Kashmir Great Lake Trek

Kashmir “Great Lakes Trek” An Adventurer’s Delight.

The entire trek is 80 kms, the mesmerizing beauty all around just engulfs you .Great lakes trek is considered as one of the best treks of the world. Great Lakes 

Trek mesmerizes us with five large high altitude lakes (Nandansar / Gangbal / Gadsar / Vishensar / Kishensar)and eight small lakes. etc. (Satsar 7 Lakes and Gadsar Lake at Lower Gadsar Valley), Three Passes Zajbal Pass , Gadsar Pass and Nichnai Pass, Five Alpine Meadows. 

The trek can be performed from Naranag to Sonamarg and Sonamarg to Naranag, However we recommend trek from Naranag to Sonamarg as the total steep Naranag  first from Naranag.

BRIEF ITINARY

• List Item

• Day 1 : Arrive Srinagar, Drive to Sonamarg Depart to Sonamarg in the afternoon. It is 3 hrs drive from Srinagar.
• Themes : Trekking
  Day 2 : Sonamarg (7,800ft) to Nichnai (11,500ft) via Shekdur
• Day 3 : Nichnai (11,500ft) to Vishansar lake (12,00ft)
• Day 4 : Acclimatization + Rest Day at Vishansar
• Day 5 : Vishansar (12,000ft) to Gadsar(12,000ft) via Kishansar lake and Gadsar Pass (13,750ft)
• Day 6 : Gadsar (12,000ft) to Satsar (12,000ft)
• Day 7 : Satsar (12,000ft) to Gangabal twin lakes (11,500ft)
• Day 8 : Gangabal (11,500ft) to Naranag (7,450ft) Drive to Srinagar

DETAILED ITINARY

• Day 1:- Srinagar sonamarg (3 hrs drive) On arrival at Srinagar airport or bus station , our car will receive you and transfer you to Sonmarg “the meadow of gold” along picturesque Sind River. After reaching you will be transferred to your hotel where you will spend your 1st night.Remember to carry your ID proof in original and 2 photo copies as we have to submit them at the army check post.
• Day 2: – Sonamarg – Nichnai (5 hrs trek). After breakfast at your hotel our trek will start at Shitksri 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.
• Day 3: – Nichnai – Vishnasar – Krishansar Lake (6 hrs trek). We leave Nichnai meadow and immediately start ascending one of the three passes of the trek the Nichnai Pass (4000m). We ascend it through long grazing pastures sheep. After crossing the pass we enter into the Vishansar Valley “the valley medicinal plants”, we descend gradually through the alpine flower valley and camp at Vishansar Lake for an overnight stay.
• Day 4: – Krishansar – Gadsar (6 hrs trek). 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 pass of the trek the Gadsar Pass (4050m). 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 for an overnight stay.
• Day 5: – Gadsar – Satsar Lakes – Megandoab (5 hrs trek). We ascend Kostur Kout leaving Gadsar valley and enter the meadow of Rasbal. It’s the Rasbal where a flowing river disappears underground. We continue our trek through seven small lakes of Satsar and camp at Megandoab at the foothills of the third pass of Zajibal for an overnight stay.
• Day 6: – Satsar – Gangabal lake (6 hrs trek). We ascend the last and the highest pass of our trek ‘Zajibal Pass (4180m)’. We forget all our tiredness when reaching atop because of the views, 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 it to reach Gangabal Lake for an overnight stay.
• Day 7: – Gangabal – Naranag. (6 hrs trek) We leave Gangabal and Nundkol Lakes and trek through the meadows of Trunkol and descend to Naranag village through the pine forest of Bod pathri. Here ends our walking. We take our car and drive back to Srinagar houseboat for an overnight stay.

Inclusion

• Transport in luxury Cars from Srinagar to Basecamp and Basecamp to Srinagar.
• Accommodation in Husky Tents (France) Husky Magnum sleeping bags minus 15 Husky Sleeping Mattresses.
• Basic Medical / First Aid and Oxygen Cylinder.
• Daily meals (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner) both veg / non veg (day out refreshments).
• Passes and Permits Load ferrying on Ponies Staff (Guide/Trek Leader Cook and Helpers).
• Completion Certificates.
• Best time from end June to Mid October Batches.
• Selling cost INR:-16,500/- (local Indians)

WHAT TO CARRY?

The trek is supported by horses. You will need to carry only a light sack, weighing about 4-6kg for your items like passport, money, and camera gear. The following is a list of the items you should carry on the trek. If you have items that can not be used on the trek, you can store them at our houseboat or our office and take them back after returning from the trek.

Please note that only postpaid Indian mobile sim cards (Jio, Airtel and BSNL) work in Kashmir Valley. There’s no cellular connectivity from Day 2 to Day 6 of the trek.
Please double check your passport or Aadhar numbers before submitting through booking form. These numbers are required for preparation of trek permits.
Passport or a valid ID card
Duffel Bag 60 liters
One Pair Trekking Shoes
One Pair Trail Approach Shoes
Trekking Pants
Hooded Rain Jacket
Shade Hat
One Pair Sunglasses
One Pair Liner Gloves
Small Size Day-Pack
Two Pair Trekking Socks
One Pair Sandals
Extra Warm Clothes
Warm Hooded Down Jacket
Sunscreen Cream
Lip Balm
Any Personal Medication

Fitness

Kashmir Treks are achievable by anyone with a healthy lifestyle and a good level of general fitness. Team members should be willing to be part of a team working together to achieve the goal of the expedition. As a team member, you should have an adventurous and robust spirit. The biggest challenge on this expedition will be the many consecutive days of challenging trekking across alpine terrain, much of which at altitudes of above 3000m.

MINIMUM FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Trek: up to 7km per day.
Daily activity: up to 5 hours’ trekking per day.
Carry: up to 5kg in a day-sack.
Terrain: remote, uneven, snowy, icy, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain at up to 4200m.
Climate: Can be sunny in valleys and cold and windy at high altitudes. June and September months are cooler than those of July and August. Averages are 3000m, 1°C to 20°C.
Swim: not required though there will be stream crossings to make.