Turquoise blue and emerald green alpine lakes fed by hanging glaciers and set amidst meadows spread over several kilometers – the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is perhaps the prettiest trek of India. Kashmir has been since long called heaven on earth, the Great Lakes Trek is proof why.
QUICK ITINERARY
Day 1: Srinagar to Sonamarg
Day 2: Trek to Nichnai
Day 3: Trek to Vishansar Valley
Day 4: Trek to Gadsar
Day 5: Trek to Satsar
Day 6: Trek to Gangbal
Day 7: Trek to Naranag
Day 8: Buffer Day
Total Distance: 72km
Max Altitude: 4209m
Day 01: Srinagar – Sonmarg
We will drive approximately 3 hours to reach Sonmarg on the Srinagar Leh highway and the trailhead. You will spend the night camping at Shitkadi surrounded by a beautiful mountain peak. This will help you acclimatize.
Day 02: Trek to Nichnai
It is a gradual ascent to Nichnai. Your first stop will be at Table Top, a beautiful plateau that is surrounded by jungle but opens wide towards the Thajwas mountain range. This gives a fascinating panoramic view of the entire Sonmarg area. You will be able to see the famous Amarnath peak from here.
Post this, continue to walk towards Nichnai. You will be trekking beside the river canal and eventually the trail opens up and gives way to views of the big mountains. There is a river crossing too, a small stream that cuts this valley.
The view becomes more and more breathtaking as you trek further towards the campsite. The trail has rocky patches as well and is dotted with maple, birch, and pine trees.
Distance: 9km
Elevation Gain: 1122m
Elevation Loss: 181m
Max Elelvation: 3602m
Day 03: Trek to Vishansar Valley
The gradient of the day is moderate with long hours of walk.
We start the day walking towards Nichnai Pass (4000m). The pass is after the river stream. Just before the top, you will see the beautiful valley that you just ascended.
The pass has a fairly steep and rocky descent towards the beautiful valley down. The meadow below is dotted with wildflowers. After walking for a couple of kilometers you will cross the river and reach our campsite. The campsite is beside the stream that originates at Vishansar Lake.
Distance: 12.7km
Elevation Gain: 740m
Elevation Loss: 512m
Max Elelvation: 4090m
Day 04: Trek to Gadsar
We start the day early to go over the Gadsar pass (4200m). This is also the highest altitude on this trek. We also pass by two gorgeous lakes adjacent to each other: Vishansar and Kishansar. The lakes are famous for their blue water and abundant trout fish. Both of these lakes have a religious significance and they drain into the Kishanganga River that meanders through Gurez valley.
After the lakes, starts the ardent steep ascend to Gadsar Pass. It has a narrow and sharp trail. Ascend carefully and steadily. It takes around 2 hours to reach the top of the pass.
From the pass is a steep and long descent. The descend terminates with the long lush meadow Gadsar meadow. Shortly afterward, you will pass by the blue-colored Gadsar Lake. Legends say the water and fish from the Gadsar Lake have healing powers. The campsite is just a small walk from the lake.
Distance: 15km
Elevation Gain: 849m
Elevation Loss: 1065m
Max Elelvation: 4209m
Day 05: Gadsar – Satsar (3658m) 12 km, 8 hrs trek
Post breakfast we start our trek above the tree line, followed by a gradual descent. Then comes a steep ascent for about 3 hrs. This will challenge our legs but we will maintain an easy pace. Once at the top we will reach a flat meadow on which we will walk for a while before finally getting to Satsar. As the name suggests, this is a series of seven interconnected lakes. The season will determine the amount of water in these water bodies. We then continue on, before camping on the edge of the first lake.
Distance: 13.2km
Elevation Gain: 695m
Elevation Loss: 725m
Max Elevation: 3838m
Day 06: Satsar – Zajibal pass (3900m) – Gangbal (3505m)
Today we will be crossing the other interconnected lakes which form Satsar. The Gangabal and Nandkol lakes are particularly stunning, especially after we climb to the Zajibal pass. From here views of Harigandan lake, Harmukh lake and Harmukh mountain (5000m) also open up. We the start our Gangbal lake, where we camp for the night.
Distance: 9.48km
Elevation Gain: 270m
Elevation Loss: 685m
Max Elevation: 3583m
Day 07: Gangbal – Naranag (2128m) – Sonmarg (60 km drive) – Srinagar (2 hrs 30 min)
Post breakfast we start our steep descent of 1100m to reach the road head at Naranag. From here we drive to Srinagar via Sonmarg.
Distance: 13km
Elevation Gain: 72m
Elevation Loss: 1129m
Max Elevation: 3170m
Day 8: Buffer Day
Multiple passes on the Great Lakes trek warrants an extra day to be used in case of bad weather or any other circumstances that may arise.
Cost Details
Cost on Request
INCLUSIONS:
- AntHill Adventures Trek Leader supported by an experienced service-team; local guide, cook, helpers and muleteers
- Ground transfers as per itinerary
- Meals, snacks and beverages during the trek
- Trekking equipment including certified sleeping bags, 3 season tents (2 trekkers in a 3 person tent) and ground mattresses
- Group-camping gear including Kitchen Tent, Dining Tent and kitchen equipment, toilet tents and camp furniture.
- Personal Porterage (Upto 1 rucksack/ duffel bag of upto 10 kgs per person)
- Camping charges and forest permits
- GST (5 percent)
EXCLUSIONS:
- Hotel expenditures
- Items of personal clothing and personal porterage
- Tips for guides, cooks & porters
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control
- Insurance (Medical, Personal, Evacuation)