Kashmir Alpine Lakes And Meadows Trek

An enchanting walk through the Paradise of Kashmir

📅
Duration
9 Days, 8 nights
🔼
Altitude:
4180m
🛑
Grade:
Moderate
how we grade
👍
Best Time:
July, August, September
🌞
Temperatures:
5 to 18
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Starts From:
Shitkadi
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Airport:
Srinagar
🚉
Railway:
Katra, (KEA), Jammu Tawi ( JAT)

Key Geographical Highlights

1 Popular Peaks:

Harmukh ( 5142m )

3 High Passes:

Gadsar Pass ( 4180m ), Nichnai Pass ( 4050m ), Zach Pass ( 3900m )

22 Lakes:

Vishansar Lake ( 3663m ), Gadsar Lake 1 ( 3937m ), Gadsar Lake 4 ( 3435m ), Krishansar Lake ( 3812m ), Gadsar Lake 2 ( 3724m ), Gadsar Lake ( 3570m ), Nandkul Lake ( 3501m ), Gangbal Lake ( 3571m ), Lolgul lake ( 3911m ), Khushsar Lake ( 3891m ), Baribal Sar ( 4156m ), Atmas Lake ( 3846m ), Hoksar Lake ( 3914m ), Kalesar Lake ( 3979m ), Shoksar Lake ( 4052m ), Satsar Lake 5 ( 3682m ), Satsar Lake 7 ( 3788m ), Satsar Lake 6 ( 3755m ), Satsar Lake 2 ( 3659m ), Satsar Lake 1 ( 3601m ), Satsar Lake 3 ( 4084m ), Poshsar Lake ( 4005m )

1 Glaciers:

Harmukh Glacier

2 Rivers:

Indus, Nichnai River

2 Villages:

Chatragul, Sonamarg

Reach Shitkadi find other treks

Daywise Itinerary For Kashmir Lakes Trek

(click to read detailed route briefing, elevation graph, altitude time info and photos from the day)

▼ Day 1Arrival DaySitkadi 2429m
Arrive In Sitkadi
Overnight In: Sitkadi (2429m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Cost Of Transport Included: YES
Where and How To Reach Shitkadi
From Srinagar, we board to cab to Shitkadi - the road head for the trek. Shitkadi is just 4 km before more popular place of Sonamarg. Starting early from Srinagar isn't a bad idea at all as you may take some valuable time out to visit Sonamarg, the Thajiwas glacier and also relish some of the Kashmiri Wajwan in Sonamarg. Similarly, you can also take some time to wander around the streets of Srinagar and then start late for your drive to Shitkadi.

Once you reach our Shitkadi, one of our team member will guide you to our beautiful camp site with a hot welcoming Kawa - the local way !

In the evening, we will give more details on the trek and issue personal equipment to be used in the trek and returned after finishing it.
Day 1
1585 - Srinagar
Day 1
1620 - Ganderbal
Day 1
2000 - Kangan
Day 1
2430 - Sitkadi
76Km, 3hrs.
▼ Day 2Trekking DayNichnai Riverside Camp 3350m
From Shitkadi (2429m ) To Nichnai Riverside Camp (3350m ), Via - Shekdur (3400m ), Nichnai River (3350m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 10 Kms
Overnight In: Nichnai Riverside Camp (3350m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
After a good night's sleep, it's time to hold your cup of hot Kashmiri Kahwa ( tea) and enjoy the lovely morning view in the Paradise of Kashmir. Everything around is slow and sometimes you need this slowness to enjoy the beautiful things in life. The views surrounding the campsite are just perfect and get the shutterbugs busy right away. The beautiful bright sun greets you with a warm smile. The Thajiwas Glacier surrounded by its sharp rocky peaks shines bright with the morning rays. Far at a distance, the rays of light create magic passing through the clouds and the conifers to touch the lush green meadow. The grazing horses join hands to further add to the beautiful view making it a perfect frame all around. it's very easy to get lost here, so we remind you of our trek for the day and serve you the much-needed hot and tasty breakfast.
Soon we find ourselves on the trail. As we start the trek, straightaway we start climbing up steep switchbacks under the cover of the conifers to reach Shekdur - after which the route completely changes. It takes us about 2 hours to reach Shekdur which is marked by a uniquely bent birch tree. It appears wither to be stretching itself in a Yogic pose to touch its toe, or offering its saddle to take you on a horse ride. We spend some time here to reward ourselves for completing the first hurdle on this trek. There is a makeshift tea and Maggi stall in Shekdur where you can munch a few snacks. Do remember to dispose properly and also make the owner aware of proper disposal of the plastic waste generated by his shop.
After some rest and light snacking we again hit the trail which now gradually climbs down through the forest to take us down to the bed of Nichnai river. We need to be careful on some patches of this trail as we would be walking over wet/dry leaves which can be slippery. It's about an hour's walk from Shekdur to Nichnai riverbed which is an excellent place to break for lunch. Do remember not to spoil the river water with your organic or inorganic waste. Carry them to our campsite and dispose it off in the waste bin we fix on the campsite.
After this point, the trail forward climbs up gradually winding up through the boulders and humps to get us to the base of Nichnai Pass where we call it a day. It's just the first day of the trek and we take it easy ending the day with hot snacks and dinner.
Day 2
2430 - Shitkadi
Day 2
3400 - Shekdur
Day 2
3350 - Nichnai River
Day 2
3350 - Nichnai Riverside Camp
10Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 3Pass Crossing DayVishansar Lakeside Camp 3663m
Cross Nichnai Pass And Reach Vishansar Lakeside Camp - 5 - 6 Hrs. 12 Kms
Overnight In: Vishansar Lakeside Camp (3663m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today is an exciting day as we will see beautiful lakes and walk on some of the best meadows in our country. The day starts with a full-hearted motivation to cross the first barrier ahead in front of us, and that's the Nichnai Pass. As we start our trek, the trail gradually starts ascending to the top of Nichnai Pass after crossing the Nichnai river over a snow bridge. A continuous push for about an hour and a half takes us to the top of the pass. Just before reaching the pass top, beneath the pass, look out for a lake that is shaped like India's map on your left. This is the first lake we see on the trek and we named it 'India Lake' as it resembles so much similar to the map of India.
From the top of the Nichnai pass, the view of the valley on the other side of the pass is very beautiful. The early days in the month of July can have good snow cover on the top and make the descend exciting as we slide down to descend the pass in about a minute. If there isn't any snow, getting down the pass offers a good trekking challenge and we need to be cautious initially. After some careful steps, the route eases out soon and it turns into a long leisure walk over the lush green meadow to reach our campsite beside the Vishansar Lake.
The route is long but flattish and very comfortable to walk on. We choose a suitable place to have our packed lunch nearby a water source. Walking further brings us to a vast tableland with a soft velvet of green grass cover beyond which the route splits and we turn left. The beautiful black peak named 'Vishansar peak' allures your heart and excites you to go closer to it. You can keep staring continuously at this beautiful mountain hovering over the Vishansar lake, which is still not visible. As soon as you take the left turn, your campsite is visible at a far distance. We cross the stream which comes out of the Vishansar lake and camp beside the Vishanshar river on flat ground, just 10 minutes before the Visharsar lake.
The Vishansar lake campsite is big enough to play football or a volleyball game. Also, both the Vishansar lake and river is full of Himalayan trout fish. In the evening, we take an excursion to the serene Vishansar lake. If you schedule your trek for the full moon, it is much better as you can spend more time and click even better photos.
An amazing day is about to end but not before a lovely dinner of some Kashmiri Wazwan before we get into those warm comfortable sleeping bags. As we close our eyes, memories of the day flash taking us into a dreamy world. Have a wonderful sleep!
Day 3
3350 - Nichnai Riverside Camp
Day 3
4050 - Nichnai Pass
Day 3
3665 - Vishansar Lakeside Camp
12Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 4Pass Crossing DayGadsar 3386m
Cross Vishansar and Kishansar Lake And Reach Gadsar via Gadsar Pass - 6 - 7 Hrs. 11 Kms
Overnight In: Gadsar (3386m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
We wake up to an exciting morning and today we are all geared up to take the challenge of crossing the Gadsar pass. This is the highest altitude of this entire trek. The route was visible right from our campsite of Vishansar Lake - a narrow pencil mark of switchbacks climbing up on a barren, rugged muddy mountain top. The route passes by the twin lakes of Vishansar and Kishansar before we hit the steep switchbacks that climb up to the top of Gadsar Pass. It gets challenging and needs good motivation. The first rule is to concentrate on the next steps and take some time to be appraised by the surrounding views. Once you are on the mountain, do keep an eye back to view both the lakes of Vishansar and Kishansar together, looking like two eyeballs. The black shiny dome of the Vishansar peak motivates you enough and keeps your tiredness at a bay.
It takes an effort of some 2 hours or a little more to reach the top of the pass. Here you are very high! The views get you even higher. After all, you are on the highest point on this trek !!. We spend a good time on the top of Gadsar pass and then start to tackle our downhill climb. Snow helps us an easy climb down and soon we reach the flat trails curving through the lush green meadows beautified my myriads of tiny wildflowers.
Three lakes are seen from the pass top and as we keep getting down, the amazingly interesting shiny black wall of the mountain continuously catches your attention as you walk towards your camp. A mix of snow on the black rocks, which shines very bright as a thin film of water from melting snow above it due to the bright sun makes it look wonderful and tickles your imaginations. Down below is a beautiful lake and the scary appeal of small glaciers. You will be compelled to spend some time here to absorb the beauty of nature.
However, we got to get moving as the campsite for the day is still far away and we haven't yet have taken our lunch!. Slowly the descend gets easy and we land on a flattish meadow. Soon, we reach the mighty Gadsar Lake, which looks very scary. It's like a deep large well with big chunks of ice floating over it. The background of the lake is equally scary as a tall black rocky mountain hovers right over the lake. The locals fear it and name it Yamsar and do not go near to it, believing that it's the lake of 'Yamraj' - the God Of Death as per the Hindu belief.
We break for lunch here by the side of a stream that drains its water to the mighty Gadsar Lake. This land is full of tiny wildflowers of yellow and purple colour. Do remember to refill your water bottles as after this point you will find no water source until you reach the campsite.
The trail to our campsite after Gadsar Lake is straightforward and is an easy walk that leads to our campsite. It's been a long but rewarding day today. We are served some hot snacks with coffee and then some hot and tasty dinner to give us that comfortable, cozy sleep for the night.
Day 4
3665 - Vishansar Lake Side Camp
Day 4
3820 - Vishansar and Kishansar Lake
Day 4
4180 - Gadsar Pass
Day 4
3390 - Gadsar
11Km, 6 - 7hrs.
▼ Day 5Trekking DayMaingandop 3571m
From Gadsar Camp (3386m ) To Maingandop (3571m ), Via - Satsar Army Camp (3679m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs. 11 Kms
Overnight In: Maingandop (3571m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
It's an easy and beautiful day today. A day dominated by clouds, lakes, meadows, and mountains as we cross by at least 5 lakes of Satsar (group of seven lakes. there are actually 11 lakes around which we cannot cover, unfortunately ) before reaching the designated campsite called Maingandop by the locals, referring to clouds and sun.
From the campsite of Gadsar, we start the day by crossing a narrow snow bridge which often remains throughout the season as a result of continuous shadow over it. We then need to traverse the mountain and follow its turn to the left with which we enter a new valley. The trail remains simple for the initial first hour before coming across few switchbacks. Soon, we cross the first lake, and other lakes of Satsar start to pass by one after another. We pass by an Army camp where we re-validate our identities and share a friendly bond.
It's a beautiful walk by the side of the lakes and after crossing the fifth lake, we turn a little right to reach our lovely campsite of Maingandob. It's one of the best campsites on this trek route.
Day 5
3390 - Gadsar Camp
Day 5
3680 - Satsar Army Camp
Day 5
3575 - Maingandop
11Km, 4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 6Pass Crossing DayGangbal Lake Side 3571m
Cross Zach Pass And Reach Gangbal Lake Side . Explore Kushsar, Shokhsar, Atmas Lake & Nearby. - 5 - 6 Hrs. 8 Kms
Overnight In: Gangbal Lake Side (3571m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
We have been walking on soft grasses for too long and today it's time for a little different experience which is adventurous and we need to apply caution. As we start the day's trek, we cross the river beside which we camped the last night and head towards the biggest lakes on this trek - Gangbal. However, to do that, we need to a boulder section right after crossing the river and it takes some careful steps to cross safely. Once we cross the boulder sections, a gentle climb for another hour gets us to the top of Zach Pass, which is the last pass on this trek route. We spend some time on the top of the pass after which we start the sharp descend down the pass. In some 30 minutes' time, we reach the comfortable ground and may break for lunch here by a narrow stream.
After this, its a simple walk over the soft meadows again to the campsite of Gangbal. It takes about 4 -5 hours to complete our day's trek and we will rest for some time.
Gangbal is surrounded by many other big and small lakes and all of them drain their water into the Gangbal lake. Some of them are the Atmas Lake, Khushsar - the lake of Happiness, and Shokhsar - the lake of grief. Beside the Gangbal lake is another big lake of Nandkol under the shadow of Harmukh - One of the famous peaks of Kashmir. This is one of the most picturesque campsites on a Himalayan trek. In the evening, if time and body allow, we explore some of the nearby lakes which should take about 2 - 3 more hours. Do note that here sunset happens late around 730 PM.
Day 6
3575 - Maingandop
Day 6
4050 - Zach Pass
Day 6
3575 - Gangbal Lake Side
Day 6
4000 - Kushsar, Shokhsar, Atmas Lake
Day 6
3575 - Gangbal Lake Side
8Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 7Exploration DayNandkul Lakeside 3501m
Excursion to Kalesar, Atmas, Poshsar & Nearby.. Return To Nandkul Lakeside - 5 - 6 Hrs. 6 Kms
Overnight In: Nandkul Lakeside (3501m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
It's a full rest and exploration day today. Spending as many days on this campsite will always fall short. Such beautiful this wonderland is. The previous day we explored the Northern lakes of the Gangabal lake, today we will explore the North Eastern Lakes - name Atmas, Kalesar, and Poshsar. It involves climbing up a small hill straight in front of us following a stream. We then turn left where the Kalesar lake is. To the right is the Poshsar. At a little more distance, is the Atmas lake. We head back to Gangabal and if we make it to Gangabal in good time. Today, we will also move to Nandkul lake and camp beside it, just for a change and rest out the night.
Day 7
3575 - Gangbal Lakeside
Day 7
3505 - Nandkul Lakeside
Day 7
4000 - Kalesar, Atmas, Poshsar
Day 7
3505 - Nandkul Lakeside
6Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 8Trekking DayMahlish Meadow 3670m
From Nandkul Lakeside (3501m ) To Mahlish Meadow (3670m ), Via - Koulsar (3727m ) - 6 Hrs. 9 Kms
Overnight In: Mahlish Meadow (3670m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
While most people end their trek by getting to Naaranag from Nandkul Lake and then to Srinagar to save a day, we understand that you won't get a chance to come here again and again and hence extend our route to witness a few more beautiful lakes and meadows. We camp in the beautiful Malish Meadow after spending some good time in Koulsar. The summit dome of Harmukh dominates the first half of the day.
Day 8
3505 - Nandkul Lakeside
Day 8
3730 - Koulsar
Day 8
3670 - Mahlish Meadow
9Km, 6hrs.
▼ Day 9Departure DaySrinagar/Leh 1585m
From Mahlish Meadow (3670m ) To Srinagar/Leh (1585m ), Via - Chatragul (1940m ) - 6 - 7 Hrs. 10 Kms
Accommodation: None
Meals Included: Morning tea, Breakfast, Lunch
Cost Of Transport Included: YES
Today, we trek down to the beautiful village of Chartagul, near Kangan and then we drive further to Srinagar bringing an end to a beautiful trek. We further drive to Srinagar or drive towards Leh
Day 9
3670 - Mahlish Meadow
Day 9
1940 - Chatragul
Day 9
1585 - Srinagar/Leh
10Km, 6 - 7hrs.

Kashmir Lakes Trek - An Elaborate Description

As famous saying goes - If there is Heaven on Earth, Its In Kashmir...

Wonder if the person who said trekked this route or perhaps every sight of Kashmir was heavenly beautiful during the period of his reign !!

If we are asked about The Kashmir Alpine Lakes And Meadows Trek, ( also called by the name of Kashmir Great Lakes by many ), our first reaction is to go silent for few seconds or rather minutes, and then gather some words to describe it. An apt trek for all who loves to wander the Himalayas, where the mountains, the green meadows, the rivers, the lakes, people, clouds, snow.. each and every element of mother nature is just a dream experience to add to one's memories of life.

By the end of the Kashmir Alpine Lakes And Meadows Trek (Kashmir Great Lakes ), if you are asked which campsite you liked the most, I am sure it will not be a simple question to answer. Each of the campsites on this trek are equally beautiful. The lush green meadows after the snow cover melts, keep your spirits elevated and never ever leaves that state of happiness. Whenever you talk about it, you feel that happiness come right back to you, the same as what happens to me as I write about this trek.

Here if you are bored of trekking, you can choose to roll down on few sections, or to keep simple, you may take of that hard shoe and let your feet take the pleasure offered by the softness of the lush green, velvet meadow top of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.

If meadows are a part of this trek, so are the lakes !! The region is bestowed with more than 22 lakes which are as pure as it can be. This trek has longer walks each day which involves crossing passes adding the thrill to the trek each day. Once you are done crossing over the pass, its turns itself into a lovely romantic walk on the meadows, passing by lakes, streams and flower beds, before you reach your campsites. Where there are meadows, there are sheep and shepherds too who add the extra charm to the trek.

Oh !! I should also not forget to mention about the horses who ferry our load and their caretakers, the trout fishes which jumps frequently above the serene water surfaces of the lakes, the calls of Marmot teasing your energy, the gush of rivers adding to the music played by the band of nature.. the never-ending list goes on.

Gift yourself some of the most wonderful days of your life trekking through the fairyland of Kashmir. Join our Kashmir Alpine Lakes And Meadows Trek (Kashmir Great Lakes )

Kashmir Lakes Trek - Why Its A Must-Do

Walking on the fairyland in the paradise of Kashmir, surrounded by over 22 Lakes, sharp mountains, and rolling meadows, trekking through the Kashmir Great Lakes offers an awesome experience to be cherished for a lifetime.
We often hear about Kashmir in the news about the violence but no one talks about how beautiful the people here are, who always welcome tourists, respect them, and never hurt them. They keep Kashmiriyat on top of their work ethics, and it is something we all need to learn from them. Atithi Dev Bhava is practiced in every corner of Kashmir.
The valleys of Kashmir, unlike other parts of the Middle Himalayas, are wide and match that of the temperate zone, similar to Europe. The peaks here are short and keep below 6000 meters, the gorges are shallow with lots of lakes dominating the valley. This makes trekking in Kashmir easier as compared to that of Uttarakhand or Sikkim.
This trek also offers wildlife sightings, mostly marmot, Himalayan black bear, and blue sheep.
From a security point of view, this trek is very safe as both the locals and the Army take care of your safety. Only one piece of advice would be not to be a Gama, in the land of Lama.

A Troubled Trek - Thanks To The Human Greed

Managing Crowds and Littering on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, with its stunning natural beauty and pristine landscapes, is a true gem of the Himalayas. However, like many popular trekking destinations, it faces challenges related to crowd management and littering.

Crowd Issues:

In recent years, the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek has gained popularity, drawing trekkers from all over the world. While the growing interest is a testament to the area's allure, it has also led to an increase in the number of trekkers during peak seasons. This surge in visitors can sometimes lead to overcrowding on the trail, particularly at popular campsites.

The overcrowding issue can detract from the tranquility and the feeling of being immersed in the wilderness that many trekkers seek. It's crucial for both trekkers and authorities to work together to ensure sustainable visitor management, including controlling the number of trekkers allowed during specific periods and promoting responsible trekking practices.

Littering Challenges:

Littering is a concern in many natural destinations, and the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is no exception. With the rise in the number of trekkers, there's a growing risk of litter and waste accumulating along the trail and around campsites. This litter not only spoils the natural beauty but also poses environmental threats to the delicate ecosystems of the region.

To address this issue, it's imperative for trekkers to be responsible and carry out their waste, including non-biodegradable items. Trekking organizers, local authorities, and environmental organizations can also play a pivotal role in raising awareness about the importance of Leave No Trace principles. Implementing effective waste management systems and promoting eco-friendly practices will be essential in preserving the pristine environment of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek for future generations.

In conclusion, the beauty of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a treasure that must be preserved. By addressing crowd management issues and tackling littering problems, we can ensure that this magnificent destination remains a haven for nature enthusiasts and a model of sustainable tourism.

Enchanting Beauty of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a journey of unparalleled natural beauty and wonder. This trek takes you through a breathtaking landscape that seems straight out of a dream, offering an experience that will forever be etched in your memory.

A Natural Masterpiece:

As you embark on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, you'll find yourself immersed in a landscape that can only be described as a masterpiece of nature. Towering mountains covered in pristine snow, lush green meadows, and crystal-clear lakes create a canvas that leaves trekkers spellbound at every turn. The stunning vistas are like pages from a storybook, inviting you to explore their every detail.

Emerald Lakes and Glistening Ice:

The trek is renowned for the stunning alpine lakes that dot the region. Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, and Satsar are just a few of the jewels you'll encounter along the way. These emerald lakes, nestled amidst the towering peaks, are a sight to behold. The frozen landscapes, with their glistening ice formations and surreal ice tunnels, transport you to a world of wonder and magic.

The Warmth of the Locals:

While the natural beauty steals the show, the warm-hearted locals you encounter along the way add to the charm of the journey. Their hospitality and the genuine smiles that welcome trekkers make you feel at home in this remote wilderness. Sharing stories with the people who call this region their own is a treasured part of the experience.

A Symphony of Nature:

Every step on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is accompanied by the symphony of nature. The calls of marmots, the gush of rivers, and the rustling of leaves in the wind create a musical backdrop to your adventure. The pure, untouched beauty of the region is a testament to the delicate balance of the ecosystem, making it a sanctuary for wildlife and trekkers alike.

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is more than just an adventure; it's an enchanting journey through a land where every moment feels like a reverie. It's a place where nature paints a picture of pristine perfection, and you become a part of the masterpiece. This trek is a testament to the beauty that the Himalayas hold, and it promises to leave you in awe of the wonders of our planet.

How We Grade Our Treks and Expeditions

Easy

Usual daily walks of 4 - 5 hours in altitude below 4000 meters. The sleeping altitude on these treks are below 4000 meter and the trails are gradual involving no steep ascent or descent. Sometimes, the trail may be longer, but on level trails. The duration of trek may be a week or lesser than it. The trek is not too remote and evacuation might be possible from almost any point of the trek

Moderate

The trek duration each day may span from 4 - 5 hours, but on some days, it may push up to 8 - 9 days. The trail might involve steep ascents or descents on occasions This kind of treks demand good fitness, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude are below 4000 meters or little above it, but the trail might go as high as 4500 - 5000 meters. The trek is bit remote and evacuation might be possible from almost all, but not all campsites

Moderate+

This type of treks are bit more demanding than the moderate ones. It might involve few days of very long walks at higher altitude, or serious gradients, exposures, more remote or involves sleeping at higher altitudes for more days.

Strenuous

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Good fitness are demand of these treks, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude may go above 4000 meters or little above it on couple of days, but not more than that. The trail might go as high as 4500 - 5200 meters. These trek are remote and evacuation might not be possible from all the campsites

Challenging

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Crossing a glacier or a scree zone might be a feature of these treks. You might on some occasions, require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high or remote or both. The trek usually might be a week long.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Challenging+

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Negotiating glacial moraines, scree zones, crossing them, camping on them etc are features of these treks. You might also require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high and remote. A good technical support team and knowledgeable local guide is a must. Only experienced trekkers are advised to do these treks. The trek goes over 2 week and may be longer than that.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Page Cost Inclusions and Exclusions For The Kashmir Lakes Trek

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Duration: 9 Days / 8 nights of trekking cost Ex. Srinagar
Accommodation On Trek: Spacious, sturdy and High-Quality Dome Tents will be provided on twin sharing basis.
Sleeping In Tents: Thick Waterproof Inflatable Air Mattress, Sub Zero Sleeping bags supported with Very Warm and Soft Goose Down Inner Sleeping Bag For Extra Hygiene and Warmth will be provided by us
Dining On Trek: We will provide Dining and Kitchen Tents with camping stools and table for extra hygiene and comfort.
Toilet On Treks: Dry eco-toilet will be set up with a toilet tent and toilet seat.
Meals: All meals (except for lunch in leh), specifically curated for high altitudes will be provided from Evening Snakcs in Sitkadi Campsite on Day 1 till lunch on Day 9. 3 meals (B, L, D) suited for high altitude with evening snacks, soup, hot drinks and extra energizers/juice for summit days. Nutritious, Soupy, Balanced and light on the stomach.
Common Safety Gears: All required safety gears like rope, ice axe, helmets, etc
Communication: For efficient management of the trek, the team will be communicating with each other and trek base with the help of long-range wireless sets.
Medical Safety: Oxygen cylinder, Pulse Oximeter, Thermal temperature scanner and Emergency Medical Kit accompanied with a trek leader knowledgeable on high altitude medicine and physiology
Trek Leader and Guide: Experienced and Well Equipped English/ Hindi Speaking Trek Leader maintaining guide to trekker ratio of 1:6. That is 1 guide for every 6 trekkers.
Local Support Staffs: Expert and Knowledgeable local route guide with cooks, helpers, porters, mules, etc
Trekking Permits: All required forest and other local association permits as per the prevalent rules of Local administration and our Country, including mandatory insurance and medical checkup.
Transfers: Return transfers from Srinagar airport to trek roadhead in private cab for the trekking team and support crew. Also airport pick up and drop on Day 1 and Day 9.
Max Team Size: Small group of not more than 12 members. You can make any batch a private batch by paying a little extra over the base trek fees.

ADD ONS:

Single Supplement For Tent. ( @ INR 8000 )
Baggage Offloading (@ Rs 4000 per bag, not weighing more than 10 Kgs per member)

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Personal Travel and Climbing Insurance
Personal Purchases
Food Purchased Outside Our Menu
Personal Gears
Lunch in Srinagar
Bottled Water or Any Other Drinks
Anything else not mentioned in the inclusion list

Cost Terms For The Kashmir Lakes Trek

Cost Terms

The above-mentioned cost is in the range of minimum to maximum per-person cost for this trek as per 1 - 12 people team.PackageInclusions as per this cost can be read below.
5% GST (goods and service tax) is applicable for all our purchases.
We follow dynamic pricing as per the actual team size on the trek. Going by our standardized service, appropriate safety measures, quality equipment, and ecologically sustainable - small group commitment, a higher team size will lower the cost whereas a lower team size will significantly increase the cost.
Group segmented pricing if not provided here, please write to us using the contact page or text us on Whatsapp number +918017216725.
You may choose to keep the trek open or make it private depending upon your requirements or choice. The actual per-person cost of the trek is subject to the actual team size joining the trek. If you make any customizations that drastically change the itinerary and cost as mentioned here, then it will mandatorily have to be a private group only.
If we have dates listed on our website on Our Upcoming Treks and it is not marked as private, it means other people have booked this trek for that date and have opened it up for other members to join to lower the cost. If your dates and choices match, you may join these treks
You may join an existing open group listed on our website or create your own group as per your convenient dates and choose to either keep it private or open it up to lower the cost if other members join the trek.
At any point, the team size cannot be more than 12 members ( 10 for challenging treks) unless there is a unique exception requested or agreed upon by all the team members.

International Guests

Trek cost for foreigners is slightly higher than the cost for our Indian guests, mainly due to the higher permit fee applicable for admission to National Parks or protected forest areas. Sometimes, it may be higher due to higher local crew wages and other specific arrangements we make to ensure a safe, comfortable and enriching travel experience in India. However, we absolutely DO NOT 'hyper-charge' our International Guests ever and at the same time, ensure that we meet all the standards for highly qualified trek leaders and guides, safety, medical preparation, evacuation strategy, rescue arrangements, eco-sensitive travel, high-value knowledge sharing about the area and customs of the locals.

Extra Cost For International Trekkers Rs. 5000 per person.

Booking Process

Booking can only be done after multiple communication via email / Whatsapp / Calls. After connecting with us and discussing your needs, we finalize the trek and its requirements. After finalization, partial booking fees can be paid online or through direct bank transfers after which we trigger our preparations and arrangements for your trek. International Trekkers can pay the partial booking fees using PayPal, Wise, Western Union or Direct Wire Transfer.

Customized Private Group For Kashmir Lakes Trek

Trekking is a very personal activity and is perhaps one of the very few activities that give you enough time to indulge with yourself or your beloved people, a group of special friends, or close family members. It helps you transform personal bonds to the next level as it brings out everyone's best and truest self. Trekking is most enjoyed when it is done in a small private group, personalized to serve your specific needs. The Himalayas are best experienced when there is silence and solitude around and when you are surrounded only by your best people. Your trek is most enjoyable when all the pain of arranging a smooth trek is taken care of by us, and you focus just on your trek and yourself. Most importantly, a small private trekking group is very flexible, personalized, and more enjoyable, is the safest, and follows the principles of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism. Most trekkers book us for arranging personalized private treks catering to their specific and unique requirements - Customize This Trek

Frequently Asked Questions

How Is The Covid19 Situation In Kashmir Lakes Trek?

As per current directives, this trek is open and you can do safely by following proper safety guidelines and covid protocols.

When Does It Snow On The Kashmir Lakes Trek?

Kashmir starts to get its first snowfall by the end of October and gets too much snowfall rather. On this trek the fresh snow keeps piling and the trek remains closed as the horses cannot cross the high passes. Snow starts to recede by the end of May and in the month of July, only few patches of the high passes remain under snow cover.

Which Is The Best Time To Do The Kashmir Lakes Trek?

July, August, and September are the best months to do this trek. Do note that August is monsoons here and you need to be prepared with proper gears if you are doing this trek in the monsoons. Often it rains very heavily in August in Kashmir. You need to walk longer each day on this trek and walking continuously in rain might not be enjoyable. If proper care is not taken, you may fall sick as well. However, this is also true at the same time that it's very beautiful in the monsoons. Checking weather forecast and alerts by MET department is a better idea before you plan for this trek.

How Are The Accommodations And Toilet Facility On The Kashmir Lakes Trek?

It's an all camping trek. Throughout the trek, accommodations will be in all-weather high-quality tents on twin-sharing basis. Toilets will be dry cat-style toilets with a pit dug on the ground covered by a toilet tent. We provide a camping toilet seat for comfort and safety.

What Are The Fitness Requirement Of The Kashmir Lakes Trek?

This trek is not that demanding and can be done if you are generally fit and your body is used to long walks and exercises. You may start to prepare for this trek by mere jogging or brisk walking for 8 Kms 5 days a week, at least 3 months before the start of the trek. Stair climbing with weight helps a lot to improve your climbing ability. Strong core muscles and shoulders will help you carry your rucksack by your own.

Which Is The Nearest ATMs and Cash Points On The Kashmir Lakes Trek?

Srinagar is the best place to withdraw money. Otherwise, Ganderbal, Gund, Kangan and Sonamarg too has ATMs

Is Mobile Network Available On The Kashmir Lakes Trek?

All major network providers have good mobile connectivity till the trek start point and end point. However, on the trek, there will be no network at all

Is Internet Available On The Kashmir Lakes Trek?

Mobile internet will only be available in the starting and end point on this trek, while on the trek there will be no internet or mobile towers

ENQUIRE FOR PRICING

We work exclusively on Personalized Private Groups – its perfect for solo climbers, couples, families, friends or teams.

We keep it small for low ecological footprint, better experience, flexible itinerary, highest safety standards and superior success rate on the summits. Team size: 1 to 10 max.

Enquire for detailed pricing based on your preferences and group size.

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