Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Srinagar 2019: The best time is now!, Srinagar, Jammu And Kashmir, India

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGL) is considered to be one of the most beautiful treks in India. It was our first multi-days Himalayan trek and we were initially apprehensive about how challenging it would turn out. Unparallel natural beauty, an amazing group and super-amazing trek lead and guide made this as one of the most memorable experiences for us.

There are 7 Alpine Lakes that you experience across Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, each one being prettier than other. It is not only these lakes but white glacier patches, green carpet of beautiful meadows, soulful sound of water streams, company of horses neighing, shepherd and their flock of sheep, and blissful silence – All encapsulates your soul and you feel trapped back in Kashmir even long after returning from your trek.

KGL Day-1 Trek: Shitkadi Base Camp, Sonamarg
Shitkadi Base Camp Altitude: 7,800 ft (2,377 m)
(Go to the Top) Shitkadi, a few kilometers ahead of Sonamarg, is the base camp for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. Srinagar to Sonamarg is 2.5 hour pretty drive as you follow Indus River (Sindh River) all along the way. At Shitkadi, we were welcomed with relaxing peaceful sound of water stream flowing next to our camp-site. Here, we joined our fellow trek-mates (23 of us) as we headed to our tents. At this point, we had no idea that within next few days, we all would become such close-knit friends.

KGL Day-2 Trek: Shitkadi to Nichnai
Altitude: 7,800 ft (Shitkadi Camp-site) to 11,948 ft ( Nichnai Camp-site)
Distance & Time: ~10 kms and ~7 hours
(Go to the Top) After an overnight stay at Shitkadi, we were excited to start with first day action of our trek to Nichnai. You walk through Pine and Maple forest to reach Table Top, a big meadow (Valley Shekdur). On the way, you get panoramic views of Sonmarg and Thajiwas Glacier. Next comes Bhoj Patr Forest which leads you to Nichnai valley. For rest of the the trek, you walk along a river stream through the valley to reach camp-site.

KGL Day-3 Trek: Nichnai to Vishnusar Lake
Altitude: 11,948 ft ( Nichnai Camp-site) to 12,000 ft (Vishnusar Lake) via Nichnai Pass (13,500 feet)
Distance & Time: ~12 kms and ~8 hours
(Go to the Top) Today’s trek ends with a welcoming reward as you reach Vishnusar Lake, first of seven alpine lakes on Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Route. Your initial sharp ascend through boulders soon turns to mesmerizing views with glacial ice on peaks and wild colourful flowers in the valley. Sights gets better and better as you descend down from Nichnai Pass. Flowers keep changing colours, waterfalls from ice-clad peaks nourish water streams and you meet shepherds guiding their flock of sheep far away from civilization.

KGL Day-4 Trek: Vishnusar to Gadsar (Via Kishansar Lake and Gadsar Lake)
Altitude: 12,000 ft (Vishnusar Lake) to 12500 ft (Camp-site) via 13800 ft (Gadsar Pass)
Distance & Time: ~10 kms and ~7 hours
(Go to the Top) After experiencing blissful Vishnusar lake, first of seven alpine lakes, this day turns out to be the most difficult of all trek days. Today, you have to negotiate steep Gadsar Pass (13800 ft), highest point of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. Though ascent is steep but panoramic views of Kishansar Lake keeps your spirits high as you walk on a path spiraling up on the side of the lake. Thankfully, we had a sunny day and path was dry. If it rains, then it gets extremely challenging to cross Gadsar Pass with thin line path getting muddy and slippery. We had lunch stop-over at Gadsar Lake before heading to our camp-site.

KGL Day-5 Trek: Gadsar to Satsar Lakes
Altitude: 12500 ft (Gadsar camp-site) to 12000 ft (Satsar camp-site)
Distance & Time: ~12 kms and ~7 hours
(Go to the Top) By now, we had experienced 3 out of 7 alpine lakes (Read more here: Vishnusar Lake to Gadsar: Via Kishansar Lake and Gadsar Lake) that fall on KGL trek route and today was the day to explore two more pristine lakes of this wonderful trek (two of seven Satsar Lakes). Satsar is a collection of 7 lakes and two of them fall on Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Route. Rest of them are spread in the lap of near-by mountains. In case, you have a spare day, you may trek to few more of Satsar lakes. This day, we had unique experience of walking on snow bridge to cross river stream.

KGL Day-6 Trek: Satsar Lake to Gangabal Lake (Harmukh Peak)
Altitude: 12000 ft (Satsar camp-site) to 11,500 ft (Gangabal and Nandkul Lakes) via Jaj Pass ( 13,400 ft)
Distance & Time: ~9 kms and ~7 hours
(Go to the Top) After camping at Satsar Lakes, this day turned out to be the most happening day with us reaching final two and also most beautiful of all lakes: Gangabal Lake and Nandkol Lake. As soon as you reach the top of Jaj Pass, you would be welcomed by amazing view of twin lakes at the feet of mighty snow-clad Harmukh peak. Floating clouds would hinder your view of the peak and lakes but that would add a vibrant dynamism to the overall experience making you feel at top of the world. Finally when you reach Gangbal Lake and camp by the side of Nandkol Lake, things get so charming and overwhelming that you would not feel asking for anything more.