Say Hello!
Sign In
Eastern Pinnacle Thajwas Summit
Highlights
- The Sarbal village that is the last village in Kashmir marks the beginning site of the Eastern Pinnacle Thajiwas Summit. It takes a 3-hour drive to reach this village from the airport in Srinagar.
- The trek from Sarbal village to the Durinar meadow is short, doable, and full of panoramic picturesque views.
- The Durinar Lake that lies within the vicinity of the meadow serves as a major base camp for this summit. Its appeasing and raw views are what make the night stay besides its shore, absolutely overwhelming.
- The trek to the Summit is done on the fifth day to avoid mountain sicknesses and to allow fellow trekkers to adapt well to the foreign weather in the mountains.
- The 6th day marks the last day of the trek and brings the journey to complete a full circle.
Overview
If at all, there exists a place where you could quite literally experience an epiphany, especially about the vastness of the universe and your infinitesimal role in its functioning, it has to be a place far away from human-made cities, deep in the heart of mountains; a place less explored and still less known. But does such a place even exist? And is it safe to visit? It is natural to find yourself in a fix when it comes to lesser-known places but if you grant yourself some time to introspect and contemplate, you will know deep in your heart that your passion to visit such places is much greater than the fear of uncertainty that these places bring with them.
If you have been looking for a challenging, enthralling, and dramatic off-beat trek, you already know of the limited options available out there. But if you are a die-heart off-beat trekking enthusiast, you know you are not going to settle for yet another conventional off-beat trek especially if you have been desperately seeking something absolutely stimulating. THAT is Eastern Pinnacle Thajwas Summit for you. A wholesome, courage-worthy, stimulating six-day trek that is going to give you crazy spikes of adrenaline rushes and is going to leave you spellbound with its beauty; offering exactly that what you have been looking for.
Srinagar, the summer capital of the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a city cradled by the river Jhelum which quietly yet passionately blends a sense of magic into the air such that the moment you inhale your first breath in this city, you find yourself pleasantly astonished by the overwhelming yet consuming beauty of the city starting from the sheer moisture content in the air that gently brushes away strokes of your hair, the eye-capturing landscapes that leave you speechless and awestruck at the moment, the pleasant sound of the gushing waters in the nearby rivers and lakes to the sheer comfort of having brisk wind tenderly slide across your skin.
Ganderbal, a district in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, is this beautiful treasure box with exceptionally beautiful landscapes that freeze you inside out with their devastating beauty. It is the most sought after district of Jammu and Kashmir where tourists from different corners of the world come to soothe their senses and truly enjoy existing in the realm of nature. The mountain ranges, rivers, meadows, frozen lakes, waterfalls, and many indescribable places very rightly make Ganderbal, a travel enthusiast's bucket-list destination. The hype and craze about this district are not at all overrated, it is genuinely home to many mountain peaks, glaciers, and mountain ranges which in themselves are sufficient to tempt and attract trekkers from around the globe. Sonmarg which literally translates to 'Gold Meadow' is also a very famous hill station in the Ganderbal district and remains a popular attraction all through the year. However, it is the Sarbal village that serves as the beginning point for the Eastern Pinnacle Thajiwas Summit. This village is situated at a distance of approximately 26 km from the Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar and can be reached in 3 hours through a swift drive via 444 National Highway. Sarbal is also the last village of Kashmir and has a different aura to breathe in, all together. It is situated at a height of 9200ft approximately which makes it quite a cold and tough place to live in and is the last hamlet in Kashmir that lies at the very edge of the state and is densely covered with canopies, alpines, meadows, and glacial lakes which are every traveler's much-dreamt wealth.
The Eastern Pinnacle Thajiwas Summit has been explored only twice since history which makes it all the more tempting and interesting for anyone who is a thrill-seeker. The summit lies at a whopping 15,500 ft of height above sea level that pretty much makes it a challenging trek because of the extreme weather in those areas. It is extremely crucial to have a proper itinerary that ensures your health and fitness before embarking on this venture. Good care is needed in allotting sufficient time for acclimatization and adaptation. Trekmunk has a well-crafted itinerary for the trek to the summit. We have a team of advanced trekkers with experience who curate well-thought and considered itineraries, keeping in mind the safety and overall well being of our fellow trekkers. Your health has always been our first priority and shall remain so till time immemorial.
The trek begins from the Sarbal village, from where trekkers trek through mesmerizing trials, landscapes, and river streams to reach the Durinar Meadow which is extensively rich with beautiful trees and views of mighty peaks. The Durinar Meadow also serves as the base camp for the Kashmir Alpine Lakes trek which is another populous choice amongst visitors. It also has a gorgeous lake in its vicinity that adds to its captivating beauty and sprinkles its mists in the air making camping in the area a magical experience. It takes close to five hours to reach the Durinar lake from the Durinar Meadow which is situated further higher and away from the meadow. After taking sufficient time for acclimatization and energizing well with good amounts of rest, the final trek to the summit begins on the 5th day. Trekkers, on this day courageously cover a stimulating, thrilling, and equally exhausting journey to the Thajiwas summit; their ultimate destination. After reaching the top and enjoying the achievement, satisfaction, and thrill of making it to your dream destination, you may enjoy a good amount of time lazing at the top and then return to the Durinar Lake on the same day to spend the night in a safe space. It is important to descend to lower heights during the night to avoid any probability of unpleasant experiences. The sixth day will be the last day of the trip wherein trekkers will re-trace the same route to return to Sarbal village to bring their trip to a happy ending.
Brief Itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from airport to Sarbal Village
You will arrive at a warm reception at the airport in Srinagar; the summer capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. You will be then allotted the vehicles that will drive you all the way from the airport to the village of Sarbal. The drive will be a smooth one, if you look outside of the window you will be introduced to some of the most eye-capturing landscapes of Kashmir. The drive will give you plenty of chances to screen and distant-gaze the wealth of nature. You will also come across many little streams as well as dense wild landscapes with canopies of trees and rich flora along with the company of pleasing and drool-worthy weather. It will take around 3 hours from the airport for you to reach Sarbal village which is the last village of Kashmir and lies at the very corner of the state. After a good yet exhausting drive to Sarbal, you will wash off the tiredness of the day through a hot water bath and relax for a while. You will be invited for lunch by the afternoon and you can indulge in the scrumptious lunch to energize and pump up for the day. Today will be a light day so you can either spend it sightseeing or lazing around within the vicinity of the village. You may as well hike to nearby areas, interact with locals, and get a glimpse of their lives in the mountains. Usually, the locals are very welcoming and enthusiastic about hosting guests. After spending the evening around, watching the episode of the sun melting into the sky, you will return to your base camp post evening for a tasty dinner and bring the day to an end.
Meals : L, D
Accommodation : Tents/Homestay
Time Taken : 3 hours drive
Altitude : 9,186 ft
Day 2: Trek from Sarbal Village to Durinar Meadow
The second day will be your most awaited day, where you will begin trekking towards your dream destination. After resting well the previous night, you will wake up to the pleasant rhythm of nature, the sound of birds, flowing water in the nearby streams, and much more. Post freshening up, you will move towards the breakfast counter for a delicious and wholesome breakfast which is important to meet the energy demands which the day shall put forward in the course of time. Soon after, you will begin trekking towards the Durinar Meadow which is a bewitching meadow that also serves as the base camp for many other popular treks and remains a very prominent choice because of its topography, scenic beauty, and convenience. The meadow is situated at a height of 11,650 ft and will require you to ascend up to 2,450 ft from the Sarbal village. It will take approximately 5 hours for an average person to reach the meadow from Sarbal which will be quite a task yet equally exciting. The Durinar Meadow also encloses The Durinar Lake which is an epitome of purity and beauty and which will serve as your campsite for the third day. Anyhow, after reaching the campsite, you will indulge in a tasty lunch and carry on with your personal activities for the rest of the day. Higher altitudes have lower amounts of oxygen and so it is advised to take slow yet steady steps during journeys that vision to reach extremely high altitudes. That is why you will find fewer activities in the first two days of your trip because both those days play a major role in acclimatization and adaptation. After some silly games and easy activities, you will proceed with the dinner and call of the second day.
Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents/ Homestay
Time Taken : 5 hours
Altitude : 11,650 ft.
Day 3: Trek from Durinar Meadow to Durinar Lake
The third day will start open with a warm and mesmerizing sunrise amidst the mountains. After a delicious and soul-filling breakfast, you will trek toward the Durinar Lake which lies further higher at an altitude of 13,690 ft above sea level. It opens into beautiful peaks and breathtaking views. Harbored in giant granite rock, the sea-green lake will absolutely devastate you with its beauty and panoramic views. You will have to ascend to a height of about 2,040 ft to reach the Durinar Lake and it will take a good couple of hours for you to reach the sight since it is quite a steep climb from the Durinar meadow. Sufficient short breaks will be taken to rest, chill and relax in the arms of nature along with a long lunch break which will be taken after reaching the campsite. You can hike to nearby snow-clad areas to make a snowman or do other silly activities that will help you acclimatize well after reaching the Lake. Or you may simply steal a few moments to enjoy your company in the silence of nature far away from other trekkers. After spending the third evening in the mountains, you will find yourself in a much comfortable position since your body will have adjusted to the new surroundings by then. After a few group activities and fun games by the side of the Durinar Lake, you will begin your preparations to camp beside the lake for the night stay. Post preparations, you will move forward to have your much-awaited tasty dinner. After which, you will unfold your respective blankets to bring the day to an end. Additionally, the Durinar Lake will also serve as the summit camp of your trek.
Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents/ Homestay
Time Taken : 5 hours
Altitude : 13,690 ft.
Day 4 : Acclimatization Day
The fourth day is included to religiously allow acclimatization so that you are in the right state both mentally and physically to climb the summit the next day. The Thajiwas summit lies in close proximity with the Central Pinnacle Peak and the Valehad Peak both of which lie on either side. The Summit is a part of the Thajiwas Range which offers an extremely refreshing experience altogether. On the fourth day, you will freshen up, have your healthy and rich breakfast and begin your trek towards the Innominate glacier for a fun day and as well as acclimatize in the open. The trek to the Innominate glacier will be a short one yet the reward at the end of it will surely melt your heart. After having a gala time around the glacier, you will return to the campsite at Durinar Lake for a delicious dinner and in no time pack up for the day. Mountain sicknesses are real and can even lead to death if not taken seriously so it is very crucial to maintain rest and acclimatization breaks in treks that demand so. It is also suggested to avoid indulging in too many physical activities at high altitudes to keep mountain sickness at bay. And since it is important to remain hydrated during treks, it is advised to avoid the consumption of alcohol to regulate and maintain your fitness during treks that already demand so much of your energy.
Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents/ Homestay
Time Taken : 3 Hours
Altitude : 14,372 ft
Day 5 : Trek from Durinar Lake to Eastern Pinnacle Thajiwas Summit and from the summit back to the Durinar Lake
The 5th day will be the most significant day of your trip because it is on this day that you will be the closest to the destination for which you went through all that you did until this day. You will start your day with a scrumptious and healthy breakfast, post freshening up. After which you will begin your climb towards the Eastern Pinnacle Summit, most part of which is going to be very steep. You will trace a trial made up of granite boulders to reach your first pit stop; the Nilnag Lake which is situated at a height of approximately 14,000 ft. As you trek further, you will find a steep 500 m long gully which will take you to the third Thajiwas Glacier. At this point, you will be able to point out the summit line from where you will begin to witness many mesmerizing views of different peaks, ranges, and lakes. When you reach the top, you will find a steep drop on the right and you will also be able to view the most beautiful Barfsar Lake from that height. Many mountain peaks will also appear very clearly and overwhelm you with their presence. Anyhow, after the tedious, wearing yet thrilling trek to the summit, you will spend some quality time admiring the magnificence of nature but towards the end of the day, you will consciously begin your descend towards the campsite in the Durinar Lake, to have your meal and rest for the day.
Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents/ Homestay
Time Taken : 7 hours
Altitude : 15,453 ft.
Day 6 : Trek from Durinar Lake to Sarbal Village
The 6th day will mark the last day of your trek to the summit. You will find yourself waking amidst the mountains for the last time on this journey. After a warm farewell by the sunrise in the morning, you will freshen up and have your tasty breakfast to gather some energy to retrace your journey backward and reach the Sarbal village via the same beautiful landscape views that greeted you on your way up. It will be a long journey, a yet nostalgic and special one, in its own way. It will take around 6-7 hours for you to return to the Sarbal village from the Durinar Lake via the Durinar Meadow. After reaching the base camp in Sarbal, you will relax, while- away for a while, spend your last few moments in that area, taking pictures, catching up with fellow trekkers for the last time, and even interacting with the locals before bidding them the ultimate goodbye. And finally, you will be driven back to the airport in the same vehicles that brought you here the first day that will drop you and your luggage safely at the airport entrance. This will officially bring your trip to an end with your successful visit to the eastern Pinnacle Summit. You will return to your homeland with dozens of memories, episodes of butterflies in your stomach, and an inexplicable feeling of joy and satisfaction.
Meals : B
Accommodation : Not Included
Time Taken : 7 hours
How To Reach
We will arrange a cab for you from the pickup point in Srinagar. For communications purposes, we will create a Whatsapp Group before the departure date of the trek and will share the details regarding the transportation. The drop at Srinagar after the trek will be arranged in a similar way.
How To Reach Barafsar Lake Trek base camp in Kashmir:
By Air
Srinagar Airport is well connected to the major cities of the country. Frequent flights ply from Delhi, Jammu, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chandigarh, and Kolkata.
By Road
Srinagar is accessible from the other parts of the country via the National Highway 1D. The Srinagar Bus Stand is well connected to Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu.
By Rail
The Jammu Tawi Railway station is the most convenient stop, from where frequent buses and cabs are available for Srinagar.
Why Trek With Us ?
Reviews
I and my friends went to Markha Valley trek with Trekmunk and we all had a great time. Walking up and down the hill, coming across some beautiful sites was mesmerizing. Staying in tents was so much fun. And our guide had all the knowledge about the trek. Trekmunk is really good w ...
Ishita
Makha Valley Trek
Makha Valley Trek
Our 7 days trip to Meghalaya was a truly memorable experience. Thank you Trekmunk for arranging such an adventurous backpacking trip and a special thanks to Mohit Goswami our trip leader for giving us an experience of what true travelling is. From hitchhiking to traversing the un ...
Jayati Bist
Meghalaya Backpacking
Meghalaya Backpacking
I chose (after a lot of research) Trekmunk for my first trek - The Hampta Pass and Chandratal Trek. And I am so really glad I did so. The trekker needs to only focus on the trek and the beautiful landscape around him/her. The rest of everything is taken care of by Trekmunk from d ...
Sreekul Nair
Hampta Pass Trek
Hampta Pass Trek
Let's Talk