Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

LOCATION: JAMMU & KASHMIR, INDIA

 زمین پر جنت کبھی بھی ہے تو ، یہ یہاں ہے ، یہ یہاں ہے

If there is ever heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here! This famous sentence, quoted by Mughal Emperor Jahangir hundreds of years ago, still stands true and unfailing, albeit the time and age. Kashmir Valley is the beautiful crown adorned on top of India. Some say it is a paradise on earth, others say it is a paradise by itself, but indeed Kashmir outstand all the stunning places on earth.

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is considered by far the best trekking one can experience. The trek is a seven day expedition, starting from Srinagar and ending with Naranag. The season to enjoy the trek is from June to August since the places will be filled with lush greens and covered with beautiful flowers.

Among all the treks written about, the Kashmir Great Lakes is overwhelmingly the most beautiful one. It is just a tragedy that it is unknown to most people.

Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival day (Base camp – Sonamarg)

• Arrive at Srinagar.
• Drive from Sringar to Sonamarg, which is 4 hours away

Note: It is advisable to arrive at Srinagar a day early as it helps in acclimatization.

Day 2: Sonamarg to Nichnai via Shekdur

• The trek to Nichnai covers a distance of 9 km.
• 3 km into the trek, you will spot a lone dhabha. Pick up your stock of short eats from here.
• It is a total 3 hour ascent followed by 1 hour descent and finally a gentle 2 hour ascent to Nichnai which is at 11,500 feet.
• The trail takes you through meadows, dense forests with Maple, Pine and Bhoj trees.
• You will reach Nichnai in about 6 hours. Camp overnight at Nichnai.
• Justbefore you reach Nichnai Pass you come across beautiful Lavenders.
• Picture shows Lavenders

Day 3: Nichnai to Vishnusar lake

• The days trek is a long 12 km walk on meadows with the scenery changing for the better all along.
• Start by 8 am to give you enough time en route to enjoy the meadows.
• Your first destination for the day is to cross the Nichnai pass or Vishnusar.
• It will take you about 6 hours to reach Vishnusar, gaining an altitude of 2000 feet.
• Pitch your tents next near a water source. Camp for the night.

Day 4: Explore Vishnusar and Kishansar twin lakes

• This day can be spent liesurely, exploring the twin lakes.
• These lakes are full of trouts and trout fishing is popular. Obtain a permit from Srinagar for fishing.
• The trail from Kishansar climbs up to the top of a ridge and on  the top of the ridge is the Gadsar pass.
• Spend time at the Kishansar meadows photographing the lake from various angles.
• Camp for the night at Vishnusar.

Day 5: Vishnusar to Gadsar via Kishansar lake and Gadsar Pass

• Start trekking towards the top of the ridge from Kishansar.
• The trek is a steep 2 hour ascent followed by a steep descent followed a gentle walk in the meadows.
• It will take you from 12,000 feet to the Gadsar pass at 13,750 feet covering a distance of 10km.
• An hour into the trek, you will see the most beautiful view of the twin lakes together.
• On the other side of the Gadsar pass stretches a long valley with 2-3 small lakes.
• You can also see a few peaks outside the LOC (Line of control).
• Walk through a long strech of multi coloured flowers, till you reach Gadsar lake.
• You will reach the campsite in 5 hours.
• There is an army camp closeby and all details of the trekkers and staff including original id cards are recorded, collected and checked here.
• Camp for the night at Gadsar/near the army camp.

Day 6: Gadsar to Satsar

• Begin your trek towards Satsar, traversing through meadows, a ridge and a stream.
• The trek covers a distance of 12 km in 6 hours.
• Before you reach the first lake, you will have to report to the Satsar army check post.
• It is the 3rd line of defence from the LOC. The same process of ID checking, collection and questioning repeats here too.
• Ten minutes out of the army camp is the first of the Satsar lakes.
• The lake is pretty big and looks picturesque in its green setting with mountains in front.
• Camp here for the night.

Day 7: Satsar to Gangabal twin lakes

• You will need to cover 9 km today. It may take around 6 hours.
• The trail is mostly descending, with a few steep ascends, bringing you down from 12,000 feet to 11,500 feet.
• Trek up half an hour out of camp, to reach the biggest Satsar lake.
• The terrain is bouldery and it is more of a boulder hopping exercise than anything else.
• Look out for the Gangabal and Nandkol twin lakes – a beautiful view from the top.
• Descend further down to meadows and to the Nandakol lake, beside which is the Gangabal lake.
• Camp for the night at Gangabal.

Day 8: Gangabal to Naranag

• The final descent is quite taxing, as it involves a long and steep descent, but it also passes through the most beautiful pine forests.
• It covers a distance of 11 km, and dropping from 11,500 feet to 7,45o feet.
• The trail descends down a ridge onto a meadow with pretty little yellow flowers and then moves in and out of a pine forest until it hits the main road head of Narang.
• You will reach Narang in about 6 hours. The tren ends at Naranag.

Naranag to Sringar

• Head towards Srinagar.

Best Season to visit and other important Details:  Trek Info

For Detailed Trek Itinerary : Click here

* Please note that prepaid sim cards do not work in Kashmir.