Kashmir Alpine Lakes Trek
Welcome to Jammu & Kashmir, the trekking paradise in the North Indian Himalayas. Join Budget Trek Kashmir, a long-established family trekking company specializing in alpine treks and adventure tours. We create tailor-made itineraries to make your journey truly adventurous.
Trekking & Adventure in Kashmir
Kashmir offers a wide range of outdoor experiences across all seasons. From long treks and short hikes to family trekking, winter trekking, alpine skiing, camping, fly fishing, and landscape photography—there is something for every traveler. Share your plan with us and we will design the perfect trekking experience.
Kashmir Great Lakes & Budget Treks
Looking for a budget-friendly trek in India? We organize small group treks for solo travelers, backpackers, and adventure seekers. Join group departures for:
- Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
- Tarsar Marsar Trek
- Nafran Valley Trek
Check detailed itineraries, best time to visit, and available dates before planning your travel.
Why Choose Budget Trek Kashmir
- 4th generation trekking family
- Experience since 1930
- Local guides with deep mountain knowledge
- Strong focus on safety and satisfaction
- Affordable group trekking packages
Our Trekking Legacy
Our trekking company was founded in 1975 by our family, with roots going back to 1930. Over the decades, we have guided trekkers across Kashmir’s mountains and alpine trails. After a challenging period in the 1990s, we restarted operations in 1999 and continue our journey today with the same pass
Trekking in Kashmir Valley
Trekking in Kashmir is a unique blend of natural beauty and local culture. As you move higher:
- Green valleys turn into alpine meadows
- Forests of chinar and willow change into pine and fir
- Local villages give way to nomadic Gujjar communities
Every step reveals a new landscape.
History of Trekking in Kashmir
Kashmir has been a travel destination for centuries:
- Ancient travelers crossed the Silk Route
- Mughal emperors built gardens and explored the region
- British explorers mapped trekking routes and introduced trout fishing
- The Hippie Trail made Kashmir famous worldwide
Kashmir Alpine Lakes
Kashmir is home to some of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Himalayas. Regions like:
- Pahalgam
- Gulmarg
- Yousmarg
- Sonamarg
offer diverse trekking routes. Over the years, we have explored both popular and offbeat trails for you to discover.
Your Trusted Trekking Guide
We are a team of four brothers continuing a century-old tradition of guiding trekkers. With deep knowledge of weather, terrain, and safety, we ensure a reliable and memorable trekking experience in the Kashmir Himalayas.
Useful Links Hiking Weather – Kashmir Wiki – News – TripAdvisor – Lonelyplanet– JkTourismGovt.– Geography– Maps – Mountaineering courses – CleanHimalayas
We spent 2 weeks trekking in Kashmir in June 2016. Our trek was in Aru valley; from Aru village we made radial treks along 2 rivers up to the altitudes of 3500-4000 m. The nature there is wonderful: beautiful forests, clean water of the rivers, a lot of flowers on the alpine meadows… And we could enjoy it because everything was organized specially for us by Riyaz Pahtoon. Before this trip we had the experience of different treks in Nepal, Buthan, South America, so we can compare. I can definitely say that our trek in Kashnir was one of the best . Everything from the beginning till the end was done professionally by Riyaz and his team, so we only enjoyed our trekking. We had 4 horses, 2 pony-men with them and a guide- Riyaz brother, who was also a cooker. The food was very good : very delicious Indian food! Our tent was new and big, enough space for 4 people, not only for 2 of us. So we could rest and sleep very well. Every day we walked for 6-8 hours. Our pony- men were very helpful, not only on the trek, but in the camp also.
I’d like also to mention our driver, who was very professional and kindly explain us many things along the way. In addition I’ d like to say that the price was very reasonable for the perfect service we got during our traveling.
We were very happy to visit this wonderful country – Kashmir – and hope to come again.
I can with pleasure recommend Riyaz and his family company for those who’d like to travel in the Kashmir mountains.
Tatiana , St-Petersburg, Russia
Have been during the last week of May on a trekking in Lidderwat and Satlangen area with Riyaz and team. Although we were a bit early in the season (meaning crossing of high passes was not possible because of too much snow) we had a great experience. The area was very quiet with shepherds not having moved in yet, but oh so beautiful. Everything was organized without any hitch from day 1 at Srinagar airport till day 9 when we left Srinagar. The food during the trekking was very varied and very tasty. We plan to make the great lake trekking next year and will use Riyaz again. Stijn and Liza – South Africa
Had been to Kashmir with family and had a great time , and the most memorable ever. Arrangements made by Riyazbhai were good. Our driver Yusufchacha made us feel at home ,& inspite of curfew in many parts of Kashmir he took us safely to all places. As it’s said Kashmir is paradise on earth , you have to see it to believe it. Thanks Riyazbhai for the wonderful experience.
I don’t think there are words to express my gratitude towards Riyaz and his family. First of all Riayz’s family is experienced in the field of trekking for generations now and I don’t know if there are any people who know the mountains better than them. Secondly, I was blessed to find someone as honest, humble and warm hearted as him and his family. I told Riyaz I am low on money these days but am still eager to do a long trek. His price was so humble, comparatively nobody in Kashmir would offer such an understanding price, while he’s also the best in the field. He knows adventure, while at the same time he knows where an adventure ends and where danger begins. Kashmir is not like most popular treks in northern India or Nepal. Kashmir is known to be untouched and its nature is pure. You have to make sure that you get someone who is really experienced, otherwise you may find yourself lost in the forests with wild animals, or in military conflict areas etc. I am confident that you won’t get a better quality and a better price.
But let’s talk more about Riyaz’s family as humans, because that is an experience that will stay with me forever. They invited me to eat breakfast at their home everyday in Srinagar. They made me feel like a family member and made sure that I get a true Kashmir cultural experience, by guiding me through the city, bringing me to one of the major mosques, and consulted me in many other ways. They even called me at night to make sure that I was fine and happy, even today Riyaz checks on me.
I’m already planning my next visit with more friends, and besides the trek itself I am just excited to visit Riyaz and his family again.
Regards from Egypt and Germany,
Hadi
If you are going trekking in Kashmir, Riyaz and his family and crew are your best friends. My partner and I booked a one week Great lakes trip with Riyaz. It was very easy to communicate with him and organise things in advance. I simply called his number on my whatsapp from Australia. He planned the hike professionally, taking us to great scenery and bringing all those things that will allow us to be comfortable in the mountain (even live chicken for food was brought up).
The price was also fair, and all the people we came across through Riyaz were very nice and professional. This was a dream come true for us!
I wouldn’t hesitate recommending this family business to anybody interesting in trekking in Kashmir.
This was our first trek with Trek Kashmir to the Kashmir lakes . We were 6 of us from Bengaluru. The hospitality we received on the trek was remarkable. All the support staff were very friendly. The terrain was incredible. We were unfortunate not to cross the Gadsar pass as the terrain was not feesable. But nevertheless it was a very beautiful and a memorable trek. Looking forward to trek with them again.
Cheers ,
Sachin Sogal
I have been with riyaz and his team twice on two different treks in kashmir. each of these two treks were remarkable. Their knowledge of the terrain
terrain is most impressive.
They are also very hospitable N get good food within limitations. Every evening soup N evening snacks were there by the time we reached camp.
Their houseboat is also a pleasent one and their brother is knowledgeable of botanical N herbs.
A good time in both visits. Me n my friend s enjoyed the overall experience both times.
God bless them N may their humble N hospitality be with them always
Best wishes to them.
I highly recommend them
Shailesh
Hey I been first trek with trekkashmir to aru valley gadivar.is a Himalayan tribe village on north of lidder river .the river offer trout fishing .it is remote seasonal village.lovely peoples beautiful. And the mountains are stunning.it was in 2014 July.the in 2015 I took a group to Srinagar tulip festaval we all enjoyed tulip and sightseeing to pahalgam sonmarg.the service of trekkashmir are great.