In the vast alpine lake treks of Kashmir, Tulian Lake Trek is the most beautiful alpine lake trek in Kashmir; and the Lake is the most exotic lake in Pahalgam. This lake throws tranquillity and charm to whosoever visits it and is situated around 15 km from Pahalgam. The highest altitude of the trek is 3700m above sea level.
This lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains on three sides. In winter it is covered in snow and in summer it gorgeously tempts the trekkers with its colorful and clean water. On one side of the lake is Zanskar Range and on the other is Pir Panjal Range.
Make your Pahalgam trip memorable by taking a trek to this gorgeous lake. The Tulian Lake Trek is located at an elevation of 3684 meters in Pahalgam, Kashmir’s Anantnag district, between the imposing Pir Panjal and Zanskar mountains.
This glacial lake has a distinctive aspect since it resembles the number 8, and the visitor’s attention is drawn to the water’s greenish-blue color. In the Indian state of Kashmir, there is a well-known trekking path called the Tulian Lake Trek.
The trek’s important specifics offered by Real Mountaineers Kashmir are as follows: Given that the region is completely blanketed with snow, the journey to Tulian Lake is challenging. But it’s also among the best ways to take in Kashmir Valley’s unspoiled beauty. The walk becomes more difficult after Baisaran valley because there aren’t any indicated trails after that point.
Additionally, as you get closer to the Lake, the ascent gets steeper. The heights of the Tulian Lake trip can also be reached through another method. The location is also reachable from Pahalgam, which is about 16 km from the lake. Given that Tulian Lake is only 11 km distant, the majority of young people choose to travel on the Baisaran trail.
Lakes and meadows are a common theme in Kashmir trekking. It’s difficult for any journey to compare to those already in the picture, like the Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Bodhpatri, and Nafran Valley. However, the Tulian Lake Trek in Kashmir is a fantastic alternative that does these other hikes justice.
The Tulian Lake journey offers something other treks in Kashmir do not: the renowned flora of Kashmir, in addition to gorgeous meadows and an alpine lake. There are fir, chir, spruce, pine, and fir trees.
Although you might believe you’ve seen these trees before, you haven’t. These forests are very different from those in Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, or Uttarakhand. They more closely resemble European vegetation than our Indian jungles.
Highlights of Tulian Lake Trek
The journey to Tulian Lake, which is about 3,684 meters above sea level, entails climbing and descending through various heights. The walk is a great option for adventure seekers who enjoy hiking through picturesque alpine environments since it provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges, rich green meadows, and deep woods. The Tulian Lake Trek should be taken into consideration for several reasons.
Best Landscape: First and foremost, the walk provides an opportunity to discover the Kashmir region’s breathtaking scenery and experience its distinct culture and way of life.
Shepherd Lifestyle: You pass through isolated communities on the trip, where you can connect with the inhabitants and get an insight into their daily lives. The Tulian Lake Trek provides an opportunity to escape the pressures of everyday life and become fully immersed in nature.
Detach & Detox: You have the chance to appreciate the peace and tranquillity of nature as the trip leads you through some of the most stunning alpine scenery in the area. Overall, the Tulian Lake Trek is a great option for adventure seekers who want to test their physical and mental limits while discovering Kashmir’s breathtaking natural splendor.
Tulian Lake Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Pahalgam – Tulian Valley
- Distance: 9km
- Altitude Gain: 1300m
- Trek Duration: 8 hours.
The first day of the Tulian Lake Trek starts with a drive from Pahalgam. It is a short drive of around 20 minutes. The drive takes you to the start of the trail for Tulian Lake. The trail starts at an altitude of around 2100m. It is a steep ascend to Tulian Valley where we will be camping for the day. The total distance to Tulian Valley is 8km and the altitude of the campsite is 3400m.
Day 2: Tulian Valley – Tulian Lake – Tulian Valley
- Trek Distance: 4km
- Altitude Gain/Loss: 300m
- Trek Duration: 6 hours.
This is Lake Day. On this day start your trek early after a hearty breakfast. You will be ascending towards Tulian Lake. After a distance of 2km, behold the eternally gorgeous Tulian Lake. The lake appears as the best surprise of your life with the lake turquoise in color and the background of sparkling mountains.
The lake is just a piece of heaven sitting amid the mountain ranges. It has the shape of the number 8. Explore the lake while walking along its banks. Spend your time beside the lake and have lunch here. Real Mountaineers Kashmir will spread the lunch just in the vicinity of the lake. Post lunch, return to the campsite at Tulian Valley. Spend the night here.
Day 3: Tulian Valley – Pahalgam
- Trek Distance: 8km
- Altitude Loss: 1300m
- Trek Duration: 6 hours.
This is the last day of the trek. You will have to retrace your steps and get down to Pahalgam. This finishes the trek.
Inclusion
- All veg meals during the trek. Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner.
- Camp accommodation on all nights in high-quality tents on a twin-sharing basis. Sleeping bags, sleeping mattresses, dining tents, and cutlery are included.
- Helpers to pitch the tents, wash the dishes, serve the food, and assist while on the camp.
- Mountaineering qualified and experienced trek leaders, guides, and experienced cooks.
- All the necessary mountain medicine includes first aid, oxygen cylinder, etc.
- Passes and Permits.
Meal plan: In every meal plan, we try to provide different varieties, trying not to repeat the dishes, particularly at dinner and lunch. Here is the list of dishes and items from which we serve the clients.
- Breakfast: eggs, paratha, chana, poha, dalia, upma, cornflakes, bread toast, butter, jam, roti, coffee, tea, kehwa, etc.
- Lunch and dinner: we make a variety of dishes and try to serve the varied dishes. On all trek days, there will be different dishes served. We try not to repeat our dishes unless the clients say otherwise. We serve veg dishes like veg biryani, veg pulaw, muttar paneer, palak paneer, aloo gobi, rajma chawal, rajma kadhai, mix veg, chana masala, kadhi chawal, dal makhni, bhindi masala, dal fry, veg korma, Kashmiri nadru, Kashmiri haakh, aloo matar, bhaingan ka bharta, dam aloo, andaburji, etc. We have both roti and rice available for dinner and lunch. We serve them with different pickles and salad.
- For evening snacks we have tea, pakoda, soup, noodles, maggie, veg rolls, biscuits, etc.
- For dessert, we serve gulab jamun, phirni, halwa, custard, sewaya, fruit chaat, fruit cake, almond cake, etc.
Exclusions:
- Lunch on the first day.
- Personal expenses.
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusion list.
- Offloading
- Transportation
Extra Services:
If you wish to avail of our transportation service, then the extra cost will be 1500 per person. The transportation cost is to and fro. The pickup and drop place will be Srinagar. Offloading charges: The cost per bag is Rs 2000/ per bag. The maximum weight allowed is 10kg. Please note that only a proper trekking backpack will be allowed to offload. No trolley or suitcase will be allowed to offload. We strictly follow the rule of adequately placing the load on our ponies.
The Difficulty Level of Trek
The Tulian Valley hike, which rises to a height of 12,087 feet, is a moderate to difficult trek. That’s only because the days are a little longer and it is an all ascend. A moderate rating denotes a few difficult climbs and slightly longer hiking days (for instance, the ascent to Tulian Lake).
In comparison to easy-moderate treks like Kedarkantha and Dayara Bugyal, it is a little more challenging because of this.
To do this Tulian Lake Trek, you will have to reach Pahalgam first. You will get a direct/shared cab from Srinagar easily. Spend the first night in the Pahalgam which will acclimatize you to the altitude. The actual trek will start the next day with a short drive to the base of the Tulian Lake trek.
The trek is ascending towards the Tulian valley. You will spend your night in this valley in camps. The next day is lake day when you will ascend 2km to see the beautiful Tulian Lake. Descend to Tulian Valley after seeing the lake and spend the night in the Tulian Valley.
The last day of the Tulian Lake Trek is an all-descent from the Tulian Valley to Pahalgam. The Tulian Lake stands at an altitude of 3700m.
Why to do Tulian Lake Trek
- Tulian Lake: One of the fantastic reasons to do the Tulian Lake Trek is the amazing alpine lake that this trek holds. The Tulian Lake is one of the best alpine lakes in Kashmir. This is the bluish lake which is all glacier-fed. The lake is surrounded by mountain peaks which are most of the time of the year covered with snow. This gives the landscape a beautiful aura. The water of the lake is clean and drinkable. However, it is very much cold. The lake makes the shape of the number 8 between the mountain range.
- Long Meadows: This trek goes via long meadows and thick forest trails. It also passes through the famous Baisaran Valley which is called the Mini Switzerland of Kashmir.
- Pahalgam: This trek starts from Pahalgam which is the most stunning tourist place in Kashmir. You will be able to do the sightseeing of Pahalgam.
- Shepherds: On this trek, you will see many sheepherders tending their flock. The name Pahalgam means the village of shepherds. To see them and witness their lifestyle gives the cultural feel of Kashmir.
Things To Carry
Since this trek is challenging and offbeat, here is a detailed list of what to carry on the Warwan Valley Trek. Make sure you don’t miss anything.
Backpack: You must carry at least one backpack of 60 liters.
Shoes: You need to have trekking shoes necessarily. The shoes must be sturdy and high-ankle.
Three T-shirts: Carry one full-sleeve dry-fit T-shirt, and at least two other T-shirts.
Three insulation layers: Carry at least 3 insulation layers – 2 light fleece and one full-sleeve sweater.
One Outer layer: You need at least one padded jacket/down jacket
Two trek pants: You need to carry two pairs of pants and that will be sufficient for your entire trek.
Trekking poles. Two trekking poles are always better than a single trekking pole.
Raingear: A poncho is a good choice over jacket-type raingear, as the poncho covers your entire body till the knees down and you can keep your daypack bag inside it too.
Rain cover for your backpack: Buy a good rain cover for your backpack to keep it dry and safe. It also helps to keep your backpack from wear and tear.
Daypack: A small bag of around 20 to 30 ltrs to carry your essentials like water bottle, rainwear, headlamp, snacks, etc
Sunglasses: Carry one to protect your eyes from glare and UV radiation.
Suncap: You can either get the normal suncap or a suncap with flaps which is preferred by most trekkers and is advisable by the experts.
Synthetic hand gloves: You can wear them during the evenings and mornings.
Woolen cap or Balaclava: The cap covers your ears, neck, and some parts of your face.
Three pairs of Socks: Take two pairs of sports socks and one pair of woolen socks.
Headlamp: You might want to go to the loo during the night, or just sit and relax outside the camps, you need the headlamp.
A toilet kit: It should include things like a toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturizer, lip balm, deodorant, etc. Women should carry their sanitary pads.
Water bottle: carrying a water bottle is a must.
Plastic covers: Carry a plastic bag to keep the wet or used clothes in it.
Personal medical kit: If you are on any medicine, don’t skip that during the trek unless your doctor advises. Always consult your doctor if you have any diseases that can worsen in the mountains or by altitude gain.
Mandatory Documents: Carry your original Aadhar card Passport or Driver’s license.
Lunch Box: Every day you will reach the campsite only in the afternoon, so there will be no hot lunch but a packed lunch. You must buy and carry one small lunch box.
Know before you go on the Tulian Lake Trek
Difficulty: This trek is difficult. You must be aware of this so that you prepare in advance for the trek. Make sure you hit the gym or involve yourself in some physical activity to build stamina endurance and strength of your lower body and core.
Medical Fitness Certificate: Real Mountaineers Kashmir needs these records for legal grounds. You won’t be able to trek without any of these. Government-issued photo identification cards, both original and copy. Aadhar cards or passports can be used as identification. The forest department needs this for your identity.
Disclaimer and medical certification: This is divided into two parts. One must be filed by an active physician, and the other by you. It is legally required to have the disclaimer certificate. Print the PDF back to back, thoroughly read everything, and then sign it. This must be given to your Trek Leader when you register at base camp. Both Real Mountaineers Kashmir and the forest department demand this.
What to Wear during the Trek
- You’ll need sturdy trekking shoes with good traction, ankle support, and snow-handling abilities for the trek to Tulian Lake.
- You need a 50–60 liter backpack. Make sure your rucksack features quick-access pockets in addition to sturdy shoulder and hip supports.
- Wear one T-shirt while carrying two. Keep dry-fit, full-sleeve T-shirts on hand, ideally with collars. These protect your arms and neck from sunburn.
- You will climb to a height throughout this stroll. High altitudes can experience cold temperatures even during the height of summer. You will require at least three layers of insulation for this walk.
- You need one full-sleeved light jumper and two thin fleece layers.
- Two pairs of hiking trousers should be sufficient for this excursion.
Our tour leaders always carry a high-altitude medical kit with them that contains life-saving drugs. Our hike leaders have emergency response training. Before taking any of these medications, get in touch with your trip leader while you’re waiting.
Why Trek with Real Mountaineers Kashmir
There are advantages to trekking with a firm like Real Mountaineers Kashmir.
Experienced Guides: One benefit of trekking with a reputable business like Real Mountaineers Kashmir is having experienced guides who are knowledgeable about the local terrain, climate, and safety precautions. Your trekking trip will be more meaningful and educational with the help of these guides, who can provide insightful information about the area’s culture, history, and environment.
Safety: Trekking has inherent risks and can be physically taxing. When you trek with a respected organization like ours, you can take advantage of access to safety gear, medical treatment, and emergency procedures, which guarantees that you will be adequately taken care of in case of any emergencies.
Preparing: Transportation, permits, and equipment rentals are just a few of the logistical considerations that must be made when preparing a trek. You can enjoy the simplicity of having these logistics handled while hiking with a reputable organization likeReal Mountaineers Kashmir, allowing you to concentrate on the experience of trekking.
Trekking with a group of people who share your interests can be a terrific way to forge bonds of camaraderie and meet new acquaintances. Trekking with a reputable organization like
Real Mountaineers Kashmir may provide the benefit of trekking with a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, enhancing and enhancing the trekking experience. Overall, hiking with a reputable organization like ours can provide several advantages that can improve your hiking experience, including safety, convenience, and access to knowledgeable guides.
Trekking around Tulian Lake is a beautiful experience to remember. It is one of Kashmir’s gems. Trekking in Pahalgam will leave you with a wonderful feeling and a clean vibe. You’ll gradually fall in love with this location, let go of all your tension, and unwind in the stunning Kashmiri countryside.
It is the ideal approach to discovering the undiscovered splendors in Kashmir’s valleys. Once you’ve experienced this exhilarating adventure, you’ll remember the memories forever.