Highlights
- It's a working trekker's Kashmir trek.
- Variety in seven days.
- It's a cleaner approach to a Kashmir alpine lake.
Overview
The trek begins with a 100 km drive from Srinagar to Mondlan, the trail head a short distance from Pahalgam. From Mondlan you climb through pine forest to Bhaj Margi, then onto the open pasture of Bhaj Pathri Top. Day 4 traverses gently to Nafran Valley, the trip's main camp at 11,485 ft. Day 5 is the high day: a 7-hour out-and-back to Harnag Pass and the alpine Harnag Lake at 12,750 ft, before returning to camp at Nafran. Days 6 and 7 unwind the route via Arram Pathri and back to Mondlan, where vehicles wait for the drive to Srinagar.
Who climbs with us
Nafran is one of our quieter Kashmir routes — a tented loop through pine forest, alpine pasture, and a high pass to Harnag Lake. Recent groups have been a mix of repeat Kashmir trekkers who'd already done KGL or Tarsar Marsar and wanted something less travelled, and first-time Kashmir trekkers who came for the lake and the meadows. Six tented nights and one 7-hour pass-and-lake day; the rest is forgiving.
Itinerary
7 days, Srinagar to Srinagar.
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Day 1 Srinagar to Mondlan
5,200 ft → 7,960 ftAssemble in Srinagar at 10:00 AM. Drive 100 km south to Mondlan, the trail head a short distance from Pahalgam. First night under canvas at the road head.
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Day 2 Mondlan to Bhaj Margi
7,960 ft → 10,374 ftFirst trekking day. Climb out of Mondlan through pine forest to Bhaj Margi.
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Day 3 Bhaj Margi to Bhaj Pathri Top
10,374 ft → 11,318 ftOut of the forest and onto open pasture. Camp on the meadow at Bhaj Pathri Top.
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Day 4 Bhaj Pathri Top to Nafran Valley
11,318 ft → 11,485 ftA short, mostly traversing day into the wide meadow of Nafran Valley itself. Establish the trip's main camp.
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Day 5 Nafran Valley to Harnag Pass / Lake and back
11,485 ft → 12,750 ft → 11,485 ftThe high day. Climb to Harnag Pass and the alpine Harnag Lake — the trip's highest point at 12,750 ft — then return to camp at Nafran.
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Day 6 Nafran Valley to Arram Pathri
11,485 ft → 10,498 ftA short descent day to Arram Pathri.
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Day 7 Arram Pathri to Mondlan to Srinagar
10,498 ft → 5,200 ftFinal descent to the Mondlan road head, then the 100 km drive back to Srinagar. Trip ends on arrival; Day 7 accommodation in Srinagar is not included.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation — stay from Day 1 to Day 6 in tents & homestay
- Food — all meals from snacks on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7
- Permits & camping charges — all trekking permits and national park charges
- Trekking & safety equipment — high-quality tents & sleeping bags
- Certified trek leaders
- Expert trek team
- Transportation — Srinagar to Pahalgam and back
Not included
- Accommodation in Srinagar on Day 7
- Backpack offloading charges
- Rescue — insurance and rescue expenses
- Food during transit
- Personal expenses of any kind & anything apart from inclusions
Dates & availability
No fixed dates yet — get in touch for the next Jul – Sep batch or private/custom dates.
We haven't opened a public batch for this trek yet. Reach out and we'll share the next departure as soon as it's confirmed, or set up a private group on dates that suit you.
Need different dates? Private departures are possible through Jul – Sep with a minimum of 4 trekkers — message us on WhatsApp.
Your leaders
Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA
Lead Trek Leader · 8+ years
Long-distance hiker, trail runner, and occasional poet — at home in the Himalaya.
Frequently asked
Where is the Nafran Valley Trek?
In south Kashmir. The trail head sits near Pahalgam at Mondlan; Nafran is a side valley feeding into the Lidder. The drive in from Srinagar is roughly 100 km, 3–4 hours.
How difficult is the Nafran Valley Trek?
Moderate. Six trekking days, roughly 40 km of distance, around 36 hours of moving time, with a high point of 12,750 ft on Day 5.
What is the highest altitude on the trek?
12,750 ft (3,886m), at Harnag Pass / Harnag Lake on Day 5.
What's the best time to do this trek?
July to September. Kashmir's high meadows are dry, green, and snow-free in this window.
How much does the Nafran Valley Trek cost?
The 2025 brochure does not list a per-person price. Reach out to TVT for the current batch rate.
What's included in the price?
Stay from Day 1 to Day 6 in tents and homestay, all meals from snacks on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7, all trekking permits and national park charges, tents and sleeping bags, certified trek leaders, expert trek team, and transport between Srinagar and Pahalgam and back.
What's not included?
Day 7 accommodation in Srinagar, backpack offloading, insurance and rescue expenses, food during transit, and any personal expenses.
Where do we sleep on the trek?
Six nights on the trail in tents and homestay. The trip ends in Srinagar on Day 7 — Day 7 accommodation is not included.
Where do we start and end?
Assembly is in Srinagar at 10:00 AM on Day 1; the trip ends back in Srinagar on Day 7.
What are the temperatures like?
15°C to 2°C across the trek. Summer days at lower camps are mild; nights at the higher camps are close to freezing.
What's the cancellation policy?
80% refund more than 60 days before the start date, 50% refund 60–30 days before, no refund inside 30 days.