Kashmir Great Lakes Trek – The Lakes of Paradise
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is among one of many reasons, why Kashmir is entitled as the Paradise on earth.
Well, it’s hard to justify the great lakes Kashmir trek. Call it ‘The Gateway to the Garden of Eden’, this trek stays above all wonders on this planet. Imagine your own paradise on the earth that stretches with seven distinct valleys, seven different alpine lakes, and six poles-apart colossal grasslands. A living proof of heaven does exist. It’s the great Kashmir lake trek.
The Kashmir great lakes trek map is the journey to the lost world. The expedition to the great lakes of Kashmir, trudges through the twin brooks Gangabal and Nandkol who sits quietly in the middle of gigantic blackish Hasmukh peak. Reflect their own glaciers over the blue crystal clear water. Then, there is Gadsar Lake which is a dream to imprison. A total ethereal & poetic experience that comes with the Kashmir great lakes trek cost.
Besides, with every passing valley, you will be stunned to eyewitness the secret challenge of beauty each one poses to the other. Trekking Kashmir great lakes is more like transporting yourself to one of the 17th-century British tales expressed with limitless flourishing meadows of maple and leafy grasslands patched with nut-brown wild horses.
The Kashmir great lakes trek guide lets you live you imagination. A dream of you strolling in the middle of lush green meadows, on a warm sunny morning. Lost in the bloom of yellow-pink flowers, opening over broad-wide bare mountains with heavenly looking brown and white horses grazing over. Sounds ‘Heavenly’, isn’t it? Well, it definitely is.
Best time to do Kashmir great lakes trek
Googling Kashmir great lake trek best time? You must know that the unpredictable weather plays a major jack in this trek. The valleys being harshly prone to massive snow and jarring cold, you are left with very few months to trudge on this extraordinary expedition. The only months that we suggest as the best time for Kashmir great lakes trek begins in the end of June. It covers the month of July, August, and September.
There are just a few treks available in Kashmir during the winter months (October, November, December till March), such as the Naranag and Gangabal Lake hikes. In the beginning of October, hikers might attempt the well-known Tarsar and Marsar Lakes Trek.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Srinagar to Shitkadi
Altitude: 7,800 ft.
Drive: 76 km (4 hours)
Meal: Dinner
Stay: Shared Tent Stay
After at Srinagar and get transferred to Shitkadi, Sonmarg on Shared Cab.
Enjoy the charming 4 hrs. ride to Shitkadi, inhabiting one of the oldest Kashmiri community.
Meet our ground team who’ll guide you to our campsite.
Arrived early? Stroll around the campsite, or can go to Sonmarg (just 20 min away).
Return back for dinner and rest at campsite.
Day 2: Shitkadi to Nichnai, via Shekdur
Altitude: 11,500 ft.
Trek: 11.6 km (6-7 hours)
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay: Shared Tent Stay
Wake up, get fresh and have your breakfast.
Trail to Nichnai, crossing 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 you’ll have the greatest views of massive Sonmarg valley and milky white Thajiwas glacier.
Reach Nichnai, and camp and spend overnight in the middle of vast grassland and meadows.
Day 3: Nichnai to Vishansar Lake, via Nichnai pass
Altitude: 12,000 ft., via 13,100 ft.
Trek: 12 km (6-7 hours)
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay: Shared Tent Stay
Wake up and have your scrumptious breakfast.
Today, you’ll ascend to Nichnai Pass and later pass through the vast maple meadows.
Rest at Nichnai pass and descend down towards Vishansar campsite.
Reach campsite by afternoon, enjoying the astonishing Vishansar (20 min) and Kishansar Lake (20 min).
Day 4: Vishansar to Gadsar, via Gadsar Pass
Altitude: 12,500 ft., via 13,800 ft.
Trek: 16 km (5-6 hours)
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay: Shared Tent Stay
Today you’ll be trekking for long. So breakfast well and buckle up.
First ascend to Gadsar Pass from Krishnasar and later trek down to the famous Gadsar Lake.
Spend some time at the lake and trek back to your campsite.
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.
Day 5: Gadsar to Satsar
Altitude: 12,000 ft.
Trek: 10 km (5-6 hours)
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay: Shared Tent Stay
Wake up early to experience the marvellous Kashmir valley dawn.
Start trekking after breakfast. Observe the grasslands change to lush green, patched with blooming flowers.
Few more meters into the trek, you visit the 3rd army post of the trek. Submit your ID proof copies here again. A few meters and the valley wide opens with the Satsar Lake view.
After spending an ample time at the lake, proceed to the campsite and relax.
Day 6: Satsar to Gangabal twin lakes
Altitude: 11,500 ft.
Trek: 9 km (5-6 hours)
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay: Shared Tent Stay
Wake up for breakfast over a quiet sunrise.
Trek on a steep incline to Zaj Pass to reach the twin Gangabal Lake.
Camp near the Nandpol Lake enjoying the massive Harmukh Peak view right behind them.
While you observing the beautiful lakes, you will also see their glaciers sitting on the Harmukh peak. In large, this scene is amazingly beautiful and breathtaking.
Take your time soaking the view and return back to the campsite.
Day 7: Gangabal to Naranag and to Srinagar
Altitude: 7,450 ft.
Trek: 15 km (7-8 hours)
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Wake up fresh and freshen up for breakfast.
Trek through the dense Pine forest, descending to an altitude of 7,450 ft.
Once arriving Naranag, this journey to the heaven ends.
Day 8: Buffer Day
It’s your buffer day. The great lakes Jammu and Kashmir trek can be intervened by weather or from the political side. However, we can consume it on any day of the trek, accordingly.
Things to Carry on Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
1. Shirts / T-shirts –2/3, Jeans / Trekking Pants -3.
2. Windproof jacket of decent quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) preferably with a hood.
3. Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater.
4. Thermal inner wear (upper & lower), Scarf/muffler.
5. Woollen cap, Woollen gloves, Woollen socks & regular socks (3-4 pairs).
6. Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes (Waterproof shoes with a thick sole are recommended).
7. Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers.
8. Raincoat / Poncho, Small quick dry towel.
9. Water bottle (sturdy ones, no empty Bisleri bottles!!).
10. Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face.
11. Sun glasses (polarized/UV Protected), Walking stick / Trekking pole.
12. Sunscreen Lotion, Lip Balm, Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries).
13. Medicines, if requiring any specific medication.
14. Personal toiletries.
15. Day pack/small bag in case if you are planning to offload your regular backpack.
16. Hand Sanitizer.
17. Extra face masks.18. 5 – 6 Copy of valid Government ID proof.
