Aru Retreat
Hotel or lodge, twin sharing
7 days, planned by Kestrel High Routes
Aru is a meadow at 2,400 m at the top of the Lidder valley, and the road stops there.
| LANDMARKS |
|---|
| Pahalgam |
| Aru meadow |
| Lidder river |
Lidderwat is where two streams meet, and Gujjar shepherds summer here with their flocks.
| LANDMARKS |
|---|
| Lidderwat |
| Confluence |
| Shepherd huts |
The treeline ends here and does not come back until the descent. Everything above is meadow and rock.
| LANDMARKS |
|---|
| Shekwas |
| Bugyal meadows |
Tarsar is an almond-shaped lake at 3,800 m and you camp on its shore, which the Great Lakes trek does not allow at any of its lakes.
| LANDMARKS |
|---|
| Tarsar lake |
| Kolahoi range |
Marsar is seen from a ridge above it rather than beside it, and it is usually in cloud by eight in the morning.
| LANDMARKS |
|---|
| Sundersar |
| Marsar |
| Tarsar pass |
A long descending day, but it is downhill and the air thickens the whole way.
| LANDMARKS |
|---|
| Homwas |
| Lidder valley |
| Aru |
Back in Srinagar by lunch, with time for a shikara on the Dal before your flight the next morning.
Day 1 · Fri, 18 Sept, 2026
Most of these can be added to your booking later — the operator confirms within a day.
Published by the operator. Nights on the ground can move with weather and permissions.
Hotel or lodge, twin sharing
Hotel or lodge, twin sharing
Hotel or lodge, twin sharing
Hotel or lodge, twin sharing
Hotel or lodge, twin sharing
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners across 7 days, at camp. It opens with dinner on day 1 and closes with breakfast on day 7.
17 meal services named in the itinerary. Vegetarian and vegan covered; Jain, gluten-free and allergies on notice at booking
“Himalayan trekking with a fixed guide ratio and no offloading surcharge”
Started by two IMF-qualified leaders who were tired of watching groups of thirty share one guide. Ratios are written into the price and are not negotiable downward.
Did this over 7 days and it was the best walking I've done in years. Accommodation was a notch better than the price suggested. Simple food, well made, and enough of it. Recommended.
The route is beautiful and the pacing was sensible — nobody was rushed on the climb. The lead was calm and knew when to slow the group down. Would book with them again.
Well organised from the pickup onwards. The daily distances were honest about what they'd be. No complaints about any of the hotels — all of them well placed. Good value for what's included.
Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you on another trip.
Long transfer at both ends that isn't obvious from the listing. Budget a day either side.
Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you on another trip.
Second trek with this operator and they've kept the standard up.
Did this over 7 days and it was the best walking I've done in years. Solid operator.
Second trek with this operator and they've kept the standard up. Rooms were comfortable and the locations meant we could walk most evenings. Never went hungry, and the tea appeared exactly when it was needed. Solid operator.
Appreciate the honest feedback; we're looking at the pacing on that section.
Second trek with this operator and they've kept the standard up. Worth every rupee.
Shorter, lower, considerably quieter and you camp beside a lake, which the Great Lakes route does not permit. The Great Lakes has more lakes and higher passes. Most people who do both prefer this one.
One other operator runs this trail. See all 2 side by side →