Kashmir Great Lakes is one of the most enchanting treks in India. It gives an idealistic status of heaven on Earth. The trek is set on a canvas that is huge and beautiful. It is located 75 kms from Srinagar. Kashmir Great Lake Trek has rolling meadows, turquoise calm alpine lakes, rugged hilly mountains, wild life and much more. Also, a trekker gets to explore more than five lakes and more than five valleys to explore the beauty.
The variety of the terrain renders the six-day trek moderately challenging. This indicates that it offers lengthy trekking days with challenging climbs and descents and no convenient ways out. Therefore, it is inappropriate for a novice or a beginner who has never experienced high-altitude trekking.
That being said, the difficulties are worth. Every day is picture-perfect, with a fresh alpine lake to discover every day. The snow patches on the lakes make them even more beautiful. You watch them tumble into the lakes from the jagged mountains. On occasion, the deep blue surface of the lake will reveal icebergs floating on it, a pale white colour.
And now you get to explore meadows of Kashmir. These meadows have different size and shapes. After completing this trek, you will feel every trek is normal but this is just wow and outstanding.
You Can Expect on Kashmir Great Lakes Trek:
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek offers an excellent and mind-boggling view which goes your imagination. Its a moderate level of trekking in Kashmiri Himalayas. As the name suggests itself, this trek takes you through many serene lakes like Gadsar, Gangabal, Nundkol, Kishansar, Vishnasar, Satsar and many like that. The high altitude mountains offer provide you views of picturesque hills, lakes and mountains.
The Green Carpet of Meadows:
The real beauty of Kashmir Great Lakes trek lies in the greenery it offers to its visitors. A carpet of lush green with bright and wild flowers gives a perfect view. It is undoubtedly one of most beautiful and wonderful treks for the trekking lovers.
Twin Lakes view:
Perched at 13,400 feet close to Satsar Pass, you can take in the sight of Nundkol and Gangbal, the twin lakes. As you continue on your trek, the campsite that is adjacent to the immaculate Nundkol Lake delights you with its sweetness.
Scenic drive Srinagar to Sonmarg:
You can feel the Kashmir Great Lakes starts with a long 90 minute drive. This trek route gives you a glimpse of what view is ahead, and yet you keep finding it out ahead. A trekker spot a snow filled mountain on the way.
The challenging and tough Gadsar pass:
Located at a height of 13,800 ft, the Gadsar Pass is the highest view point of this trek. You can view Vishnusar and Kishansar lakes from this point. It might take more than 2 hours to reach at the top of Gadsar Pass.
Glacier Sighting:
The enormous Harmukh peak, which dominates Nundkol Lake, dwarfs you. The mountains' rocky edges are encircled by the immaculate white Harmukh glaciers. The glaciers, lake, and peak are all set up for the ideal photo opportunity.
The Treacherous Descent:
You must prepare for the steep descent ahead of you by bracing yourself. A full day's hike from Gangabal (11,500 feet) to Naranag (7,450 feet) will test your knees, toes and heart. You’ll want to come back here again and again.
Kashmir Greak Lake Trek Best Time:
You already know that Kashmir Great Lake is a magnificent adventure that will take a trekker through many stunning and stupendous scenic beauty of Indian Himalayas. Stretching across approximately 70 kms, the Kashmir Great Lake trek offers astounding views of mountains, alpine meadows, captivating snow covered peaks, lake and lots more. Choosing the right time to start this mesmerizing trek in a safe way.
The best time to visit Kashmir Great Lakes trek is during summer months viz March end to July first week. During, monsoon months you can visit but you should take care and watch the weather before embarking on Kashmir Great Lake trek. However, many people also choose period to embark their trek during July till mid September but as discussed focus on weather conditions before initiating trekking.
It is said that during July till mid September the climate is pleasant and also suitable for trekking. The days are warmer with temperature in between 15 Degree Celsius to 25 Degree Celsius. Nights are cool with temperature around 5 Degree Celsius to 10 Degree Celsius.
June is generally the start of summer season as the landscape are the Kashmir Great Trek blooms with flowers and greenery. The meadows become live with vibrant and bright colours. This makes perfectly an Instagrammable destination to click images or make reels and vlog or blogging. The lakes are full. They also create reflection of mountains and also creates stupendous panoramas. The climate is comparatively stable during June as skies are clear and rainfall is medium.
July and August are the peak months for KGL - Kashmir Great Lakes trek. The climate is pleasant with occasional rainfall and showers. The trek trails are well-defined and meadows are blooming and offer a picturesque view to the trekker. However, it is mandatory to note that June, July and August months and hence, you can encounter rainfall during the trek. Do carry rain gear and be prepared for rainfall and snowfal too.
The monsoon season ends in September, and the weather starts to turn more like autumn. The clouds part, and there is a marked drop in the rainfall. The vivid meadows and glittering lakes still adorn the landscapes. As the month goes on, the temperature gradually drops, so it's a good idea to pack warm clothes and be ready for chilly evenings.
The Kashmir Great Lakes trail is situated at a high altitude, between 2,500 and 4,300 meters (8,200 and 14,100 feet), which should be noted. As a result, it's critical to appropriately acclimatize and be ready for any difficulties arising from altitude. To give your body time to adapt to the altitude, it is advisable to stay in Srinagar or the surrounding areas for a few days before beginning the trek.
In conclusion, July through mid-September is the ideal time of year to hike the Kashmir Great Lakes. You can take in the breathtaking beauty of the trek during this time, with blossoming meadows, skies, and serene lakes, But especially during the monsoon season, it's important to check the climate and be ready for rainfall. The Kashmir Great Lakes trail gives an amazing experience in the heart of nature.
Sonamarg is located at almost 7,800 ft at height. It is 90 KMS drive from Srinagar city and takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. Our campsite is situated near Singh River - Shitkadi Village. NOTE: It is mandatory to carry everything you need as there is no shop available in the nearby area or region. You need to carry ID proof - original along with 3-4 photocopies for the army check post and security.
The trek to Kashmir Great Lakes initiates from Shitkadi Village located ahead of Sonamarg. It is almost 3 to 4 hours drive from Srinagar. Broza Adventures trek leaders will pick you up from Sonamarg and take you to Shitkadi. Your night stay will be at Shitkadi before the start of trekking day.
Before initiating the trek, trekkers will spend the day amidst beautiful and idyllic beauty of Shitkadi village. Here lies great mountain peaks such as Tribal, Amarnath Peak, Machoi, Machoi Glacier and Kolahoi. Here, you can also explore grasslands and greenery on roads. Trekkers will be given instructions about the trek before dinner. Trekkers will have dinner and rest enough to get ready for the trek next day.
Today we leave Shitkadi at 9 am to start our trek. There is a mixture of ascent and descent on the way of the trail trek. There are ample of water sources along the route to refill your water bottles, and the gradient is moderate.
We will begin Day 2 by following a vehicle track that goes through Sonamarg’s main road. This track will take you to the Sind River which is the starting point of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. From the trailhead, the trekking trail immediately climbs. The trail unexpectedly enters a section of vibrant green meadows with views of Sonamarg town after ten minutes of hiking. With this, that normal residence area comes to an end and the breathtaking Kashmir Great Lakes Trek begins!
This is a great place to pause and enjoy the view. It's breathtaking to see the Sindh River's waters shimmer in the morning light as she passes through this little town that is perfectly surrounded by stunning mountains on all sides.
The higher you climb on the trail, the more expansive and vibrant this view becomes. The ascent to the meadow's summit takes thirty minutes. The terrain is dotted with silver birch, maple, and pine trees. From this point on, you will ascend gradually through colourful meadows bisected by crystal-clear brooks and streams, all the way to Nichnai, where you will set up camp for the day.
We are going to break camp early in the morning, beginning at 8 a.m. Despite the moderate gradient, expect to walk for extended periods. Throughout the day, the scenery varies beautifully, from a gentle stroll along the river banks while climbing up the Nichnai Pass, followed by a steep descent from the pass's summit.
We start out by strolling beside the river that passes through the campsite at Nichnai. Look for practical places to cross the river along the route. On the opposite side of the river, some distance away, is the Nichnai Pass.
After crossing over, keep walking along the riverbank towards the Pass (which is visible from our campsite). For the next hour, the trail progressively climbs to the top of the ridgeline, which is visible from green meadows. Still, this ridgeline is not identified as the Pass. There are a few bends in the ridge before the actual pass starts.
At 4,150 metres, the Nichnai Pass is a visually stunning route with snow-covered mountains on its left side. It appears as though it is traveling through a tunnel because the land rises here even though there are no peaks to the right of it.
After cresting the pass, you'll descend quickly and steeply below the meadows over rocky terrain. The grass here is dotted with vibrant little flowers, as you can see. Now, a new river enters this area from the Pass. For as far as trekkers can see, numerous, narrow trails stretch into the distance.
Choose one of these paths and carry on moving forward. On your left, snow-capped mountains get aligned with the skyline; on your right, arid, craggy mountain faces stretch outward. This is one of the most charming meadow walks on the KGL - Kashmir Great Lakes Trek because of the stark contrast in the landscape, which is further enhanced by the dewy grass and flowers beneath your feet.
Two hours away beyond another river crossing lies our campsite for the day, close to an alpine lake whose strikingly blue waters will hook you once you see them, and you'll never want to leave the sight. Vishansar Lake and Kishansar Lake are two beautiful alpine lakes people also call twin Lakes.
The walk today consists of a strenuous two-hour climb, a similarly strenuous two-hour descent, and a leisurely stroll through the meadows. You can fill up your water bottles frequently along the route.
We start our trail by ascending a razor-thin ridge that runs alongside the mountainside close to Kishansar Lake. The ascent up this ridge takes approximately 1.5 hours. The Vishansar and Kishansar lakes merge or come together into striking view as the mountains part about halfway through your climb!
You can keep seeing this view from the top. Also, trekkers can witness a vibrant valley surrounded by mountain ranges and then descend steeply for an hour.
Due to the vibrant red, yellow, purple, and blue flowers that emerge from the verdant grass, these meadows are by far the most colorful ones you will see throughout the hike. Trekkers can take a quick nap after the strenuous trekking the pass. This meadow leads to the Gadsar Lake.
The Gadsar Lake has piercing blue waters. It is the most pristine and vibrant alpine lakes of all the seven because very few trekkers visit here. Many trekkers travel over the weekends from Sonamarg to Vishansar lake and Kishansar lake; even more people travel from Naranag to Gangabal on the opposite side of the trail. However, Gadsar has remained unexplored because of its difficult accessibility due to its location at the summit of the trek.
Broza Adventures’ campsite will be one and a half hour away from the beautiful Gadsar lake. It is close to the Indian Army camp where we need to submit all our original IDs and documents.
Except for the first 1.5 hours of a steep ascent, the day's gradient is primarily moderate. After that, the next campsite can be reached by a level walk.
The river valleys that we will be trekking through up to this point are drastically different from the scenery on the trail today. The landscape is untamed, lonely, and alluring in its solitude. There are few meadows, distinguished by sporadic white flower patches. The landscape is dominated by rocky outcrops and boulders, occasionally broken up by streams.
Today we will also be passing through Indian army camp, where before allowing us to trek, our original ID cards will be submitted for record. Beyond the Indian army camp, the terrain reverts to rolling grasslands. The first Satsar lake was ten minutes away. In fact, Satsar is a collection of seven connected lakes located in a narrow alpine valley stretching from north to south. The lakes empty into a Singh tributary called Wangath Nallah.
With its lush vegetation and mountainous backdrop, this location is large and picturesque, perfect for our overnight camp.
We start by following the trail that leads away from the Satsar Campsite. The main reason this portion of the trail trek is thrilling is that boulders dominate it. We've noticed that most hikers feel at ease landing on all fours when jumping from one boulder to the other boulder. Even though it might seem like fun, be cautious because falling rocks could cause you to lose your balance.
The largest and final Satsar Lake is located beyond these boulders. The trail then descends for about half an hour or more until it meets with ridge lines that cross the mountains. It's time to start ascending once more. The next three to four hours will be a steep ascent where you need to be extra careful and cautious, so brace yourself. As we ascend further from the base, you will notice that the landscape becomes noticeably more rocky and desolate.
Maybe in an attempt to counterbalance the desolation of the surroundings, KGL offers you one of the trek's most spectacular vistas atop this ridge: a dizzying view of the Gangabal as well as Nandakol lakes snuggled into the valley. You are urged to pause and take in the sight before you as mist and foggy fly in and out of the frame, concealing and exposing the twin lakes.
Our campsite will be along Gangabal Lake's edge. It's a long way down from the ridge top to the campsite, as the Pass makes clear.
This campsite has a higher concentration of tents and hikers than the others. The best places in the area to go trout fishing are Gangabal and Nandakol. The surroundings of the Nandakol Lake are captivating. The lake at the base of Harmukh Peak is fed by a ragged glacier that clings to the mountain's slopes. It's amazing to watch how the clouds and light interact with the glacier!
Spend some time exploring the Gangabal Lake after you've set up the campsite at Nandakol.
The campsite is near as trekkers have to just cross a river. You'll see that Gangabal Lake is more serene and less crowded as compared to Nandakol. Near the banks, the water is clear, displaying colorful pebbles on the lake bed. Perched atop it is a mountain. This lake is fed by glacier remnants that are stuck to its base. Walking along its banks is pleasant and long.
Make sure you get back to your campsites before late evening or night after you have finished your exploring.
On the last day of the KGL - Kashmir Great Lake Trek, begin at the Gangabal camp and trek through pine forests and grasslands planted with yellow flowers.
Descend to reach Naranag, the final stage of your journey. Make your way to Ganderbal District's Naranag Village. You are welcome to go to Naranag Temple if you like.
Return to Srinagar in a vehicle with unforgetabble memories.
Fitness:
Health Awareness:
Note:
Junior trekkers who are below 15 years should be along with his or her parents
Trekkers in between the age of 15 to 18 can come to the trek solo with disclaimer form signed by his or her parents or guardians
Medical documents and Disclaimer Form
Since we are a trekking and adventure company, we often get questions from our trekkers. The most common one is, "What should I bring to the Kashmir Great Lakes trek?" Here is the checklist:
1.Backpack:
Ensure your backpack fits comfortably, medium sized, and that it has enough room inside it (60–70 litres) to accommodate everything you need for a week-long trek.
2. Daypack:
Remember that a daypack is essential for those trekker who is offloading their backpack so you won't have to carry your backpack with you every day, so you can use it for day trek to carry some important things on trek.
3. Footwear:
Trekking shoes - ankle support and water proof, Walking and hiking shoes, Sleapers - Optional, Socks - 4 to 5 pairs
4. Clothes:
Hiking or trekking jacket, Hiking pants, Undergarments, Shorts and Tshirts, Ordinary, tshirts or shirts, Leggings, Thermal suits , Buff or Balaclava, Hiking/trekking hat, Long sleeves shirt, Beanie cap, Gloves
5. Rainwears:
Rain coat and rain pants, Rain covers for bag, Rain poncho
6. Gadgets:
Smartphone, Tripod, Drone if needed, Camera, Trekking poles, Batteries for camera and phone, powerbank , Music system and bluetooth, Sunglasses, 1 liter bottle
7. Miscellaneous personal things:
Sanitary pads for girls, Towels, Toothpaste and toothbrush, Soap - for washing, hand wash and bathing, Sunscreen lotion, Toilet paper, Medicines for your safety with doctor’s prescription
Important Documents to carry:
Original and xerox of Government photo identity card, Aadhar card, voter ID, Pan Card
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