Discovering the Scenic Wonders of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

As Swami Vivekananda has rightly said, “”The beauty of Kashmir is beyond  description. It is a fairyland with snow-clad mountains, serene lakes, and verdant  valleys.” I feel short of words as I sit down to write about the beauty this land has  to offer. Today, we will be diving into the virtual exploration with Himalaya  Shelter on the KGL trek. The Kashmir Great Lake Trek is a beautiful and  challenging trek in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The trek takes you  through some of the most stunning landscapes and offers breathtaking views of the  Himalayas. The trek is considered to be one of the best treks in India and is a must do for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. This trek takes you through  stunning alpine meadows, lush green forests, and crystal-clear lakes, offering a  truly breathtaking experience. 

The trek starts from Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination known for its scenic  beauty, and takes you through various villages, meadows, and forests. The first few  days of the trek are relatively easy and provide you with a chance to acclimatize to  the high altitude. As you progress, the trek becomes more challenging and you will  have to cross streams and climb steep hills. 

The trek is considered a moderate to difficult one, with some steep ascents and  descents along the way. However, the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere  make the effort worth it. The trek is best done in the months of June to September  when the weather is clear and dry, making it easier to navigate. The major  highlights of this trek are the pristine alpine meadows, offering beautiful views of  the surrounding peaks, including the towering Mount Haramukh which is believed  to be the residence of Lord Shiva at a towering height of 16,000 ft, and ofcourse  the the stunning blue waters of the Kashmir Great Lakes, which are nestled amidst  the majestic peaks. 

The Kashmir Great Lakes trek are a group of seven alpine high-altitude freshwater  lakes located in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas and on this trek one gets the 

thrill of crossing three mountain passes, namely- Nichnai Pass, Gadsar Pass & Zaj  Pass.  

Day 1 : Drive from Srinagar airport to Sitkari (Trek base 2 Km before Sonamarg)  – 85 Km – 3 hours.

Driving from Srinagar airport to Sitkari is a road journey that takes approximately  3 hours and covers a distance of approximately 95 kilometers. The route from the  airport to Sitkari involves traveling through picturesque mountain roads, which  offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. On reaching, you are welcomed  by the Himalaya Shelter team, who will be there with you for the next eight days of  beautiful exploration. 

Day 2: Trek to Nichnai – 11 Km – 7/8 hours.

The route from Sitkari to Nichnai is a trek that covers a distance of approximately  11km and takes around 7-8 hours to complete, depending on the trekker’s pace.  The trek involves a significant elevation gain of approximately 1,400 meters,  making it the warm up hike whilst offering views of Sonamarg. The trail is a zig  zag & wide path, through a forest full of maple and pine trees. As we gradually  climb up and reach the table top, which is a shepherd hut usually offering delicious  Maggie and the famous Kashmiri Kahwa. After which we progress towards our  campsite. 

Day 3: Trek to Vishansar Lake – 12 Km – 6/7 hours.

Waking up to a hot cup of tea and scrumptious breakfast, today we set off for a  long day to reach the first lake of the trek and also crossing our first pass of the  trek – the vishansar lake & the nichnai pass. We cover 12km of distance in  approximately seven hours. The top of Nichnai pass not only offers a great view  but also a phone network range if you have BSNL. Climbing up the pass and  reaching the height of 13,100 ft is a thrilling experience all together. The reward is  the decent which follows right after. Lush green meadows with colorful flower 

carpet welcoming you to Vishnusar campsite. The lake is still 6 minutes from the  campground, so its always better to feed yourself and then head on to explore the  grandeur of the Lake. 

Day 4 : Rest and active acclimatisation Day. Hike to Kishansar lake and  back – 2 hours.

When it comes to climbing mountains, acclimatization should be our first priority.  From hydration to nutrition, everything must be taken care of. Therefore, before  setting off for higher passes, today we rest and acclimatize by walking around the  meadows and exploring the Kishansar Lake which is just one and a half kilo  meters from the campsite. 

Day 5 : Trek to Gadsar via Gadsar Pass – 14 Km – 7/8 hours.

The trek from Vishansar to Gadsar is again a long yet thrilling climb of 14 kms  which takes around 10 hrs. We start early today and lace up for one the most  important climb of the trek. The initial climb is steep but is soon followed by a  walk on the meadows. One of the most anticipated view of Kashmir Great Lakes  Trek is made available on this day i.e the view of twin lakes from the highest point  of the Gadsar Pass. Crossing the pass one can also see the small lakes, one of  which is related to the yamraj, and so is called the Yamasar lake. 

Today we also have the option of camping next to the Gadsar Lake, one of the  most beautiful lake of this trek. Enjoy the warm soup followed by dinner delicacies. 

Day 6 : Trek to Satsar – 10 Km – 5/6 hours.

Post Breakfast we leave the Gadsar Camp and cross a frozen stream to ascending on a narrow trail. Today we trek for six hours , the first hour on the trail is steep  until you cross the hills. Later , it becomes flat and you can enjoy relaxing your  

steps on the soft meadows. Soon you will reach the first lake of Satsar, which  means Seven lakes and you can witness the lakes depending on the season you’re  trekking in. The lake looks majestic and is in contrast with the mountain in the  backdrop.

Day 7 : Trek to Nandkol lake (near Gangabal twin lake) via Zaj Pass– 11 Km – 5/6  hours  

Today we set up on to climb the Zaj Pass, which is 11km and takes around six  hours to reach Nandkol. A decent uphill climb to reach the largest of the satsar lake. We have to walk on boulders all the way up before the route starts to  descend. We can see the group of ridges yet to be climbed. However, the best view  comes after the hardest climb and from the highest ridge you get to see the twin  lakes side by side. From here you can also see the destination for today. We camp at Nandkol today. 

Day 8 : Trek to Naranag – 11 Km – 5/6 hours – 60 Km drive to Srinagar – 2/3 hours.  

The last day of the trek is an easy descent from Gangbal to Naranag. A beautiful  walk bidding adieu to the Harmukh mountain and the grassy meadows full of  flowers. You soon start to get network and enter the treeline and after a good walk  you finally meet the paved village path and find your vehicle waiting to drive you  back to Srinagar. 

In conclusion, the Kashmir Great Lake Trek is a must-do for adventure enthusiasts  and nature lovers. The trek offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and natural  beauty and is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. So, if you’re planning a trip  

to India and are looking for an unforgettable experience, the Kashmir Great Lake  Trek is the perfect choice!

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