The Nafran Valley Trek is a 7-day moderate trek in Kashmir, India, climbing from the Mondlan road head (7,960 ft) to Harnag Pass at 12,750 ft (3,886m), the trek's high point. The Vertical Tribe runs it Srinagar to Srinagar. Camps are at Bhaj Margi, Bhaj Pathri Top and Nafran Valley; the high day crosses Harnag Pass on Day 5 before the descent via Arram Pathri. Total trekking distance is roughly 40 km over six trekking days.
Highlights
- Variety in seven days. Pine forest below Mondlan, the high pasture of Bhaj Margi and Bhaj Pathri, the wide meadow of Nafran, and an alpine lake at Harnag — covered in a single 40 km arc.
Nafran Valley Trek at a glance
- What is the Nafran Valley Trek?
- A 7-day moderate trek through an offbeat valley in Kashmir, climbing from the Mondlan road head to Harnag Pass at 12,750 ft.
- How hard is it?
- Moderate. Six trekking days, roughly 40 km of distance, around 36 hours of moving time, with a 12,750 ft high point on Day 5.
- How long does it take?
- 7 days / 6 nights from Srinagar to Srinagar — one drive day in, five trekking days, and one combined drive-and-trek-out day.
- When is the best time to do it?
- July to September.
- How much does it cost?
- Reach out to TVT for the current batch price — the 2025 brochure does not list a per-person rate.
How difficult is Nafran Valley Trek, really?
Moderate. Six trekking days, roughly 40 km, around 36 hours of moving time. The longest day is Day 5, a 7-hour out-and-back to Harnag Pass/Lake at 12,750 ft; the other days run 3 to 6 hours. Six nights in tents and homestay, with the highest camp at 11,485 ft.
- Altitude
- Road head at 7,960 ft, then camps at 10,374 ft, 11,318 ft, 11,485 ft, 11,485 ft and 10,498 ft. The high point is 12,750 ft at Harnag Pass/Lake on Day 5, reached as an out-and-back that returns to camp at 11,485 ft.
Overview
The trek begins with a 100 km drive from Srinagar to Mondlan, the trail head. From Mondlan you climb through pine forest to Bhaj Margi, then onto the open pasture of Bhaj Pathri Top. Day 4 traverses gently to Nafran Valley, the trip's main camp at 11,485 ft. Day 5 is the high day: a 7-hour out-and-back to Harnag Pass at 12,750 ft before returning to camp at Nafran. Days 6 and 7 unwind the route via Arram Pathri and back to Mondlan, where vehicles wait for the drive to Srinagar.
Who climbs with us
Nafran is a tented loop through pine forest, alpine pasture, and a high pass to Harnag Lake. Six tented nights and one 7-hour pass-and-lake day; the other five days run 3–6 hours with gentle altitude gain.
The route, point by point
| Point | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | 5,200 ft | Trip start; assembly 10:00 AM |
| Mondlan | 7,960 ft | Road head; first camp |
| Bhaj Margi | 10,374 ft | Forest camp |
| Bhaj Pathri Top | 11,318 ft | Open pasture camp |
| Nafran Valley | 11,485 ft | Main camp; base for the Harnag day |
| Harnag Pass / Lake | 12,750 ft | Highest point |
| Arram Pathri | 10,498 ft | Descent camp |
Itinerary
7 days, Srinagar to Srinagar.
- Day 1: sleeps at 2,426m .
- Day 2: sleeps at 3,162m .
- Day 3: sleeps at 3,450m .
- Day 4: sleeps at 3,501m .
- Day 5: sleeps at 3,501m , climbing to 3,886m.
- Day 6: sleeps at 3,200m .
- Day 7: sleeps at 1,585m .
-
Day 1 Srinagar to Mondlan
5,200 ft → 7,960 ftAssemble in Srinagar at 10:00 AM. Drive 100 km south to Mondlan, the trail head. First night under canvas at the road head.
-
Day 2 Mondlan to Bhaj Margi
7,960 ft → 10,374 ftFirst trekking day. Climb out of Mondlan through pine forest to Bhaj Margi.
-
Day 3 Bhaj Margi to Bhaj Pathri Top
10,374 ft → 11,318 ftOut of the forest and onto open pasture. Camp on the meadow at Bhaj Pathri Top.
-
Day 4 Bhaj Pathri Top to Nafran Valley
11,318 ft → 11,485 ftA mostly traversing day into the wide meadow of Nafran Valley itself. Establish the trip's main camp.
-
Day 5 Nafran Valley to Harnag Pass / Lake and back
11,485 ft → 12,750 ft → 11,485 ftThe high day. Climb to Harnag Pass at 12,750 ft, the trip's highest point, then return to camp at Nafran.
-
Day 6 Nafran Valley to Arram Pathri
11,485 ft → 10,498 ftA short descent day to Arram Pathri.
-
Day 7 Arram Pathri to Mondlan to Srinagar
10,498 ft → 5,200 ftFinal descent to the Mondlan road head, then the 100 km drive back to Srinagar. Trip ends on arrival; Day 7 accommodation in Srinagar is not included.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation — stay from Day 1 to Day 6 in tents & homestay
- Food — all meals from snacks on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7
- Permits & camping charges — all trekking permits and national park charges
- Trekking & safety equipment — high-quality tents & sleeping bags
- Certified trek leaders
- Expert trek team
- Transportation — Srinagar to Pahalgam and back
Not included
- Accommodation in Srinagar on Day 7
- Backpack offloading charges
- Rescue — insurance and rescue expenses
- Food during transit
- Personal expenses of any kind & anything apart from inclusions
Dates & availability
No fixed dates yet — get in touch for the next Jul – Sep batch or private/custom dates.
No public slots are available for this trek yet. Reach out and we'll share the next departure as soon as it's confirmed, or set up a private group on dates that suit you.
or email us →Need different dates? Private departures are possible through Jul – Sep with a minimum of 4 trekkers — message us on WhatsApp.
Your leaders
Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA
Lead Trek Leader · Mountain Athlete · 8+ years
What we don't do
- We don't promise a pass on a weather-dependent day
- Day 5 to Harnag Pass and Lake is weather-bound. The lead trek leader makes the final call — we'll turn around if conditions don't support a safe crossing, and the rest of the itinerary stands as planned.
- We don't pad the itinerary
- Seven days is what the route actually needs — one drive in, five trekking days that build altitude steadily, and one combined drive-and-trek-out day. No invented "extra rest" days.
Permits, rules and cancellation
Cancellation
- More than 60 days before departure — 80% refund
- 60 to 30 days before departure — 50% refund
- Less than 30 days before departure — no refund
Rules on the mountain
- No alcohol or smoking during the trek
- Don't litter; do not disturb the flora and fauna
- No loudspeakers
- Leave No Trace
Frequently asked
Where is the Nafran Valley Trek?
In Kashmir. The trail head is at Mondlan. The drive in from Srinagar is roughly 100 km, 3–4 hours.
How difficult is the Nafran Valley Trek?
Moderate. Six trekking days, roughly 40 km of distance, around 36 hours of moving time, with a high point of 12,750 ft on Day 5.
What is the highest altitude on the trek?
12,750 ft (3,886m) at Harnag Pass on Day 5, the trek's high point.
What's the best time to do this trek?
July to September.
How much does the Nafran Valley Trek cost?
The 2025 brochure does not list a per-person price. Reach out to TVT for the current batch rate.
Where do we start and end?
Assembly is in Srinagar at 10:00 AM on Day 1; the trip ends back in Srinagar on Day 7.
What are the temperatures like?
15°C to 2°C across the trek.
