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- KASHMIR GREAT LAKES TREK
- Uttarakhand
- 8 Days
- 13 to 55 years
- Difficulty : Moderate-Difficult
- Tour guide
Description
Sheer heaven on earth is the phrase that will come to your mind while undertaking the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, for the state is a land of divine beauty. When the starting point of your excursion is a bewitching place like Sonamarg, you know that you are in for a world of excitement. As you walk along the trails, you get to witness almost the entire range of ecological zones in the Himalayas. When you start the hike, you are amidst thick temperate forests of pine. You then gain altitude and enter jungles of morinda spruces, pindrow firs, and deodar trees, which disappear as you reach altitudes of over 11000 feet. Here you are greeted by expansive meadows of lush grass and shrubs, and they are easy to trek through due to their comparatively flatter terrain. From these grasslands, you will be able to see crystal-clear lakes and snow-covered mountain peaks in the distance.
Short Itinerary
Day 1 - Drive from Srinagar to Naranag
Day 2 - Trek from Naranag to Gangabal
Day 3 - Trek from Gangabal to Satsar via Zaj Pass
Day 4 - Trek from Satsar to Gadsar
Day 5 - Trek from Gadsar to Vishnusar via Gadsar Pass
Day 6 - Trek from Vishnusar to Nichnai via Nichnai Pass
Day 7 - Trek from Nichnai to Sonamarg. Drive to Srinagar.
Day 8 - Buffer Day
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Drive from Srinagar to Naranag
Drive Duration: 2 hours | Drive Distance: 50 km | | Pick-up point for Dream Go India trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar
Transport will be organised at 8 am from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar. The cost of the cab is Rs 500 per person and needs to be paid directly to the driver.
Day 2
Trek from Naranag to Gangabal
Trek Distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,800 ft to 11,486 ft
Moderate day with a steep ascent from Naranag followed by a mix of ascents and descents to Gangabal
Day 3
Trek from Gangabal to Satsar via Zaj Pass
Trek Distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude gain: 11,486 ft to 11,985 ft via 13,276 ft
Difficult day with a steep ascent for about 45 minutes and then a steep descent followed by boulder hopping for half an hour. Similar to the previous day, ascending and descending trail all through.
Day 4
Trek from Satsar to Gadsar
Trek Distance: 11.5 km | Trek Duration: 4 hours | Altitude loss: 11,985 ft to 10,706 ft
Moderate day starting with level walk followed by steep ascent for 1.5 km
Day 5
Trek from Gadsar to Vishnusar via Gadsar Pass
Trek Distance: 16 km | Trek Duration: 8 hours | Altitude gain: 10,706 ft to 12,011 via 13,715 ft
Moderate-Difficult day starting with long walks on the wide stretches of meadows followed by a steep ascent to Gadsar Pass and then steep descent
Day 6
Trek from Vishnusar to Nichnai via Nichnai Pass
Trek Distance: 13.5 km | Trek Duration: 7.5 hours | Altitude Loss: 12,011 ft to 11,607 ft via 13229 ft
Moderate day with level walk followed by a steep ascent to the Pass. Moderate descent all the way to Nichnai
Day 7
Trek from Nichnai to Sonamarg. Drive to Srinagar.
Trek Distance: 11.6 km | Trek Duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude loss: 11,607 ft to 8735 ft
Drive Distance: 80 km | Drive Duration: 3-4 hours
Moderate day with gentle descent and ascent for 4 hours followed by a steep descent all the way to Shitkadi.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
Day 8
Buffer Day
For all your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends completely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir. The buffer day is mandatory to keep in your itinerary.
If the buffer day is used, you have to pay us Rs 1,800 per day +5% GST. The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- Advisory Note: There are often uncertainties when it comes to trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets, that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are easily available with most airlines.
- In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise.
- For all your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends completely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek.
- You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers need to make their arrangements for a stay in Srinagar at the end of the trek.
Please note: Twin-sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.