The Kashmir Valley has long been called “Paradise on Earth.” This vale is a storehouse of breathtaking natural beauty, with mighty mountains, green meadows, and sparkling lakes. Among the various treks the valley offers, the Great Kashmir Lakes Trek is one of the most magnificent and rewarding experiences for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike. This is the trek through the mesmerizing heart of Kashmir, with its breathtaking vistas of alpine lakes, snow-capped peaks, and vermillion-green valleys.
Now, we will take you through the entire length of the Great Kashmir Lakes Trek through this blog. Mentioned are each day’s journey, challenges, and beauty at every other turn.
Day 1: Drive from Srinagar to Gagangir
The scenic drive from the bustling city of Srinagar to the quaint village of Gagangir marks the beginning of your adventure, getaway, and retreat. About 80 km from the city is where the very famous Kashmir trek starts. As one leaves the city behind, the landscape gradually changes from urban to rural with rolling meadows, dense forests, and the meandering Sind River accompanying one along the way. This amazing drive is a perfect prelude to the walk into natural beauty that you will be trekking into.
Day 2: Drive to Shitkadi, Trek to Nichnai
The second day of the trek starts from Gagangir, which takes one to Shitkadi, a small village near Sonamarg. It is exactly here in Shitkadi that the actual trekking begins. The trail from Shitkadi to Nichnai is fairly easy, with a gradual ascent through dense forest of pine and silver birch. The path is well-trodden, and the chirping of the birds in the cool breeze makes for a pleasant start to the trek.
The forest, inlemi abatement, gives way to huge meadows, and you will see grazing herds of sheep along the way up. The views of the mountains all around become clearer as you reach Nichnai — the campsite for the day. It stands with a beautiful meadow surrounded by towering peaks, and the view of the Nichnai stream pouring through the valley bottomed it with serenity.
Day 3: Trek from Nichnai to Vishnusar via Nichnai Pass
The third day along the Great Kashmir Lakes Trek can be both exhausting, as well as delightful. Trekking from Nichnai to Vishnusar, one needs to ascend the Nichnai Pass, located at an approximate altitude of 13,500 feet. Yes, it is very steep, and a good level of fitness is required for it. But the views from the top of the pass more than compensate for the toil.
The topography changes drastically the very moment you leave Nichnai Pass. The green meadows suddenly turn into rocky, barren land, with the air becoming visibly thinner. The descent from the pass lands you next to the Vishnusar Lake, one of the many breathtaking lakes on this trek. Vishnusar Lake is a pristine alpine lake surrounded by towering peaks. Its crystal-clear waters reflect the blue sky and snow-capped mountains, making a picture-perfect scene.
Day 4: Trek from Vishnusar to Gadsar via Gadsar Pass
Day 4 of the Kashmir Lakes Trek is again tough and at the same time invigorating, as fans will trek from Vishnusar to Gadsar via the pass at Gadsar. Possibly being the highest point on the trek, it lies around an altitude of as high as 13,750 feet. The climb up to the pass is very steep and rigorous, but when we reached the top, the views from up there turned out to be just spectacular.
As one crosses the pass, one comes right to the eyes with the view of Gadsar Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Kashmir Valley. The lake is famous for its blue-green color, surrounded by lush green meadows full of wildflowers. The Gadsar Lake is called the “Valley of Flowers,” since, during the summer months when the colored blooms are at the height of their splendor, they carpet the meadows in multi-colored hues.
Day 5: Gadsar — Satsar
Your fourth day would lead you to the ascent from Gadsar Lake to Satsar Lakes. For the average day hiker, Gadsar to Satsar is a considerably much easier segment as compared to the previous days. At a very good gradient, one moves through rolling meadows and bits of forest onto seven Satsar Lakes, interconnected and one prettier than its prior lake.
The meadow near Satsar Lakes is a photographer’s paradise — clean waters reflecting mountains, and the changing sky. Sunsets from the camp near the lakes present an unforgettable view, with golden light on peaks and warm light all over the land.
Day 6: Satsar to Gangabal via Zaj Pass
Day 6 is yet another viewsome of the Great Kashmir Lakes Trek; this time, you trek from Satsar to Gangabal via the Zaj Pass. Zaj Pass, approximately 13,000 ft., also called Satsar Pass, offers the most beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.
The way down from the pass is straight into the Gangbal Twin Lakes, acclaimed the king’s jewels of the Kashmir Lakes trek. The twin lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol support the very base of this proud and towering form of the Harmukh Peak, among the highest in the region. Surrounding the twin lakes are tight grass meadows, with the crystal water mirroring this towering peak in a scene of indescribable beauty.
The Gangabal Lakes campsite is perhaps one of the prettiest campsites I have ever seen. The towering Harmukh Peak rises right behind it, providing great vibes for a backdrop. The lakes are also full of trout, which makes it ideal for fishing.
Day 7: Gangabal to Naranag Trek and Srinagar Drive
The last day of the trek takes one from the Gangabal Lakes to the village of Naranag. Most of the trails on this day are downhill, with a gradual gradient through dense forests and meadows. Descending further, the change in landscape begins again, from dense forest to the grand mixture of meadows and terraced fields leading to Naranag.
Naranag is a beautiful village with much history, home to many ancient temples and traditional Kashmiri architecture. Naranag marks the tail end of the Great Kashmir Lakes Trek, so from here, drive back to Srinagar.
The drive from Naranag to Srinagar is very picturesque. The road is winding, meandering through beautiful valleys, along the banks of the Sind River. And as you travel back to Srinagar, it is not just you but also the memory of the trek: the beautiful lakes, the towering peaks, the serene meadows — an experience to last a lifetime.
Day 8: Buffer Day
The eighth day happens to be a buffer day to counter a contigency or an unseen circumstance due to which one might not be in a position to cover the trek during a particular day. It is also a rest day at Srinagar where you can simply relax and think back on the highly wonderful journey that you have just undertaken.
Conclusion
Great Lakes of Kashmir Trek is not just a trek; it’s walking through some of the fairest landscapes in the world. The trek is a perfect mélange of adventure, challenge, and natural beauty and is definitely unmissable for lovers of Kashmir’s clean wild.
Whether you are a die-hard trekker or just a nature lover waiting for a getaway into the wild, the Great Kashmir Lakes Trek has some truly spectacular scenery, serene lakes, and hospitality of the Kashmiri people which would sure spell a charm on you. So get your boots ready, pack your bags, and get ready to experience the adventure of your lifetime through the land of enchantment, the Kashmir Valley.
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