The Wandering Boot Presents Kashmir great laKe treK Introduction Kashmir Great Lakes is one of the most beautiful treks in India. No question. It validates Kashmir’s mythical status as heaven on earth. This is because the trek is set in a canvas that’s larger than life. It is situated 75 km northeast of Srinagar. Every day is a 360° panorama of wild, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, and turquoise alpine lakes. And you get more than seven of these lakes and five very different valleys to explore! The range of landscape makes it a moderate-difficult trek spanning over six days. This means it has long trekking days with steep ascents and descents with no easy exit points. So, it’s not meant for a beginner who hasn’t been exposed to high-altitude treks. Trek Information Region : Northern Part of India(Jammu & Kashmir) Highest point : 13,800 ft. Grade : Moderate to Difficult Best time to visit : July end to September Mid Services from: Srinagar to Srinagar Food: Meals while on trek (Veg + Egg) Stay: Camping Short Itinerary Day 1 : Getting to base camp – Sonamarg.The transport will be arranged at 2:30 PM from TRC Srinagar.The cost of a cabis Rs. 2,500.The amount is shared between trekkers. Day 2 : Sonamarg (7,800 ft) to Nichnai (11,500 ft); 9 km, 6 hours. Day 3 : Nichnai (11,500 ft) to Vishnusar (12,000 ft); 12 km, 6 hours. Day 4 : Explore Vishnusar and Kishansar Lakes. Day 5 : Vishnusar (12,000 ft) to Gadsar (12,500 ft) via Gadsar Pass (13,800 ft); 10 km, 5 hours. Day 6 : Gadsar(12,500 ft) to Satsar (12,000 ft); 12 km, 6 hours. Day 7 : Satsar (12,000 ft) to Gangabal twin lakes (11,500 ft); 9 km, 6 hours. Day 8 : Gangabal (11,500 ft) to Naranag (7,450 ft); 11 km, 6 hours. Drive to Srinagar – you will reach by 6:00 PM. Brief Itinerary Day 1 : Arrive at Sonamarg Altitude: 7800 ft..90 kms drive from Shrinagar, approx 3 hours.If booked in advance, TWB can arrange pick up from TRC at 3pmOur campsite is near the Sindh river (Shitkadi Village).Since there are no shops around ensure that you have all that you need already.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 to Nichnai via Shekdur Altitude: 7,800 ft to 11,500 ft..11 kms trek, approx 8 hours.After the breakfast we trek to Nichnai via Shekdur.The trail takes you through meadows, dense forests with Maple, Pine and Bhoj trees. After approx half an hour, we get an army check post where we have to submit our ID proofs.While you are at it, you can enjoy an awesome view of the Sonmarg Valley or the Thajiwas Glacier. The trek from Shitkadi to Shekdur is goes through thick forests of pine trees and will take approx 2 and half hours.At Shekdur, you can indulge in instant noodles and an omelette if you wish to.We follow the Nichnai Stream as we trek from Shekdur to Nichnai.We have lunch at the Nichnai stream, after Shekdur. Day 3 : Nichnai to Vishansar lake via Nachnai Pass Altitude: 11,500 ft to 12,000 ft via 13100 ft..12 kms trek, approx 7 hours.Trek from Nichnai to Nichnai Pass is of approx 1 and half hours ascent.At the top of Nichnai Pass you can get B.S.N.L network, which is the last point under mobile coverage area.From Nichnai pass to Vishansar there is a descent.At Vishansar campsite, lunch will be offered.We can visit the Vishansar Lake which is just 15 minutes walk from the campsite.The first lake of the trek and one of the most beautiful ones.If the trek is in July, the lake will be frozen. Otherwise, we can do fishing at the lake with permission from Srinagar Fishing Department.Vishansar is visited by hoards of sheep and their shepherds are known for interesting stories.The campsite is a unique place with an open ground and you can play volleyball, cricket etc. Beware of dogs at campsite. Day 4 : Acclimatization + Rest Day(Condition Apply) You may visit Kishansar lake, which is at approx 1 and half kms from our camp site.If the weather is not good we will use acclimatization day at vishansar or else move towards next camp site, rest day can be use at Gangbal camp site. Day 5 : Vishansar lake to Gadsar via Gadsar Pass Altitude: (12,000ft) to (12,000ft) via (13,750ft)..14 kms trek, approx 10 hours.We start the trek earlier than usual.The trail passes from Vishansar to Gadsar, via Gadsar pass the highest point of the trek. From Vishansar, the trail takes a steep ascent till Gadsar Pass.We can see the Kishansar Lake on the way. From the Gadsar pass till the camp site, we descend gradually. We can spot the Gadsar lake en route..You might also spot the Glacier of Gadsar Lake.After the Gadsar lake, we will reach the campsite in 2 hours. Just a few minutes before our campsite, we will have another army checkpoint and we will have to share our ID proofs with them.Pack lunch will be provided. Day 6 : Gadsar to Satsar Altitude: 12,000 ft to 12,000 ft..9 kms trek, approx 6 hours trek.Mid July to mid August, the trail is laden in vibrant flowers.We need to share our IDs at another army check post en route. Moving on, we see two small lakes which are often mistaken as Satsar Lakes.We will visit the Satsar twin lakes, in the afternoon, which are approx 1.3 hours. Stasar twin lakes are also known as mengen top.Those twin lakes are between the middle of the mountain. Day 7 : Satsar to Gangabal twin lakes via Zaj Pass Altitude: 12,000 ft to 11,500 ft 13000..11 kms trek, approx 6 hours.We walk on rocky paths for approx an hour and ascend till Jazz Pass.At the pass, you can enjoy views of the 4 lakes, Mt. Harmukh and its glacier. From the pass we descend till the Gangbal lake and camp at Nandkol lake.We visit the Gangbal Lake, which is one of the largest lakes in the trek. Post dinner, a team of Kashmiri staff will perform their traditional songs and dance. Day 8 : Gangabal to Naranag Drive to Srinagar Altitude: 11,500 ft to 7,450 ft..15 kms trek, approx 7 hours.The trail is a descent till the last point of the trek – Naranag, so take care of your knees and ankles.The trail will pass through pine tree forests.On advance booking, TWB can arrange transport to Srinagar at a charge. After the 70 kms drive, you will reach Srinagar by 6:30 pm. * Please note that prepaid sim cards do not work in Kashmir. Don't forget your ID proof in original and 2 photo copies. On Day 8, you’ll reach Srinagar between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. You can book your travel any time after 8 pm. Detailed Itinerary Day 1 : Arrive Srinagar, Drive to Sonamarg Depart to Sonamarg in the afternoon. It is 3 hrs drive from Srinagar. Day 2 : Sonamarg (7,800ft) to Nichnai (11,500ft) via Shekdur 3 hour ascent followed by 1 hour descent and finally a gentle ascent to Nichnai (6 hours, 9kms).The trek starts 3 kms out of Sonamarg, on the Srinagar road. Exactly at the 3 km mark, spot a lone Dhaba on the right. The place also sells packaged water, biscuits etc and is your last place to pick up short eats. The next trace of dwelling civilization is only at Naranag at the end of the trek. A jeep track diverts to the right off the main road at the shop. The track goes down to the level of the Sindh river flows in between the mud track and the main road. The trekking trail starts along the track but quickly diverts higher up. 10 minutes into the trek, the trail bends left and enters a green meadow. The meadow directly overlooks the Sonamarg town. In half an hour you are at the top of the meadow where Maple and Pine trees start. At the tree line, the trail quickly descends to a tiny brook and then climbs again. What follows next is a lovely dense forest of Maple trees. Walking on the green bed of grass amidst the Maples is an experience unique to Kashmir in India. For the next hour and a half, the trail winds up through the Maple trees. Stick to the trail heading uphill as the ones going down head to some of the nearby villages. The trees give way to clearings in between. Turn around and see the view of the Sonamarg valley which gets better and fuller as you gain height. The Maple forest ends at the top of the ridge and the other side a meadow gently slopes down. Spend a few moments at the ridge taking in the views of the Sonamarg and its neighboring valley. The streams, the meadows, the pines and the town nestled make a wonderful picture. The climb is now over and the trail slopes down into a meadow. The meadow is lined on the left by Silver Birch trees and a few shepherd huts. The carpet of green rolls down from the trees to the end of the 40ft wide meadow.