Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

• Altitude-11,500 ft
• Trek Distance: 11km
• Trek Time: 8 hours approx

The trek will begin probably 3 km away from Sonamarg on Srinagar Road. Today you will be ascending for 3 hours and descending for 1 hour and then finally be ascending towards our campsite at Nichnai.

After 10 minutes of trekking, you will enter a blooming meadow and from here Sonamarg town will be clearly visible. Reach the top and trek through a thick forest of Maples. There are small forest clearings and ahead the sight of Sonamarg valley is waiting, the sight gets clearer with the gain in altitude. This forest ends at the ridge top and on the other side is a meadow downwards.

From the top of the ridge, you can have a look at the enchanting valleys. Now, start trekking through the meadows and on the left side are shepherds’ huts and Silver Birch trees. The meadow is wide and the green carpet is amusing, there are small streams which are along the trail. After reaching Shekdur, a meadow with Silver Birch trees, spend some time here have lunch and head for Nichnai.

Descend and reach the end of trees and this trail leads to the beginning of Nichnai (River valley). Follow the right bank of the river and enter a beautiful wide valley surrounded by mountains. The river flows through this valley, trek for 30 minutes and then come to the wider part amidst mountain ranges. Spend your night in this beautiful campsite.

• Altitude- 11,500 ft to 12,000 Ft via 13,800 Ft
• Trek Distance: 12 km
• Trek Time: 7 hours

Today you will trek through the meadows and witness the change in landscapes. Start early and first you will have to reach Nichnai Pass which is also visible from the campsite. Walk along the river and then move towards the left bank, keep following it for one hour and the trail ascends through the meadows. Reaching the pass will take one hour and the meadow walk ends near Vishnusar Lake.

Reach Nichnai Pass (13,800 feet) and you can see Sonamarg valley and the trail is clearly visible.

The trail rapidly starts descending from here through the rocky area and after half an hour of trek, you will reach the grassy section. The beautiful red flowers look overwhelming and ahead a wide long stretching meadow can be seen. The flowery meadow and the view of peaks look perfect together. On the left, there is a huge waterfall, it joins the river which flows through the meadow.

Walk on the flat meadow on the carpet of grass and amidst two mountain ranges. Reach the end and come across a stream which originates from Vishnusar Lake.

The lake isn’t visible not even from the campsite, set up your camps and now if you want, you can go and explore the Lake. Vishnusar Lake is 0.5 km away and you can reach there in 10 minutes.

The lake looks beautiful and the mountain reflections can be seen, the color of the lake changes according to the weather and time.

You can also trek towards Kishansar Lake which is 1.5 Km away. Kishansar lake is big and bluish in color. With breathtaking views and the meadow, the  lake looks picture perfect. Spend some time at the meadows of Kishansar and then get back to your camp.

• Altitude: 11,500 ft.

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.

• Trek Distance – 13 km
• Total Trek Time- 10 hours
• Altitude- 11,500 Ft to  12,000 Ft via 13,750 Ft

Start your trek early and in half an hour you will reach the ridge top (Gadsar Pass) and enjoy the views of twin lakes Vishnusar and Kishansar. Ascending is steep for two hours with a steep descend and walk through the meadows.

Another side of Gadsar Pass is a wide valley which has small lakes and you can enjoy views of snow-covered mountains from a distance. Descend towards the valley and the first lake that is visible is Yamsar Lake. Trek for another hour and reach the flat meadows. The valley gets narrow and colorful flowers to look captivating, now you are about to reach Gadsar.

It is one of the most beautiful and divine lakes of this trek, blue flowers glow on the side and snow slides into the lake from mountains.

Follow the downward trail for half an hour and another valley opens up and on its left side is a blue lake. Then comes the army camp of Gadsar, moving further, this camp needs permission from the Headquarters and it takes 2-3 hours to get the permit. Id proofs, details of the team and trekkers are checked.

• Trek Time – 6 hours
• Trek Distance – 9 kms
• Altitude- 12,000 Ft

Cross a stream and go uphill, you will reach above the tree line but the trees and river will be visible below. As you go higher the altitude is gained and by trekking further you exit the river valley.

Walk on the meadow surrounded by barren mountains and to your right is Maegandob.
Further is a landscape that looks attractive with mountains in front. Look toward right as there is a small ridge and in between is a flat land all green with a stream flowing through it.

You can camp here if your last camp was at Gadsar Lake but if the camping site was army camp then you can camp near Satsar Lakes. Satsar Lakes are a group of 7 Lakes and water can be found in 4-5 lakes but it depends on the season. Ahead is a Satsar army check post and here also all the details, and original id proofs will be checked.

When you move ahead the army camp then you will get to see the first of Satsar Lakes. The lake is huge with Mountain View in front, here you can camp for an overnight stay.

• Trek Distance: 15 Kms
• Trek Time – 7 hours
• Altitude- 11,500 Ft to 7,500 Ft

Today’s trek is going to be knee breaking because descends are steep. Head downwards from the campsite along the stream, at the end of ridge descend towards meadow on right.

Have a look at Harmukh peak which lies behind and the meadow has beautiful yellow flowers on the green grass. When you come downwards, see the pine trees on side of the meadows and the civilization is visible. Climb up to the pine forest and enter it, descend begins now and it gets gentle.

After losing altitude, Naranag can be seen, trek down up to the village and then you enter the main road of Naranag. From here drive back to Srinagar and probably reach there between 6:30 – 7:00 pm.

• First timer can apply, should have some interest in trekking.
• The trekker must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
• Since it is a Moderate-Difficult level trek, people who suffer from Heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this trek.
• Don’t forget your ID proof in original and 3 photo copies.
• Also note that Prepaid sim cards do not work in Kashmir