Great Lakes Trek

8 Days

Overview

Great Lakes Trek Sonamarg, meaning "Meadow of Gold," serves as the gateway to the KGL trek. aim to arrive in Sonamarg between 3-4 PM.

Although the official reporting time at the base camp is 3 PM, it is advisable to arrive early to explore the area. Sonamarg is surrounded by prominent peaks and glaciers within Kashmir National Park, offering views of Sirbal Peak, Kolahoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, and Machoi Peak, along with the Machoi Glacier.

The drive from Srinagar to Sonamarg, though brief, is delightful. Once you leave the city, traffic thins out and picturesque countryside replaces urban scenes. About 30 kilometers into the journey, snow-capped mountains dominate the horizon, and vast grassy meadows stretch out on both sides of the road. The scenic route to Sonamarg is worth a day trip from Srinagar in itself.

Accommodations for the day will be in camps. After evening tea, there will be a team introduction followed by an early dinner.

Great Lakes Trek

Spectacular Lakes: The trek is renowned for its breathtaking lakes, each with its unique charm. From the pristine Vishansar and Kishansar lakes to the serene Gadsar and Satsar lakes, and finally, the enchanting Gangabal and Nandakol lakes, the views are nothing short of mesmerizing.
Diverse Landscapes: The trail offers a diverse range of landscapes, from verdant meadows dotted with wildflowers to rugged mountain passes. Trekkers will walk through dense forests of maple, pine, and silver birch, cross sparkling streams, and navigate rocky terrains.
Majestic Peaks: Along the way, trekkers are treated to panoramic views of towering peaks like Mount Harmukh, which stands tall over the Gangabal lake, adding to the trek’s grandeur.
Remote Wilderness: The trek takes you through some of the most remote and unspoiled regions of the Kashmir Valley, providing a sense of solitude and tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere.

Day 1 :

Arrival at Sonamarg (2,730 M)

Distance: 81 kms (Srinagar to Sonamarg)
Duration: 3 hour
Sonamarg, which means "Meadow of Gold," is where the KGL trek begins. If you've chosen transportation with Bikat Adventures, make sure to board the vehicle at Dal Gate No. 1 in Srinagar by 12 PM. For those traveling independently, aim to arrive in Sonamarg between 3-4 PM.

Even though the base camp check-in time is 3 PM, we recommend arriving earlier to explore the region. Sonamarg is home to several notable peaks and glaciers within Kashmir National Park, including Sirbal Peak, Kolahoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, and Machoi Peak, as well as the Machoi Glacier.

The journey from Srinagar to Sonamarg is short but enjoyable. After leaving the city, the traffic diminishes and the countryside replaces urban views. Approximately 30 kilometers into the drive, the scenery changes to snow-capped mountains and expansive grassy meadows on either side of the road. The route to Sonamarg is picturesque and worth a day trip from Srinagar.

We will set up camp for the night in Sonamarg. After evening tea, there will be a team introduction followed by an early dinner.

Day 2 :

Sonamarg (2,730 M) to Nichnai (3,500 M)

We start our trek at 9 AM from Shitkadi. The trail involves both ascents and descents, with a moderate gradient and plenty of water sources for refilling bottles along the way.

The trek begins by following a vehicle track that descends to the Sind River, where the trailhead for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is located. The trail then quickly ascends, leading to rolling green meadows overlooking Sonamarg. This marks the end of civilization and the start of the stunning landscapes of the trek.

The view of the Sind River sparkling in the morning sunlight, surrounded by mountains, is breathtaking.After about 30 minutes, you reach the top of the meadow, surrounded by maple, pine, and silver birch trees. The climb continues through vibrant meadows with clear brooks and streams up to Nichnai, where we will camp for the night.

Day 3 :

Nichnai to Vishansar Lake via Nichnai Pass

We will break camp early, starting at 8 AM. Although the gradient is moderate, expect long hours of walking. The scenery varies from wide meadows and riverbanks to a moderate ascent up Nichnai Pass, followed by a steep descent.

We start by walking along the river at the Nichnai Campsite, crossing it to reach the trail leading to the Nichnai Pass. The pass is a striking corridor at 4,150 M, flanked by snow-capped mountains. After reaching the pass, we descend rapidly to the meadows below, dotted with colorful flowers.

Our campsite is about two hours away, beyond another river crossing and near Vishansar Lake, with its twin Kishansar Lake nearby.

Day 4 :

Buffer Day (Subject to Weather Conditions)

If the weather is unfavorable, this day will be used for acclimatization and exploring the lakes. The trek leader will decide whether to use the buffer day.

Day 5 :

Vishansar Lake (3,658 M) to Gadsar Lake (3,810 M) via Gadsar Pass (4,206 M)

Today involves a steep two-hour ascent followed by a steep descent and then a gentle walk through meadows. There will be ample water sources along the way.

We begin by climbing a narrow ridge near Kishansar Lake, taking about an hour and a half to reach the top. The view of Kishansar and Vishansar Lakes together is stunning. After a steep descent, the trail opens into a bright valley with colorful meadows, leading to Gadsar Lake, the most pristine of the seven alpine lakes.

Our campsite is about one and a half hours from Gadsar Lake, near an Indian Army camp where our IDs will be checked.

Day 6 :

Gadsar Lake (3,810 M) to Satsar Lake (3,658 M)

The day involves mostly moderate terrain, with a steep ascent for the first one and a half hours, followed by a level walk to the next campsite. The landscape is rugged and desolate, with scattered patches of white flowers and boulders.

We will cross another army camp for ID checks before reaching the rolling grasslands beyond. The first of the Satsar Lakes is about ten minutes away. Satsar is a group of seven interconnected lakes in a narrow alpine valley. We will camp near these picturesque lakes.

Day 7 :

Satsar Lake (3,658 M) to Gangabal Lake (3,505 M)

We start by leaving the Satsar Campsite, navigating boulders along the way. After descending to the largest of the Satsar Lakes, we face a steep ascent for the next three and a half hours. The terrain becomes rocky and barren as we climb.

At the top, the view of Gangabal and Nandakol Lakes is spectacular. We will camp on the banks of Gangabal Lake, known for trout fishing. The Nandakol Lake is fed by a glacier from Harmukh Peak, offering fascinating views. Take time to explore Gangabal Lake, a tranquil spot with clear waters and colorful pebbles.

Day 8 :

Gangabal Lake (3,505 M) to Naranag (2,271 M)

Today's trail descends to the Naranag roadhead, marking the end of the trek. The descent is long and steep in places, so watch your footing.

From the Gangabal campsite, we walk along the ridgeline towards the trees, reaching the treeline in about an hour. The first 7 kms are gentle ascents and flat walks through grassy meadows. Civilization begins to reappear, with occasional huts dotting the landscape.

After the 7 km mark, the trail descends sharply through pine forests. Naranag comes into view but is still a distance away. Expect to reach Naranag by the afternoon, where vehicles will be waiting to take us back to Srinagar, arriving around 6:30 PM. If you plan to leave Srinagar the same day, book transport after 9 PM to account for possible delays.

- **Meals:** Vegetarian and egg-based meals from evening snacks on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8.
- **Permits:** Forest permits, camping charges, trek permit fees, and IMF permission (up to the standard charges for Indian nationals).
- **Camping Gear:** Twin-sharing camping tents, temperature-rated sleeping bags, and mattresses.
- **Safety Equipment:** Includes static rescue ropes, seat harnesses, carabiners, and pulleys.
- **Support Staff:** Experienced local guides, cooks, and helpers.
- **Porters/Mules:** For carrying common luggage.
- **First Aid:** Comprehensive first aid kit including a portable oxygen cylinder.

**Exclusions:**
- **Meals during road journeys**
- **Insurance of any kind**
- **Personal expenses**
- **Expenses not mentioned in the inclusions**
- **Carrying of personal backpack**
- **Transportation to and from Srinagar**

Essential Trekking Gear

Bags
Rucksack with Rain Cover:
Day Pack: Recommended for treks with summit day
– Head Torch with Spare Batteries: 1
– **UV Protection Sunglasses:** 1 (Here is how you can choose the best sunglasses for trekking)
– **Water Bottles:** 2 bottles of 1 liter each

Footwear
– **Trekking Shoes:** Non-skid, deep-treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes, 1 pair
– **Slippers/Sandals:** Lightweight pair, 1

Clothing
– **Quick-Dry Warm Lower or Track Pants:** 2
– **Full-Sleeve T-Shirts/Sweatshirts:** 1 for every 2 days of trekking
– **Thick Woolen Socks:** 1 pair for every 2 days of trekking
– **Thermal Body Warmer (Upper & Lower):** 1 set
– **Undergarments:** 1 for each day of trekking
– **Warm Jacket:** 1, with closures at the wrists and neck
– **Full-Sleeve Sweater:** 1
– **Rain Gear (Jacket & Pants):** 1 set
– **Waterproof, Warm Gloves:** 1 pair
– **Woolen Cap:** 1
– **Sun Hat:** 1

Toiletries
– **Personal Toiletries Kit:** Small towel, toilet paper, paper soap, bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.
– **Sunscreen Lotion:** Small pack, 1 (Here is your Sun Protection 101 to stay safe in the bright sunny outdoors)
– **Lip Balm:** Small pack, 1

Utensils
– **Lunch Box:** Small, lightweight, and leak-proof, 1
– **Plate:** 1
– **Spoon:** 1
– **Tea/Coffee Mug:** Plastic, 1

Miscellaneous
– **Camera (Optional)**
– **Personal Medications:** Carry ample supply of any specific medicines you need, and consult your doctor before the trek.
– **Dry Fruits, Nuts, Chocolate Bars (Optional)**