Description

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is the most popular trek and the most beautiful treks in Kashmir. The green alpine meadows with stunningly beautiful alpine lakes make it one of its kind. The best places can be seen through the toughest path, and this trek truly redefines it. The trek winds up through jungles, meadows, gullies, and the vast spread of grasslands in the high altitudes of Kashmir. The total duration of the trek is 7 days, and the gradient of the trek is moderate to difficult.

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Itinerary of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Day 1: Arrival at Srinagar. Srinagar to Sitkadi

• Arrive at Srinagar International Airport
• Take a shared cab from Srinagar to Shitkadi, Sonmarg. The entire ride will take about 4 hours to complete so sit back, relax, and enjoy a quiet charming drive.
• Shitkadi is a small village inhabited by one of the oldest Kashmiri communities. Once you reach the village, our ground team will guide you to our campsite and welcome you with a warm heart. Kashmir is indeed very hospitable.
• If you are early, you can take a walk around the campsite, or can go to Sonmarg, which is just 20 mins away.
• Your dinner is fixed with us, so come back by the evening and enjoy your steaming dinner.
• Overnight stay at a camp on twin-sharing basis

(Dinner included)

Day 2: Sitkadi – Nichnai

Trek distance: 12 km – 7 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Altitude Gain: 7800 ft to 11600 ft above sea level

• Today is going to be an exciting day for you, as you will enter the valley for the first time. Wake up refreshed in the morning and have your luscious breakfast. Get ready to embark on the prettiest trek of the entire India.
• The moment you enter the valley, you will see a world only made up of glowing gross land and blooming meadows. It will be something you have never seen in your whole life.
• The trail to Nichnai takes you through the vast meadows, dense forest of Maple, Pine, and Bhoj trees. Right after about 40 minutes, you will cross the first army check post. Here you will submit your ID proofs.
• Trek for some more time and suddenly you will have the greatest views of massive Sonmarg valley and white as milk Thajiwas glacier.
• The specialty of this trek is the desire to keep walking right from the first day you wouldn’t want the day or the walk to end. You will feel like keep walking through the verdant meadows and enjoy the heavenly views. On the way to Nichnai, you will also pass through the Nichnai River flowing quietly and glittering under the glowing sun.
• When you will reach Nichnai, you will have your campsite somewhere in the middle of vast grassland and meadows. Settle yourself and enjoy the rest of the meals.
• It is important that you take the trek slow and soak in every feeling KGL is all about the feels and pretty sensations.
• Overnight stay at a camp on twin-sharing basis

(Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner included)

Day 3: Nichnai – Nichnai Pass – Vishnusar

Trek distance: 14 km – 7 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Altitude Gain: 11600 ft to 13200 ft to 12000 ft above sea level

• We hope you had one of the best nights yesterday. Wake up satisfied with the stunning natural beauty and do your scrumptious breakfast.
• One of the unique things about this trek is that almost every day, you ascend over the mountain pass for a while and then later descend to reach the campsite. Similarly, today you are going to ascend to the Nichnai pass which is about on hour-long steep ascend and then later pass on through the vest maple meadows.
• If you feel tired after ascending over the Nichnai pass, take a short break and then start descending towards Vishansar campsite.
• By afternoon, you will reach the campsite and if you are hungry, eat your tasty lunch immediately.
• Today’s highlights are the astonishing Vishansar and Kishansar lakes. It is a small 20 minute trek from the campsite to the Vishansar lake and another about 20 minutes to Kishansar lake.
• Here will be the first introduction to the breathtaking lakes of Kashmir. Vishansar Lake stays frozen from October to July and is startling blue. Similarly, Kishansar lake being a twin lake also stays frozen and reflects amazingly blue throughout the year.
• This place is also greatly visited by the local shepherds, therefore you might also see several herds of sheep grazing around. If you like interacting with new people, go around and have small chit chat with them. You might get to know an interesting story share later.
• Overnight stay at a camp on twin-sharing basis

(Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner included)

Day 4: Vishnusar – Gadsar Pass – Gadsar

Trek distance: 16 km – 8 hours

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Altitude Gain: 12000 ft to 13700 ft to 10700 ft above sea level

• Wake up, stretch yourself and go for a short run to wake up from the slumber. Today is going to be long trek. So, buckle up and refresh yourself.
• Typically, first you will ascend to the Gadsar pass from Krishnasar. The climb is going to be steep and exhausting, so brace yourself beforehand. But apart from all of that, the trail is going to be surprisingly very beautiful and dazzling. Also Gadsar pass is the highest point of the entire trek which is 13,500 ft.
• Because there is not even a single tree on the pass, you can actually view the entire green valley from there.
• From the Gadsar pass, you will trek down towards the famous Gadsar lake. The route from the pass to the lake is unbelievably beautiful with a narrow flowing just beside the route.
• Depending upon your pace you will reach the stunning Gadsar lake. All the great lakes of Kashmir are so breathtaking that you will want to spend all day long just sitting beside the lake. Spend some time to your own convenience and then start the trek to your campsite.
• It will take about few hours to reach from the lake to the campsite. Also, just a few meters before the campsite, you will have the second army check post to sign up. Carry your official government ID to have a hassle-free pass.
• Once through the check post, reach the campsite and settle down. This campsite is also phenomenal in terms of beauty and the surrounding. Spend the rest of the day strolling around the grassland and have a good luscious dinner at night.
• Overnight stay at a camp on twin-sharing basis

(Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner included)

Day 5: Gadsar – Satsar

Trek distance: 12 km – 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Altitude Gain: 10700 ft to 12000 ft above sea level

• We hope you had a wondrous night yesterday. Wake up early in the morning and experience the marvellous Kashmir valley down. Today is going to be a moderate trek of about 10 km long, so you can exercise in the morning accordingly.
• After you have done your breakfast, get ready to move again. Haven’t you noticed how amazingly different is each day. Even the grasslands change according to the valley and the day. Today’s grassland is going to be equally lush green but patched with blooming flowers.
• Trekking through these meadows, it’s very difficult to express what you feel. Kashmir Great Lakes trek is so incredible that putting the experience in the words is almost impossible.
• Few more meters into the trek, you visit the 3rd army post of the trek. Submit your ID proof copies here again. As you hike ahead, the valley will suddenly wide open with the views of the Satsar lake.
• After spending an ample time at the lake, proceed to the campsite and relax. Walking the entire route might be exhausting and tiring, so take this opportunity and chill for the rest of the day.
• Overnight stay at a camp on twin-sharing basis

(Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner included)

Day 6: Satsar – Zaj Pass – Gangabal

Trek distance: 9 km – 6 hours

Difficulty: Difficult

Altitude Gain: 12000 ft to 13200 ft to 11500 ft above sea level

• Wake up early and enjoy a quiet sunrise. Go for a short run and exercise a bit. Get ready for another beautiful trail. Today we will be proceeding from Satsar to Gangabal twin lakes. The route is mostly rocky and stony.
• The trail is a steep incline to Zaj pass and from there you trek down to Gangabal lake and camp near the Nandpol lake. The specialty of these lakes is that they sit quietly with the massive Harmukh peak sitting just behind them.
• While you are observing the beautiful lakes, you will also see their glaciers sitting on the Harmukh peak. In large, this scene is amazingly beautiful and breathtaking.
• After you have had enough time around twin lakes, trek back to the campsite and relax. You will have evening snacks to savor and a nice luscious dinner to eat.
• Overnight stay at a camp on twin-sharing basis

(Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner included)

Day 7: Gangabal – Naranag – Srinagar

Trek distance: 13 km – 6 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Altitude Gain: 11500 ft to 7800 ft above sea level

• Today is going to be the last day of the trek. Make the most out of it. Wake up as early as possible, stream in fresh air and go for a short jog to freshen up.
• The best thing about the last day is that you will have the most astonishing view and the longest route. After a tasty breakfast meal, get ready to embark on the last day.
• The trail is mostly descending, and you stay active on the movements of knees & ankles. The route will be crossing the dense forest of Pine and descending to an altitude of 7,450ft.
• After you have reached Naranag, this journey to the heaven ends today. It’s time for us to say goodbye to each other and cherish the memories we have made over the last one week.
• Drop to Srinagar. Our services end here.

(Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks included)

If you want to stay back at Srinagar tonight, we can help you with booking a hotel or houseboat for extra charge.

Please do tell your Kashmir Great Lakes trek stories to your friends and family, and do encourage them to be part of this unbelievably beautiful trek.

Important Points for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

• Total trek distance is 80 km. It will be covered in 6 days. That’s a lot of trekking! And will surely test your fitness levels
• Participants should have prior trek experience. Preferably one high altitude trek (12000+ ft) before this one is ideal (as you will know if you are vulnerable to high altitude sickness or not).
• You will be out of mobile network area for all days of the trek. Please inform your loved ones that you will be lost in the most beautiful part of the world for next few days. You will resume mobile network only on Day 7.
• Being hydrated during the trek is the mantra. Practise drinking enough water to keep yourself hydrated. It will also help reduce the symptoms of high altitude sickness.
• Do not under estimate high altitude sickness. Even if you experience slightest of the symptoms, do inform the trek lead. He will check the oxygen levels. There will be emergency medicines and oxygen with the trek lead. Please note that emergency evacuation is not possible, so you are responsible for your fitness and health.
• If you do not feel good even after few hours and are still experiencing the symptoms of high altitude sickness, abandon the trek immediately and return to Sitkadi. Trek lead will guide you how to do that. Remember, the only solution to high altitude sickness is to get to a lower altitude. There is NO other solution.
• The trek has several steep ascents and descents. You need to be regular in your fitness regime. Can you cover 5 km in less than 35 minutes (on a flat track)? If not, get trained for it and be consistent with that for 2-3 months prior to the trek. Moreover, the trek also involves crossing boulders, that too huge ones. Can you do that with trembling legs?
• Sounds scary? No, you need not be. It is a tough trek but can be done. Just be aware of certain symptoms, and keep talking to the trek lead, and you will be fine.