The Most Beautiful Trek in India
Trek: Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Region: Kashmir
Duration: 8 days
Difficulty Grade: Moderate-Difficult
Base Camp: Gagangir, Sonmarg
Maximum Altitude: 4180 M
Approx. Trekking Km: 75 Kms.
Maximum Group size: 12 trekkers.
Best Time to Visit:
This trek is only accessible during July-August and August is the Best time to do this trek.
Eligibility:
Previous high altitude trekking experience is must.
The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
The climber should be able to carry personal backpack.
Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have the conditions mentioned above.
Highlights
- The magnificent mountain scenery on the trek
- Most treks in the Himalayas are very scenic. However Kashmir Great Lakes trek is on a scale of its own. In fact, the mountains of Kashmir are like that. They have a larger-than-life presence around you. I would not be exaggerating too much if I say that a trek in Kashmir is like watching on an IMAX screen while everywhere else is on a normal TV screen. Kashmir — you feel it everywhere
- The unforgettable walks; especially in the meadows
- Besides, you cannot talk about Kashmir Great Lakes Trek without mentioning the lakes. Especially, Starting from clear at dawn to sea green to light blue to inky blue by evening. Additionally the twin lakes Vishnusar and Kishansar, the sea-green Gadsar with ice floes, the sight of gigantic Gangabal along with its twin Nandkol are some of the best lake scenery you will see in the world.
- During this trek, you will cross 3 mountain passes in total.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Overview
The Most Beautiful Trek In India
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful treks in India. It undoubtedly validates Kashmir’s mythical status as heaven on earth.
This is because the trek is set on a canvas that’s larger than life. It is situated 75 km northeast of Srinagar. During the trek every day is a 360° panorama of wild, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, and turquoise alpine lakes of Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Nundkol and Gangbal. Additionally you get more than six of these lakes and five very different valleys to explore!
Difficulty Level
The range of landscape makes it a comparatively moderate-difficult trek spanning over six days. Furthermore it has long trekking days with steep ascents and descents with no easy exit points. Therefore it’s not meant for a beginner who hasn’t been exposed to high-altitude treks.
Starting from the popular hill station Sonamarg, the trail follows ancient routes taken by the Gujjars, the nomadic shepherds of Kashmir. Thus trekkers are treated to breathtaking views of rugged snowcapped mountains, colourful grasslands, and trout-filled crystal clear lakes every day. There are also high passes to be crossed, the highest being at 4191m and rocky terrains to be navigated frequently and among them few are having a bit of tricky section. It is a physically and mentally challenging trek and would require the trekkers to be comparatively fit and to have a penchant for the Himalayan remoteness to enjoy this trek.
Short Itinerary
- DAY 1: Firstly arrive at Gagangir from Srinagar, spend the rest of the time at Gagangir, Sonmarg. Generally a Acclimatization Day.
- DAY 2: Trek from Shitkadi to Nichnai, Trek distance: 11.6 km | Trek Duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude gain: 7,800 ft to 11,607 ft.
- DAY 3: Trek from Nichnai to Vishnusar via Nichnai Pass, Trek distance: 13.5 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude gain: 11,607 ft to 12,011 ft via 13,229 ft.
- DAY 4: Trek from Vishnusar to Gadsar via Gadsar Pass, Trek distance: 16 km | Trek Duration: 7.5 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 12,011 ft to 10,706 ft via 13,715 ft.
- DAY 5: Trek from Gadsar to Satsar, Trek distance: 11.5 km | Trek Duration: 4.5 hours | Altitude gain: 10,706 ft to 11,985 ft.
- DAY 6: Trek from Satsar to Gangabal via Zaj Pass Trek distance: 10 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,985 ft to 11,486 ft via 13,276 ft.
- DAY 7: Generally a Buffer Day
- DAY 8: Finally trek from Gangabal to Naranag. Then drive to Srinagar. Trek distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,486 ft to 7,800 ftDrive Distance: 2 hours | Drive Duration: 50 km
Inclusions
- Staying would be provided at basic homestays in Gagangir and alpine tents during the trek.
- Fooding will be provided from Day 1 dinner to Day 8 breakfast. Packed lunch during trek.
- All trekking and camping equipment, medical assistance and first aid kit.
- All forest permits, trekking permits and sanctuary permit.
- Healthy Veg/non-veg meals as per your choice.
- Car cost: Pickup from Srinagar to Gagangir, Sonmarg and drop to Srinagar from Naranag.
Exclusions
- Travel insurance.
- Naranag homestay or Srinagar hotel stay/houseboat charges.
- Any other food for your need.
- Personal rucksack carrying cost by porters/mules during trek. ( on advance booking basis)
- Any kind of personal expenses.
- Anything not specially mentioned under ‘inclusions’.
How to Reach at Srinagar?
Day 1: Book your air ticket to Srinagar to reach early in the morning or book your air ticket to Srinagar on Day 0 afternoon/evening.
Day 9: Book a return flight ticket from Srinagar. Do not book plane tickets to your hometown from Srinagar on Day 8.
Note:
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- While getting to Srinagar, we recommend you arrive a day earlier and stay at Srinagar. Staying at Srinagar gives you a well-deserved rest for the night. Plus some bonus sightseeing.
- On your return, your trek ends at Naranag. We again arrange for transport for trekkers to reach Srinagar. You reach Srinagar between 6.00 and 7.00 pm.
Buffer Day: Generally you have to keep a buffer day for emergencies. Your trek is 7 days long including buffer day. You cannot predict bad rain, landslides or a political situation on a trek. If you don’t use the buffer day on the trek, you can always use it for sightseeing in Srinagar.
Always book your return flight/train tickets after including the buffer day in your itinerary.
There are two options to reach Srinagar.
Option 1: Fly directly to Srinagar
We certainly recommend this. It gives you an added rest day at Srinagar or even better if you can head towards Sonamarg. You can travel to Sonamarg if you land at Srinagar before noon.
Option 2: Taking a train/bus to Jammu and reach Srinagar
(This option is not recommended during the pandemic. There are many roadblocks en route from Jammu to Srinagar that take as long as 24 hours to open. If you opt to travel via Jammu, keep at least 2 days in buffer)
If you are taking a bus to Jammu, then you have multiple options to take. There are two gates outside Jammu ISBT. You will get shared cabs from both these gates.
Meanwhile if you are reaching the Railway Station, the share cabs to Srinagar will cost between Rs 700 to Rs 1000.
Tip: Shared cabs are more from the Jammu ISBT compared to the Railway Station. Firstly you have to travel from the Railway station to the bus stand. They call it “Bus Adda”. The cost of the bus will be Rs 10. The auto will charge around Rs 80 to 120.
Pro Tip: Instead go to Banihal and catch a train to Srinagar (Naogaon) (Reaching Banihal will be again via shared cabs, which cost Rs 500 to Rs 700)
Auto from Srinagar Railway station to Dal Gate, around Rs 150 to Rs 200
This is faster than coming by cabs directly to Srinagar.
Payment & Cancellation Policy:
- Book your slot with 30% advance payment and rest of the payment can be done on or before 30 days of the departure date.
- Any trekker tested positive for Covid-19 before joining the trek, his/her trek fee will be carried forward for 1 year to avail any of our treks.
- Due to any reason if we have to cancel our trek plans, you will be notified and you will get the full refund.
- Cancellation done 30 days before the departure date, get 70% refund of the total amount.
- Cancellation done between 30 days to 20 days before the departure date, get 50% refund of the total amount.
- Cancellation done less than 20 days before the departure date, no refund will be provided as Govt only allow limited number of trekkers each year.
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