The Route
A brief enticing description of that the KHC has to offer.
Details of the stages will be progressively uploaded with GPS readings, contour maps and a comprehensive summary to help prospective trekking groups to successfully complete the Circuit. A ‘mud map’ is included to gain an overall appreciation of the direction of the Circuit.
Stage 1: Tangmarg to Moghul Road
Trek grade: moderate. Duration: five to six stages
A fine introduction to the KHC. From Tangmarg we head to the vast, verdant meadow at Tosamidan following shepherd trails that wind through alpine meadows, and forest glades with the snow-capped peaks of the Pir Panjal including Tattakuti (4745m) providing an impressive backdrop. We cross several passes in the vicinity of 4000m as we head to the historic Moghul Road.
Stage 2: Moghul Road to Banihal
Trek grade: moderate. Duration: six to seven stages
Heading south we are afforded an ever-changing alpine landscape interspersed with oak and conifer forest, flowered meadows and rushing streams flowing from unseen snow fields. The sacred lake at Konsarnag is a fitting highlight as we cross a number of minor passes to reach the Banihal Pass (2832 m). This historic pass into the Kashmir Valley was traversed by armies, pilgrims and traders and more recently by Bakharval shepherds as they lead their flocks of sheep and goats to their summer grazing pastures.
Stage 3: Banihal to Simthan and Margan Top
Trek grade: moderate. Duration: six to seven stages
A descent to the famous spring at Verinag is highly recommended as we prepare to cross a series of passes rarely marked on trekking maps. We gain unrivalled views across the Kashmir Valley and share camps with Gujar shepherds who graze their buffalo in forest glades in this secluded corner of the Pir Panjal. We complete this stage as we approach the Simthan Pass (3748m). From here it’s a further day to the Margan Top (3609m) and views of the 7000 metre Nun and Kun, the highest peaks in the West Himalaya.
Stage 4: Margan Top to Sonamarg
Trek grade: moderate to challenging. Duration: eight to ten stages
The longest and most challenging stage of the KHC as the trail extends from the outer rim of the Pir Panjal to the main Himalaya range. We follow less well-defined winding trails wind across high ridges and passing glacial lakes that drain into the upper Lidder Valley before descending steeply to Sukhani, the highest village in the upper Wadvan Valley. We then ascend to the Bakharval encampments at Ranmarg in preparation for crossing the Gul Gali (4406m) to Shesnag and the trail to the Amarnath Cave. In the company of Hindu devotees, we cross the Mahagunas Pass (4218m) to Panchtarni where after a brief diversion to visit the Cave we descend to Baltal to the camping sites on the outskirts of Somanarg.
En route to Ranmarg consider a diversion to the Boktol Pass (4980 m) that leads to the Suru Valley and Ladakh. The pass was crossed when the renowned General Zorawar Singh led the Dogra armies’ first foray to Ladakh in 1834.
Stage 5: Sonamarg to Bandipura and Wular lake
Trek grade: moderate to challenging. Duration: five to seven stages
After completing the strenuous stages to reach Sonamarg we undertake the Kashmir Great Lakes trek that offers a fitting highlight to the KHC. The well-defined trail winds past the serene lakes of Vishensar, Krishensar and Gadsar while the flowering meadows are frequently acclaimed as the finest in the Indian Himalaya. The sacred mountain of Harimukh (5148m) with its glaciers tumbling into the serene waters of Gangabal (Nudhkohl) offer a further bonus on this outstanding trek. Beyond Harimukh we gain ever-impressive views of the Kashmir Valley and glimpses of Nanga Parbat and the Karakoram range as we traverse the Gang Gali (4052m) and descend to Kudara in Bandipora and the shores of Wular Lake
From Kudara in Bandipora there is an exhilarating option to cross back to the Sindh Valley. It includes camping at Mohand Marg where the famous explorer and academic Auriel Stein translated the Rajatarangini into English. From Mohand Marg we savour the magnificent panorama of the Pir Panjal range and trace our route along the initial stages of the Kashmir Himalayan Circuit.