Ashtaar Valley of Flowers & Magrusar Lake (4200M) Trek

6 Nights /7 Days

Mountaineering and Trekking

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+91 86966 85905

Starting from
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Starting from
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+91 84484 45051

+91 98187 03891

tours@holidaymoods.net

Overview

Ashtaar Valley is located in the Pir Panjal region of Kashmir. It is one of the lesser-known destinations of Kashmir which is no less than heaven. The Ashtaar Ghati trek starts from Doodhpathri and continues to Magrusar Lake(4200M). During the trek, you come across vast meadows, passing through dense deodar forests. The vast meadows present here are incredibly beautiful with sheep grazing the pastures all around.

We begin the trekking journey through the trail and as we go uphill, we get a spectacular open view of the Pir Panjal range and the surrounding peaks. The trail runs along the banks of the Shaliganga River, where one has to cross the Shaliganga River 2 times during the trek. Grasslands and many types of vegetation are present on the banks of the river, which makes your trekking journey adorable.

As you climb up and reach the top of the Pir Panjal Valley, you can get spectacular views of several major peaks in the vicinity in which Mount Harmukh (5,142M) is prominent. There are vast meadows of grass, however, but then trekking in Kashmiris is known for its vast amazing grasslands and meadows.

Doodhpathri Kashmir

Doodhpathri is the place in Kashmir from where the Ashtaar Valley trek starts and goes up to Magrusar Lake (4200M). The vast meadows present in Doodhpathri are a natural gem situated on the banks of river Shaliganga, which provides a serene experience away from urbanization. 

This is a wonderful discovery of a new trekking route by Holiday Moods Adventures and we are glad to offer it to our clients. The second river that we experience in this trek route and which originates from Magrusar Lake is called Doodhganga. According to the local people, it is believed that the water of these rivers is "milky" in color like milk and hence the place is named Doodhpathri.

According to some legends, it is believed that the famous saint of Kashmir, Sheikh ul Alam Sheikh Noor Din Noorani, prayed to find water in this valley. After which he pricked his stick in the valley and milk started flowing from there, after which he accepted that the milk could be used for drinking Israf, which could not meet the water supply. After this, the milk turned into water. Since then this place came to be known as Dudhpathri. There are many lakes around this trek. One of which is also the main Magrusar Lake.

Magrusar Lake (4200M)

Magrusar Lake is one of the most beautiful and unknown lakes of Kashmir. However, it is not so popular right now and it is a lake of untouchable beauty. The Magrusar Lake trek is located in the Pir Panjal Himalayas at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level.

Difficulty level - The difficulty level of this trek is moderate to challenging.

Best Time To Visit Ashtaar Valley, Doodhpathri, and Magrusar Lake
The best time to visit Ashtaar Valley is from June to August. Though this season is known as the rainy season, because of the rains one sees many types of flora and flowers bloom here during this season. Apart from this, the weather here is also very pleasant in these months.

Highlights

  • Experience the untouched beauty of Kashmir with Ashtaar Valley.
  • The vast meadows of Doodhpathri have rich flora, flowers, and pastoralists.
  • A vast field like a golf course in the valley of Doodhpathri.
  • The huge deodar coniferous trees.
  • 360-degree view of alpine meadows.
  • Camping on the banks of the Shaliganga River, which is a wonderful experience.
  • Crossing rivers of fresh cold water.
  • Visit Magrusar Lake.

Itinerary

Day

1

Arrive at Doodhpathri (2730M)
Doodhpathri

Arrive Doodhpathri from Srinagar in the late afternoon around 4 pm. Check into the tents on the alpine meadows. We go for an acclimatization walk in the nearby forest. We return back to the camp for evening tea and snacks.

Soup will be followed by dinner and overnight in the camp.


Day

2

Trek to West Diskal Meadows 3300M (10kms/5hrs)
Doodhpathri

The trek starts from the beautiful meadows passing through dense forest of deodar trees. We walk upto the last road head till the river Shaliganga. After crossing the river on a wooden bridge we enter the gate of the?!!!! The route climbs for about 550 M along the Shaliganga river. The trail leads crossing the forest and slowly climbing up to the most undulated and vast meadows you would have ever seen.

Check into the tents on the alpine meadows.

We go for an acclimatization walk in the evening. The meadows are dotted with hundreds of sheep grazing and braying making the entire scene so surreal We return back to the camp for evening tea and snacks.

Soup will be followed by dinner and overnight in the camp.


Day

3

Trek to Ashtaar Valley 3700M (6kms/3hrs)
Ashtaar Valley

The trail climbs up through the meadows and Juniper bushes to the ridge above the Diskal meadows. As we hit the ridge, the view opens up to the Ashtaar Valley down below. This trek is done in the months of June to August and being the rainy season, the valley is booming with flowers of many varieties.

As we walk on the ridge, the mysteries of various Himalayan flowers keep on unfolding. The trail will keep you busy clicking pictures and you will perhaps take two hours extra to reach today's camp. But then that's the main attraction of walking this trail.

We walked the ridge touching around 4000M altitude and then descending down to the spectacular camp at Ashtaar Valley beside the Shaliganga river. The camp is surrounded by a carpet of flowers all around making this a dream campsite. We will need to cross the river twice before reaching the campsite, making it a fun activity.

Check in the tents set up by our efficient team.

We go for an acclimatization walk post lunch ahead in the valley, and the beauty of this valley of flowers keeps on unfolding. The riverside and the meadows are dotted with carpets of flowers making the entire scene breathtakingly beautiful. We return back to the camp for evening tea and snacks.

Soup will be followed by dinner and overnight in the camp.


Day

4

Trek to Chiskenard 3800M (6kms/4hrs)
Chiskenard

Today we cross the river again twice and then we start climbing the ridge on the left bank. The steady climb takes around 45 mins to reach the top of the ridge through meadows, and boulders with flowering all around them.

The view from the top is one of the highlights of the trek. One gets a 360-degree view of the Himalayan range and the peaks. The iconic experience is that standing on top of the Pir Panjal range, the view to the north is of both the Zabarwan range towering over Srinagar town and the Great Himalayan Range which is beyond the Zabarwan range.

The prominent peaks visible are Mt Harmukh on the left and as we look straight ahead, Mt. Kolahoi is clearly dominating the range. As the range moves towards the right, it enters the Ladakh region.

From the top, the view down below is of a great plateau known as " Bada Aangan ''. As the name denotes in Hindi, it is a huge flat meadow that may cover more than 50 football fields. The trail traverses and descends on the right skirting the Bada Aangan meadow, crossing a few boulder-stricken nallahs.

The trail once again climbs the second ridge taking around 45 mins and finally descending down in the Chiskenard valley through a dense vegetation of Junipers and coniferous shrubs. The route follows straight through the meadows following the river Doodhganga upstream for another 45 mins finally arriving at the Chiskenard campsite. The river is very calm and placid at the campsite making the entire picture very serene, calm and beautiful.

Check in the tents set up by our efficient team.

We go for an acclimatization walk post lunch around the valley. The camp is on the riverside and river meanders make a formation of letters ``S. The water is aqua green in color coming straight from the glaciers of Mt Tatakoti and Mt Sunset peaks. We return back to the camp for evening tea and snacks.

Soup will be followed by dinner and overnight in the camp


Day

5

Trek to Magrusar Lake 4200M (17kms/9hrs)
Magrusar Lake

The finest and the longest day to look forward to. The hike today climbs steeply immediately after the camp for around 300M bringing one to another valley which undoubtedly takes all marks and the most undulating of all that we would have crossed till now.

Magrusar lake is at the bottom of Mt. Sunset and Mt. Tatakoti peaks and the origin of the Dudhganga River which flows down the valley.

The valley turns toward the left with the route breathing dotted with flowers all throughout. The last climb to the lake is over a lot of boulders, scree and moraine. The lake is majestic with glaciers all around.

After spending an hour or so if the weather permits, we start the long descent back to the camp. Reach the camp back in the evening.

Soup will be followed by dinner and overnight in the camp.


Day

6

Trek to East Diskal Meadows 3200M (10kms/5hrs)
Doodhpathri

We descend the meadow and climb back the same trail halfway to the Bada Aangan ridge and traverse to the East of Diskal meadows.

It takes an eternity to cross the huge never-ending meadows, but it's a delight for sure. Reach the camp by afternoon

Soup will be followed by dinner and overnight in the camp.


Day

7

Trek to Doodhpathri Meadows 2750M (10kms/3hrs)
Doodhpathri

We descend all the way through the dense forest finally ending our adventure.


Inclusions

  • Accommodation  - in alpine tents & homestays on twin/three share basis during the trek
  • Separate Toilet tents ? Ladies and Gents
  • Services of Porters, Helpers, Mules
  • Trek Leader services along with local guides to client ratio of 1: 10
  • Meals (Veg & Non veg) per person including morning bed tea, juice & chocolate before starting the trek, Lunch on the move, evening tea with snack, soup in the evening & Dinner every day
  • Meals Presentation - to be served in a dining tent, camping stools with casseroles and on a proper table with paper napkins, crockery & cutlery.
  • Camping Equipment - Clean hygienic dome tents (3 & 4 men only), insulated mattresses, camping stools, tables, toilet tents (with toilet paper rolls & freshener)
  • Camping & forest fees 
  • Medical Aid - First aid box.
  • Guide ratio 1: 10 clients
  • Services of Cook & helpers/ assistants

Exclusions

  • Expenses of personal Nature such as tips, laundry, telephone, table drinks, beverages, etc.
  • Sleeping Bags, Trek Shoes, Warmers, Long Johns, Sun Caps, Sun Glasses etc.
  • Evacuation Charges in case of HAPE OR AMS 
  • Riding Pony/s for the Trek
  • Offloading
  • Transportation
  • Insurance
  • Air fare
  • 5% GST

Proposed Accommodation/ Similar

Doodhpathri - 3 Nights

Additional Info

Sector Note

Tour Price
On Request
Cancellation Policy
The package price will be deducted as per the following conditions strictly. No refund will be entertained without receiving a cancellation request effective from the date of receipt of the letter. 

Notice less than 60-46 days:  25% cost will be deducted
Notice less than 45-31 days:  50% cost will be deducted
Notice less than  30 days:    No Refund

Note: No refund will be given to people who are unable to complete the trip or abandon it due to any reasons.
Terms & Conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • The digital copy of the Indemnity form duly filled, signed and emailed to the company along with the booking amount. 
  • It will be deemed that the booking & payment policy is accepted by the clients while making bookings with the first deposit amount. 
  • If the client is forced to cancel the booking prior to departure, the cancellation policy will be followed.
  • In case of any delay beyond our control, the client will have to bear extra cost for the extra days as per the option is chosen on per day basis.
  • Please note and be well informed that there will be no refund of money after the package commences and if one cannot complete the activity or gets sick enroute. 
  • The cost is for the entire package and there would be no refunds in case any part of the package is not availed.

COMPANY LIABILITY

  1. It is in the nature of a holiday of this kind to be flexible. The day-to-day agenda and ultimate goal of the tour are taken as an aim and not as a contractual obligation. We shall not be responsible for the delays or alterations in the program or expenses incurred due to conflict, international or internal flight delay or cancellations, strikes, sickness, weather, war, vehicle problems, political closures, and disputes.
  2. The booking is accepted on the understanding that you realize the potential risks and hazards that can be involved in the holidays of this kind. The organizer along with our leaders/guides and anyone else working in association with us cannot be held responsible for any death, accident or mishap that may occur in connection with any part of, or services connected with the holiday. 
  3. Before the guests come on a holiday, they must be covered by insurance, which has to include the cost of helicopter rescue, evacuation and cost of repatriation if they become too ill to continue. It is recommended that travel insurance should cover adventure activities undertaken. We can help you in case required
  4. The Company would not be liable to pay any kind of compensation arising because of any mishap, sickness, accident, etc.


Payment Policy

Deposit & Payment Schedules

Reservations booking requires a guest name. There are no options allowed to hold without names.


Accommodation requires a deposit - please refer to the due date mentioned on the booking confirmation.

Confirming Deposit Amount           

25% advance as booking amount of package price. 

Final Payment

75% balance payments 45 days prior to departure

Indemnity Bond
Kindly download the Booking & Indemnity form this link. The digital copy of the Booking & Indemnity form duly filled, signed and scanned must be emailed to us along with the 25% booking amount of the package price.

Departure Dates