KASHMIR GREAT LAKES THE GREAT LAKES OF KASHMIR TREK Jun 29 - Jul 09 & Jul 12-23, 2019
THE GREAT LAKES TREK: INTRODUCTION The Great Lakes of Kashmir trek is set in an almost heavenly arena of high mountain vistas, endless pasturelands, and of course, the great lakes. Arguably the best way to witness the beauty of the Kashmir Himalaya, you will be rewarded with a palette of colours every single day that you walk on this trail. The trek is moderate but goes over high 3900m+ high passes, but the relaxing terrain, deep blue coloured mountains and lush flower filled meadows make the going extremely pleasant. You may get to experience a few cultural insights. Local shepherds, their herds and families may be your trail companions. On your way from Srinagar to Sonmarg and as well on the houseboat you will get an idea of the local culture, food and religion in Kashmir. There is colour everywhere. The Great Lakes of Kashmir trek will lead you to its turquoise blue-green lakes, climbs over high altitude passes and offers you one of the best trail experiences you will savour for a lifetime.
THE GREAT LAKES TREK: FACT SHEET DATE OF TREK: Jun 29- Jul 09 & Jul 12-23, 2019 DURATION OF TREK: 11 DAYS REPORTING POINT: LEH AIRPORT GRADE OF TREK: DEMANDING HEIGHT: 4181 M ACCOMODATION DAY ACCOMODATION MEAL PLAN DAY 1-2 KANG LHA CHEN HOTEL/SIMILAR ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 3 HOTEL AT SONMARG ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 4-9 TREKKING CAMP ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 10 ROYAL HOUSEBOATS/SIMILAR ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 11 ROYAL HOUSEBOATS/SIMILAR BREAKFAST ITINERARY CHART DAY START POINT END POINT DAY 1 LEH AIRPORT LEH DAY 2 LEH LEH (ACCLIMATISE) DAY 3 LEH SONMARG DAY4 DAY 5 DAY 6 SONAMARG NICHNAI BASE CAMP VISHNUSAR NICHNAI BASE CAMP DIST. TIME ALT. DRIVE 5KM DRIVE 30KM DRIVE 340 KM 15M 5HRS 3500M 3500M 10 HRS 2800M 9KM 7HRS 3505M VISHNUSAR 12KM 7 HRS 3732M VISHNUSAR (EXPLORATION 3732M
DAY) DAY 7 VISHNUSAR GADSAR 10KM 6 HRS 3732M DAY 8 GADSAR SATSAR 12KM 7 HRS 3621M DAY 9 SATSAR GANGBAL 9KM 6 HRS 3505M DAY 10 GANGBAL SRINAGAR TREK 11 KM DRIVE 55 KM TREK 7HRS DRIVE 2HRS 2800M DAY 11 SRINAGAR SRINAGAR AIRPORT DRIVE 15 KM 1 HR 3500M TOTAL COST: INR 86,500 + 5% TAX FOR A VISUAL PREVIEW OF THE GREAT LAKES OF KASHMIR- CLICK HERE
THE GREAT LAKES: DETAILED ITINERARY DAY ONE: LEH AIRPORT- HOTEL (3500M) Board the early morning flight from Delhi to Leh. It takes a little more than an hour to get to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. On a clear day the flight offers excellent views of the mighty Himalayas. Arrive at the hotel for welcome drinks followed by breakfast. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. DAY TWO: LEH (3500M) We spend half the day visiting Shey and Thiksey monasteries around Leh. Return to hotel for lunch and spend the day exploring the Leh market.
THE GREAT LAKES TREK: ITINERARY DAY THREE: LEH - SONMARG (2800 M) Long day of driving today. Set out after an early breakfast, travelling west of Leh towards Kargil. 36 kms from Leh, we reach Nimu, the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus. We pass the derelict fort at Basgo, the painted caves at Saspol to reach Khalsi where the road crosses the Indus River and slowly winds its way 27 kms upto the beautiful gompa at Lamayuru. Continue to cross the Fotu La (4108m) and Namika La (3700m) to reach the village of Mulbekh. 41 kms further is the town of Kargil which marks the transition to a predominantly Muslim area. Continue to drive West to Kashmir, over the Zojila (3500m) with sheer drop on one side. Drive through Baltal to reach the meadows of Sonmarg.
THE GREAT LAKES TREK: ITINERARY DAY FOUR: SONMARG - NICHNAI BASE CAMP (3505M) After breakfast we take a short drive to the start of our trek. Walk through maple trees, past lush meadows and rivulets till we reach Shekdur for lunch. Shekdur pasture is lined by Silver Birch trees with herder huts and the backdrop of the big mountains. Post lunch, traverse a rocky section and a very pretty meadow to reach camp. DAY FIVE: NICHNAI BASE CAMP - VISHNUSAR (3732 M) Our day begins with a climb over Nichnai Pass (4000m). It's a day of variety with a river crossing and our first small lake of this trek. Descend rapidly to be amongst mountain pasture land again. We camp by the stream fed by the Vishnusar Lake.
THE GREAT LAKES TREK: ITINERARY DAY SIX: EXPLORATION DAY - VISHNUSAR (3732 M) Vishnusar is the lake of Lord Vishnu and is a kilometer long and half a kilometer wide, this lake is the main source of the Neelum River. We spend the day taking short walks around camp and exploring the beauty of the twin lakes of Vishnusar and Kishansar. DAY SEVEN: VISHNUSAR-GADSAR (3621 M) We start the day with a trek to Kishansar, a steep ascent which provides great overview of Kishansar and Vishnusar lakes together, as we climb towards the Gadsar Pass at 4181m - the highest point on the trek. We descend to a meadow with irises littered all over the hillside after passing a couple lakes en route. Camp is 4-5 km below Gadsar Lake near the army camp where everybody s documents are checked.
THE GREAT LAKES TREK: ITINERARY DAY EIGHT: GADSAR - SATSAR (3658 M) Today, we trek above the tree line. We begin with a gentle descent for about an hour, and then a steep ascent of three hours followed by a flat meadow walk. We finally reach Satsar, which literally means seven lakes. Satsar is a series of seven small lakes connected with each other in a cascade formation. The season you trek will determine how many of the lakes have water in them. We pass the Army Camp before camping by the first lake. DAY NINE: SATSAR - GANGBAL (3505 M) We climb to the Zajibal Pass (3900m) in about 3-4 hours. From here, we can see the Harigandan lake, Harmukh lake, Harmukh mountain (5000m) as well as Gangbal Lake and Nandkol Lake We will start ascending towards the small Gangbal lake and camp within the lake area.
THE GREAT LAKES TREK: ITINERARY DAY TEN: GANGBAL LAKE-NARANGA - SRINAGAR (1585 M) A 1000m plus descent awaits your knees! Descend to Naranag & drive 55 km to Srinagar. Overnight at houseboat. DAY ELEVEN: SRINAGAR SRINAGAR AIRPORT It s an early morning flight back to Delhi. Trip ends! TOTAL COST: INR 86,500 + 5% TAX
GREAT LAKES TREK: COST BREAKDOWN COST INCLUDES ALL TRAVEL FROM LEH AND BACK TO SRINAGAR BY ROAD ALL ARRANGEMENTS FOR STAYING AND CAMPING WHILE ON TRIP ACCOMMODATION ON TWIN SHARING BASIS IN TENTS/ HOTEL ALL MEALS AS DETAILED IN ITINERARY & SAFE DRINKING WATER ALL TREKKING ARRANGEMENTS WITH INDIA S MOST EXPERIENCED GUIDING TEAM, CAMP STAFF AND COOKS PORTRAGE UPTO 15KG/PERSON PEAK FEE/SANCTUARY FEE/ROYALTY/PERMITS WHERE APPLICABLE - AIRFARE INCLUSIONS FLIGHT PRICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED COST COST EXCLUDES SLEEPING BAG STAY & MEALS IN DELHI AIRPORT & RAILWAY STATION TRANSFERS IN DELHI BOTTLED WATER ITEMS OF PERSONAL CLOTHING EXPENSES OF PERSONAL NATURE (LAUNDRY/PHONE CALLS/ALCOHOL/CIGARETTES/INSURANCE/CAMERA FEE/ETC.) ANY EXPENSE INCURRED DUE TO FORCE OF NATURE SUCH AS LANDSLIDES, BAD WEATHER OR REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL TIPS & GRATUITIES (WE RECOMMEND 5-10% OF YOUR TRIP COST- TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE TREAM)- PERSONAL CHOICE TRAVEL & CANCELLATION INSURANCE PLEASE NOTE FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED COST SINGLE SUPPLEMENT RS 13,500 + 5% TAX, FORCED SINGLE SUPPLEMENT IN CASE THERE IS NO ONE TO SHARE YOUR TENT WITH RS 7,500 + 5% TAX
THE GREAT LAKES TREK: THE NEXT STEPS Have any questions? Email us Ready to go? Book your place by filling in this form. Make your payment here. Once you fill in your form, we'll get in touch with you with all the necessary details. PLEASE NOTE: Filling in the booking form does not guarantee a spot on any trek. You will receive a separate confirmation email once the booking form is submitted. We look forward to hosting you on your next Adventure!