Kolahoi Glacier Trek is a lifetime trek in Kashmir. Traversing across the lush meadows of Lidder valley and beside the river streams and famous Kolahoi Glacier is a delightful trekking experience in Kashmir. The trek reaches Kolahoi Glacier – the largest glacier in Kashmir. The glacier sits vastly under the shadow of Kolahoi Peak – the highest peak of Kashmir. The gradient of the trek is moderate. The total distance is around 52km reaching the highest altitude of 3800m.

The trek starts from Aru village which lies 112km off Srinagar. This village is the most scenic in entire Kashmir. It serves as the base for most of the best summer treks and expeditions in Kashmir. The first day of the trek is a drive to Aru. While driving towards Aru, you will see the breathtaking Kashmir valley. The ride goes via NH1 Highway and meets Lidder river before Pahalgam. You will be driving through the famous Pahalgam.

From Pahalgam, you will take left towards Aru. At Aru, our campsite will welcome you with a welcome drink. You will meet your trek leader there who will give a brief about your trek and journey ahead. Around 7 you will have dinner in the middle of this fascinating valley.

The second day of the Kolahoi Glacier Trek starts with a trek toward Lidderwat. The trek is easy and mostly via a large meadow beside the river stream. There is a jungle walk immediately after Aru. Your campsite will be in the lush meadow of Lidderwat.

The next day is again an easy-to-moderate walk to Satlanjan valley. The valley is lush and alluring with its green landscape. The trail goes via the boulder section as well about which you have to be careful. The walk towards Satlanjan is rewarding though.

From Satlanjan, the trek trail beautifully goes via meadows. It reaches the breathtaking base of Kolahoi Glacier. Behold the vast spanning Kolahoi Glacier – the largest glacier of Kashmir. In the background, you will see the towering Kolahoi Peak.

The next day you will return to Satlanjan from the Kolahoi base via Dudhsar Lake. The lake is gorgeous and invites a lot of trekking enthusiasts. It is one of the most serene and breathtaking alpine lakes in Kashmir. The lake is glacier-fed and remains frozen during winter. In summer it is blue. From Satlanjan trek back to Aru via Lidderwat. This is the longest trek day.

Kolahoi Glacier Trek is a bouquet of an alpine lake, long meadows, glacier walk, river streams, and towering mountain peaks.

Kolahoi Glacier Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Srinagar to Aru

• Altitude: 2,426m
• Time taken:3.5 hours drive

The drive is around 3.5 hours. Pahalgam is around 100 km from Srinagar and then a further 12 km up is Aru Valley. Aru is arguably the best valley and hamlet in Kashmir. This village has remained the base camp for some of the fascinating treks in Kashmir. This includes Kolahoi Glacier Trek, Tarsar Marsar Trek, Nafran Valley Trek, etc. 

While driving towards Aru, you will see the breathtaking Kashmir valley. The ride goes via NH1 Highway and meets Lidder river before Pahalgam. You will be driving through the famous Pahalgam. You will take left towards Aru. It’s an easy uphill drive that drops down to the beautiful Lidder river coming from Tarsar Lake.

At Aru, our campsite will be fixed to welcome you with a welcome drink. You will meet your trek leader there who will give a brief about your trek and journey ahead. Around 7 you will be served dinner in the middle of this fascinating valley.

Day 2: Aru to Lidderwat 

• Trek Distance: 10km
• Altitude: 2,426 m to 2,780 m
• Time taken:6 hours

The gradient of the day is easy, however, there is a long walk of around 10 km. The trail starts with a short ascent and then enters into the jungle for about 5 km. The jungle is thick and at a few places opens wide giving way to the shepherd houses and deep gorges towards your left. The jungle is full of birds and you will see the trail frequented by shepherds and ponymen.

After the jungle walk, the trail opens onto a vast wavy meadow. The meadow is far-stretching with a couple of river crossings. In the midway of this meadow walk, you will be walking just beside the river Lidder. The river dances and flows delightfully. The grass of the meadow just goes to the bank of the river. You can relax and rest for some time at any of these beautiful locations on the way. 

Fill your water bottles with this clean glacial water. The water in these river streams comes from Tarsar Lake and Kolahoi Glacier. This river will be your travel partner until the Kolahoi base.

While walking for some time, you will see a triangular wooden hut towards your left. You will have to walk straight and the campsite is just a 10minute walk from there. You will be welcomed with evening snacks and drinks.

Day 3: Lidderwat to Satlanjan

• Trek Distance: 7 km
• Trek Duration: 6 hours
• Altitude:2780m to 3400m

The gradient of the day is easy to moderate. After a hearty breakfast start for the day. The trail gets into a boulder section that you will have to maneuver before the valley of Satlanjan opens with a vast and lush meadow. The river streams are pure white and clean gushing beside the mountain hem. This is a gorgeous view of the area.

Immediately after 3 km around, you will reach Susrin which has a Nala flowing. This nallah is called Susrin Nallah. You will have to cross these river streams towards Satlanjan valley. The campsite at Satlanjan is just one hour trek from Susrin. 

Satlanjan has earned its name from the fact that in this valley seven tributaries come out of a stream gushing from Rohil valley. This is a joyful valley with river streams, towering mountain peaks, and valleys. You will reach the campsite by 3 p.m. Relax in the pleasant and luring beauty of this valley.

Day 4: Satlanjan to Kolahoi Glacier

• Trek Distance: 9 km
• Trek Duration: 6 hours
• Altitude:3400m to 3800

This is the day you will reach Kolahoi Glacier. The day is easy to moderate. As you will leave your campsite in Satlanjan, immediately you will see the gorgeous waterfall of Chainbal. This is a small and lovely waterfall cascading down beautifully. The trail from here takes a sharp ascent which is heavy on your legs. The trail goes alongside the famous Dudhsar Nala. It then passes over some boulder sections. 

The trek is strewn with stones, rocks, and boulders. The campsite is located at the Kolahoi Glacier Base. Enjoy your camping beside the sprawling glacier.

Day 5: Kolahoi Glacier to Satlanjan

• Trek Distance: 12 km
• Trek Duration: 7 hours
• Altitude:3800m to 3400

This day is lake day. From Kolahoi campsite, the trail reaches up and a steep climb goes to Dudhsar Lake. The trail is again full of boulders and rocks and then a meadow. From the meadows, it’s an easy trek to the lake. 

Dudhsar Lake

This lake is the pristine and less visited alpine lake of Kashmir. Owing to its distance and altitude from Aru, this lake has remained less explored. And thankfully less exploited. The view of the lake and the surrounding snow-peaked mountains leaves you spellbound.

Day 6: Satlanjan to Aru

• Trek Distance: 17 km
• Trek Duration: 8 hours
• Altitude:3700m to 2426m

This is the longest trek day. Prepare for the day and get yourself geared well after your breakfast. However, the walk is mostly via flat and wavy meadows along the river stream. The trail is not dangerous or threatening. One has to meander through boulder sections, grasslands, river streams, and a patch of jungle. You will reach Aru by 4 p.m. This finishes the Kolahoi Glacier Trek.

FAQs

How Difficult is Kolahoi Glacier Trek ?

The gradient of the Kolahoi Glacier Trek is moderate. What adds moderate gradient to this trek is on some days the trek is long and goes over boulder sections. This trek also has some ups and downs on its trail. As you will be seeing Kolahoi Glacier, you must be careful of traversing this glacier.

The glacier has receded over the last many years which has resulted in the hollowing out of the glacier. It has crevasse all around it. You should not walk towards the glacier on your own without the support or consent of our Trek Leader.

Best time to do Kolahoi Glacier

Kolahoi Glacier trek is a summer trek. The best time to do this trek is from May to October. In winter the trek remained closed because of the heavy snowfall in the regions. The trail towards this trek completely goes under heavy snow. 

How to reach the Kolahoi Glacier Trek

The nearest airport to this trek is Srinagar airport. After landing in Srinagar, the cab from Real Mountaineers Kashmir will ferry you to the base camp situated at Aru. This is the easiest and most convenient way to reach the Kolahoi glacier trek. You can reach by railway, however, the nearest railway station to this trek is Jammu station from where you will have to board a shared cab. 

Kolahoi Glacier Trek Distance

The distance of this trek is around 55km. This is completed in 7 days which includes the day of acclimatization at Aru. 

Kolahoi Glacier Trek Cost

The cost of the Kolahoi glacier trek is 18000 per person. The cost includes your trekking essentials and essential logistics. It also includes your all meals and trekking staff.