The Kashmir Great lakes Trek does not require an introduction. It presents the poem in itself. You’ll draw a preface of it by simply hearing its name. If you join a Himalayan trek, you will undoubtedly experience natural beauty and adventure. The Great lakes trek offers a lifetime experience of vintage memories that however is pleasantly exhausting.
The obvious location for the trek is Kashmir, also known as paradise. The trek duration is about 7-9 days The elevation is about 13,500 feet, and the distance is about 72 kilometers.
Throughout the journey, you will be constantly surrounded by meadows. The best time to enjoy the trek is between June and September when the greenery and blooming flowers are at their peak.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a moderate hiking trail in the Kashmir – western Himalayas. Sonamarg is located in Srinagar-Leh NH. The same Highway connects the starting point of Naranag village. It is recommended to start from Sonamarg and end in Naranag. The trek could be performed whichever way, but to avoid the direct sun, as it treks mainly north and west.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is neither difficult nor easy; it is rated as moderate. On such an enlightening adventure, you will understand so much about yourself—physically, and mentally.
Trekkers must be equipped with the necessary types of equipment while trekking. Trekking poles are required in terms of professional trekking equipment, which includes trekking shoes.
Trekkers should not ever give up their physical needs. It is beneficial to understand your body’s needs rather than following in the footsteps of a fella. The trek to the Great Lakes is not a game, but even a 15-year-old can achieve it. The backpack or carry backpack should be as light as possible. It will be in your comfort.
Srinagar city is known as the Venice of the East for its unique aquatic culture. The Numerous Lakes and Rivers are all interconnected through canal ways giving rise to a unique city known for its Lavish Houseboats which are intricately designed of pine wood. You will be hosted in these houseboats which are found nowhere else, Once you Arrive you will be taken for a ride around the lake Exploring floating vegetable gardens and islands on the Dal Lake. Overnight at Houseboat
After breakfast, we will drive to Sonamarg “the meadow of gold’ along the picturesque Sind river. At Shitkadi we pack our load on horses and start our trek. Our trail a slightly steep passes through the meadows and enters a pine/birch forest at Shokdari before the vast and long Nichnai meadow which is our camping ground for an overnight stay.
We leave Nichnai meadow and immediately start ascending one of the three passes of the trek the Nichnai Pass (4000m). We ascend through beautiful Alpine meadows which are full of wild sheep, grazing on these endless pastures. After crossing the pass we enter into the Vishansar Valley “the valley of medicinal plants”, we descend gradually through the alpine flower valley and camp at Vishansar Lake.
After discovering Vishansar Lake we head towards its sibling the Krishansar Lake which lies just over a ridge. We take its eastern shore to ascend the second and the highest pass of the trek the Gadsar Pass (4200m). On the top of the pass, we have the aerial view of the whole Vishansar valley among it are situated the twin lakes of Vishansar and Krishansar “the source of Neelam River”. We descend through Gadsar valley and lakes and camp at Kustoor Kout.
We ascend Kostur Kout leaving Gadsar valley and enter the meadow of Rasbal. It’s the Rasbal where a flowing river disappears underground. The long climb of an hour and a half takes you up 1,100 feet. The climb graduates to a traverse once beyond the 11,500-foot altitude. The trail bends right and leaves the valley of the river. You walk on a flat trail on a meadow surrounded by mountains. There are a few deep craters to your right. This place is called as Maengandob. We continue our trek through seven small lakes of Satsar and camp at Megandoab at the foothills of the third pass of Zajibal.
We ascend the last pass of our trek ‘Zajibal Pass (4180m)’. We forget all our tiredness when reaching atop because of the views, the scenery it provides. We see Mount Haramukh (5300m) just standing at our face and at its footsteps lie the twin beautiful alpine lakes of Gangabal and Nundkol. We descend the pass and reach Gangabal Lake.
Today you get to relax by the lakes, explore surrounding meadows, Explore twin lakes of Gangabal and the Mount Harmukh, famous for its picturesque view. Gangabal Lake is about 20 minutes from Nandkol. A fiery stream flows to the right of the two lakes connecting them. The stream has to be crossed to go from Nandkol to Gangabal. Enjoy the day around and have the lunch at the bank around Gangabal lake.
We leave Gangabal and Nundkol Lakes and trek through the meadows of Trunkhun and descend to Naranag village through the pine forest of Bodpathri. Here ends our walking. We take our car and drive back to Srinagar for an overnight stay at Houseboat.
After breakfast at houseboat. Our representative will drop you at Srinagar Airport.
It is good to make your booking two months prior in advance. In the event of cancellation of any trek/adventure activity due to any reasons, it is compulsory to notify us in writing. Cancellation charges will only be effective from the date we receive your request in writing.
If the trek is cancelled by us due to any reason (heavy snowfall, rainfall, natural disaster etc.) then the refund would not be initiated but you can go on the same trek another year. Kashmir Mountain Adventures Family is always with you, Thanks The cancellation charges are as follows:
