Kashmir Alpine Lakes Trek
Welcome to Jammu & Kashmir, the trekking paradise in the North Indian Himalayas. Explore the most beautiful alpine lakes of the Himalayas with Budget Trek Kashmir, a fourth generation family trekking company guiding trekkers in Kashmir since 1930. Experience real mountain life, local knowledge, and unforgettable trekking routes across the Kashmir Himalayas and Ladakh.
Plan your trek with us and discover the true beauty of Kashmir.
Trekking & Adventure in Kashmir
Kashmir is a trekking paradise in the North Indian Himalayas offering a wide range of outdoor activities in every season. We organize long treks, short treks, day hikes, family trekking, winter trekking, snow adventures, alpine skiing, camping, sightseeing tours, landscape photography, and fly fishing experiences.
During winter, Kashmir transforms into a snow-covered landscape perfect for snow trekking, winter camping, and skiing, especially in areas like Gulmarg.
Whether you want to travel by foot or explore the back-country on horseback, we create proper plans Based on your choice.
Popular Treks in Kashmir and Ladakh
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is one of the most scenic treks in India, known for its chain of high altitude alpine lakes.Tarsar Marsar Trek offers a perfect combination of meadows, lakes, and mountain views.Nafran Valley Trek is an offbeat route with untouched landscapes and fewer crowds.In Ladakh, we also organize high altitude treks and adventure tours across remote Himalayan regions with unique landscapes and culture.
These treks are available as group departures and customized packages.
- Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
- Tarsar Marsar Trek
- Nafran Valley Trek
Check detailed itineraries, best time to visit, and available dates before planning your travel.
Winter Trekking and Skiing in Kashmir
Winter in Kashmir offers a completely different experience. Snow covered valleys, frozen lakes, and quiet mountain trails make it ideal for winter trekking.
We organize snow trekking, winter camping, and skiing tours. Gulmarg is one of the best destinations for skiing in India, attracting beginners and experienced skiers.
Our winter programs are designed with safety, proper equipment, and local guidance.
Budget Group Trekking in Kashmir
If you are looking for a budget trekking package in India, we organize small group treks for solo trekkers, backpackers, hitchhikers, and budget travelers.
Joining a group helps reduce costs while still enjoying a complete trekking experience. You can check trek itineraries, best time to visit, and available dates before making any travel bookings.
Why Choose Budget Trek Kashmir
We are a fourth generation trekking family with deep roots in the Himalayas. Our grandfather started guiding trekkers in 1930 along with his father. The company was later developed by our family and became well established between 1980 and 1990.
After a long gap during the 1990 period, we restarted in 1999 and have been guiding trekkers continuously in the Kashmir Himalayas.
Today, four brothers manage the company with strong experience in high altitude trekking, weather conditions, safety, and route knowledge. Our long family tradition helps us guide trekkers even in difficult mountain situations.
Trekking in Kashmir Valley
Trekking in Kashmir is a combination of natural beauty and local traditions. As you move to higher altitudes, the landscape changes from green fields and orchards to alpine meadows filled with wildflowers.
Trees like willow and chinar are replaced by pine, fir, and oak forests. Villages disappear and are replaced by nomadic Gujjar shepherds who move across mountain passes with their livestock and live in traditional stone huts.
History of Trekking in Kashmir
Trekking in Kashmir has existed since ancient times when travelers and pilgrims came to these mountains seeking spiritual power. Kashmir was also part of the ancient Silk Route connecting Central Asia.
The Mughal emperors visited Kashmir to escape the heat of Delhi and built famous gardens such as Achabal. Later, the British explored high altitude regions, developed trekking routes, and introduced trout fish into alpine lakes, creating opportunities for fly fishing.
Kashmir later became popular worldwide during the hippie trail era and attracted travelers from Europe and America.
Kashmir and Ladakh Alpine Experience
According to local tradition, Kashmir Valley was once a vast lake, and the mountain formations still reflect this history.
Kashmir has one of the highest numbers of alpine lakes in the Indian Himalayas, while Ladakh offers dramatic high altitude desert landscapes and remote trekking routes.
Major trekking regions include Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Yousmarg, Sonamarg, and Ladakh valleys.
Over years of exploration, we have discovered some of the best scenic routes, offbeat trails, and hidden alpine lakes for trekkers to explore.
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.
Plan Your Trek
Kashmir Alpine Lakes Trek and Ladakh trekking tours offer a unique Himalayan experience with natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure.
Contact us to plan your trek, check available dates, or customize your trekking package.
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.