While spending time in Srinagar I am always jittery. My idea of a holiday doesn’t mean being worried all day with the military presence. Therefore escaping to the countryside in relatively unexplored Kashmir is my perfect idea of connecting with nature without spotting any tourists and knowing the local way of life. And thats perfectly where the Tarsar Marsar trek came into the picture!Â
Part I of the Photo Story of Tarsar Marsar Trek in Kashmir
There is little by way of development in Kashmir and that really makes it the paradise that poets have been talking about all along.Â
Nomads wander with their cattle and herds of sheep. Temporary homes of Bakarwals and Gujjars are scattered across the never ending grasslands.
A trekker makes his way past the sheep, Kashmir is the perfect place for a beginners trek. The altitude is manageable and the lush greens ensure oxygen is aplenty.
There is a little home in the mountains and the clouds have taken it away; do you want to find it?
Kashmiri kids who play simple games and are happy to have visitors. They welcome everyone to their homes for some nun-chai (salt tea) & chapati.
Crossing the Lidder on creaky bridges made using sturdy barks of trees, you can actually hear ‘The sound of silence’ in the serene din of the river.Â
Noble steed run around in gay abandon even as a famous photographer tries to go around them clicking pictures.
Spectacular scenery in the lush greenery everywhere in Kashmir. Just leave the main highways, get off the road and walk. Your eyes are in for a feast.
The friendliest locals you will ever meet. They will tell you folktales and stories of the ‘lost paradise’ of Kashmir.Â
Read :Â Trekking in Kashmir : The twin lakes of Tarsar Marsar
Hear the call of your soul in the wilderness of nature. Tune in to life.
A couplet to try and add an artistic touch to this post.
Sham-e-firaaq ab naa pooch, aayi aur aa ke tal gayi,
 Dil thaa ke phir bahal gaya, jaan thi ke phir sambhal gayiÂ
………..Â
Of that broken evening, don’t ask
. It came and it was gone
. The heart finds distractions anew
. Life finds a way to move on
~ Faiz
Read : Stunning beauty of Kashmir, in pictures – Part II
Will you be going to Kashmir this summer? Tell me in the comments below.
beautiful pictures. perfect for for posters and calendars!
If I’m not mistaken, some of these picture seems to be from Aru valley!
Hey! Thanks Arvind bhai. Hehe, good guess. I’ll keep the posters and calendars thing in mind.
Start planning… one picture a month! 😉
We exactly know what you meant about the Kashmir you’ve seen. Looks like you’ve intentionally not mentioned names of any places here.
How glad I am to know that. Yes, let the magic remain! 😉
Magical pictures! Truly! 🙂 I so want to go! <3
Yay. Kashmir in May again this year, methinks. 😉
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks much for the appreciation! 🙂
So serene and tranquil…when were the photos taken? Been to Kashmir recently and the beautiful Pahalgam was blanketed in snow…we missed such greenery there…
Thanks Sumana. These photos were taken in August and quite far away from Pahalgam. It must have been pretty in snow too, I am sure. 🙂
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Beautiful pictures. Nice capture of the unadulterated beauty. I have been there twice in the same year and every time my craving to explore this place has increased. Someone has said, you need to visit Kashmir again and again to feel it. The more I see, more I read, I fall in love with the place again and again. Yes, tourists are safe there. Have been there on 26 the Jan and remember how our driver had put extra effort to ensure our safety and comfort.
Loved reading that heartfelt comment Poonam. Kashmir is indeed like slow love, as you have described so aptly.
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Your photos speak of “scale” grand scale; high mountains, deep valleys; a fascinating landscape. Beautiful work.
Thank you so much for the appreciation 🙂
I’ve read so much about Kashmir, it’s almost like a mystical place in my head now, your photos kind of reaffirm that for me! It looks beautiful!
Many thanks Katie !! You must visit it soon 😀
Hi …. I stumbled upon your blog in my pursuit to find people who have gone to Kashmir recently.. I am planning a trekking trip to Kashmir. I was so excited and thrilled when I saw the pictures of Kashmir.. the paths and road which has been walked by saints of yester years… place of my dreams. I wanted to walk and see that magic.. but then the negativeness and fear crept in. Kashmir..terror..terrorists.. soldiers.. loneliness.. lost.. ..do I enough courage.. Will I be able to do it … Confusion and what not !! I just wanted to talk to somebody who has experienced this place… experienced what it is to follow your deepest desire. Any insight would help.. any advice would help.
Thanks
Anisa
Thank you Anisa for such a heartfelt comment. Which trek are you planning for? Don’t let the negativity and fear trouble you. Happy travels 🙂
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Good post…informative…… good for travellers
Thanks for checking it out 🙂 Glad you like it.
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hi. May I ask what month did you visit? and also.. you encountered a lot of locals.. do they speak English? how did you communicate with them? super curious.. ill visit Srinagar this November..
This was in August. The locals here speak hindi 🙂 Happy travels.