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Location: 107-km From Srinagar Via
Pahalgam, Kashmir Region, J&K
Altitude: 2,408m
The chirrup of birds, the gentle
swish of the breeze, the sapphire coloured sky, and all at 2408m
above sea level - this is Aru. Far far away from the routine urban
life, Aru is a meadow bordered on one side by a ravine of the Lidder
River. A little stream also flows past in the green-gold grass.
The English Backdrop
Dotted with stone and wood houses, resembling an English hamlet,
some of them are built in the typical Gujjar-shepherd style-flat
roofed, squat and backed against the hillside. One can stroll
through the meadows of burnished green and gold grass and chance
upon the tourist bungalow or stop by at little roadside stalls known
as "Dhabas" and the mandatory "hotel".
A Natural Bounty
Once in Aru, one will feel like a shepherd, away from the travails
of modern life. One wonders if one really needs to go back and leave
all the beauty and serenity to the lean, high cheek-boned Gujjar or
Bakerwal herd of men and dark-eyed women and children whose natural
habitat it is. In fact one's heart fills with envy at their luck in
belonging to this land of beauty surrounded by conifer-covered
forests with the mighty Himalayas peeping up over and above the
conifers. Idyllic, this place almost looks like a picture postcard.
Trekking
If one wants to flex those legs a little more, one could trek for
24-km to the Kolahoi glacier at 3,200 metres. Or one could spend the
whole day unwinding. Walk in the resinous, whispering woods with the
sun shafting in; stretch out on pine needles; bask in the honey-glow
of sunset.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Nearest airport
is Srinagar - 107 km via Pahalgam.
Rail: Nearest railhead is situated in Jammu.
Road: Taxis and buses ply from Srinagar to Pahalgam and from
there one can take a taxi, pony or can trek towards Aru.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available in
the tourist bungalow run by the state tourism department and a
couple of budget hotels.
Trekking Tour
Package ->>
Padum to Manali. Trek |
Padum to
Darcha Trek
LADAKH
TOUR PACKAGES
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LADAKH
PANORAMA TREKS(Durations
8Nights/9Days)
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TSOMORIRI
LAKE TREKS(Durations
7Nights/8Days)
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LADAKH
MONASTERY TREKS(Durations
15Nights/16Days)
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CLASSIC
MARKHA VALLEY TREKS(Durations
16Nights/17Days)
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MANALI TO
LADAKH TREKS (Durations
22Nights/23Days)
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