Day 1: Arrival Srinagar – Sonamarg (90 kms, 3hrs)
After arrival at Srinagar ,our representative will meet you and take you to Sonmarg. The first day of your Kashmir Great Lakes trek will take you from Srinagar to Sonamarg, where the base camp for the trek is situated. From the bustling beauty of Srinagar complete with gardens, tree-lined lanes and shimmering lakes to the ‘Meadow of Gold’, Sonamarg, the 3 hours’ drive will set you up perfectly for the next 8 days of trekking. The winding lanes follow the beautiful Indus River for most of the distance. We will have our official team introduction with fellow trekkers and team leaders. The route and schedule for the trek will also be discussed before dinner. Overnight stay at Sonamarg.
Day 2: Sonamarg – Nichnai via Shekdur (11kms, Trekking time 8 hrs)
After breakfast, you will be starting your trek on Day 2 with a steep ascent towards the meadow of Shekdur, where the team will have a break before heading towards Nichnai. At around 3 km from the starting point, there is a Dhaba on the right side, which is the last place one can collect dry food items, water, and any other essentials. The trail twists and turns through a lush green meadow and then into a forest of maples and pine trees, with the clearings between trees offering stunning views of Sonamarg valley. You will know you have reached Shekdur when the scenery changes to Bhoj Patra or Silver Birch trees. The meadow of Shekdur leads you uphill through forests of birches and then starts going downhill. The last stretch of today’s trek is a riverside trail through a valley with snow-clad peaks on both sides. The river valley marks the beginning of Nichnai and further downstream, there will be plenty of flat green meadows to put up our tents for the night. Overnight stay in tents at Nichnai.
(Sonmarg – 7,800ft and Nichnai 11,500ft)
Day 3: Nichnai – Vishansar Lake via Nichnai Pass (12 kms, Trekking time 7 hrs)
On the third day, after breakfast the trek will be more or less of the flat gradient, with a small climb and descent near Nichnai Pass. The trek starts along the right side of the river by which you camped at Nichnai and after an hour’s walk, you will have to cross the river to start walking along its left bank and then ascend through a meadow. The Nichnai pass comes up soon, which resembles a wide tunnel. Soon afterward, the rocky path full of boulders gives way to lushness again, with wildflowers starting to pop up beneath your feet. Magnificent views open up as well along the descent from Nichnai Pass, augmented by the presence of occasional waterfalls feeding the mountain brooks. There will be another crossing of an icy cold stream before you reach your day’s destination, the first of the many alpine lakes on this trek. Vishansar Lake is half a km away from the campsite, nestled at the foot of four towering peaks. Kishansar peak is the closest, whose reflection shimmers in the lake during the day. Like all Himalayan lakes, Vishansar changes its colour depending on the day’s weather. Vishansar Lake and its twin, Kishansar Lake are such mesmerizing creations of nature that a whole day is best kept to explore their beauty. Kishansar is located only half a kilometer away from Vishansar, at the base of Kishansar peak. It would also let you catch your breath halfway through the trek. Overnight stay in Camp Vishansar Lake.
(Nichnai 11,500ft and Vishansar Lake 12,100ft)
Day 4: Leisure Day / Rest Day at Camp Site
This day is a buffer day and will be used only if needed. If weather is unfavorable, this day can be used as any other day. Overnight rest in camp at Vishansar Lake.
Day 5: Vishansar Lake – Gadsar Lake via Gadsar Pass (14 kms, Trekking time 10hrs)
After breakfast, you will begin your trek. The trail to Gadsar Lake passes by Kishansar once again. Crossing the big blue lake and the meadow on its right, the trek will continue along a ridge which has the first sharp ascent since you started. It will go sharp uphill and lead to its top. At the top of the thin ridge is Gadsar Pass at 13,700 ft, which is the highest point of your Kashmir Great Lakes trek. Reaching the pass will reward you with the most picturesque views you could imagine, with both Vishansar and Kishansar Lakes in full view, as well as a few other peaks, lakes and valleys which fall beyond LOC. From here, a more comfortable downhill walk will first take you to Yemsar Lake, which the locals believe to be associated with Lord Yama, then another small nameless lake and finally to the pristine Gadsar Lake at the base of high-raised cliffs. Red and purple Iris flowers lead you to the crystal blue water body, and when the blossoms turn blue, you will know you are almost in the vicinity of Gadsar Lake. The blue irises continue with abundance on one side of the lake, while the other side sees fallen snow slabs from the high peaks. Gadsar Lake is an epitome of beauty and camping by its side will be a rewarding way after a tiring day of trekking. Overnight stay in a camp at Gadsar. (Vishansar Lake 12,100ft and Gadsar 12,000ft)
Day 6: Gadsar Lake – Satsar Lake (12 kms, Trekking time 8 hrs)
The landscape changes significantly on your sixth day of trekking. After breakfast, when you set off for Satsar Lake from the banks of Gadsar, the first thing you will cross is a small but important army camp. Leave the camp behind to find your way by the stream once again and eventually cross it to follow the trail further uphill. If you don’t want to get your feet wet, there is a bridge 1 kilometer ahead. But it is best not to detach from the team in treks such as this. Since both the lakes are at the same altitude, there is not much ascent or descent scheduled for today. However, the flat trail is no less spectacular, as it takes you along a path right above a deep river valley and dense line of trees. When the tree line ends and an open meadow begins, pay attention to your right to spot a few mountain craters, possibly awaiting to become bigger lakes anytime in the future. This place is named Maengandob. Satsar Lake is a little distance ahead from here. It is actually seven interconnected lakes which can be differentiated depending upon the season. Overnight stay in camp at Satsar. (Gadsar Lake 12,000ft and Satsar Lake 12,000ft)
Day 7: Satsar – Gangabal Twin Lakes (11 kms, Trekking time 7 hrs)
Your encounter with pristine Himalayan lakes will continue as today you will come across two more – Gangbal and Nundkol. After breakfast, the trek starts in the usual ascent and descent manner, which has been the characteristic of the trail since the first day. The route will take you through three ridges, which are green in patches and barren otherwise, except for local Gujjar huts. From the top of the third ridge, the two lakes situated side by side can be seen clearly. Descent from the top and crossing a stream over a log bridge will bring you to your first destination. Nundkol, although not quite as clean due to regular camping, is still beautiful to see. It lies at the base of Harmukh Peak. It is connected with Gangabal, which is 20 minutes away, with a stream that runs rapidly and windingly between the two lakes. The stream has to be crossed to reach Gangabal from Nundkol, where you will camp for the night. Overnight stay in a camp at Gangabal. (Satsar Lake – 11,800ft and Gangabal Twin Lake 11,500ft)
Day 8: Gangbal – Naranag (11 kms, Trekking time 7 hrs)
After breakfast, the last day of the trek will test your resilience as you will have to prove your mettle in a steep downhill walk. Descents are comparatively easier and less tiring than ascents, but they are murderous for the knees and toes. What makes it even more difficult is the muddy nature of the tread. Pine trees accompany you all along the route, with green meadows with yellow blossoms separating one forest from another. In the last 4 kms of the trek, you can expect to descend more than 3,000 ft altogether. The stone-paved village roads of Naranag come as a relief sight, as it marks the beginning of flatter terrains. Overnight stay in a Camp in Naranag or you can proceed towards Srinagar which is at a distance of 70 kms from Naranag 3hrs drive. Then you will proceed for your journey onwards. (Gangbal – 11,500 ft and Naranag 7,500 ft)