The Best Time to Do Warwan Valley Trek: Ideal Season & Weather Guide

If you are someone who likes to explore the pass-less-taken, Warwan Valley Trek is the suitable choice. The trek takes you to some of the serene offbeat lakes, meadows, glaciers, etc. It transverses through deltas, pastures, lush grasslands, with an array of a wildflower seen all around. June to September is considered the best time to do Warwan valley trek. It is the time when the weather is pleasant and all trails are accessible!

Our Warwan Valley Trek Guide

The trek has remained a go-to place for trekkers for ages now. Being a part of an ancient route that connected Kargil to Kashmir, it gives a sneak peek into the history too. It starts from the Panikhar Village. It is located in the Suru Valley and a road trip from the Srinagar city takes you there. It is used for acclimatisation and rest before the start of the trek. Once you are interested in doing this trek, you must be aware regarding the gradient of the trek. The Warwan Valley Trek is difficult. This is in no way suggested for beginner trekkers. On almost all days of the trek, you will be walking for an entire day. It is open during the summer season, from Last June to September. The trek is closed in the Winter, given the heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions prevailing during the season. The trek provides an opportunity to spend the night at gorgeous campsites such as Humpet, Denora, Sukhnai and Kalapari.

The Best Time to Do Warwan Valley Trek

June

From June onwards, Warwan Valley Trek opens. However, it is advisable to plan it after the middle of June. Summer has arrived in Kashmir by then. The temperature averages around 15-20°C. Bright sunny days are part of the climate. Nights can be a bit colder due to sudden drop in temperature levels. There are few to none chances of rainfall during the month. By now, the snow of the winter has melted off. The entire Warwan Valley is vibrant again. Crystal clear views of meadows, glaciers, lakes are seen. Even the trekking trails are open and accessible. They can easily be traced as we move forward. Pack cotton clothes like trekking pants, tshirt, etc. Carry warm clothes as well like thermals and jackets etc.

July

July is the best time for Warwan Valley trek. It is the peak season as well. Most of the expeditions are organised during this month. The routes are often more crowded than other months. This time is also the best time to do Warwan Valley trek. The reason behind this influx is very simple. July has pleasant weather. With moderate temperature levels, ranging between 20-25°C, a lovely climate prevails throughout the trek. The days are warm and sunny. Occasional rainfall is expected in Warwan Valley in July. Don't expect it to rain cats and dogs. It is the monsoon season in northern India. However, it does not rain heavily in Kashmir. It is because the mighty mountain ranges do not let the monsoon clouds enter the valley. The trekking trails are easy to navigate. Even if you face any trouble, there's an entire team of Cliffhangers India with you. The weather expert and trek leader are there to help you out. Keep light cotton clothes like track pants, t shirts, shirts, a light sweater, walking or trekking shoes. Do bring an umbrella.

August

August is also an excellent time for Warwan Valley Trek as the trails are clear and you can move further easily. Similar to July, the weather is comfortable in this month too. It is balmy. Temperature hovers somewhere between 20 to 25°C. It goes down at night making them colder. It rains mildly for the first two weeks of the month. You should bring an umbrella in case it starts raining during the long treks. The routes remain engaged in August too with trekkers transversing through the trails. August is a beautiful time for natural photography in the valley. Bring a camera, lenses and tripod for stunning clicks. For essentials, keep cotton clothes with a warm layer or two, snacks, first aid box, documents, permits, etc.

September

September is a suitable time for the Warwan Valley trek. It is the last month to undertake the trek. After September, it closes for about 8 months. The month of September is the time when the valley transitions from summer to Autumn. Temperature remains between 15°C to 20°C and goes down to 5°C sometimes, especially at night. It is neither too hot nor too cold. However, the weather gets quite unpredictable during this month of the year. You see the wildflowers blooming and bursting in the meadows. The leaves on the trees change their colours from green to golden. The panoramas are just extremely picturesque. The entire surrounding is covered in multiple shades of hues. September offers an excellent opportunity for photography enthusiasts particularly during sunrise and sunsets. Go on strolls in the green grasslands barefoot and feel connected to mother nature.

Why Should You Do Warwan Valley Trek?

There's no trek in the entire Kashmir valley that matches the grandeur of the Warwan Valley Trek. The best reason you should do the trek is the grandness that this trek has. This is the Trans-Himalayan trek of India. The long walks through grand grasslands and under the shadow of the towering peaks of Kishtwar offers a thrilling experience. The most exciting thing about this trek is that you will get the landscape of both Ladakh and Kashmir. From barren, rugged mountains to green landscapes, you see and transverse through two words. The highlight of the trek has to be the view of the Bracken Glacier. In the summer trek of Warwan Valley, you get this beautiful experience of walking on a glacier that is too safe without any technical manoeuvres. It would a major lifetime event for you as a trekker.

Another major highlight of the trek are the long sprawled, lush grasslands of Warwan Valley. The joy of walking for days in endless grasslands with river streams and surrounding mountains is straight from a movie. It might sound exhausting but with enthusiastic fellow trekkers, you will be immersing yourself in this experience. In Kashmir Warwan Valley Trek is the most offbeat trek. You won’t see any crowd on this trek. It surely promises a serene time in the remote regions. Warwan Valley is the least populated. On the way you will rarely see any people around. It's deserted. You might spot some shepherds here and there making their flock graze the lush grass. You should interact with them.

Things to know before you undertake Warwan Valley Trek

• Acclimatisation is crucial: The highest altitude that you trek in Warwan Valley Trek is 14,469ft. Only the idea of something this high is fascinating. However, to be safe up there, you have to first blend in with the alpine atmosphere. Acclimatising well before the trek should be the first thing on your list. Keep 1-2 buffer days for it. You can either rest in Srinagar or use the time in Panikhar.
• The difficulty level of the trek: It is no secret that Warwan Valley Trek is difficult. The distance to be covered is around 20 kilometres every day for 7 days. Long road trips are equally tiring and mundane. You must be physically and mentally prepared for the exhaustion and long hikes.
• Permits are required: Located near the borders, The Valley is a military sensitive area. You must carry all the permits and documentation that are required before the start of the trek. Talk to your travel organiser in this regard if it's in the inclusions.
• Respect the locals: Always respect the locals since the villages of Warwan Valley are very secure about their traditions and culture. They have preserved it for ages. Don’t disrespect them in any way. It is not nice to click pictures if they don't want to. Always ask permission before any photography.
• Packing tips: Pack light in a single mile as you have to trek long miles everyday through different terrains. However, don’t forget to keep the essentials that you will need there.

Different Inclusions and Exclusions of the Warwan Valley Trek Package:

Inclusions:

• All meals: Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner. We provide nutritious veg food to trekkers. There's always a try not to repeat the dishes;
• Camp stay on all nights in high-quality tents: It is on a double-sharing basis. Sleeping bags,sleeping mattresses, and dining tents;
• You are accompanied by mountaineering experienced trek leaders, guides, and experienced cooks;
• The package also includes all the mountain medicine, first aid, oxygen cylinder, etc;
• Passes and permits.

Exclusions:

• Lunch on the first day;
• Personal expenses;
• Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusion.

We hope this guide provides all the various necessary information regarding the Warwan Valley Trek. This summer, have an unforgettable experience with offbeat exploration of the valley and around!

Share this:

ABOUTME

We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.