️ Tents · 2,750 m
- Day 3Lidderwat → SekhwasSteep, then level6 km · about 3 h🛏️ Tents · 3,400 m
- Day 4Sekhwas → TarsarTo the first lake4 km · about 2 h🛏️ Tents · 3,800 m
- Day 5Tarsar → SundersarOver the ridge6 km🛏️ Tents · 3,950 m
- Day 6Sundersar → Marsar ridge → HomwasThe second sister9 km🛏️ Tents · 3,505 m
- Day 7Homwas → Aru → SrinagarDown past Lidderwat13 km · about 6 h🚙 Srinagar by 7 p.m.
Stories and nature
The twin sisters
Where Dal Lake begins
Marsar's outflow runs through Dachigam and becomes the Telbal Nallah, the main source of Dal Lake in Srinagar. Tarsar drains the other way, into the Lidder.
Hangul country
The Tarsar basin and Dachigam are among the main homes of the hangul, the Kashmir stag, with ibex, musk deer, snow leopard and brown bear.
When to go
A short summer
Snow closes the lakes for most of the year.
July–August
Bikat's season, and the best time.
June–mid-September
Wikipedia gives this wider window.
Early July
Kashmir Travels says the upper trail holds snow until the first week of July.
September
The trek usually closes in the first week of September.
Plan your trip
Getting to Aru
Aru is 12 km beyond Pahalgam, a short drive from Srinagar.
- Srinagar🚙 About 103 km via Pahalgam, about 2 h
- Aru
Srinagar airport is about 12 km from the city centre. The nearest railheads are Jammu Tawi and Udhampur.
Check it's open
Kashmir's trekking routes were shut during security reviews after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack. As of July 2026 no official reopening notice had been found (Travel Coffee, July 2026). Confirm before you book.
Cost
Bikat Adventures charges ₹17,250 + 5% GST, Aru to Aru. Srinagar transport is ₹1,600 extra.
Permits
Forest and trek permits are needed. Bring ID, a medical certificate and copies.
Grade
Moderate. Bikat asks for one earlier high-altitude trek.
Altitude sickness
Headache, sickness or dizziness? Tell your leader, rest, and go down if it gets worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Phone signal
Only BSNL postpaid works in Aru. There is no signal on the trail. Bikat Adventures
No charging
Aru is the last place with power. Carry a power bank of 10,000 mAh or more. Himalayan Hikers
Tents and toilets
You sleep in tents at every camp. Toilets are dry pits in a toilet tent. Carry your own toilet paper. Bikat Adventures
Weather
Days 15–20 °C. Nights 1–5 °C. TrekUp India
Nearest hospital
Government Hospital, Pahalgam, 12 km from Aru. Serious cases go to GMC Anantnag, 55 km away. TrekUp India
Rescue
There is no road beyond Aru. An injured trekker is carried out by stretcher or pony: 6–10 hours from the farthest camps. TrekUp India
Offloading
Bikat charges ₹2,250 to carry your backpack for the trek. Bikat Adventures
Srinagar to Aru
A seat in a shared 5–6 seat cab is about ₹600–700. The drive takes about 3 hours. Treks and Trails India
From the airport
Prepaid taxis at Srinagar airport cost about ₹600–900. Himalayan Hikers
Copies for permits
Bring four copies of your ID and four photos. You also sign a disclaimer form. Kashmir Travels
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: packing list.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Aru at the start of the trek
Bikat AdventuresRent · trek shoes, pole, fleece jacket, rucksack. For Bikat trekkers; handed out on day 1Aru, day 1 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 9 operators with a Tarsar Marsar page in October 2026. None showed a confirmed 2026 batch: Kashmir's trek routes were not confirmed reopened as of July 2026, 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.