Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Maximum Altitude
13,800 ft
Best time to visit
July - September
Minimum Age
7+
Base Camp
Shitkadi
Accommodation type
Tents
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Air: Take a flight to Srinagar airport
and then a shared cab to Shitkedi. Or, book a flight to Delhi or Pathankot
airport and on-board Volvo to Srinagar.
Road: The Volvo transfers are available
to Srinagar from Delhi as well as from Pathankot. From Srinagar take shared or
private cab to reach Shitkedi.
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.
1. You will be greeted by our trek team
on your arrival to Shitkadi campsite.
2. All stays included from Shitkadi
campsite to Naranag in tents on a sharing basis:
3. All meals included from Day 1 dinner
to Day 8 breakfast. Vegetarian meals will be served throughout the trek.
4. Skilled local staff who have ample
knowledge of the route.
5. Hot water for drinking purpose shall
be provided on request.
6. Kitchen, dining and toilet tents
will be used during the trek.
7. Cooks/Helper for carrying common
equipment like rations/tents/utensils/groceries.
8. All trek essentials included–
(i) Accommodation - tents, sleeping
bags, sleeping mats etc.
(ii) Safety equipment - as per
requirements and basic first aid kit with a portable oxygen cylinder.
(iii) Permit - forest and camping fee included.
1. The above trek charges does not include the
GST charges (5%).
2. Personal essentials –
(i) Equipment - Gumboots, trekking
poles etc.
(ii) Insurance - Personal and travel
insurances.
(iii) Beverage - Mineral water
bottles/bottled or canned beverages.
(iv) Snacks - Chocolate, dry fruits,
protein or nutrition bar.
(v) Entertainment - Camera or drone
fees.
3. In case if your trek remains
incomplete or uninitiated because of "force majeure", medical
emergency or by personal choice after you arrive at the starting point, you
will not be able to get refund, reschedule or replace any services that remain
unutilized by you.
4. Any additional cost incurred due to
changes in Government Guidelines related to travel/trek/COVID-19 will be borne
by the Guest.
5. Anything which is not included in
Inclusion.
1. If cancellations are made 26 days
prior to the start date of your trek/tour/activity, no cancellation fee will be
charged.
2. If cancellations are made between
8-25 days prior to the start date of your trek/tour/activity, 25% of the total
package amount will be charged as cancellation fee.
3. If cancellations and rescheduling
are made within 7 days from the start date of your trek/tour/activity, 100% of
the total booking amount will be charged as a cancellation fee.
4. Guest can reschedule the
tour/trek/activity between 8-25 days prior to the start date of your
trek/tour/activity (Depending on the availability), after this period no
rescheduling can be done and no amount can be refunded.
5. Rescheduling of the
tour/trek/activity is applicable only once, after that if you want to cancel or
reschedule the trek/tour/activity again, it will not be possible and no refund
will be processed.
6. If you book the tour/trek/activity
by making a partial payment of the total booking amount and fail to make the
100% payment before 26 days from the date of travel. In this case, your booking
will get cancelled automatically and can only be reconfirmed once you make the
full payment, depending on the availability of slots.
7. In case if your tour/trek/activity
remains incomplete or uninitiated because of "force majeure", medical
emergency, government policy changes, local strikes, or by personal choice
after you arrive at the starting point, you will not be able to get a refund,
reschedule or replace any services that remain underutilized by you.
8. In case if your tour/trek/activity
gets cancelled because of "force majeure", medical emergency,
government policy changes, local strikes between 0-7 days from your date of
travel, you will be eligible to reschedule the date of your trek/tour/activity
or you can get a credit note of the amount paid, however no cash refund will be
possible in this case.
9. Cancellations are strictly subjected
to cancellation policies mentioned on the website & are irrespective of the
date of booking.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is moderate difficult.
The trail is
completely safe & straightforward. As you switch easily between ascents and
descents throughout the trek on any typical day.
The total great lakes of Kashmir trek distance is 75 KM. One can cover it in 6-8 days.
With some breath-taking views of valleys, lakes, rivers, and
snow-capped mountains, the Great Lakes Trek has been an amazing experience. The
walk was vibrant and energetic, starting with the trip from Sonamarg to
Naranag. Even though it can be bitterly chilly, it's worth it.
Average Rating 4.5
