Kashmir is undoubtedly a heaven on Earth. It is a broader canvas with magnificent Alpine lakes, meadows, enormous mountains, and valleys, with so much to explore. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is located 75 km northeast of Srinagar and is a paradise for adventure seekers. The trek takes 7 to 8 days and is moderately difficult due to steep ascents and descents. The challenges and adventures that this trek brings with it are exceptional. The main attraction of the trek is the alpine lakes which are rarely found on other treks. The snow patches feeding on these lakes add to their beauty. The trail passes through six beautiful alpine lakes: Vishansar, Satsar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal and Nundkol. The Gadsar pass is considered the highest point at an elevation of 4,190 m (13,746 ft). In this blog, we have highlighted the significant attractions of the trek.
Extraordinary views of Zoji La pass and Zero Point
The drive from Srinagar to Sonmarg and then to Sitkari is extremely scenic and will provide you with a lot of photo opportunities. As an add-on, we will also take you to Zero Point and Zoji La Pass for sightseeing.
Zoji La is a famous high mountain pass that connects Kashmir with Ladakh. The picturesque views at zero point make this place worth visiting. The name ‘Zoji La’ means ‘mountain pass of blizzards. It is located in the Dras subdivision, connecting the Kashmir Valley to the west with the Dras and Suru valleys as well. The pass is traversed by National Highway #1, which connects Srinagar and Leh in the western Himalayas.
The beautiful valleys and mountains with thick, velvety green patches are an absolute treat to the eyes. The view turns stunning during winter when the mountains are entirely blanketed by white snow.
Challenging climbs
The beauty of the KGL trek attracts every one of us, but its difficulty is very well-known by every trekker. The pictures of the KGL trek with the grassy meadows, alpine lakes, and mountains might make you think that the trek is quite simple. But the trek has several challenging ascents and descents that might get tough for rookie trekkers. Moreover, the trail is around 85 to 90 km long, which you will cover in 7 days. On average, you will have to walk around 10 to 15 km daily, which is extremely difficult for a beginner. With all these challenges, the KGL trek trail tests your endurance. People who are not familiar with high-altitude places might also experience altitude sickness. Moreover, the trek to the Gadsar pass has around 2 hours of steeper ascent and 1 hour of steep descent, which tests your physical and mental strength.
The beautiful lakes
How can we talk about the Kashmir great lakes trek without mentioning the prime highlight of the trek- “The lakes!” The lakes of KGL are the major attraction of the trek. You can witness six beautiful lakes: Vishansar, Satsar, Krishansar, Gadsar, and Gangabal Twin Lakes. The amazing fact about these lakes is that they keep changing their colour with every part of the day. The lakes turn emerald green at some part of the day and turquoise blue the next hour. Sometimes, they are crystal clear, and sometimes they turn inky blue. You might not believe your eyes and feel lost in an imaginative world. Such is its beauty. The views of these lakes will make your heart throb. The locals also name the trail ‘Jannat e Kashmir’ and must say the name best compliments its beauty. The challenges you face across the trail are worth it! You won’t get these scintillating views anywhere else. Dive into the scenic beauty of these lakes with a soothing environment, beautiful meadows, mountains crowned by light blue clouds, and a velvety soft landscape.
Flora and Fauna
You will spot excellent varieties of Flora and Fauna across the trail. On your way to the Shokdari campsite, you can spot the Maple and Pine trees all lined up across the trail, which is very rare. You can also spot Hyacinths, Jasmine, Lilies, marigolds, Kashmir Iris, and more. These are very common in the place. Birch, Rhododendrons, and numerous herbal plants are common at higher altitudes. One can easily spot gold and rose Finches, Pipits, and Wagtails among fauna. Himalayan marmots can be found at specific places on the trail.
Peaceful Campsites
The TrekNomads team is focused on giving our clients an incredible experience. Hence, we have chosen the best campsites for our trekkers that could help rejuvenate their energy and relieve the day’s exhaustion. The Sitkari Campsite offer you mesmeric views of the river. You will be camping in a vast open place under the colourful sky and in the lap of gigantic mountains. In contrast, the Nichani campsite reveals the massive and rugged meadows. This is a beautiful campsite surrounded by snowcapped mountains. The grasslands make you feel closer to nature. All the campsites offer scintillating views, each with a unique appearance.
Shikara Ride and Stay In House Boat
Lakes in Kashmir are ideal for floating around and admiring nature’s beauty, with mighty mountains towering on either side of calm waters. A Shikara ride along one of the region’s lakes in Kashmir is an unforgettable experience. Shikaras are long wooden boats that float in the lakes of Kashmir and are used for both transportation and tourism.
The Kashmiri houseboats are floating houses that are anchored along the bank of the most beautiful Dal Lake. The houseboats are like a blend of hotel and homestay on the water. On day 1, you will get to enjoy the shikara ride followed by an overnight stay in houseboat on the Dal lake.
Conclusion
As the name depicts, Kashmir Great lakes is an incredibly wonderful trek that offers enthralling views of the five beautiful lakes, valleys, green grasslands, gigantic mountains, a massive variety of Flora and Fauna, and so much more. The trek is undoubtedly remarkable, with lots of adventure and scintillating views. However, it might get challenging for beginners due to its difficulty level. People might even experience nausea and fatigue due to mountain/altitude sickness. Thus, we recommend trekkers have excellent physical and mental strength and opt for exercises that help them walk through the steep ascents and descents. However, our experts are always there to help you navigate tough trials. Book KGL trek as soon as possible because only a few more slots are available.
More blogs on KGL Trek:
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek- A beautiful Trekcation in the Alpines
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek FAQs -All You Need to Know!
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek PhotoBlog- A Visual Journey of Paradise on Earth!