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Have you ever dreamt of experiencing the ultimate trek in India? If so, then consider diving into the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek – an unparalleled journey across India’s breathtaking landscapes. This trek has risen to prominence as the most coveted and popular adventure during the summer. Its diversity in scenery is unmatched, featuring approximately a dozen alpine lakes nestled within enchanting meadows, making it the trek with the highest number of alpine lakes available to explorers.
Often referred to as the 7 Lakes of Kashmir Trek due to the numerous alpine lakes encountered along the way, this adventure begins at Shitkadi Sonamarg – a celebrated tourist destination in Kashmir. The route winds through forests, meadows, ravines, and vast grasslands, traversing 3 high-altitude passes, diverse valleys, and captivating landscapes, before concluding in Naranag – a quaint and picturesque village in Kashmir.
The trek typically spans 7 days, including a day dedicated to acclimatization, though the duration can be adjusted based on individual preferences. It presents a moderate to difficult challenge and is most suitable for trekkers with prior experience, as it may not be the best fit for beginners. Preparation and physical conditioning are recommended for those looking to undertake this trail.
The prime season for embarking on this trek is summer, specifically from June to September, with the trek being closed during the winter. September offers the least crowded conditions for those seeking a more serene experience.
What are the Highlights of the Trek?
Set off on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, a journey unrivaled in India, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and plethora of alpine lakes nestled within stunning meadows. This trek is the epitome of variety and scenic beauty, boasting approximately a dozen alpine lakes. It is famously known as the 7 Lakes of Kashmir Trek due to the multitude of alpine lakes encountered along the way.
The journey begins from Shitkadi Sonamarg, a well-known tourist spot in Kashmir, winding through forests, meadows, ravines, and vast expanses of grasslands. It traverses three high-altitude passes, explores diverse valleys and landscapes, and concludes in Naranag, a quaint yet picturesque village in Kashmir.
Spanning 7 days, including a day set aside for acclimatization, the duration can be adjusted according to personal preference. The trek’s difficulty ranges from moderate to challenging and is best suited for those with prior trekking experience. Preparation and physical conditioning are recommended before attempting this trail.
The ideal time for this trek is during the summer months, from June to September, with the trail being less crowded in September. Winter sees the trek closed off due to adverse conditions.
We provides a comprehensive package for the Great Lakes Trek, offering options from budget-friendly to premium departures, customizable private tours, and arrangements for college or corporate groups, ensuring flexibility in services and itineraries.
Best Time for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?
For this trek, the optimal season is from July to September, marking it as the premier summer trek in all of India. The trek becomes inaccessible during winter due to snow closure. Post-October, the dropping temperatures and potential snowfall hinder the ability of porters and ponies to traverse the passes.
For adventurers keen on experiencing this journey with remnants of snow on the passes and mountain crests, June presents an ideal window.
How To Reach The Base Camp
Getting to Srinagar for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
By Air: The quickest and most straightforward way to reach Srinagar is by flying in from New Delhi, as Srinagar Airport is well-connected with flights from all over India.
By Train: Due to the absence of direct rail connectivity in Kashmir, the closest railway station is in Jammu. This station enjoys robust connections with major cities across India. From Jammu, one can opt for a shared cab or bus journey to Srinagar.
By Bus: Srinagar is accessible via NH1, linking it with various locations across India. Regular bus and cab services run from Delhi and Jammu, making it a day’s journey from Jammu to Srinagar.
Upon reaching Srinagar, you can utilize our shared taxi service for a seamless transfer to the Sonamarg Campsite, marking the commencement of your trekking adventure.
How Difficult is Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?
This trek is often queried about its difficulty level. It is essential to acknowledge that this is a moderate to difficult trek and not suited for absolute beginners. It’s best suited for those who are experienced trekkers or physically fit beginners. The difficulty increases slightly during rainy conditions. If your lifestyle is mostly sedentary or inactive, it’s crucial to engage in preparatory physical fitness activities well before undertaking this trek.
Participants will face long walking days traversing over three mountain passes, with the path comprising both ascents and descents throughout. The trek includes challenging sections of boulders and rugged terrain, requiring trekkers to navigate from one stone to another and cross river streams, sometimes via log bridges or by wading through.
The ascent to Gadsar Pass is notably strenuous, testing trekkers’ stamina and endurance with its sharp incline, followed by a steep and extended descent leading to a lengthy meadow walk to the campsite.
On the final day, a notably sharp descent of approximately 1000 meters presents a significant challenge, particularly impacting knees, ankles, and toes. This stage often proves testing for trekkers as they near the completion of their journey.
The trek’s difficulty escalates during rainy periods when the trail may become obscured or entirely vanish. Navigating ascents and descents becomes increasingly treacherous. However, with the guidance of Our trek leaders, who will instruct on proper trekking techniques and assist in crossing challenging passes, trekkers’ safety is prioritized. Adherence to the trek leader’s instructions is imperative for a safe and successful trek.
