Kashmir Great Lakes Trek [Premium]

Short Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek
Day 2: Drive from Srinagar to Sitkari/Sonamarg
Day 3: Trek from Sitkari village to Nichnai
Day 4: Trek from Nichnai to the Vishansar Lake
Day 5: Trek from Vishansar Lake to Gadsar Lake
Day 6: Trek from Gadsar lake to Mengandob/Satsar lake
Day 7: Trek from Satsar Lakes to Gangbal Twin Lakes
Day 8: Trek from Gangbal Twin Lakes to Naranag
Day 9: End of Kashmir Trek. Departure from Srinagar 

Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek

Altitude: 5,200 ft (1,585 m)
Accommodation: Houseboat
Meals included: Dinner at the boathouse

Srinagar elevation is 5,200 ft (1,585 m). On the day of arrival, we start the routine of briefing the group, introducing you to fellow group members and taking you through the itinerary and plan for the next 10 days. Post this, you will check in to the houseboat and relax for the day. You can check out Kashmir Great Lakes trek photos in this blog.

Day 2: Drive from Srinagar to Sitkari/Sonamarg

Travel Distance: 87 km
Time Taken: 2-3 hr
Altitude: 9,186 ft (2,800 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast at the boathouse & lunch, tea, and dinner at the campsite

According to Kashmir Great Lakes trek map, on day 2, we start our journey towards Sitkari. This will primarily help you acclimatize to the higher altitude we will be attaining in the next couple of days. The drive from Srinagar to Sonmarg and then to Sitkari is extremely scenic and will present you with a lot of photo opportunities. You will come across grasslands, scattered forests and snow-covered mountains. As an added, we will also take you to Zero Point and Zoji La Pass for sightseeing. Post the sightseeing, you will return back to our campsite at Sitkari and rest for the rest of the day by the lakeside. 

Day 3: Trek from Sitkari village to Nichnai 

Trek Distance: 13 km
Time Taken: 4-5 hr
Altitude: 11,500 ft (3,505 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks and dinner

You start your day early today and start trekking towards the Shokdhari campsite. This trail is lined with maple & pine trees and is mesmerizingly beautiful during fall & autumn. However, Kashmir Great Lakes trek best time is between July to September. You will get glimpses of Sonmarg and various glaciers en route from the campsite. You will descend into the Nichani grazing ground. The trail we take to descend will be lined with Silver Birch making. You will stay the night at Nichani campsite. 

To check out the Kashmir Great Lakes trek cost and other Kashmir trekking packages, visit our website or reach out to us today!

Day 4: Trek from Nichnai to the Vishansar Lake

Trek Distance: 15 km
Time Taken: 6-7 hr
Altitude: 12,172 ft (3,710 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner

The trek to Vishnasar Lake is a steep ascent where you will have to cross the Nichani pass which stands at a gruelling altitude of 4,080 m. You descend towards Vishansar and Kishansar lakes and into the Vishansar campsite. 

You can visit the Vishansar lake which is situated about 1 Km from the campsite. Nothing that we say or write can prepare you for the beauty of the alpine lakes in Kashmir. Surrounded by mountains and being hard to access, the waters of the lake are crystal clear and change colour as the day proceeds. You are guaranteed to start feeling rejuvenated just sitting by the lake and listening to the lapping sounds of the water and soaking in the scenic beauty.

Day 5: Trek from Vishansar Lake to Gadsar Lake 

Trek Distance: 13 km
Time Taken: 5-6 hr
Altitude: 13,800 ft (4,200 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks, dinner 

Today you trek to attain another height of 250 m from the Vishansar Lake to see the Kishansar Lake. This lake is situated about 1-2 km from the Vishansar Lake. While these alpine lakes in Kashmir are situated quite close to each other, they can only be seen as twin lakes from Gadsar Pass.

Gadsar Pass is located at an altitude of 4,191 m and the trek up to Gadsar Lake trek is quite challenging and will put a lot of pressure on your back and legs. Having said that, the breathtaking views from the pass will compensate for the effort you've put in. Upon reaching the pass, you will start descending into flat meadows, that are entirely covered by wildflowers to finally reach Gadsar Lake. Considering the high altitude, the Kashmir Great Lakes trek temperature at this height will be pretty low.

Day 6: Trek from Gadsar lake to Mengandob/Satsar lake

Trek Distance: 12km
Time Taken: 5-7 hr
Altitude: 11,810 ft (3,600 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks and dinner

You start your day early today and start the trek with a steep ascent to enter into the flatlands of Mengandob. You continue trekking ahead crossing an army camp to Satsar lakes. Interestingly, the Satsar Lakes are a collection of 7 lakes that are in a cascade formation. These lakes are primarily fed by the melting snow of the mountains and end up dry in summer and autumn.

Day 7: Trek from Satsar Lakes to Gangbal Twin Lakes

Trek Distance: 10km
Trek Time: 6 hr
Altitude: 11,730 ft (3,575 m)
Accommodation: Camp stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks and dinner

Today's trek to the alpine lakes in Kashmir - the Gangbal Lake will test you both physically and mentally. To reach Gangbal Lake, you start the trek from Satsar Lake campsite and cross rocky boulder terrain, cross multiple ridges, climb mountains and break at a ridge at 3,570 m. You break here for a while and continue trekking up to reach the final ridge located at 3,000 m. You can get a great view of Gangbal and Nundkol lakes from here and they will look a lot like twin lakes. Post reaching the ridge, you will start your descent which will be rather steep into green meadows that will eventually lead you to Nundkol and Gangbal lakes. 

Day 8: Trek from Gangbal Twin Lakes to Naranag 

Trek Distance: 11 km
Trek Time: 6-7 hr
Altitude: 6,982 ft (2,128 m)
Accommodation: 3/4 Star hotel in Srinagar
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, tea, snacks, and dinner

On the final day of the trek, we trek through a tree line, and meadows and enter a pine forest cover. The forest line extends for up to 6-7 km post which we descend into Narang Village. You relax for a while at Narang Village and then travel back to Srinagar. You check into a hotel, freshen up and rest for the day.

Day 9: End of Kashmir Trek. Departure from Srinagar 

Altitude: 5,200 ft (1,585 m)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast at the campsite

Today, we wrap up this wonderful experience of trekking in Kashmir and head back to Srinagar. You wake up leisurely, have breakfast, check out and start heading to the airport or choose to stay back in Srinagar (at an added cost). 

Important things to note for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek:

• Bring 4 copies of your ID proof and 4 photographs on the KGL trek
• Cellular network is available only on the post-paid number
• Consumption of alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited
• If you don't want to carry your backpack so you can hire a porter, but you have to keep us informed about this in advance and you have to pay INR 300 to 350 (subject to change) extra per day per bag.
• We strongly suggest that you should carry your own backpack and the weight of the backpack should not be more than 10 Kg maximum.
• If the Minimum group strength is not met, we have the right to cancel the departure. Should you wish to customize the trip as per your preferred date, separate charges will apply.
• Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change.
• TrekNomads reserves the right to change expedition dates or itineraries as conditions warrant. 

Risk and Liability Kashmir Great Lakes Trek:

We will endeavour to make your program smooth and as pleasant as possible. However, the entire course of trekking depends on the ranges of the mighty mountains, physical health, and environmental conditions. Therefore, TrekNomads shall not be responsible for any changes in the itineraries due to unavoidable circumstances and natural disasters such as landslides, road blockage, flood, snowing, cancellation of flight and delay, or any type of sickness including altitude sickness.

Fitness Criteria for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek:

This trek requires a good level of fitness.

To register for this trek you are required to complete a 5K run in under 35 minutes. Once you do register, please share the run details with our Trek Captain. 

If you're not already following a fitness regime, you would need to follow the regime that will be shared with you. The training routine is spread over four months and you would be expected to work out at least 4 times a week. The regime is designed to help you climb smarter even in higher altitudes. The regime consists of a good combination of exercises that works on all parts of your body including - Upper Body, Core, Endurance, Lower Body, Shoulder strength and streamlining your breathing pattern. When followed religiously, you can rest assured that you will be ready for the trek. Not only does this regime help you with the trek, but it will also help you inculcate a sense of fitness in your day-to-day life. 

Do’s and Don’ts for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek:

• We believe in leaving the mountains in a better condition, which is why we follow a no-litter policy on our treks. Each trekker will have to bring back the waste that is created during the trek.
• Trekking is best enjoyed when you’ve worn comfortable clothes. Try and avoid wearing Jeans, bright colors and heavy apparel as much as possible.
• A lighter backpack always helps you have a better trek, try and carry just as much as needed.
• Always be in sight of your trek lead, if you feel the need to stop for any reason at all, please keep the trek lead informed.
• If you do come across any reptiles, animals or even insects during the trek, please keep your calm and let it patiently pass by. Any kind of noise and panic will scare them as well.
• Do not venture out into the forest/waterfalls on your own as it may be dangerous.
• Trekking is a good adventure, having said that, it is our primary responsibility to take good care of ourselves and be compassionate towards fellow trekkers
• If, at any point, during the trek, you feel uneasy or unwell, please inform the trek lead immediately
• Tune in to the sounds of nature while on a trek and avoid carrying speakers or playing music during the course of the trek
• To help you enjoy the trek to the fullest, we avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol, and other intoxicants during the course of the trek.