Kashmir Great Lakes

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGL) is known as one of India's most scenic treks. It was our first multi-day Himalayan trek, and we were a little worried about how difficult it would be. Unparalleled natural scenery, a wonderful party, and a fantastic trek leader and guide made this one of our most unforgettable adventures. Kashmir Great Lakes

KGL Day-1 Trek: Shitkadi Base Camp, Sonamarg

The base camp for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is Shitkadi, a few kilometres ahead of Sonamarg. The trip from Srinagar to Sonamarg takes 2.5 hours and follows the Indus River (Sindh River) the whole way. The soothing peaceful sound of a water stream running next to our camp-site greeted us at Shitkadi. We followed our fellow trekkers (a total of 23 of us) as we made our way to our tents. We had no idea at the time that over the next few days, we would all become such good friends. Kashmir Great Lakes

KGL Day-2 Trek: Shitkadi to Nichnai

We were eager to begin the first day of our trek to Nichnai after an overnight stay at Shitkadi. To get to Table Top, a wide meadow, you must pass through a pine and maple woodland (Valley Shekdur). You'll get panoramic views of Sonmarg and the Thajiwas Glacier along the way. The Bhoj Patr Forest follows, leading to the Nichnai Valley. To get to the camp-site, you walk along a river stream through the valley for the remainder of the hike. Kashmir Great Lakes

KGL Day-3 Trek: Nichnai to Vishnusar Lake

The first of seven alpine lakes on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Path, Vishnusar Lake, awaits you at the end of today's trek. Your steep climb over boulders soon gives way to spectacular views of glacial ice on the peaks and wild, colourful flowers in the valley. When you descend from Nichnai Pass, the views get better and better. Flowers change colour, river streams are nourished by waterfalls from ice-capped cliffs, and shepherds lead their flocks of sheep far from civilisation. Kashmir Great Lakes

KGL Day-4 Trek: Vishnusar to Gadsar (Via Kishansar Lake and Gadsar Lake)

This day proves to be the most daunting of all trek days after visiting the blissful Vishnusar lake, the first of seven alpine lakes. The steep Gadsar Pass (13800 ft), the highest point of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, awaits you today. Though the climb is long, the panoramic views of Kishansar Lake hold the morale high as you walk up the side of the lake on a road spiralling up. Fortunately, it was a sunny day, and the road was dry. When it rains, crossing Gadsar Pass becomes exceedingly difficult, as the thin line road becomes sticky and slippery. Before returning to our camp-site, we stopped for lunch at Gadsar Lake. Kashmir Great Lakes

KGL Day-5 Trek: Gadsar to Satsar Lakes

We'd seen three of the seven alpine lakes by this point (read more here: Today was the day to explore two more pristine lakes on the KGL trek route (Vishnusar Lake to Gadsar: Via Kishansar Lake and Gadsar Lake) that fell on the KGL trek route, and today was the day to explore two more pristine lakes on this wonderful trek (two of seven Satsar Lakes). Satsar is made up of seven lakes, two of which are part of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Path. The rest of them are strewn around the foothills of nearby mountains. If you have a free day, you should hike to a couple more Satsar lakes. This day, we had the rare opportunity of crossing a river stream on a snow bridge. Kashmir Great Lakes

KGL Day-6 Trek: Satsar Lake to Gangabal Lake (Harmukh Peak)

After camping at Satsar Lakes, this was the busiest day of the trip, with us arriving at the final two and most scenic of all the lakes: Gangabal Lake and Nandkol Lake. As soon as you reach the summit of Jaj Pass, you'll be met by a stunning view of twin lakes at the base of the mighty snow-capped Harmukh mountain. While floating clouds would obscure your vision of the peak and lakes, they would bring a vivid dynamism

 to the overall experience, making you feel like you were on top of the planet. Finally, as you arrive at Gangbal Lake and set up camp alongside Nandkol Lake, everything becomes so charming and overwhelming that you won't want for something else. Kashmir Great Lakes

KGL Day-7 Trek: Gangabal Lake to Naranag

We couldn't have wished for a better way to finish our journey than with the breathtaking beauty of Gangabal Lake. We began our final day of trekking to Naranag after spending the night at the foot of Harmukh Peak. It was a grassland walk as we left our camp next to Nandakol Lake. After a brief ascent, the remainder of the journey to Army Camp was mostly a descent. Tree-Line also begins here, passing across a trekking path to reach Dhaba (you will get mobile signals here). The descent from here on is extremely steep, putting the knees and thighs to the test.

Please keep in mind that Naranag to Gangabal Lake is a popular small trekking route that can get crowded on weekends. So, if you're looking for some alone time, schedule ahead to skip weekends. If you're going the other direction (Naranag to Gangabal Lake), be prepared for a steep climb. Take a look at the elevation differential at the summit (about 3000 feet). Please bring plenty of water, begin early, and stop bringing heavy items.

Kashmir Great Lakes