Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Jammu, your journey kicks off as you head towards Kishtwar. The route is characterized by its scenic beauty, leading you to Sounder village. The initial stretch on the National Highway to Kishtwar offers a comfortable drive, while the adventure truly begins onward, and with that, the scenic splendor intensifies. Throughout your journey, the Chenab river flows alongside, enhancing the allure of the drive. As you approach Sounder, a few kilometers prior, the Chenab river bifurcates into the Chandrabhaga and Marwah rivers. From this point onward, the road follows the course of the Marwah river, adding to the picturesque surroundings.
Upon arriving at Sounder village, the designated base camp for your upcoming trek, take the opportunity to explore your surroundings. Engaging in conversations with the villagers will provide you with a profound understanding of their local culture and way of life. Such interactions offer a unique and valuable perspective on the community. It's during treks like this that you are privileged to connect with the residents of remote villages within our country, providing an authentic glimpse into their daily lives.
As the day draws to a close, enjoy a wholesome dinner and settle into the cozy and comfortable tents thoughtfully provided by Incredible Tours and Treks. These accommodations offer you the perfect blend of comfort and adventure, ensuring a restful overnight stay amidst the tranquil surroundings of Sounder village.
After a fulfilling breakfast, your trek begins from Sounder village. A few kilometers ahead lies Suid village. To traverse the Nath river, cross the wooden bridge, moving to the opposite side. The path leads through captivating farmlands. As you approach the Nath river, your trek aligns with its course.
Continuing parallel to the Nath river, you'll reach the imposing rock formation known as Druna Giri after a while. Just a short distance away is Bhuman Chor, a spot associated with the legend of Bheem from the Mahabharata bathing here.
For nearly half a kilometer, the trail remains flat within the valley until you encounter another wooden bridge. Upon crossing this bridge and returning to the river's right side, a steep ascent marked by switchbacks commences, leading you into the forested terrain.
Under the shelter of towering coniferous trees, the next kilometer of your journey unfolds. Soon, you'll enter the realm of Honzad village. Positioned on the opposite bank, the picturesque homes of Honzad can be admired from a distance. Just a bit further, you'll encounter a forest resthouse, accompanied by a campsite.
Continuing onward, you enter a dense forest trail characterized by mixed pine forest, dominated by chir pine and abies pindrow trees, accompanied by hints of maple. The well-defined path meanders through this enchanting forest, occasionally revealing valley vistas to your left, offering moments of refreshing respite.
After about 1.5 kilometers, you'll enter Nath village, the trek's final village. Positioned across the river, Nath village presents an aerial view from your path, showcasing the coexistence of people from different religions in harmonious unity.
A short distance ahead, you'll cross a small water stream on foot. Abundant water sources grace this trek. Following this, a wooden bridge diversion leads to Nath village, but your course continues forward along the same direction.
From Nath village, the trail reenters the forested section, persisting for the next 4 kilometers until you arrive at the Gogut campsite. Along this stretch, every turn unveils breathtaking valley views, enriching your forest journey.
Before you know it, you'll arrive at Gogut, the trek's first campsite. This tranquil clearing is accompanied by a flowing water stream behind and the spirited river on the left. Majestic mountains encircle both sides, with a small temple enhancing the serene atmosphere. Here, you'll enjoy a satisfying dinner and a restful overnight stay within the cozy Alpine Tents
After a hearty breakfast, your day's trek begins as you make your way towards the wooden bridge. The trail leads through a forested section dominated by the presence of majestic pine trees. Today's forest stretch is particularly serene and remote, devoid of human habitation as you venture further.
Continuing through the pine forest, you'll encounter a zone affected by a landslide. A short distance beyond, an opening on your left provides a new perspective. Your path now follows the banks of the Nath river. At the conclusion of this stretch lies a place known as Bhujal Bhath.
Proceeding half a kilometer, the valley opens up once again. Similar to your experience on Day 2, intermittent clearings in the forest grant you breathtaking views of the Brammah valley. As you move forward, the trail ascends. Roughly 300 meters ahead, you'll encounter a section with a broken trail. Exercise caution while navigating this area, as it's a steep ascent from here to Chugnu.
Following Chugnu, you'll cross the river via a bridge. Once across, your trek resumes on the left bank of the river. Trek through the sparse pine forest for a few hundred meters until you reach a striking opening. This landscape might remind you of the beauty of Kashmir. On a clear day, you'll have your first glimpse of the Eiger and Tarparan peaks from this vantage point.
Continuing onwards, a captivating waterfall graces your view to the right. The terrain transitions into a river bed with loose scree from here. During heavy rains, the river's flow extends to this area. In such cases, an alternate, longer trail runs alongside for your convenience.
Progressing further, you'll arrive at another clearing known as Kulsar before reentering the forest. This marks the beginning of an ascent within the forest. Savor this forest stretch, as it's the last of its kind for the day. After ascending about a kilometer, the valley's vistas unfold before you. This point is known as Waathaval, featuring a shrine nearby.
A mere 500 meters from Waathaval lies another flat meadow named Hawal, a picturesque spot where the valley opens up even more. Shortly ahead, a stream crossing awaits. Traverse the stream by hopping onto the boulders. Shepherd's huts can be spotted beyond this point.
The trail now returns to the river bed. Trekking along the river bed for 400 meters will lead you to a Shiva temple, accompanied by a water source for replenishing supplies.
Half a kilometer further, another stream crossing presents itself. These crossings can become challenging during heavy rains, so exercise caution while navigating. Nearly a kilometer ahead, you'll catch your first glimpse of Mt. Brammah Wife. Another half kilometer later, you'll arrive at the day's second campsite - Kaikut.
Kaikut is a stunning campsite that treats you to captivating views of the Eiger, Tartaran, and Brammah Wife peaks. Don't miss the opportunity to witness the alpenglow on these peaks during the golden hour - a truly mesmerizing spectacle.
After a satisfying breakfast, today marks the summit day of your trek through the Brammah Valley. This unique route allows you to camp close to the summit, setting the stage for an exciting day ahead.
Continuing from Kaikut, you'll encounter a water stream and an open clearing. A little further, a god idol comes into view. Here, two distinct trails lead to Hudh Mata temple. The left trail involves stairs, while the right trail winds through the forest. Hudh Mata temple holds religious significance for the local population, with an annual Yatra taking place in July, drawing devotees from villages and cities who come to offer their prayers.
Initially traversing meadows, the trail then ascends through stairs into the forest, leading to Hudh Mata temple. This temple is believed to possess supernatural powers and holds deep reverence among the locals.
Descending to the left of Hudh Mata temple, you'll encounter a forest resthouse and a rock cave used by pilgrims during the Yatra. A bit further within the forest, you'll reach a stream crossing, or "nala," which can be treacherous, especially during the monsoon season. Due to such stream crossings, this trek is not recommended during the monsoons.
Continuing onward, the mountains draw closer to you. The imposing peaks of Brammah Wife and Brammah I become visible, with Brammah Wife appearing closer initially. As you progress, Brammah I approaches nearer and nearer, while Eiger and Tarparan peaks reveal themselves on the opposite side.
Approximately 3 kilometers from Hudh Mata Temple, you'll find a rain shelter and the Trisangiya temple. About 1 kilometer ahead lies a wooden bridge, which you'll cross to continue on the other side of the Nath river. This is also where a diverging trail branches off from the main route.
A mere 100 meters onward, you'll enter the enchanting silver birch forest once more. This forest stretch is short-lived, and the treeline concludes after 200 meters. At the end of this stretch, you'll encounter a forest hut. A further 100 meters leads you to Kiddar Maidan, arguably the most splendid campsite of the trek.
Adjacent to Kiddar Maidan lies Brammah ridge, the highest point of the trek. A trek of around 500 meters, including a steep final climb, takes you to the ridge. From this vantage point, you'll relish a close-up view of Brammah I and Brammah Wife, an experience akin to a summit climb.
Returning to Kiddar Maidan, you'll spend the rest of the day at this campsite. Nestled in a river delta surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Kiddar campsite is a gem. Featuring silver birch trees on one side and towering mountains on the other, this expansive clearing offers ample opportunities for exploration. The alpine glow on the mountain peaks during sunset is truly enchanting. Your day concludes with a delectable dinner, followed by an overnight stay in the comfortable camp setup.
After a hearty breakfast, your journey back begins from Kiddar Maidan, retracing the same route you followed earlier. However, on this day, you won't be stopping at Kaikut for camping. Instead, you'll continue to Hawal campsite, situated just beyond the river bed you encountered on Day 3.
Hawal campsite is a spacious clearing, flanked by towering mountains on either side, offering a unique sense of camping within a valley. While the route remains the same, the change in campsite provides a fresh perspective and an altered experience along the familiar path. Take advantage of this opportunity to rest and recharge, as tomorrow's adventure will be a long one.
Following a satisfying breakfast, your journey commences from Hawal, retracing your steps towards Sounder village. This day entails a relatively longer trek of approximately 7 hours. However, being the final day of the trek, make sure to relish every moment of it. Anticipate a captivating traverse through enchanting pine forests, invigorating stream crossings, and encounters with villages that offer glimpses into the rich culture of Jammu. Embrace these experiences as you make your way back to Sounder village, savoring the last leg of this memorable journey.
After breakfast, transfer to Jammu airport to catch the flight for your onward journey.