The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is in no need of an introductory treatise. It presents the proem in itself. You can draw a preface of it by just hearing its name. Kashmir is a wonderful place and if you are on a Himalayan trek you are bound to taste the natural beauty and adventure. The trek to the Kashmir Great Lakes offers a lifetime of experience of memories that are so wonderfully reminiscent. The tranquil silence of the Kashmir lakes and their virgin beauty is spellbound. Apart from the lakes, even the barren milky snow-clad mountains stand out in might and pride.

The location of this trek is Kashmir, also known as the paradise of the earth. The trek duration is around 7-9 days and this trek is often graded as moderate in regards to the trekking challenges. The elevation circles around 137500 feet and the distance paths are approximately 63 km. On such a fulfilling trek you will learn so much about yourself- in a trifecta – physically, mentally, and emotionally. For a trekker, nothing can replace and prepare him for those paramount and conflicting emotions about whether his body will take so much strain and whether he will make it or not. But the joy of reaching the destination is obvious. This trek will always be happy and a cherishing trek for the trekkers that comes in handy with a few preparations.

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Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Who Can Participate

Age; 15 years.
Experience of any high altitude trek, at least 1 treks of 4,000m/13,100ft.
The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 6 km of distance in 35 minutes without stress.
The climber should be able to carry a 12-16 kg backpack.

How To Reach

It is essential for everyone to arrive at Srinagar (11:00 am)
Pick-up location: Tourist reception center, rajbagh, srinagar.
Once you have reached Srinagar, TTH will manage the rest of your travel arrangements, if you have opted for TTH's pick-up service, you can select this option during the booking process by adding it as an add-on.
Do reach Srinagar one day before your trek date for a safer side. Pick-up Place & Time : Tourist reception center, rajbagh, srinagar.and pick up time is between 12:00 noon to 12:30pm
INT offers comfortable transportation through Tempo Traveler, Bolero, or equivalent vehicles. If you wish to upgrade your mode of transportation, please contact your trek coordinator for further assistance.

Day 1 :

Arrive At Sonamarg

Altitude: 2,600 m/ 8,500 ft.
Drive Distance: 90 km from Srinagar | approx 3 hrs.
If booked in advance, TTH can arrange pickup from Nishant Garden, at 12 pm.
Our campsite is near the Sindh River (Shitkadi Village)
Since there are no shops around ensure that you have all that you need already
Remember to carry your ID proof in original and 2 photocopies as we have to submit them at the army check post.
The journey to Kashmir Great Lakes begins from Shitkadi Village, which is a little ahead of Sonamarg and about a 3-hour drive from Srinagar. TTH representatives will pick you up from Sonamarg and drive all the way to Shiitkadi, where you will rest for the night before beginning your trekking adventure the next day. Before you begin your trekking adventure, you will spend the day in the beautiful surroundings of Shitkadi Village. You can spot some of the great mountain peaks like Kolahoi, Tribal, Machoi, Amarnath Peak, and Machoi Glacier. The view en route to the campsite is very scenic and all along the route, you will see the vast expanse of grasslands and meadows on either side of the road. The stay is arranged at Shitkudi Campsite. There will be a briefing session in the evening before dinner. Dine early and give your body enough rest to begin your trek tomorrow.

Day 2 :

Sonamarg To Nichinai Via Shekdur

Altitude:
Nichinai 3,500 m/ 11,500 ft.
Shekdur 3,350 m/ 11,000 ft.
Trek Distance: 11 km | 8 hrs.
Altitude Gain: 900 m/ 3,000 ft.
After breakfast, we trek to Nichinai via Shekdur.
The trail takes you through meadows, and dense forests with Maple, Pine, and Bhoj trees.
After approx. half an hour, we get to an army check post where we have to submit our ID proofs.
While you are at it, you can enjoy an awesome view of the Sonmarg Valley or the Thajiwas Glacier
The trek from Shitkadi to Shekdur goes through thick forests of pine trees and will take approx. 2 and a half hours
At Shekdur, you can indulge in instant noodles and an omelet if you wish to.
We follow the Nichinai stream as we trek from Shekdur to Nichinai.
We have lunch at the Nichinai stream.

Day 3 :

Nichinai To Vishansar Lake via Nichinai pass

Altitude:
Vishansar 3,650 m/ 12,000 ft
Nichinai pass 4,000 m/ 13,100 ft.
Trek Distance: 12 km | 7 hr.
Trek from Nichinai to Nichinai Pass is approximately 1 and a half hours ascent. At the top of Nichinai Pass, you can get the BSNL network, which is the last point under the mobile coverage area.
From Nichinai Pass to Vishansar there is a descent
At Vishansar campsite lunch will be offered.
We can visit Vishansar Lake, which is just 15-minute walk from the campsite
The first lake of the trek and one of the most beautiful ones
If the trek is in July, the lake will be frozen. Otherwise, we can go fishing at the lake, with the permission from Srinagar fishing department.
Vishansar is visited by hoards of sheep and their shepherds who always have some interesting stories to tell.
A campsite is a unique place with open ground and you can play volleyball, cricket, etc.
Beware of dogs at the campsite.

Day 4 :

Acclimatization + Rest Day (Conditions Apply)

Day 4 is reserved for acclimatization as you need to give your body enough time to adjust to the conditions of higher altitude. The next lake following the Vishansar lake is the Kishansar Lake. Kishansar is 0.5 km away from Vishansar and is situated at the base of the Kishansar Peak. It will take about 45 minutes to trek to Kishansar from Vishansar. You can take a short acclimatization walk to Krishansar Lake for acclimatization purposes. The trail to the Kishansar Lake climbs from the right side of the Vishansar Lake. On the right-hand side of the Kishansar Lake lies a big meadow which is a perfect spot for capturing photographs.

Day 5 :

Vishansar Lake To Gadsar Lake Via Gadsar Pass

Altitude:
Gadsar 3,350 m/ 11,000 ft
Gadsar pass 4,200 m/ 13,750 ft.
Trek Distance: 14 km | 10 hrs.
We start the trek earlier than usual.
The trail passes from Vishansar To Gadsar via Gadsar Pass, the highest point of the trek.
From Vishansar, the trail takes a steep ascent to Gadsar Pass.
We can spot the Kishansar Lake on the way.
From the Gadasr Pass to the campsite, we descend gradually.
We can spot the Gadsar Lake en route.
You might also spot the glacier of the Gadsar Lake.
After the Gadsar Lake, we will reach the campsite in two hours.
Just a few minutes before our campsite, we will have another army checkpoint and we will have to share our IDs.
A packed lunch will be provided during the trek.

Day 6 :

Gadsar To Satsar

Altitude: 3,650 m/ 12000 ft.
Distance: 9 km | 6 hrs.
Mid-July to mid-August, the trail is laden with vibrant flowers.
We need to share our IDs at another army check post en route.
Moving on, we see two small lakes which are often mistaken for Satsar Lakes.
We will visit Satsar twin lakes in the afternoon, which are approx. 1.3 hr apart.
Satsar Twin Lake is also known as Mengen Top.
The twin lakes are situated in the middle of two mountains.

Day 7 :

Satsar To Gangabal Twin Lakes Via Zaj Pass

Altitude:
Gangabal 3,500 m/ 11,500 ft
Zaj pass 3,950 m/ 13,000 ft.
Trek Distance: 11 km | Duration: 6 hours approx.
We walk on rocky paths for approximately an hour and ascend to Zaj Pass
At the Pass, you can enjoy views of the 4 lakes as well as Mt. Harmukh and its glacier.
From the pass, we descend to Gangabal Lake and camp at Nandkol Lake
We visit the Gangabl Lake, which is one of the largest lakes on the trek.

Day 8 :

Gangabal To Naranag, Drive To Srinagar

Altitude: 2,250 m/ 7,450 ft.
Trek Distance: 15 km | 7 hrs approx.
The trail is a descent till the last point of the trek - Naranang, so take care of your knees and ankles.
The trail will pass through pine tree forests.
On advance booking, TTH can arrange transport to Srinagar at a charge.
* Please Note that prepaid SIM cards do not work in Kashmir.

Cost Terms

Inclusion

1. Accommodation (as per the itinerary):
-Camping while the trek (Twin sharing basis).
2. Meals (Veg + Egg):
- Meals while on trek (Veg & Egg).
-Day1 dinner to day8 lunch.
3. Support:
-1 Versatile base camp manager handles communication and deploys
extra manpower in emergencies.
-1 Mountaineering & First aid qualified professional trek Leader.
-1 Experienced high-altitude chef.
-Local experienced guides (Number of guides depending on the group
size).
-Enough support staff.
5. Trek equipment:
-Sleeping bag, Sleeping liners (if required), mattresses, and Utensils.
-3 men all season trekker tent (twin sharing), Kitchen & Dining tent,
-Toilet tent.
-Camping stool, Walkie talkie.
-Ropes, Helmet, Ice axe, Harness, Gaiters & crampons (if required).
6. First aid:
-Medical kit, Stretcher, Oxygen cylinder, Blood pressure monitor,
Oximeter, Stethoscope.
7. Mules/porters to carry the central luggage.
8. Clock room facility available at the base camp for additional luggage.
9. All necessary permits and entry fees, up to the amount charged for Indian.
10. Services from Sonamarg to Naranga.

Exclusion

1. Food during the transit.
2. Any kind of personal expenses.
3. Mule or porter to carry personal luggage.
4. Emergency evacuation, hospitalization charge, etc.
5. Transportation (as per the itinerary):
-Transport from Srinagar to Sonmarg and Narnag to Srinagar (Rs
1,700/-).
6. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusion.
Things can be provided on demand and availability (participant has to pay extra for these things).
1- Satellite phone/set phone - is a type of mobile phone that connects via radio links via satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites like cellphones. Therefore, they can operate in most geographic locations on the Earth's surface.
2- Gamow/PAC HAPO Bag (Portable Hyperbaric Bag) - is a unique, portable hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness.
3- AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) - are portable life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Expand all

What kind of accommodation we’ll get in KGL trek?

We do camping throughout the trek. We provide twin sharing tent all season tent .

What will the temperatures be like during KGL trek?

During trekking day time is always pleasant as temperature stay between 15C-22C throughout the season. At night time, temperature varies between 8 C to 0 C. Our morning, evening and nights are quite cold so you need to be prepared by wearing layers around camp. In early July, high chances of getting snow at Nichnai Pass and Gadsar pass and around. From July mid to August, almost snow melts by July end. And then around August end to September mid expected night temperature around 4 C to 0 C and one can expect snowfall around 2nd week of September. Do expect light shower around evening time.

How do we reach Srinagar?

Pick-up location is TRC: Nishad Garden in Srinagar at 12:00 Noon, TTH will take care of your further travel arrangements.
Options to Reach Srinagar: We advise you to reach Srinagar one day before trek date and by flight only. Better to avoid road route.
If you are planning to take a bus, you can reach ISBT in Srinagar from any major city. It will take 1 hour to reach Nishad garden from ISBT.
If you are planning to fly to Srinagar which is well connected to all major airports in India, you can reach TRC within 20 to 25 minutes via taxi.
If you’re coming by train, there are two railway stations.

Is KGL a good trek for a first timer?

Yes, we recommend KGL trek to first timer as well as experienced one. Make sure that you should have good fitness. People suffering from Bronchitis, Asthma, High blood pressure, Epilepsy (got faints), TB , Heart problem or on higher BMI side are strictly not allowed to go on any Himalayan trek. Apart from this if you had any medical history, please let us know.

Are there any electricity charging points on KGL trek?

There isn’t any charging point on KGL trek. And you need to rely on your power bank or batteries.

Is Trekking pole necessary?

Yes, it is necessary. It is additional support which helps you reduce tiredness and give you strength and balance.

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map