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z0qaya8jqart1qip choharnag aditya october 23

Choharnag Lakes Trek

Another Stunning Five-Lakes-Trek in Kashmir

TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate

TREK DURATION

4 Days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

14,200 ft

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SUITABLE FOR

8 to 62 years

TOTAL TREK DISTANCE

19 kms

BASECAMP

Mattigawran

ACCOMMODATION TYPE

Tents

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PICKUP POINT

Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, Srinagar

Another Stunning Five-Lakes-Trek in Kashmir

Trekking to stunning glacial lakes in Kashmir is not new. At Indiahikes, we have put legendary routes like the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar on the trekking map. Yet, we realised that these are all long and arduous treks. While Kashmir Great Lakes spans over 75 km, Tarsar Marsar also hits the 50 km mark. Trekking for such long distances is not an easy task. But that had been the only way you could experience the vast meadows and magical lakes of Kashmir. We wanted to break this barrier.

There begins the story of our Choharnag Lakes Trek. While Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar both require over a week of trekking, Choharnag Lake Trek can be completed in just 4 days. Nestled in the heart of Kashmir’s pristine Breng Valley, this 19 km trek takes you to not just one or two, but five breathtaking high-altitude lakes. These rewards are extra-ordinary for such a short trek.

On the first day itself you camp with Gujjar shepherds in the magical meadows of Zavej Marg. It sets the stage for the next day's adventure. From Zavej Marg, a steep climb through pine and birch forests take you beyond the tree line. But this challenging day is perfectly balanced by the breathtaking sight of three stuning lakes, Choharnag 1,2 and 3. In fact, you camp beside Choharnag-1 in full view of the lake, against the backdrop of vast valleys and snow-capped mountains.

Choharnag Lakes trek - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Choharnag Lakes trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find these extremely useful.

Day 1

Drive from Srinagar to Mattigawran basecamp. Trek from Mattigawran basecamp to Zavej Marg.

Drive Distance: 110 km | Drive Duration: 3-4 hours | Pickup Point for Indiahikes Trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, Srinagar | Pickup Time: 6 AM

Trek Distance: 3 km | Trek Duration: 2 hours
Trek Altitude: 8,980 ft to 9,800 ft | Basecamp: Mattigawran

Important Note: Reach Srinagar on your own and meet the Indiahikes team at 7 pm a day before your trek starts. (That is day 0 of the trek). Briefing, rental gear collection, and cloakroom submission will occur at Sheikh Feroze.

Note that trekkers must arrange their stay on Day 0.

You will reach Mattigawran approximately by 9.30 am. Have breakfast and start the trek.

Day 2

Trek from Zavej Marg to Choharnag campsite

Trek Distance: 8.5 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours

Altitude: 9,800 ft to 12,845 ft

Day 3

Trek from Choharnag campsite to Khelansar Lake summit and back to Choharnag campsite

Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours

Altitude: 12,845 ft to 14,070 ft to 12,845

Day 4

Trek from Choharnag campsite to Margan Top and back to Mattigawran basecamp. Drive from Mattigawran basecamp to Srinagar

Trek Distance: 2 km | Trek Duration: 1 hour
Trek Altitude: 12,845 feet to 12,010 feet

Drive Distance: 120 km | Drive Duration: 3-4 hours | Drop Off Point for Indiahikes Trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, Srinagar | Drop Off Time: 6 PM

IMPORTANT POINTS

Security concerns and government orders often lead to last-minute cancellations in Jammu & Kashmir. While we make all the preparations to run the trek, we cannot guarantee that the trek will run. If such a situation occurs, we will try to organize an alternate trek within J&K or Himachal Pradesh, wherever possible. If not, we will cancel the trek and our cancellation policy will apply.

Such circumstances are under nobody's control, but it's best to be well-prepared. As trekkers ourselves, we understand the loss that you go through when such circumstances arise. To protect against such circumstances, we have the Indiahikes Shield - where you can avail a return of your full trek fee by paying a small additional charge.

We suggest you opt for the Indiahikes Shield, which will protect your trek fee during such uncertainties. You will find the option during the registration process.

Drive from Srinagar to Mattigawran basecamp. Trek from Mattigawran basecamp to Zavej Marg.

Trek Distance: 3 km | Trek Duration: 2 hours

Trek Altitude: 8,980 ft to 9,800 ft

Drive Distance: 110 km | Drive Duration: 3-4 hours | Pickup Point for Indiahikes Trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, Srinagar | Pickup Time: 6 AM

Basecamp: Mattigawran

You will drive across many villages on the way from Srinagar to Mattigawran - Anantnag, Kokernag, Vailo, etc. This area comes under the Brang valley which is famous for its natural streams. Kokernag (Koker meaning hen; the area is named after the set of streams which originate in the shape of a hen’s foot) is also a famous tourist destination.

The drive is rough; there is no road in many places. However, even with the bumpy journey, you will enjoy the beauty of the settings.

After reaching the basecamp, you will have your briefing, safety check, rentals and cloakroom. From Mattigawran you will again cover 5-6 kms in a vehicle till the start of the trek (Hazbal Bridge). This motorable road passes through pine tree forests with a river flowing alongside.

The drive is rough; there is no road in many places. However, even with the bumpy journey, you will enjoy the beauty of the settings.

The starting point of your trek is called Hazbal Bridge. From here, walk for around 5 minutes and you will enter a beautiful meadow covered by pine trees. Then cross a stream to reach the Zavej Marg campsite.

You get to see Gujjar huts in Zavej Marg. Shepherds and Gujjars live here for 3-4 months in summers.

Note: You start from Srinagar at 7 am. You will have your breakfast on the way to Mattigawran. It will take you around 3 hours to drive from Srinagar to Mattigawran. After all the formalities (briefing, safety checks, rentals, and cloakroom) leave the Mattigawran base at 12 pm. Reach Zavej Marg campsite by 2 pm.

Day 2

Trek from Zavej Marg to Choharnag campsite

Altitude: 9,800 ft to 12,845 ft

Trek Distance: 8.5 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours

This day will be a very steep climb. Starting from the Pine-Birch forests, you will also cross the tree line. This day will be a test of endurance yet will give you priceless rewards as we reach the Choharnag Campsite.

On this day you will see 3 lakes - Choharnag 1,2 and 3. You will camp near Choharnag 1. The sunset from Choharnag with the view of a vast valley, will be the highlight of this day.

Note: Start the trek from Zavej Marg by 7 am to reach the Choharnag campsite by 2 pm.

On this day you will see 3 lakes - Choharnag 1,2 and 3. You will camp near Choharnag 1. The sunset from Choharnag with the view of a vast valley, will be the highlight of this day.

Note: Start the trek from Zavej Marg by 7 am to reach the Choharnag campsite by 2 pm.

Day 1 Day 3

Trek from Choharnag campsite to Khelansar Lake summit and back to Choharnag campsite

Altitude: 12,845 ft to 14,070 ft to 12,845

Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours

Today you will walk alongside the lakes in the vast and beautiful Choharnag meadow. First you go towards Choharnag lake 4 which is a gradual ascent. From the lake it will be slightly steep till the summit.

You get a 360 view from the Khelansar summit, of the beautiful, snow-capped peaks around you. Among these are the 7000 metre peaks of Mount Nun and Kun!

This will be a breathtaking view, standing at 14,200 ft with 5 alpine lakes, vast meadows and snow-capped mountains anywhere you turn! It will be a moment etched in your memory forever.

You get a 360 view from the Khelansar summit, of the beautiful, snow-capped peaks around you. Among these are the 7000 metre peaks of Mount Nun and Kun!

This will be a breathtaking view, standing at 14,200 ft with 5 alpine lakes, vast meadows and snow-capped mountains anywhere you turn! It will be a moment etched in your memory forever.

Note: Start the trek by 8 am to reach Choharnag Lake 4 by 9.30 am. This way, you will reach the Khelansar summit by 11 am and back to the Choharnag campsite by 2 pm.

Day 2 Day 4

Trek from Choharnag campsite to Margan Top and back to Mattigawran basecamp. Drive from Mattigawran basecamp to Srinagar

Drive Distance: 120 km | Drive Duration: 3-4 hours

Trek Altitude: 12,845 feet to 12,010 feet

Trek Distance: 2 km | Trek Duration: 1 hour

Drop Off Point for Indiahikes Trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, Srinagar

Today is an easy trail walk to Margan Top.

Margan Top is a famous tourist destination. This is actually a pass connecting the Kashmir valley to the Warwan valley. This pass is at an altitude of 12,000 ft, offering a panoramic view stretching out as far as the eye can see.

After you reach Margan Top, spend some time enjoying the view. Then drive back to the Mattigawran basecamp. The road during this drive will be a bumpy ride with a great view. You get to see pink-green mountains at a distance throughout the valley.

Today is an easy trail walk to Margan Top.

From Mattigawran start your journey back to Srinagar.

Note: Start from the Choharnag campsite by 8 am to reach Margan Top by 9.30 am. It will take you 1.5 hours to reach the Mattigawran basecamp. Finish lunch at the base and start from there by 2 pm. This way, you will reach Srinagar by 5 pm.

Day 3

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Moderate

Suitable for Fit Beginners

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include, altitude gained every day, length of trek everyday, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this, we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

Choharnag is categorized as a moderate trek.

A moderate rating refers to marginally longer trekking days with a few steep climbs (example: climb to Choharnag lake). This makes it a notch more difficult than the easy-moderate treks like Kedarkantha and Dayara Bugyal.

But the trek has easy exits and there are no technical sections.

Apart from AMS, be careful during the steep ascent to the Choharnag Lake. It is a short one but can get tricky if you are ascending during the rains. Wearing good quality trekking shoes with a great grip helps here. (For details read: How To Choose The Best Trekking Shoes In India)

During the Choharnag lake trek, you gain an altitude of around 5000 ft within 3 days. The ascent is gradual and steady, except on Day 2. Of course, there are certain steep sections spread out, but when well-prepared, they are easy to tackle.

On Day 2, you trek through a steep ascent (which is a ledge with boulders) till the Choharnag campsite. This day is an 8.5 kms walk that will take you atleast 7 hours. This is the most difficult section during the whole trek.

Next, the trek reaches a maximum altitude of 14,200 ft. Hence, it is well-suited for fit beginners and seasonal trekkers.

The biggest asset is that these routes provide multiple exit routes making it an ideal trek in terms of safety. This is especially important when you are looking to trek on your own.

Safety on the Choharnag Trek

While the Choharnag Lake trek remains untouched during times of unrest, getting to the base camp involves travelling through populated towns like Bhijbera and Anantnag in the picturesque countryside of Kashmir.

On your drive to Mattigawran, be mindful of where you are going, how you are travelling and if your mode of transport is reliable.

|Thumb Rule: Stay cued into the news. Be curious about what’s happening around you. Keep a check on areas that are flagged red. Check if the transport is getting affected and be forthcoming on enquiring about alternate routes.

Be aware, but do not worry or panic. Stay calm and keep the following pointers in mind when you are travelling in Kashmir:

If you’re staying overnight at Srinagar, stay in touristy areas like Dal Lake or Lal Chowk.
Blend in with the crowd in terms of dressing and behaviour.
Avoid going to downtown areas. Stick to tourist spaces as they tend to be safer and well-protected during times of unrest.
Don’t panic if there is a curfew. Keep calm and wait for it to pass.

When you are exposed to trekking in the high altitudes, your body might not be well rested or acclimatised to the altitude. There are always risks of AMS even for the fittest and the most experienced trekkers. It is very important that you pay close attention to your body and the symptoms on a high altitude trek. Stay alert for any signs of altitude sickness.

Attend to your uneasiness and take curative measures. Check your vitals before you start the trek - Your BP reading, oxygen saturation levels at every campsite at least twice. If you are feeling uneasy, you can even go on a curative course of Diamox. Hydration and rest is very important as well. If you do not feel normal after a few hours or overnight, do not proceed further on the trek.

To help you understand AMS better, we've put together a complete guide about it. This is a series a videos you must watch before you get onto any high altitude trek:

If you experience any symptoms of AMS, even in the slightest, start taking steps to treat the sickness.

At Indiahikes, our trek leaders are trained and equipped to take care of any emergencies related to AMS.

Medical Emergencies can strike on any trek. The key to dealing with them lies in knowing your exit points. Know how to get out and reach the nearest hospital quickly.

There are 2 entry/exit points on the Choharnag Lakes trek.

Start point of the trek (Hazbal bridge)
End point of the trek (Margan top - 2 to 3 km from Choharnag lake campsite)

Closest Hospital To Choharnag Lakes trek:

In case of a medical emergency, the closest hospital is at Kokarnag (Kokarnag Sub-District Hospital). It’s about 25 kms from the basecamp, Mattigawran. If you need serious medical attention, head to Srinagar for better facilities.

Day 0: Book your air ticket to Srinagar. Try and reach Srinagar before evening. Check-in to your hotel and arrive to collect the rentals and submit at Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar.

Note: Some stay options if you have an extra day at Srinagar: Some stay options if you have an extra day at Srinagar: Hotel Chinar Inn , Royal Athena Houseboats and Alhamra Retreats.

Day 5: Book a return flight ticket from Srinagar. Do not book plane tickets to your hometown from Srinagar on Day 4.

Tip: Keep a buffer day for emergencies. Your trek is 4 days long, but keep an extra 5th day as your buffer day. This is outside the itinerary. On a trek, you cannot predict bad rain, landslides, or a political situation. If you don't use the buffer day on the trek, you can always use it for sightseeing in Srinagar.

Always book your return flight/train tickets after including the buffer day in your itinerary.

2. Planning your onward flight/train booking

If you are travelling from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai or any other city, book your air tickets for Day Zero, the day before Day 1 on the itinerary. If your trek start day is 24 July, book your air tickets for 23 July to either Srinagar.

There are two options.

Option 1: Fly directly to Srinagar

We recommend this. It gives you an added rest day at Srinagar.

Option 2: Taking a train/bus to Jammu and reach Srinagar

(This option is not recommended. Many roadblocks en route from Jammu to Srinagar take as long as 24 hours to open. If you opt to travel via Jammu, keep at least 2 days in buffer)

If you are taking a bus to Jammu, you have multiple options. There are two gates outside Jammu ISBT. You will get shared cabs from both these gates.

If you are reaching the Railway Station, the share cabs to Srinagar will cost between Rs 700 to Rs 1000.

Tip: Shared cabs are more from the Jammu ISBT than the Railway Station. You can travel from the Railway station to the bus stand. They call it "Bus Adda". The cost of the bus will be Rs 10. The auto will charge around Rs 80 to 120.

Pro Tip: Go to Banihal and catch a train to Srinagar (Naogaon) (Reaching Banihal will be again via shared cabs, which cost Rs 500 to Rs 700)
Auto from Srinagar Railway station to Dal Gate, around Rs 150 to Rs 200

This is faster than coming by cabs directly to Srinagar.

3. Planning your return flight/train booking

Booking your return tickets requires some thought. First, always book your return ticket, keeping in mind the buffer day.
The drive to Srinagar from Mattigawran is about 4 hours. You will reach Srinagar by 6.00 pm. There are no flights from Srinagar late in the evening. So you need to stay in Srinagar. Take the flight the next day. You can book your flight tickets at any time on Day 5. So plan your return journey for Day 5 or Day 6 depending on if you keep a buffer day. We recommend that you keep buffer day for Kashmir treks.

Note: The security check at the Srinagar airport is quite stringent. You will have 3 rounds of security checks. Reach the airport at least a couple of hours before your departure time.

Option 1: Flying out from Srinagar

Book your flight out from Srinagar.

Option 2: Taking a train/bus from Jammu

If you are taking the option of moving from Jammu, you will find shared cabs from Srinagar TRC to Jammu. The share cabs to Jammu will cost between Rs 700 to Rs 1000.

| Pro Tip: Go to Srinagar (Naogaon) and catch a train to Banihal
From Banihal, you can take a shared cab to the Jammu bus stand or Railway station. The cost will be around Rs 500 to Rs 700

4. Planning your hotel/stay

While booking hotels on your return, always book your rooms assuming the buffer day is not being used. Assume the trek is going to run without any hiccups. So what happens if you use your buffer day on the trek? Unfortunately, then you’ll probably lose your hotel booking. So book hotels where you may not have to transfer money in advance. Even if you do, consider it better than missing out on the trek. In Srinagar, it is difficult to find last-minute hotel bookings when you finish the trek.

Hotel options at Srinagar

Hotel Chinar Inn is close to the pickup location. It has clean rooms with good amenities.

If you are trekking with Indiahikes, the cost will be Rs 1,500 per person for a stay and meals (dinner and breakfast). This is for a twin sharing room.

For a single person per room, it costs Rs 2,300 per person for a stay and meals (dinner and breakfast)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/5V3CgXgAyD2biGcK6

Contact Number: 7006608852 (Firoz)

Royal Athena Houseboats is another option. In addition to good amenities, it gives you the experience of staying in a boathouse.

If you are trekking with Indiahikes, the cost will be Rs 1,750 per person including dinner and breakfast.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Zq4BCzTGuBGzawP18

Contact Number: 7006608852 (Firoz)

Alhamra Retreats is a guest house with good facilities available.
If you are trekking with Indiahikes, the cost of a twin-sharing room is Rs 2,100. For an extra bed in the same room, it costs Rs 700 extra. Triple sharing is Rs 2,800 and four sharing is Rs 3,500.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/6DCEkw7k7gDGwM449

Contact Number: +91 95965 56700 (Rehan Bakshi)

Before you purchase any gear, visit the Crosstrek Rental store, where you can rent high-quality gear at 5% of the buying cost.

You can rent trekking shoes, backpacks, padded jackets, trekking poles, rainwear and headlamps for less than Rs 2000 for the entire duration of your trek. Visit our Crosstrek Rentals store here.

Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.

Shoes and backpack

Trekking shoes with ankle support (Available on rent)
45-55 Ltr Backpack with rain cover (Available on rent)

Warm Layers and Clothes

1 fleece
1 sweater/fleece/thermal
1 padded jacket (Available on rent)
3 full-sleeved T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)
2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)
Waterproof gloves (Available for purchase)
Balaclava/Bandana (Neck Warmer Available for purchase)
Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of Woollen) (Waterproof Trekking Socks Available for purchase)
High Ankle synthetic/cotton socks (carry based on number of trekking days)

Accessories

Sunglasses (Available on rent)
Sun cap (Available for purchase), preferably with flaps
Headlamp (Available on rent)
Trekking poles (Available on rent)
Rain jacket + pants / poncho (Rain Jacket Available on rent) (All Weather Shel Jacket Available for purchase)

Toiletries:

Sunscreen
Light towel
Lip balm or vaseline
Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

Cutlery:

1 Steel lunch box (Available on rent)
1 Spoon
1 Coffee mug (Available on rent)
Two water bottles or Hydration Pack (Water Bottles Available on rent) (Thermos Flask Available on rent)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low impact sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your own personal backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

Nevertheless, we understand that some gears that cannot be rented due to hygiene issues. So visit our Crosstrek Merchandise Store for exclusive trekking gear, accessories and apparel.

PRO TIPS

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. Please note there is no facility to get printouts and photocopies at Mattigawran.

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. ID cards of either Aadhar card or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.
Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record. The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate
Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

Consultation fee: Rs 300

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader.

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Homwas. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Tulian Lake trek.
Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain
Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.
Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol.
Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS.
ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking. Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.
Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

| Pro tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.

We recommend walking/jogging/running as the best routine to get fit for any trek. It works on the same muscles you use while trekking—your calves, glutes, quads and hamstrings. It also mimics your foot movement so you are better prepared for sudden twists and turns they may go through on uneven terrain.

It helps increase your stamina gradually if done consistently. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools.

Fitness Target

To do the Choharnag Lakes Trek comfortably, you must be able to walk, jog or run 5 km in under 35 minutes. This is the minimum recommended fitness level that you must aim for.

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597ecfa0 8ad5 4e91 9b99 b1a48d05b3fe fitness moderate treks

Trekking is a sport that primarily uses your lungs, core, calves, glutes, quads and hamstrings. Being fit will help you enjoy the trek and will keep you safe.

To reach any fitness target, there are two things you must work on:

Cardiovascular endurance
Muscle strength

If you are not currently active, follow the below schedule to get trek fit in 6 weeks!

A 6-Week Plan to Help You Get Trek-Fit for the Choharnag Lakes Trek

low-preview-Choharnag Lakes Trek Fitness Plan

Pro Tip: Warming up and cooling down before and after your workout is important. Do not miss that.

| Note: If you are not a regular runner, do not start running all of a sudden.

Strength Training Schedule:

low-preview-Choharnag Lakes Trek Strength Training Plan

Choharnag Lakes Trek Strength Training Plan

Note:

Alternatives to 30 Standard Pushups = (3 x 20 = 60 knee pushups) = (3 x 45 = 135 wall pushups)
Alternative to 48 full squats = (4 x 24 = 96 half squats)
Alternative to jumping lunges = forward lunges (same count)
If you are not able to complete 1 full set of any plank, divide it into 2 halves and complete it with a rest break in between. For example: If you are not able to complete 1 minute of a standard plank, divide it into 2 sets of 30 seconds each.
After completing a few weeks of training, if you can progress, you may increase the number of sets or reps for desired results.

Important note: We accept only running, jogging, or walking workout screenshots as fitness proof. Screenshots of cross-training workouts will not be considered valid. We've suggested cross-training options to help keep your fitness journey engaging and fun, allowing you to explore activities you enjoy and avoid inconsistency.

Note: Use apps like Nike and Strava to record your runs.

What happens if you are not fit:

You do not enjoy the trek
You struggle to be a part of the team because you’re slow.
You miss out on a deep, transformative experience that Indiahikes specially designs for you.

The good part is it is not difficult. All you need to do is start following the fitness routine 6 to 8 weeks before your trek begins.

We are here to help you in this fitness journey. Just start slow and as long as you are committed and consistent with your routine, you are in for an unforgettable trek experience.

How to Get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes Team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek.

Note: Use apps like Nike and Strava to record your runs.

What to upload?

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling
Monthly summary of your routine

We suggest you opt for the Indiahikes Shield, which will protect your trek fee during such uncertainties. You will find the option during the registration process.

The Choharnag Lakes trek is situated in the Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. The trek starts from Mattigawran.

On the Choharnag Lakse trek, you cover 30 km in 5 days. The altitude ranges from 5,200 ft in Srinagar to the Khelansar summit at 14,070 ft. This is why the Choharnag Lakes trek requires good preparation.

A Himalayan trek like the Choharnag Lakes trek requires a really good fitness level. The trek has long climbs and steep descents daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 35 minutes before your trek. The consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 25 km a week or 100 km in a month. It's a minimum mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us.

You will get mobile connectivity only till Srinagar. After that, the network is sketchy and almost non-existent.

Make sure you finish all your important telephone calls before starting your travel to the base camp. Inform family members about poor connectivity during the trek.

Note: Prepaid SIM cards do not work in Kashmir.

As for electricity, you won’t have access to electricity or charging points anywhere during the trek.

Yes you can!

If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 40 minutes.

Having too many mules on a trail isn’t good for the ecosystem. This is why, at Indiahikes, we do not encourage offloading. A trekker carries his/her own backpack in the true spirit of trekking.

But if — due to a medical condition — you are unable to carry your own backpack, you may offload your backpack.

The cost of offloading on the Choharnag Lakes trek is Rs 4,200 for the trek.

Find details about the offloading process here.

We have a cloakroom facility available at the basecamp for extra luggage. It costs Rs 200 per luggage. You can keep up to 10 kg.

(The luggage could be a backpack/suitcase/duffel bag or anything similar.).

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5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

Our No-Compromise Safety Promise

We are known for our pioneering safety practices in trekking. Microspikes, oximeters, and BP checks became standards thanks to us. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with—everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes. When you join our treks, we first make our No-Compromise Safety Promise. It’s our unwavering commitment to keep you safe, no matter what.

Our No-compromise Sustainability promise

Our commitment to the environment is relentless. We don’t just encourage responsible trekking; we insist on it. That’s why our Green Trails principles are non-negotiable. They don’t involve just our trekkers or our staff members. Our entire trek processes and policies are designed to favour the environment, even if it is often counterintuitive to our business.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

More than 30,000 trekkers trek with us every year. In addition, our outdoor learning division (InSoul) has participants from the who’s of the education organisation in India, from the IIMs to BITS to top international schools. More than 5,000 participants from these institutions trek with us annually. We do not spend a single rupee on advertising to get these participants. Our reputation precedes us.

Being pioneers of trekking in India

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have documented and brought out most of India’s famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023-24 alone, we brought out nine new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own. We believe everyone must trek.

Our treks are transformative

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.