Marvel Adventure–feel the excitation

KASHMIR GREAT LAKES TREK ---
SEE THE HEAVEN ON EARTH

Trek Cost :

₹ 14,500 + 5% GST (Srinagar to Srinagar)

ABOUT THIS TREK

Grade : Moderate to Difficult

Region : Kashmir

Altitude : 3974 m

Trek Distance : 60 Km

Trek Days : 7 Days

Best Season : July to September

Nearest Railway : Jammu

Nearest Airport : Srinagar

The Kashmir Great Lakes is the prettiest trek on the Himalayas even on earth. The only way to experience a heavenly place on earth while alive is to trek the Kashmir Great Lakes. It truly authenticates the phrase ‘Heaven on earth’. Located 75 kms north-east of Srinagar, is perfect canvas, every day offers 360 degree views. Green velvet meadows, terquoised – green-blue colored Lakes, panoramic wilderness, robust mountains, seven lakes and five valleys are there to explore. By hearing the name you can draw the preface of this wonderful trek. The silent lakes and virgin beauty will leave you speechless. The trek spans for 6 days long and different range of landscapes made this trek moderate to difficult, but worth of doing this with amazing views. The meadows of Kashmir comes in every shape and size on every day hike. Every day a new lake, new meadows and high mountains will give you a new motivation for the next day long hike. The endless blue sky, green meadows, larger than panorama of mountains makes this trek next level. Uphill trek at the altitude of 4206 meters while switching trails of ascending and descending doesn’t make it very difficult, the only fight on this trek is building endurance needed to cross long day of walking for 10 or more kms for each day. The trek is 69 kms total long, and excellent choice for pro-trekkers. It is not so demanding in the scale of fitness but long walk needed, with few steep climb uphill, so beginners may find it difficult. The trek is graded as Moderate to Difficult, so it recommend that do at least an easy trek before this one. The utmost beauty of Kashmir valley will stay there for you but you shouldn’t take risks as on this trail exit routes are very limited in case of any emergency.But it is not that we don’t recommend it for experienced trekkers as not so challenging but for the extraordinary beauty of this valley. The steep ascending and descend trail on this trek are worth of climbing as this trek opens up with different kind of beauty on every next day with a new lake and new meadow. On the very first day the land is full of maple and pine trees. And on the second day a large wide valley will appear infront of you.Third day down the Gadsar Pass meadows are full of wild-flowers leaves you spell-bound. On the fourth day, the velvet grass of Satsar Lake looks like polished land. At the end we can say that Kashmir Great Lakes are a 4K-movie right infront of your real eyes. Just put it in your bucket list.

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WHY YOU SHOULD DO THIS TREK

If you are still asking why you should do this trek, then there is no word to explain the beauty of this trek. The name Kashmir itself is enough someone to this trek. People dream to do this trek not just looking for a reason to do this. The Kashmir is not only the beautiest part of India but also in the world, the views of Kashmir valley with the Lakes are like the living places of Gods, the lands we read in our fairy tail book. However we have few points of main attractions you cann’t deny.

The Seven Lakes

You will find Seven Lakes on this trek. Krishnasar, Gadsar, Vishansar, Gangbal Lake, Satsar Lake, Yamsar Lake, Nichnai Lake are found on this trek. The beauty of this blue Lakes with white ice-patches feeding them are top class beauty of nature. Get mesmerized by the reflections of the valleys and mountains in the calm water in the Lake.

The Magnificinent Scenic Mountain

The view on each and every day changes with different kind of scenic mountains. The mountain presence there larger than life. The views make trekkers fulfilled by the all flavour of all hues like mountains, Lakes, rocky lands, green bugiyals, snow clad peaks, glacier and ice-patches and glacial streams.

International Feeling

This trek just give you a feel that out of the country would be questioning your existence in India. The sights on this trek bound to feel you that you are in some Scandinavian Country. The unbelievable views seem to be a photoshopped picture infront of you.

Beautiful Valleys

This trek leads you to walk through the beautiful valleys beside the ringing water stream with waterfalls. The utmost beauty of the bugiyals made you stand there for a while to click some memorable pictures. Kashmir Great Lakes have 7 days of trekking and surprisingly you will get encountered with 7 different valleys with lush green bugiyals. Every valley has it own beauty gives hard compitetion to others.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 | Srinagar to Sonmarg drive, 100kms

Arrive Srinagar a day before, next day drive to Sonmarg from Srinagar. 3 hrs drive. Reach our campsite at Sonmarg. Overnight stay in tents at Sonmarg campsites. All the health screne, document check will be done today.
Meals: Evening tea & snacks, Dinner
Stay: Camp
Altitude : 7,800 ft

DAY 2 | Sonmarg to Nichnai via Shekdur

Today first day of walk in the enthralling most awaited dream, Kashmir Great Lakes. Trek distance is 11.6 kms, 5/6 hrs. Overnight stay at campsite in tents.
Meals: tea & Breakfast, pack lunch, evening tea & snacks, dinner.
Stay: Camp
Altitude : 11,500 ft.

DAY 3 | Nichnai to Vishansar Lake

We will start after a early morning breakfast, around 8:00 AM. Then head towards the Vishansar Lake. It is a 13.5 kms trek for today. 6/7 hrs. Overnight stay at campsites in Tents.
Meals: Tea & breakfast, pack lunch, evening tea & snacks, dinner
Stay: Camp
Altitude : 12,000 ft.

DAY 4 | Vishansar to Gadsar Lake

As todays trek is quite long we will start as early as possible. Vishansar to Gadsar Lake is 16 kms, 6/7 hrs.
Meals: Tea & breakfast, pack lunch, evening tea & snacks, dinner
Stay: Camp
Altitude 13,800 ft.

DAY 5 | Gadsar to Satsar Lake

Start from the Gadsar Lake and reach Satsar Lake, 11.5 kms, 5/6 hrs. Overnight stay in tents at Satsar Lake.
Meals: Tea & breakfast, pack lunch, evening tea & snacks, dinner
Stay: Camp
Altitude : 12,000 ft.

DAY 6 | Satsar to Gangbal Twin Lakes

Today’s trek is ascending till 13,400 ft. On the way meet Nandkol Lake. From Nandkol Lake to Gangbal Lake is 20 minutes of walk. Satsar to Gangbal 9 kms, 5/6 hrs. Overnight stay in tents at Gangbal Lake camp.
Meals: Tea & breakfast, pack lunch, evening tea & snacks, dinner
Stay: Camp
Altitude : 11,500 ft.

DAY 7 | Gangbal to Naranag

Your final day of trek. Descend from Gangbal to Naranag. 13 kms, 5/6 hrs. Then drive back to srinagar with unforgettable memories.
Meals: Tea & breakfast, pack lunch.
Stay: NO

HOW TO REACH THE TREK BASE VILLAGE SONMARG

The village Sonmarg is well connected by road to Srinagar, is 80 kms away, need 3hrs to reach. The cab is included in this trek cost. You can reach Srinagar by flight or by road from Jammu railway station. This transfer is not included. Reaching Srinagar is very easy, you can take a flight from Dehli to Srinagar. Otherwise you can take train from Delhi to Jammu and then via cab or bus reach srinagar. Jammu to Srinagar is around 8 hrs journey, will cost you 500-600 and a shared taxi will cost you 900-1000. If you want to book a cab from Jammu to Srinagar it going to cost you 5000/6000 for 5/6 seater. Try to reach Srinagar in the morning on the Day 1 of your itinerary. Meet our representative at the reporting place as informed. Within afternoon you will be transferred to Sonmarg campsite by a cab.

FINEST TIME TO EXPERIENCE

The finest time to visit the Kashmir Great Lakes is beginning of July to end of September. It is the only weather window you can trek here. Other than this the trail buried under huge amount of snow make it nearly impossible to trek. These months for this trek first brings up a question in the mind of trekkers about the rainy season. Because it is the season fo rains in the rest of the country. This time most trails in Uttarakhand and sikkim and Darjeeling remains closed due to rain, but things are different in Kashmir. Observe the Pir Panjal Range, 288 kms long and 40-50 kms wide, a barrier separating Kashmir valley from the sub-continent, it works as a block for the clouds coming from the rest of India. This effects on the precipitation on the Kashmir Valley, make it a rain shadow area. July to September is the peak summer season changing towards Autumn is the best time to do this trek. And because this is a very short weather window Kashmir becomes most alive with greenaries in this time duration.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THIS TREK

After considering the long distance of walk on every day of trek and it is a long 7 days of trek, in our opinion we graded this as Moderate to Difficult. As it altitude is also going over 4000 meters. The few steep uphill climb like Gadsar Pass make it very challenging trek. But those trekkers have a better fitness level and stamina with endurance may find a normal moderate trek. Few parts are there are difficult one. Coming in the details you need to cross 70 kms in 7 days. On an average 10 kms every day. The also demands from you a 1500 ft climb and 1500 ft descending every day of hike. We found 3 difficult parts on this trek : The exigent climb to Nichnai Pass , then steep uphill trek to Gadsar, at last problematic boulder section after Satsar. But Don’t get afraid you definately can do this trek with prior trek experience and well maintained fitness.

TREK INCLUSIONS

TREK EXCLUSIONS

WHAT TO CARRY ON KASHMIR GREAT LAKES TREK

Like other treks bring all the trek gears and personal hiking gears. But the first thing you need to carry on every trek is a bit fitness and endurance. So before attempting a trek always do some Cardio and other endurance exercises to build your exercise. And in the list of hiking gears includes Rucksack, Waterproof Trekking shoes, warm layers of Jackets, Thermal Inners, Woolen and sun caps, Sunscreen(SPF 40) and toiletries, good quality water bottle, multiple pair of socks, light weight rain poncho or jacket, warm gloves, a day pack Headlamps with extra cells, sunglasses etc. If you are checking for this trek we believe you are a pro trekker, so you know better what to bring on a trek as of previous experience. At last if you have any queries or its confusing what to carry, please feel free to contact us. Don’t overweight your backpack, otherwise trek will seem to be very difficult.

IS THIS TREK SAFE FOR CHILDERN?

Now its comes for your childern. This trek is not recommended for the childern below 16 years of age, only when he/she have a prior easy class trek experience. This trek is bit difficult so don’t introduce this trek as first trek of their life. We don’t hide anything to get the bookings, as the option of exit point is very less in this trek, there is also a safety question in case of any emergency. Yes we have the medical kit for first aid and oxygen cylinder to counter worst case cenario, but still trek is in wilderness, nothing can be provided more than a first aid. We cann’t provide hospital facility on any trek. This is raw adventure, if there is no risk there is no adventure. Take the risk and conquer a mountain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Acclimatisation is the most important part of high altitude trek. Acclimatisation is the process where your body start getting cope up with mountain weather & atmosphere that is different from your hometown. This change of environment may affect your normal performance in that environmental conditions. So you need to be well acclimatise to safely do the trek. Not every time depend on the high altitude medicines to avoid AMS, go for natural acclimatisation. Otherwise your body will depend permanently on the medicines whenever you go to the high altitude. The natural acclimatisation is more powerful than medicines. We need to accept the himalayas as it is challenging. It is not that himalayas are unbeatable, but requires to follow rules and systematic approch. How do human body actually acclimatise to the high altitude? In the high altitude the air pressure gets lower so the density. That is why the molecules spreads out in more space and get apart from each other. This affects lower oxygen consume per breath. Our body reacts with that change and starts to take more breath that is hypoxia. We often called it breathlessness in laymen term. Then body try to take more breath to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in our blood. This results increase pH of blood, making our blood more alkaline and body starts urinate more for exerting of bicarbonates. On the other side the body starts to produce more hemoglobin count which are the oxygen carriers in our blood. This thickens our bloods and now our heart need to pump more to throw the blood in the distant organs hence the blood pressure gets higher. This indicates slight high pressure and pulse rate is normal in high altitude areas. There are three golden rules to acclimatisation in the field of mountaineering is –
1. Climb high sleep low
2. Ascend slowly, take your time. And do not over exert.
3. Hydrate & hydrate yourself more & more.

Our expert justified few ways to acclimatise naturally are discussed below-
At first check your itinerary. Trekking is not a game in hurry. You need time to complete. It is not anything you achieve but enjoyed. This is a sport that is away from any competition. Any trek should not be judge by time & distance. Do not over exert yourself, don’t go beyond your limits. Fix your itinerary comfortably. Do not try to cover more distance and altitude gain in one day to minimize the trekking days and cost. On the very initial days approach slowly even you are fit enough to trek faster. Take more time to gain altitude. This allows your body enough time to adjust with the atmosphere. Always bring a well hydrated body in the Himalayas and keep hydrated yourself on the trek days. Drink 3-4 liters of water every day on trek, and consume enough tea, soup, dal and other liquid includes in your meals. Do not consume any type of alcohol drinks 2/3 days before you start the trek, and also don’t on the trek. We do not allow any trekker to consume alcohol on the trek, if found he/she will be sent back then and there. We do not also advise to consume any hard drinks, too much coffee is also not good. ORS and other energy/glucose tablets are best on the trek. After arriving on trek base, trekkers may feel cold weather. But do not cover yourself fully with all of the woolen cap, muffler, neck warmer and all. Let your body to sense the atmosphere change with the sense organs. It will help in natural acclimatisation. Allow your skin to feel the cold. your ears to sense the pressure change. Keep that open while gaining altitude, unless there is a blizzard or bad weather condition. Don’t be a show off man, don’t show unnecessary bravery. Keep your body protect from cold weather. Protect your body from cold wind, cover your head at night & bad weather, cover your neck, tonsils and body tip like fingers, toes etc. Get proper sleep at night. It doesn’t mean that you should sleep at day time or in the afternoon as soon as you reach the campsite. Sleeping is important on every trek to get refresh and rest for next day trek. If you find difficulty in sleep bring immediate notice to the trek leader or guide. As you reach the trek base try to keep yourself dry, do not loose the body heat. Do not skip your soup in the evening. The garlic soup & other helps in blood circulation, keeps your body warm. You remain active on the high altitude. After reaching campsite everybody gets tired, this is normal. But do not get into your sleeping bag & take a nap. This will not help you to get acclimatise. Have some rest for a while, then explore the nearby places, go for the acclimatisation walk. You need to follow the golden rule ‘climb high sleep low’. Climb a bit higher in acclimatisation walk and get back to the campsite. You can indulge yourself in games, or can go for photography. Eat proper meals throughout the day, but lite. Not so much spicy foods, consume easy to digest foods more.
Trekking is a adventure sports, you need to bring a sportsman sprit and fitness on any trek. There is a big worry in many trekkers that how much they need to be fit for a trek. The himalayas are full of steep uphill, rough terrain, walking in the snow all these can be very challenging for trekkers specially for beginners. We will discuss here how to get fit for any trek with a complete training guide. Trek to uphill mountain is not in our daily routine so it is simple that we will find it tough to climb uphill. And with a backpack it seems very challenging. But only a month of regular exercise can make you fit for the trek. Cardio exercise is the best for pre trek exercise. Do some cardio exercise like jogging, swimming, cycling, jumping jacks etc will help you to build your endurance. Don’t forget to do some leg exercise like squats, lunges, stair climbing etc to build stamina of your legs. Now we made a routine exercise for you –
1. Cardiovascular endurance : On your trek you will constantly gaining altitude with your backpack in low oxygen atmosphere. Your heart will do more effort in this condition. So you need to go through cardio exercise at least for one month regularly to counter this constant uphill climb comfortably, infact you will find it bit easier. Jogging for 4 kms in 30 minutes is your first target for this. Start with slower jog and continue to fill the target.
2. Leg exercise : After one week of jogging add some leg exercise like squats and lunges to your routine. This exercises will build stamina of your leg that will help you on steep uphill climb. Start with 10 squats and 10 lunges of 2 set in first week. Then increase to 3 sets. Try to fulfil your target to do 3 sets of 15 each before the trek.
3. Strengthening the core : For strengthening your core body plank and hip raise are best. Do plank for 20 seconds for first three days and then start increasing by 10 seconds till 60.
Along with that do 10 hip raises 2 sets, and increase for 3 sets of 15 each. That should be the goal. So, get ready for your next adventure, make yourself fit enough to do the adventure activities.

There are three level of fitness we categorise :
Level 1 : It is the minimal fitness with that you just able to finish the trek. You struggle a bit, but not too much to do the challenging section. We find most of the trekkers with this much of fitness.
Level 2 : This is one level up fitness you bring on the trek, that you find the trek not very difficult or moderate but easy. And you can carry your own backpack easily throughout the trek. You don’t feel exhausted at the end of every day trek. You are find yourself still not tired and active after reaching the destination. You enjoy the other activity and enjoy exploring the nearby or involving yourself in some game.
Level 3 : This is the fitness we admire most & the ultimate mountaineer like fitness. The trekkers with this fitness finds trek easy for them and they are still very active after the whole day trek even with their rucksack. Not only that these people are fit enough to tolerate bad weather conditions, contribute in some work like tent pitching & kitchen activity, bringing water from nearby water source. Give a hand if other trekkers are in trouble or in some rescue operation.
Rucksack is a most important equipment on every trek & packing your rucksack is a important task for your trek. On a typical trek you need to carry your own rucksack, and if your rucksack is not comfortable to carry you will eventually start hating your backpack and also the trek. A rucksack need to be perfectly pack that it should be comfortable to carry on your back. It should not hurt you anyhow. The mordern day designed rucksacks are very light weight and have many chambers to pack seprately. A good quality rucksack have well paded for comfortable carrying in waist and shoulder. If you are planning to buy a rucksack, please keep the things in your mind and don’t forget to check the strength of rucksack and other straps.
Before you pack your rucksack go through our basic rule. This will help you to pack easily as a beginner. You just can not do every day packing and unpacking on multiple day of trek. Imagine how irritable and time consuming that will be. The A B C D E rule to pack your rucksack—

A – Accessibility = While packing your rucksack pack in such way that every thing are easily accissible for you. Use the different parts to achieve different things easily. For an example use different chambers for toileteries, different for your dry fruits and snacks, different for clothes, different for small items like gloves, socks, woolen caps etc. Keep the items at top or side pockets that you may need on the way like rain wears, sunglass, sunscreen etc.
B – Balance = Your bag need to be packed in such way that it can stand straight when you leave your backpack alone on a flat surface. The more your backpack is balanced the less it will hurt your shoulder. The weight distribution on both shoulder should be equal in order to comfortable carry.
C – Compression & Compartments = While packing your backpack compress all the cloths and the things that can be compresed. It will give you more space inside your rucksack. But remember don’t do more compress or less, do as much as it needed. Compress till it gives you more space to adjust other things. Now use more compartments or make more compartments by using different colored plastic bags, like for socks and underwear use red color plastic bags, for inner and thermal clother use yellow bag, for woolen cap & gloves use green one. It will not only give you another layer of waterproofing but also help you recognise all the different things. This will also help you to find your stuffs quickly.
D – Dry = Always keep your backpack dry from outside and inside also. Use rain cover from outside. And from inside all of your stuffs should be kept dry, otherwaise it will be more heavier than usual. Wet rucksack is not only heavier but also prone to damage, not good for rucksack maintenance. Use rain cover to protect from get wet.
E – Environment = Make a list of your stuffs that need to be packed inside the rucksack according to the environment of the trek you are going. Keep in mind the weather in that perticular month you choose to trek. Pack your backpack with stuffs you need in that weather conditions.

EXPERT’S ADVISE:
-> Always keep the heavy things in the middle of the rucksack and closer to your back.
-> The medium weight things should be kept in the lower compartments & liteweight items should be kept in top section of your rucksack.
-> Use plastic layer from inside to keep the stuffs dry.
-> Don’t forget to put rain cover from outside in rain and snow.
-> Adjust the shoulder straps to balance weight on both shoulder. Put the waist starps also to get better support and balance.
-> You can use you rucksack as a pillow inside the tent, or can rest your leg on rucksack.
Lots of trekkers are very worried about their accomodation on trek days. Wheather it gonna be comfortable or not, safe or not. Here is the answer. We have the good quality tents and sleeping bags for high altitude treks. Our mattress are very soft and thick to provide a comfortable sleep at night. But you should keep in mind that trekking in wilderness in himalayas are not any four or five star category. This is an adventure trip, if we provide a homely/hotel feeling on your trek, then there will be no adventure left for you. But obviously we will definitely provide a safe and cozy tent for your stay. Our tents are tested in bad weather conditions also. Sleeping bags are very warm to spend nights with a good sleep. And at the trek bases we arrange the best homestay available at the village. Homestays are sanitised and clean from inside. Toilets are well maintained and hygiene.
We go to the each and every trek base we organise and choose our guides on the basis of their experience, behaviour, past record, knowledge, abilities and good personality. They knows all about the routes and reacue & evacuation plans. They know how to handle in bad weather conditions. Our guides are well trained for work in the mountains, knows about the camping gears. They have years of experience in safety methods and protocols on the trek. Our guides are very happy to help and eager to serve you better. They always maintain health and hygiene. They are very friendly and make the more enjoyable for you.