Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

0/5.0

Srinagar ,Kashmir

Highlights

Panoramic View

Ideal for Stargazing

About the campsite

Kashmir with its unparalleled beauty, postcard-perfect scenes and almost European vistas frankly need no introduction. The Kashmir Lakes Circuit trek traverses some of the hidden gems 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 highly recommended trek.

Starting from the popular hill station Sonamarg, the trail follows ancient routes taken by the Gujjars, the nomadic shepherds of Kashmir. Every day on the trail, trekkers are treated to breathtaking views of rugged snowcapped mountains, colourful grasslands, and trout-filled crystal clear lakes. There are also high passes to be crossed, the highest being at 4191m and rocky terrains to be navigated frequently. It is a physically and mentally challenging trek and would require the trekkers to be physically fit and to have a penchant for the Himalayan remoteness to enjoy this trek.

Activities

Hiking

Amenities

Bedding & Blanket

Stay in Dome Tents

Meals

Tour Guide

Safety Features

First Aid Kit

Certified Instructors

Itinerary

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Day 1

Morning:

Transfer
Reach Srinagar & drive from Srinagar to Sitkari. The drive has a wonderful mix of grasslands, scattered forests and snow-covered mountains. Overnight stay in tents. Meals: (Tea& Snacks, Dinner).

Day 2

Morning:

Hiking
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

Morning:

Hiking
TREK FROM NICHNAI TO THE VISHANSAR LAKE (3657M,15KMS): Today’s trek will comprise 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 feeling rejuvenated just by 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

Morning:

Hiking
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, descend 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

Morning:

Hiking
TREK FROM GADSAR LAKE TO MENGANDOB/SATSAR LAKE (3600M, 12KM): Today, 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

Morning:

Hiking
TREK FROM SATSAR LAKES TO GANGBAL TWIN LAKES (3505M, 10KMS): You will be physically & mentally challenged today as you cross rocky, 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 & Gangbal lake. Overnight stay in tents. Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.

Day 7

Morning:

Camping
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

Morning:

Hiking
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. The trek ends here. You can opt to stay at Narang village or at Srinagar at an additional cost. From Narang village drive to Srinagar. Depart from Srinagar to your home towns the next day (Day 9)

Important Info

Advance Pay & Block:
You can pay 7,000 + 5% GST non-refundable advance and block your slots. Remaining amount could be paid 10 days before the event.
Advance Payment link:
https://rzp.io/l/XPghzdom

Cost Includes:

Indians permit INR 800 Per person
Accommodation in dome tent (2/3 per tent) Day 1 to 7.
Meals mentioned in the itinerary on a fixed menu/buffet basis
Camping Equipment: Tents, Sleeping bags, mats
All charges for guides, cooks, helpers, horses

Cost Excludes:

Transfer to base from Srinagar & back
Day 8 stay in Naranag or stay/houseboat in 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, and 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.

Additional Cost if availed:

Foreigners permit INR 1200 Per person.
Backpack offload INR 3200 backpack not weighing more than 10 kg
Naranag homestay INR 3000 - Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included (twin sharing)
Riding horse for trek INR 15000 for all seven days
Innova from Srinagar to ShitkariINR 4500 6 sharing non AC
Sumo or Tavera from Naranag to Srinagar INR 4500 6 sharing non AC
Tempo from Srinagar to Shitkari INR 7000 12 sharing non AC
Etios from Srinagarto Shitkari INR 3500 3 sharing non AC

NOTE:

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.

We plan itineraries based on the information available at the time of planning and in rare circumstances, they are subject to change. If the itinerary is changed or delayed due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, transportation delays, government intervention, landslides etc., we will always aim to give you the best experience possible. However, Exoticamp cannot be held responsible for the cost of delay or changes.

Cancellation Policy:

50% refund for all cancellations done 15 days before the date of stay
No refund for cancellations within 15 days from the date of stay
Booking dates cannot be transferred / rescheduled
Refunds if any will be credited to the source account in 7 working days
Incase of govt. imposed lockdowns / Covid disruptions, option to reschedule booking to any other date within a year will be given. No refund will be issued.

Campsite Rules

No Alcohol

No Smoking

No Littering

Valid ID required

How to get here?

Reach Srinagar on your own by flight & we would arrange picking for you.

Reach Srinagar airport by 11:30am on Day 1.
Book return flight depends on the number days you are planning to stay in Kashmir.

*Always book flights on flexi travel plan with date change option.