Kashmir great lakes trek(KGL)
Duration: 08 Days
Trekking Altitude : Max. altitude at Gadsar
pass at 4191m
Trek Distance: 74 kms
Grade: Moderate – Difficult .
Trek Months : June – September
Temperature: One can expect the
temperature to range from 25
degrees Celsius during the day and
drop down to as low as 5 degrees
Celsius during the night. Do note
that due to wind chills, it can feel a
lot colder, especially during
evenings and nights.
Travel and Trek Itinerary :
Srinagar | Gagangir | Sitkari | Nichnai | Vishansar lake | Kishansar lake | Gadsar
lake | Satsar Lake | Gangbal twin lakes | Naranag | Srinagar.
How to reach Base camp:
Sitkari is situated at a distance of
87kms from Srinagar and can be
reached in approximately 4 hours.
To reach Srinagar, you can take a
train to Jammu and take a taxi/bus
ride for the rest of the journey. You
can also take the flight to Srinagar
from Delhi or Mumbai with or without a stopover at Jammu. By bus, Srinagar is linked by
the National Highway 1A to the rest of the country.
Nearest Airport / Rail line/road connectivity: The nearest airport is the Sheikh ul Alam
Airport, also known as the Srinagar airport. Jammu is the nearest rail connectivity point and
is well connected to all major cities by train.
Kashmir Great Lakes is on of the fascinating trek in Jammu and Kashmir Region ,Wetern Himalayan Range.
The Kashmir Lakes Circuit trek traverses some of the hidden jewels in
the Kashmiri mountainscape – the pristine alpine high altitude lakes of Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar,
Satsar. Nundkol and Gangbal. If you are looking for green meadows filled with colourful wildflowers,
pristine colour changing water lakes, meandering streams and amazing Himalayan views from high
passes, then the Kashmir Lakes Circuit trek is the most highly recommended trek.
Starting from the popular hill station Sonamarg, the trail follows ancient routes taken by the
Gujjars, the nomadic shepherds of Kashmir.
The trek passes through snow-capped mountain peak, bewitching landscapes, flaming pines and high altitude lakes. The Kashmir Seven Lakes trek is paradise on earth. It has every thing that the nature has to offer in scenic lap. Nurtures beautiful landscapes, majestic High mountain routes, lush green valleys , gushing streams ,blooming wild flowers, sparking glacier . The magnificent views of the mountains , Glacier lakes full of trout fishes , rare high altitude birds , and an encounter with wild life. Flora and fauna of the north-western Himalayas and not mention the breathtaking Harmukh Peak5400 Meters and ancient 8th century temple ruins at Naranag valley.. The trail follows the habitual course of the Gujjars (the wandering shepherds of Kashmir) from Sonmarg to Naranag valley.
Trek Itinerary:
Day 1 – Drive from Srinagar to Sitkari/
Sonmarg (2800m, 87kms).
• You are expected to assemble at the
Sitkari village(3km from Sonmarg) by 6 pm.
To reach Sitkari, take a shared taxi from the
Srinagar Tourist Reception Center at the
latest by 2 pm.
• The Western Mountains can also arrange
for taxis on request and trekker expense to pick you up from the Srinagar TRC and drop you
at Sitkari. Please let us know during registration if you would like to opt for the pick-up
service.
• It is a scenic drive from Srinagar to Sitkari and has a wonderful mix of grasslands,
scattered forests and snow-covered mountains.
• Overnight stay in tents.
• Meals: (Tea& Snacks, Dinner).
Day 2 – Trek from Sitkari village to
Nichnai (3505m, 13kms)
• Begin early morning and start ascending
towards the Shokdhari campsite on a Maple
and Pine tree-lined route. Enjoy beautiful
views of Sonmarg and the glaciers en route
and from the campsite.
• Descend into the Nichnai grazing ground (Shepherd’s valley) through a Silver Birch
forest.
• Overnight stay in tents.
• Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Tea& Snacks, Dinner.
Day 3 – Trek from Nichnai to the Vishansar lake(3657m,15kms)
• Post breakfast start ,Today’s trek will comprise of a steep and gruelling ascent to cross the Nichnai pass
standing tall at 4080m and a descent towards the Vishansar & Kishansar lakes and into the
Vishansar campsite.
• Visit the Vishansar lake situated 1km from the campsite. Nothing that we say or write can
prepare you for the beauty of the alpine high altitude lake. Surrounded by mountains and
being hard to access, the waters of the lake are crystal clear and change colour as the day
proceeds. You are guaranteed to start feeling rejuvenated just sitting by the lake and listening
to the lapping sounds of the water and soaking in the scenic beauty.
• Overnight stay in tents.
• Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Tea& Snacks, Dinner.
Day 4– Trek from Vishansar lake to Gadsar lake(4191m,13kms)
• Trek up 250m to the Krishansar lake which is about 1/2km from the Vishansar lake.
Despite being close in distance, the twin lakes can be seen together only from the top at
Gadsar pass.
• Getting to the Gadsar pass at 4191m is no easy task and is going to take a toll on your legs
and back. However, the scintillating views at the top of the pass more than compensate for it.
• From the pass, descent into flat meadows covered with brightly coloured wildflowers to
reach the Gadsar Lake.
• Overnight stay in tents.
• Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 5 – Trek from Gadsar lake to Mengandob/Satsar lake(3600m, 12km)
• Post Breakfast you begin with a two-hour steep climb up the mountains to enter into flatlands
known as Mengandob.
• Trek ahead, crossing an army camp, to the Satsar lakes. The Satsar lakes are a collection of
7 lakes in a cascade formation. Fed by melting snow, a couple of these lakes dry up in
summer and autumn.
• Overnight stay in tents.
• Meals -Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 6 – Trek from Satsar lakes to Gangbal twin lakes
(3505m, 10kms)
• You will be physically and mentally challenged
today as you cross rocky and boulder ridden terrain,
cross a few ridges and Climb Mountains to arrive for a
break on a ridge at 3570m. After a quick break, keep
going up to reach the final ridge at 3000m. From here,
you can view the twin lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol.
• What follows is a steep rocky descent, a few ups and
downs, and entry into green meadows which lead to the
Nundkol lake and Gangbal lake.
• Overnight stay in tents.
• Meals -Breakfast, Lunch, Tea& Snacks, Dinner.
Day 7 – Rest day.
• Today you get to relax by the lakes, explore surrounding meadows, soak in the
magnificent mountainscape, uncover a few local legends about the lakes, share travel stories,
meditate, exercise your photography skills and do anything that soothes your soul (without
disturbing others trekkers/nature)
• Overnight stay in tents.
• Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 8 – Trek from Gangbal twin lakes to Naranag (11kms)
• On the final day, we trek past a tree line, some grassy lands and towards the pine forest
cover. Follow the forest line for about 6-7kms and descend into the Naranag village.
• For people opting for homestay at Naranag at an additional cost, you will be provided
lunch on arrival, Once you are refreshed you could explore the Naranag Temple built by
Lalitaditya Muktapida during Karkota Dynasty till evening.
• Day 9 check out after breakfast for people opting for Naranag stay.
• Cabs can be arranged on request and trekker expense to take you to Srinagar from the
village. Please let us know during registration if you would like to opt for the dropped
service to Srinagar.
• For people opting houseboat at Srinagar at an additional cost, you will have to board a
taxi(own expense) to Srinagar after the trek and reach the Srinagar houseboat by evening,
Dinner and breakfast provided at houseboat, Day 9 checkout after breakfast.
• Meals : (Breakfast).
Nearby Attractions: Naranag temple located at the serene meadows in Naranag Valley is one of the main
attractions to tourists and it is an important archaeological site, the temples form a cluster
facing each other and with historical reference, it was dedicated to Lord Shiva built by
Lalitaditya Muktapida during Karkota Dynasty. The 8th-century architecture is believed to be
dedicated to Nagas by which the name Naranag was derived, the Nagas belonged to Hindu
Kashmiri Kayasthas of the Naga sect. The temple has an Aryan structure to it and the temple
is now in ruins state. It is also one of the start points or the base to the popular Gangbal-
Vishnusar trek which is popularized these days as Kashmir Great lakes trek taken from the
Sonamarg side, it has a popular Harmukh peak in this route at Nandkol and Gangabal lakes.
There is an annual Gangabal Yatra taken by the Kashmiri Pandits during late September
where people hike to the lake and perform their religious duties on the banks of the lake.
Inclusions:
• Accommodation in dome tent (2/3 per tent).
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary on a fixed menu/ buffet basis.
• Camping Equipment: Tents, Sleeping bags, mats.
• All charges for guides, cooks, helpers, horses.
Exclusions:
• Trek permit, airfares, airport taxes and anything not mentioned in the inclusions and
itinerary.
• Internal transportation cost as per itinerary from Srinagar to Shitkari & Naranag to
Srinagar.
• Backpack offloading: Trekkers are expected to carry their backpacks. If the trekker
cannot carry his/her backpack due to physical inability and chooses to offload on mules, this
will be at an additional cost.
• Meals, tea, coffee, mineral water, tips, transfers not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Doctor, telephone, laundry and other personal expenses.
• Cost of personal emergency exit or expenses due to external factors such as climatic
conditions.
• Travel insurance.
• Naranag homestay or Srinagar houseboat charges.
Health & Fitness Requirements:
This trek does not require you to have any previous trekking or mountaineering experience.
We do however highly recommend having an adventurous spirit and willingness to undergo
the joys & hardships of outdoor camping, in addition to good physical and mental fitness, to
completely enjoy the trek. If you suffer from severe muscular, chest, heart or bronchial
ailments, we advise you against participating since most treks happen in remote areas with
limited access to medical services & hospital facilities.
Our Trek Leaders are experienced mountaineers and we trust their judgments. If during the
trek, the Trek Leader advises you against continuing on the trek, we request you to respect
his judgment and follow his instructions.
Terms and Conditions
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your
trip dates and we endeavour to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please
understand that we plan everything, including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and
ration. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people
involved in various stages of the programme. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges
are as below –
Cancellations before 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash
Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
