Kashmir Great Lakes
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Overview
Trail Type
A cross over trail through passes. The trek starts at Sonmarg and ends at Naranag
Rail Head
Jammu is the nearest rail head to the base camp
Airport
Srinagar airport
Base Camp
Sonamarg (90 kms drive from Shrinagar, approx 3 hours)
Best Season
Monsoon Treks (15June, 20-October)
Snow
More snow in the months of 20-October
Services from
Sonamarg to Naranag
Meals
Meals while on trek & at Hotel/Guesthouse/Houseboat (Veg & Nonveg)
Stay
Camping (Twin sharing) & Hotel/Guesthouse
Local Adventure Operator Sonmarg
Kashmir Great Lakes is one of the most beautiful treks in India. No question. It validates Kashmir’s mythical status as heaven on earth.
This is because the trek is set on a canvas that’s larger than life. It is situated 75 km northeast of Srinagar. Every day is a 360° panorama of wild, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, and turquoise alpine lakes. And you get more than six of these lakes and five very different valleys to explore!
The range of landscape makes it a moderate-difficult trek spanning over six days. This means it has long trekking days with steep ascents and descents with no easy exit points. So, it’s not meant for a beginner who hasn’t been exposed to high-altitude treks.
Having said that, the challenges are worth it. Each day is postcard-perfect, with a new alpine lake to look forward to. What makes these lakes even prettier are the snow patches that feed these lakes. You see them sliding off the serrated mountains into the lakes. Sometimes you’ll see milky white icebergs floating on the lake’s inky blue surface.
And then there are meadows of Kashmir. These meadows come in every shape and size, sometimes many in a day.
After this trek, every other trek feels as though it is a movie on a small screen. Kashmir Great Lakes, however, is an IMAX 3D experience – such is the grandeur of the trek. If you have not done this trek, put it on your bucket list!
Quick Itinerary
Day 1
Drive from srinagar to Shekdur base camp
Drive Duration: 2.5 hours | Drive Distance: 85 km | Pick-up point for tourist center srinagar:
Trek type: Moderate. 3 hours of steep ascent followed by descent for an hour. Final 2 hours, a gentle ascent to Nichnai.
Day 2
Trek shutkadi to Nichnai
Trek distance: 13.5 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude gain: 11,607 ft to 12,011 ft via 13,229 ft
Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of gradual ascent followed by an hour-long climb to the pass. A steep descent from the pass for about an hour easing off into a flat walk.
Day 3
Trek from Nichnai to Vishansar
Trek distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude : 3,650m/ 12,000ft via 4,000m/13100 ft
Trek type: Moderate difficult. 1.5-2 hours of steep ascent followed by 1 hour of steep descent, easing off into level walk.
Day 4
Trek from Vashansar to Gadsar
Trek distance: 14 km | Trek Duration: 10 hours | Altitude loss:3,650m/ 12,000ft via 4,200m/ 13,750ft
Trek type: Difficult. 30 minutes each of gradual ascent followed by steep ascent for about 45 minutes and then a steep descent. Similarly ascending and descending trail all through.
Day 5
Trek from Gadsar to Satsar
Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude: 3,650m/ 12,000 ft
Drive Distance: 2 hours | Drive Duration: 50 km—Hot Lunch
Day 6
Satsar to Gangabal twin lakes via Zaj Pass
Trek distance: 11 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude: 3,500m/ 11,500 ft via 3,950m/ 13000ft
Day 7
Gangbal to Naranag
Trek distance: 15 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude: 2,250m/ 7,450 ft
Inclusions
1. Accommodation. (Camping)
2. Meals while on trek (Veg & Egg)
3. Trek equipments like Sleeping bag, mattress, tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent
4. Trekking Permits
5. First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder.
6. Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide and Support staff