Travel

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: Why it is one of the most beautiful trek

A Brief Overview of the Trek

  1. Jammu and Kashmir’s Pirpanjal Range
  2. Six days and seven nights
  3. Difficulty Level: Moderate
  4.  The highest point is 4200m.
  5. The total distance travelled is 82 kilometres.
  6. Base Camp – Sonmarg’s Shitakadi 
  7. The starting and finishing point is from Sonmarg to Narnag.
  8. The nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam Airport in Srinagar.
  9. The nearest rail station is Jammu Railway Station.

The Journey in Summary 

Kashmir Valley is a paradise land nestled in the Himalayas. The numerous trekking opportunities, encounters with nature, and peace that this valley offers are what make it a “heaven on earth.”

The Kashmir Great Lakes are located somewhere in the middle of this lovely valley. Although Jammu and Kashmir, India’s crown jewel, has many treks, the Kashmir Great Lakes remain the best when it comes to the right balance of adventure, fun, and divine experience. This trek offers an unforgettable experience that any trekker, novice or experienced, will remember for the rest of his life. This trek’s breathtaking views and experiences simply hit you at the right time.

The area is surrounded by dense flora, bouquets of various flowers, and snow-covered mountains. The path, which may appear exhausting at first, provides such a great incentive of tranquil landscapes and heart-pounding adventure that one will be filled with zeal to follow it.

Away from the concrete jungle and civilization, the Himalayan range that stretches across India offers Kashmir Great Lakes trekkers a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the valley’s unparalleled beauty.

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

The eight-day trek begins and ends in Sonmarg. A three-hour drive from Srinagar will take you to your base camp in Sonmarg, where we will begin our peaceful journey through the dense woods. The terrain is diverse, from muddy platforms to rocky roads, lush green trails to flower carpets, and many other unexpected transformations. Aside from solid ground, there will be numerous stream crossing segments with icy cold water to tickle your toes.

The seven major lakes visited on this trek are Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Yamsar, Gangabal, and Nundkol. The trek has a low to moderate elevation, with the only difficult part being the ascent to Gadsar Lake via Gadsar Pass on the fifth day. At 13,700 feet, Gadsar Pass provides a breathtaking view that will undoubtedly become a permanent fixture in your memory closet. As the trek’s name implies, the majority of the camps will be located on the banks of the lakes. After a long day of trekking, the night sky and heavenly water bodies will undoubtedly satisfy and rejuvenate you. When you arrive in Narnag from your campsite near the Gangabal Twin Lakes, your trek will come to an end and you will be driven back to Srinagar.

Best Time To Visit

July and August are ideal months to visit the Kashmir Great Lakes. The temperature is at its highest and the sky is at its clearest during these two months, allowing trekkers to get the most out of their experience. From September to April, the area is blanketed in thick blankets of snow, making even passing through the region difficult, implying that camping is impossible. 

During this time, the average temperature ranges between 17 and 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 3-5 degrees Celsius at night. Even though the trek is doable in June and September, hikers must be prepared for below-zero temperatures after nightfall and the possibility of a day off.

Indian trekkers recommend bringing warm clothing and being mentally prepared for the valley’s harshest climate.

Weather conditions throughout the year

The temperature ranges from 17 to 20 degrees Celsius during the day. Meanwhile, the temperature can drop to 3-5 degrees Celsius at night. Proper equipment, such as appropriate clothing and shoes with good traction, makes the trek easier to complete. However, the temperature changes dramatically in the mountains, which can be shocking to the body. Warm clothing aids in the adaptation to cold temperatures.

Trekkers in India strongly advise avoiding the trek after August because precipitation could make it difficult to complete.

Altitude

The highest point is 13,700 feet above sea level, at the top of Gadsar Pass. However, whether or not this is possible is dependent on weather conditions. The breathtaking view from this elevation, on the other hand, will stay with you for the rest of your life.

It is critical to maintaining constant hydration.

The trek’s safety requirements.

It is entirely dependent on the fitness and stamina of the individual. With the proper fitness, stamina, and endurance, even a novice can complete this trek. This trek has some ups and downs that make it difficult at times. But the trained guides provided by Trekkers of India will help you overcome the difficulties.

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