MARCHOI TREK

3200 METERS | KASHMIR

DIFFICULTY

Easy

DURATION

5 Days

BEST TIME

June-Sept
Dec-May

COST

On Enquiry

overview

The Marchoi Trek is an offbeat Himalayan journey that offers pristine landscapes, quiet valleys, and a sense of exploration away from crowded trails. The trek passes through forests, alpine meadows, and high ridges, gradually gaining altitude into open mountain terrain.

Walking days are steady and immersive, allowing trekkers to settle into a rhythm as the valley opens wider with each day. The charm of Marchoi lies in its simplicity and remoteness, making it ideal for trekkers who value landscape and solitude over summits.

Reaching altitudes close to 4,000 metres, the trek provides a solid high-altitude experience without technical difficulty. Fitness and endurance matter more than speed.

Marchoi is perfect for those looking to experience the Himalayas in a quiet, less commercialised setting.

Note: Prices apply to Indian passport holders; foreign nationals may have different costs.
Note: An indemnity document will be shared before the trek.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Srinagar ➝ Drive to Naranag

Upon arrival at Srinagar International Airport, our team will receive you and begin a scenic drive towards Naranag, a beautiful village nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas.

The drive takes you through picturesque countryside, rivers, and traditional Kashmiri settlements. After reaching Naranag, check into your campsite/guesthouse and relax.

In the evening, enjoy a short village walk and explore the ancient Naranag Temple ruins, surrounded by lush meadows and towering peaks.

Overnight stay in Naranag.


Day 02: Trek from Naranag to Dumail

After breakfast, begin your trek from Naranag towards Dumail. The trail gradually ascends through dense pine forests, alpine clearings, and alongside mountain streams.

Enjoy peaceful surroundings and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys as you gain altitude.

After several hours of trekking, arrive at Dumail, a scenic meadow campsite known for its untouched natural beauty.

Trek Duration: 5–6 hours
Overnight camping at Dumail.


Day 03: Dumail ➝ Marchoi Valley ➝ Return to Dumail

Today is an exploratory day. Trek towards the breathtaking Marchoi Valley, known for its vast alpine meadows, shepherd settlements, and stunning Himalayan landscapes.

Walk through rolling grasslands and enjoy views of snow-clad ridges (seasonal). Spend time exploring the valley and capturing photographs before retracing your steps back to Dumail.

Trek Duration: 5–6 hours (round trip)
Overnight camping at Dumail.


Day 04: Dumail ➝ Shadimarg Top ➝ Return

After an early breakfast, trek towards Shadimarg Top. The climb is moderately challenging but rewarding, offering wide panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges and deep valleys.

From the top, enjoy spectacular high-altitude scenery and peaceful Himalayan silence. After spending quality time at the summit, descend back to Dumail campsite.

Trek Duration: 5–6 hours (round trip)
Overnight camping at Dumail.


Day 05: Dumail ➝ Naranag ➝ Drive to Srinagar

On the final day, trek back from Dumail to Naranag through the same scenic forest trail. Upon reaching Naranag, board your vehicle and drive back to Srinagar.

Your trek concludes with beautiful memories of Kashmir’s untouched alpine landscapes.

INCLUSIONS

  • Accommodation

    • Comfortable camping in high-quality expedition tents on twin sharing basis during trekking days.

    Meals

    • All meals DURING THE TREK, starting from Dinner on Day 1 until Breakfast/Lunch on the final trekking day, as per itinerary.
    • Nutritious vegetarian meals including breakfast, lunch, evening snacks/soup and dinner.
    • Hot beverages such as tea served in the morning and evening.

    Trek Leadership & Support Staff

    • Experienced and certified Boots & Crampons trek leaders and guides.
    • Dedicated support staff including:
      • Expedition cook
      • Kitchen helpers
      • Camp setup team
    • Porters or mules for carrying camping equipment and group logistics.

    Equipment & Safety

    • Expedition-grade tents, sleeping mattresses, and dining tents.
    • Sleeping Bag
    • Kitchen equipment and cooking supplies.
    • First aid medical kit and emergency oxygen support where required.

    Permits & Fees

    • Forest permits, national park permits, and camping fees.
    • All applicable government charges.

    Additional Benefits

    • Exclusive participant discount on Fast&Up nutrition products.
    • Trek completion certificate (for applicable trekkers).

EXCLUSIONS

  • Travel & Transportation Outside Trek Itinerary

    • Travel expenses from hometown to the trek reporting location and return.
    • Arrangement of transportation from Srinagar to the Base Camp point can be arranged by B&C at additional cost.

    Personal Equipment & Gear

    • Personal trekking gear, including:
      • Trekking shoes
      • Trekking poles
      • Personal clothing and equipment

    Personal Expenses

    • Porter services for carrying individual luggage (can be arranged at additional cost).
    • Bottled water, snacks, beverages, and personal purchases.
    • Personal toiletries and medication.

    Insurance & Medical

    • Personal travel insurance.
    • Emergency evacuation costs if required.

    Miscellaneous

    • Tips and gratuities for guides and support staff (optional but customary).
    • Any additional expenses arising due to:
      • Weather delays
      • Natural disasters
      • Personal early exit from trek

PREPARATION GUIDE

Please read carefully before registering

At Boots & Crampons, preparation is not optional. The level of training required depends on the duration, altitude, and technical difficulty of the trek or expedition you are signing up for.

    • This is a beginner-friendly trek and does not require prior trekking or mountaineering experience.
    • You should be reasonably fit, healthy, and comfortable with walking for several hours a day.
    • If you are not regularly active, 1–2 weeks of basic preparation is recommended.
    • Practice walking uphill or climbing stairs, preferably with a light backpack.
    • Build basic cardiovascular endurance—jogging or brisk walking is highly recommended.
    • Focus on leg strength with simple exercises like squats and step-ups.
    • Mental readiness is important—weather, terrain, and plans may change in the mountains.
    • Follow instructions given by the trek leader and support staff at all times.

Proper preparation increases not just your chances of success, but also your safety and enjoyment in the mountains.

THINGS TO PACK

For Your Head:

  • Woolen warm cap to protect against cold winds
  • Balaclava for extra warmth
  • Bandana (can be used as a sweatband or to cover your face from dust)

For Your Feet:

  • 4-5 pairs of regular socks
  • 1-2 pair of thick woolen socks for warmth
  • Trekking boots with ankle support and good grip
  • Extra pair of comfortable sneakers or shoes to wear at the Tea House

For Your Hands:

  • 1-2 pairs of warm inner gloves
  • 1 pair of waterproof gloves to keep your hands dry
  • Hand warmers (optional, but useful in very cold weather)
  • A pair of fleece gloves for extra insulation

Clothing: The Armor of the Adventurer:

  • 1 pair of thermal innerwear (top and bottom) for base warmth
  • 2 pairs of lightweight, quick-dry trekking pants
  • 1 pair of windproof and waterproof Gore-Tex trousers
  • 1 Gore-Tex or waterproof jacket for wind and rain protection
  • 1 poncho (optional) for sudden rain
  • 1-2 fleece jacket for light warmth
  • 3–4 full-sleeve dry-fit T-shirts for layering
  • 1 heavy down or padded jacket (800-900 Fills) for extreme cold

Navigational & Survival Gear:

  • 20-30L Backpack (for water, snacks, fleece, etc.)
  • 50-60L Backpack / Duffle Bag
  • 1 trekking pole (or 2 for better balance)
  • Filter water bottle (2 bottles of 1 Ltrs)
  • Thermos flask (for warm water or tea)

Personal Care Compact:

  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Face towel, tissues & wet wipes
  • Hand sanitizer & lip balm
  • Moisturizer (optional but helpful in dry climate)
  • Personal medication kit
  • Sunscreen (SPF 50+)

Illumination & Eye Protection:

  • Headlamp with extra batteries – a must-have for night treks and early morning starts
  • Sunglasses – Polarized, Category 4 with 100% UV protection and a wrap-around fit to guard your eyes from harsh sun glare and snowy reflections. Carry a backup pair just in case.

Soul Nourishment:

  • Camera – capture the beauty and magic of the mountains
  • Music player or earphones – enjoy peaceful moments with your favorite tunes
  • Books or playing cards – perfect for downtime and relaxing at camp
 

*Rental Gears Required*
Visit our Contracted Business Partner website – Summit Yak
for details on trek-specific rental gears and rates.

Frequently asked questions

The Marchoi trek includes forests, high alpine ridges, glacial valleys, and open meadows. It offers an immersive Himalayan wilderness experience with limited infrastructure.

This trek reaches altitudes around 4,000–4,300 m, depending on the variation.

This trek is moderate to challenging: long days, significant altitude gain, and high-altitude terrain make it serious but non-technical.

Yes, if you are reasonably fit and have prior trekking experience. Preparation and acclimatization help make it successful.

Comfortable walking 5–7 hours daily with uphill and downhill sections is recommended.

➡️ More detail in the Preparation Guide.

All water should be treated or purified.

Focus on:

  • cardio endurance
  • strength training
  • uphill hiking with a backpack

➡️ Refer to the Preparation Guide for detailed plans.

  • WhatsApp group creation post-registration
  • Zoom briefing sessions + Q&A

WHY CHOOSE US

01

Trustworthy​

Proven expedition company with transparent processes, certified leaders, and strong participant safety standards.

02

Success Rate

Consistently high summit and completion rates through careful planning, acclimatization, and expert leadership.

03

Customized

Flexible itineraries tailored to participant fitness, goals, timelines, and expedition objectives.

04

Experience

Led by seasoned mountaineers with extensive Himalayan and international expedition experience.

05

Eco-Friendly

Committed to responsible trekking, Leave No Trace principles, and environmentally conscious expedition practices.

06

Variety of Destination

Wide range of treks and expeditions across Himalayas and iconic global mountain destinations.

SAFETY MEASURES

Boots & Crampons staff of highly trained professional guides is here to make your journey as safe and secure as possible. All of our trekking guides are medically certified and have abundant experience using their training in mountainous environments.

Our safety standards are based on the experiences of our founder, managing risk in some of the world’s most hostile environments.

While we advise our trekkers to carry light, our guides are always prepared with:

  • Medical Kit containing High Altitude Emergency Medicines and Life Saving Drugs
  • Oximeter to measure pulse rate and oxygen saturation in blood while on the trek
  • Oxygen Cylinders ONLY for climbs above 6000 Mtrs.

Still have questions?

Be it queries about the trek, customization or anything else, our team is eager to assist you.

Need your questions answered right away?

Get in touch with us at

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