Kashmir Great Lakes Trek | Plan The Unplanned

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Kashmir with its unparalleled beauty, postcard-perfect scenes and almost European vistas frankly need no introduction. The Kashmir Lakes Circuit trek traverses some of the hidden jewels in the Kashmiri mountainscape – the pristine alpine high altitude lakes of Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Nundkol and Gangbal. If you are looking for green meadows filled with colourful wildflowers, pristine colour changing water lakes, meandering streams and amazing Himalayan views from high passes, then the Kashmir Lakes Circuit trek is the most highly recommended trek.

TREK DETAILS

Trek Level: Moderate to Difficult ( Difficulty Level Is Subjective )

Altitude: Max Altitude at Gadsar Pass 4191M ( 13750 ft )

Trek Duration: 8 days

Total Trek Distance: 70-75 kms (Average 10 kms per day)

Trek Start Point: Sitkari ( 87 kms from Srinagar )

ITINERARY:

DAY 0: Sitkari Base Camp
-Take a scenic drive from Srinagar to Sitkari, which has a wonderful mix of grasslands, scattered forests and snow covered mountains. Overnight stay in tents.
-Meals: (Tea & Snacks, Dinner)

DAY 1: Trek from Sitkari village to Nichnai (3505m, 13kms)
Day Highlights: Trek towards Shokdhari campsite. Enjoy beautiful views of Sonmarg and the glaciers en route from the campsite. Overnight stay in tents at Nichnai grazing ground (Shepherd’s valley).
– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.

DAY 2: Trek towards Vishansar campsite
Day Highlights: Ascend across Nichnai Pass standing tall at 4080m. Visit Vishansar lake, a beautiful alpine high altitude lake surrounded by mountains. Overnight stay in tents at Vishansar campsite.
-Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner

DAY 3: Trek towards Gadsar Lake
Day Highlights: Trek towards the Krishansar lake and further up towards the Gadsar Pass which forms the highest point on the trek at 4191m and the only place from where one can catch a glimpse of the twin lakes (Krishansar lake and Vishansar lake). Descent into flat meadows to reach the Gadsar Lake. Overnight stay in tents.
-Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.

DAY 4: Trek from Gadsar to Satsar Lake
Day Highlights: Climb up over mountains and over flatlands to reach the Satsar lakes which are a collection of 7 lakes in a cascade formation. Overnight stay in tents at the Satsar Lakes.
-Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.

DAY 5: Trek from Satsar lakes to Gangbal twin lakes
Day Highlights: Catch panoramic views of the Harmukh peak as you trek towards the twin lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol. Overnight stay in tents at the Gangbal Lake.
-Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.

DAY 6: Rest Day
Day Highlights: Today you get to relax by the lakes, explore surrounding meadows, soak in the magnificent mountainscape, uncover a few local legends about the lakes, share travel stories, meditate, exercise your photography skills and do anything that soothes your soul. Overnight stay in tents.
-Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.

DAY 7: Trek from Gangbal twin lakes to Naranag
Day Highlights: Descend into Naranag village. Optional overnight stay at Naranag homestay at extra cost. Explore the Naranag Temple built by Lalitaditya Muktapida during Karkota Dynasty till evening.
-Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner only for those opting to stay overnight at Naranag

DAY 8: Check out from Naranag and drive to Srinagar
-Meals: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

-Accommodation in dome tent (2/3 per tent).
-Meals mentioned in the itinerary on a fixed menu/ buffet basis.
-Internal transportation cost as per itinerary.
-Camping Equipment: Tents, Sleeping bags, mats.
-All charges for guides, cook, helpers, horses and permits.

EXCLUSIONS:

-Transportation cost from Srinagar to Sitkari and Naranag to Srinagar. (Cabs may be arranged at extra cost)
-Backpack offloading: Trekkers are expected to carry their own backpacks. If the trekker cannot carry his/her backpack due to physical inability and chooses to offload on mules, this will be on additional cost. (Not applicable for the solo package)
-Airfares, airport taxes and anything not mentioned in the inclusions and itinerary.
-Meals, tea, coffee, mineral water, tips, transfers not mentioned in the itinerary.
-Doctor, telephone, laundry and other personal expenses.
-Cost of personal emergency exit or expenses due to external factors such as climatic conditions.
-Travel insurance.
-Accommodation at Naranag homestay with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
-Anything not included in the inclusions above

Health & Fitness Requirements:

All participants are required to submit a medical certificate approved by a registered medical practitioner prior to the trek.

Apart from this we highly recommend you having an adventurous spirit and willingness to undergo the joys & hardships of outdoor camping, in addition to good physical and mental fitness, to completely enjoy the trek. If you suffer from severe muscular, chest, heart or bronchial ailments, we advise you against participating since most treks happen in remote areas with limited access to medical services & hospital facilities.

Our Trek Leaders are experienced mountaineers and we trust their judgements. If during the trek, the Trek Leader advises you against continuing on the trek, we request you to respect his judgement and follow his instructions.

Know more at – https://www.plantheunplanned.com/himalayan-trek/kashmir-trek/

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