Kolahoi Glacier Trek

The Kolahoi Glacier trek is a classic 2-day route from Pahalgam (or 1-day from Aru), following the Lidder River upstream through forest, alpine meadow, and moraine to the glacier terminus at around 3,800 m. The peak of Kolahoi (4,702 m) towers above the glacier, its north face permanently snow-covered. The views from the moraine above the glacier lake are among the finest mountain panoramas in the Kashmir Valley.

The route is straightforward to the glacier; no technical climbing is involved. Horses can carry gear and food from Aru to the base camp at Lidderwat. A guide is useful but not strictly necessary for the main route. The best season is June to September; the glacier is inaccessible from October to May.

things to do sight
A story
Kolahoi (4,702 m) is the highest peak in the Kashmir Valley and the source of the Lidder River. The glacier that descends from its upper slopes has retreated significantly since the mid-20th century — measurements show it has lost over a kilometre of length since 1912. The glacier feeds the Lidder, which in turn provides irrigation water for much of the Anantnag district. The retreat is both a climate record and, quietly, a water crisis in slow motion.