Kashmir Great Lakes Trek - The Secret No one Tells You!

Highlights

Spectacular Lakes: The trek takes you to seven majestic alpine lakes—Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangbal, and Nundkol—each with crystal-clear waters and surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Lush Green Meadows: The trail passes through lush meadows like Nichnai, Gadsar, and Satsar, which are carpeted with vibrant wildflowers in summer and are a sight to behold.
Majestic Peaks: The trek offers panoramic views of the towering peaks of the Greater Himalayas, including Harmukh and Mount Vishnu, which add to the surreal beauty of the trek.
Scenic Valleys: The trek features beautiful valleys like the Nichnai Valley and Gadsar Valley, along with thrilling river crossings that enhance the adventure.
Biodiversity: The trek passes through diverse ecosystems, where you can spot rare Himalayan flora and fauna, including the elusive snow leopard, marmots, and various bird species.
Isolated Beauty: The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is relatively untouched and isolated, offering a serene and tranquil experience away from the crowds

One of the most popular Himalayan treks in the heavenly land of Kashmir is the Kashmir Great Lakes trek! The unsurpassable beauty combined with the heady thrill of this trek have made this one one of the top treks in any trekker’s bucket list. And if it is not yet in your list you should plan ahead and take on this epic challenge. Let us now delve deeper into why the Kashmir Great Lakes trek has never failed to charm the adventurers.

Spanning over 7 days, this week-long trek takes you deeper into the raw, unadulterated folds of Kashmir Himalayas where the vibrant colors of nature gives you the feeling of stepping into a live canvas of a highly talented painter! The rolling green grasslands under the deep blue canopy of the sky, the lure of alpine lakes and fresh, crisp air to keep you company all the time – it’s nature’s bounty all around. Kashmir Great Lakes trek will take you to a height of 13750 ft and offer a magical experience of witnessing not one but five alpine, glacial lakes, which are the highlight of this trek as the name suggests. But remember the famous Shakespearean phrase – “What’s in a name!” Yes, there are well-kept secrets in Kashmir Great Lakes trek that few may have told you about. Read on and you will know the best part of this exciting trek!

Kashmir Great Lakes trek begins around Sonemarg, depending on where the trek organiser decides to set the first day campsite and the trek ends in Naranag. While pick-up and drop is arranged to and from Srinagar, plan your journey accordingly to ensure you have a smooth journey on day one and also for your onward journey after the trek ends. These detail details will give you enough time to stroll around the vibrant capital city Srinagar, visit some of the most accessed tourist attractions, pick up some souvenirs and also enjoy the sumptuous Kashmiri cuisine. Whether you are arriving a day in advance or decide to stay back a day or two after the trek ends, these are some of the must do activities when you visit Kashmir for the Great Lakes trek. After all, it is in the wholesomeness of the experience that you will get to know the essence of a place and its people.

Kashmir Great Lakes trek is like a beautiful song that starts slowly and then increases the tempo gradually as you proceed into the trek days and then ends with a lingering tune in your mind forever! It is a dream that slowly unfolds and then wraps you into its magic. So, open yourself up to the limitless possibilities of each day and immerse into the essence of the trek. You will never regret your choice. On the second day of the trek you will pass through enchanting forests and deep green rolling meadows, the signature landscape in the Kashmir Himalayas. It looks like nature’s own golf course. Day two will prepare you for the upcoming days where you will witness the highlight of the trek – the great alpine lakes with all their bedazzling beauty!

In many of the itineraries available across the web you will get an idea which day you will see which lakes and their heavenly beauties! But here let us disclose some best kept secrets of Kashmir Great Lakes trek. This is a trek where you will also go across not one but 3 high mountain passes! Now this is something that immediately takes the challenge and thrill of a trek a few notches above! Yes, Kashmir Great Lakes trek is not only a visit to the enchanting lakes but also will test your grit and resilience through the passes to reach your destination! The Nichnai Pass on Day 3, the Gadsar Pass on Day 4 and the Zaj Pass on Day 6 (will depend on how your itinerary is designed) are the three crown jewels of Kashmir Great Lakes trek that a few talk about! So, in this doubly rewarding trek you are not only enjoying the stunning beauty of the 5 lakes that you will come across but will also get the ultimate feeling of achievement going through these challenging mountain passes!

Kashmir Great Lakes trek, as we have explained before is like a unique journey, your personal epic that you write with your indomitable spirit of adventure. The mystical forest, the quaint hamlets and its welcoming people, the turquoise lakes where you will forget to bat your eyes and the high passes with their ancient trails – this trek is a journey that will bring you not only closer to nature but to your own self! Discover yourself further with Kashmir Great Lakes trek and write an everlasting memory with your grit and resilience.

For your planning and preparation here is the short itinerary of the trek and some technical details.

Shot itinerary:

Day-1: Arrive At Shitkadi camp, a little ahead of Sonemarg.

Altitude: 2,600 m/ 8,500 ft.

Drive Distance: 90 km from Srinagar | approx 3 hrs.

Day-2: Shitkadi camp To Nichinai Via Shekdur

Altitude:

Nichinai 3,500 m/ 11,500 ft.

Shekdur 3,350 m/ 11,000 ft.

Trek Distance: 11 km | 8 hrs.

Altitude Gain: 900 m/ 3,000 ft.

Day-3: Nichinai To Vishansar Lake via Nichinai pass