Aru Camp
Hostel, homestay or tent, shared
7 days, planned by Stonefoot Trails
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.
Hostel, homestay or tent, shared
Hostel, homestay or tent, shared
Hostel, homestay or tent, shared
Hostel, homestay or tent, shared
Hostel, homestay or tent, shared
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
“The same Himalayan routes in dorm tents and shared transport”
The budget half of the same market. Dorm tents, shared jeeps and no porters unless you hire one — and the same leaders on the hill.
The route is beautiful and the pacing was sensible — nobody was rushed on the climb.
Thank you for travelling with us — glad the route worked out.
Did this over 7 days and it was the best walking I've done in years. Tents were warmer than expected and the camp was set up before we arrived.
Thank you for travelling with us — glad the route worked out.
Did this over 7 days and it was the best walking I've done in years. Solid operator.
The route is beautiful and the pacing was sensible — nobody was rushed on the climb. Camp was pitched and the kitchen going by the time we walked in each evening. Food was plentiful and hot, which counts for a lot at altitude.
Thank you for travelling with us — glad the route worked out.
Well organised from the pickup onwards. The daily distances were honest about what they'd be.
Thanks for writing this up. We've passed your note to the team.
Long transfer at both ends that isn't obvious from the listing. Budget a day either side. The lead was calm and knew when to slow the group down.
Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you on another trip.
Well organised from the pickup onwards. The daily distances were honest about what they'd be. Sleeping under canvas at that height is cold work and the kit was up to it. Food was plentiful and hot, which counts for a lot at altitude. Recommended.
The route is beautiful and the pacing was sensible — nobody was rushed on the climb. Plenty to eat and they were happy to work around a gluten allergy. No hesitation recommending them.
Thank you. We've taken the point about the transfer and are reviewing it.
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 →