TREKKING IN PARADISE: THE MYSTICAL MOUNTAINS OF KASHMIR

Arrive into Delhi and stay at the gorgeous Trident hotel, an oasis of comfort and tranquility in an otherwise cacophonous city.

This morning fly to Srinagar and stay in the most luxurious eco-sensitive houseboat on Dal Lake. This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of the old city visiting significant Sufi shrines, mosques and wandering the maze of colourful bazaars
. Kashmir has been romanticised by everyone from the 16th-century Mogul emperor Jahangir to Salman Rushdie (who spoke of "the lush valleys, the lakes, the streams, the saffron meadows – the intense physical beauty and culture of enormous harmony").

Pre dawn, leave rugged up in your private shikara to be rowed to the floating markets, a boat-based ballet dance of vendors selling flowers, fruits, vegetables and saffron. After breakfast travel to a special village to see the finest examples of pashmina production in artisan’s homes.

Drive through lush landscapes of orchards and mustard crops drive up to Aru where the amazing trek team awaits you for lunch.
The Sheik family has been guiding people through their mountains since 1952. One could not feel more cosseted or safe in their midst. They have brilliant mountain skills that enable them to build a bridge over a river, run like gazelles over rocks, command ponies to follow without being led, swiftly halal-slaughter a chook for the cooking pot, set up a wonderfully appointed camp in record time, lend a helping hand and watchful eye as you navigate a tricky terrain, prepare scrumptious delicious meals with the simplest gear, or even sing to you from their hearts, songs of love and yearning and hope.

Never before in life have we experienced a kinder, gentler, more capable, caring and respectful group of men.
Camping is by a fresh mountain stream.

Before the day starts join Marieke’s yoga session (if she is leading the group) to stretch and breath the purest air imaginable. 
There is always a slightly “organic approach to trekking, depending on the weather, local conditions, the group’s stamina. Anticipate days of 4-7 hours walking (max about 15km) with breaks to enjoy the scenery, fill drink bottles from natural springs, interact with the locals,or ride a pony if you feel weary. Camps will be 2 night stays with the option for days to “kick back” or take up the challenge of exhilarating side treks.

Today trek to an elevation of 3100m to a vast verdant lush meadow bordered by a calm icy stream and soaring peaks that gives you the feeling you are have found an unearthly paradise.

River crossings might be on ponies and expect lots of smaller stream-crossings across logs. Rests on the way to appreciate the natural beauty and interact with the many Gujjar folk who are making their way to higher summer pastures.

Today allows for an optional 6 -hour day walk to reach Harbagwan Lake at an elevation of 4100-4500m. A small trail rises through rocky terrain to reach a stunning meadow profuse with wildflowers. The walk is then a steady ascent with the possibility of snow and bigger steeper boulders to negotiate.

You may prefer to just linger at camp to read, relax and meander.

Today is a long and exhilarating, descending walk of 15km, partly down narrow rocky tracks and the rest through soaring deodar forests. You halt at a large Gujjar settlement, where your hostess will prepare fresh flat bread cooked in her wood fired earthen stove.

Late afternoon arrive at 2500m to a lovely sloping meadow intersected by streams, with snow capped peaks on the horizon.

Today’s walk is long (17km) but over moderate and very scenic terrain to arrive in the Lidder valley and the confluence of 2 rivers camping at 2750m. Enjoy the serene landscape of lush meadows alongside the gushing River Lidder and forest- covered slopes that overlook the snow-capped mountains.

Today’s walk meanders closely to the beautiful river lined with birch trees with a gentle ascent to reach 3200m where you camp in a more lunar-like landscape of barren rock face, scree falls, and roaring stream. Nearby is the largest Gujjar village in the Lidder valley whose kids welcome a game of cricket and whose parents are so happy to exchange food.

The final walk is downhill and returns you to the starting point of the delightful village of Aru that sits in the middle of a biosphere and is surrounded by agricultural experimental plots. Lunch and farewells to an exceptional trek team. Take up the comforts of a hotel in Pahalagam, a gentle step back into the built environment, river trout for dinner, warm baths, comfortable beds, and airy rooms with views to the river.

This morning return to Srinagar for an early lunch with friends in a private home. Later fly to Delhi in time for international departures.

ALERT:
You must consult your Government’s latest advisory on travel to the region which can vary from time to time. Political violence can flare up without warning. Tourists have not been targeted since the mid 90’s.

SUGGESTED TOUR EXTENSIONS;
- Ladakh | Leh
- Amritsar | Golden Temple