Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Overview

About Kashmir Great Lakes

Kashmir, As they righteously call it, is the “Heaven on Earth” that truly mesmerizes one with their jaw dropping landscapes. It is the perfect blend of beauty & adventure which further elevates trekking in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir Great Lakes trek is a moderate trek ranging between 70 to 75 km approx. In this trek, we cover six alpine lakes & a range of meadows in the western Himalayas of Kashmir. In this Great Lakes Kashmir Trek, we are also going to cross Sonmarg which means “Meadow of Gold”. This trek covers 6 most famous alpine lakes at one time: Gadasar, Satsar, Nundkol, Gangabal, Vishansar etc.

Kashmir Great Lakes trek in India, also known as KGL Trek in short form, covers the stunning natural lakes of Kashmir at one time which have the best scenic view.

Quick Facts: Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Top Attractions near Kashmir Great Lakes

1. Sonmarg: It is at 2800 meters above sea level. This place is mainly known for its snow-clad fields, majestic glaciers and beautiful river.

2. Gulmarg: The “Meadow of Flowers” is another name of Gulmarg. It is the most romantic destination of Kashmir where you are going to have spectacular views which will make you feel romantic.

3. Pahalgam: It is located about 90 km away from Srinagar. In Pahalgam, we had a breathtaking view of snow-clad mountain, banks of rivers. It is also a hub for the adventure enthusiast.

4. Doodhpathri: It is said that once a personality of islam was searching for water in that valley after offering namaz he asked Allah for water so he scratched the land with a stick so the milk came out from that point. That’s why it is known as the “valley of milk”.

5. Srinagar: Srinagar is the biggest city of Kashmir which is also known as the capital of Kashmir. It also has scenic views, places to visit and many more things to do.

How to prepare for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?

Exploration and traveling to various heights requires some pre-trek work to be done so For all the adventure seekers to your dream destination, it is important to note and know how to prepare for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. It is often important to take care of important things and have a good preparation before beginning with the trek. Here are some of the key points to consider while preparing for the trek. Kashmir Great Lakes is a very long trek. So if you want to complete the trek you must start increasing your stamina. We have to cover about 15 km per day.

• Fitness: In treks fitness doesn't only mean physical fitness and stamina building, but also mental toughness and determination to complete the hiking through uneven, terrains and differing altitudes. It is important to have physical fitness in terms of stamina, strength, power etc but along with that having mental toughness to be able to survive in any weather condition, terrain, unevenness, determination and consistency throughout the trek is equally significant factor for any successful trek.
• Independent trekking or Group trekking: An experienced trekker can go on a individual trek but if there's no past experience in trekking then its advisable to have a guide for the trek or go on Kashmir Great Lakes trek package which gives both joyful experience and meeting new people and understanding and living new experiences and also because this trek needs a thorough knowledge regarding the trails and it falls under the category of moderate to difficult level.
• Health condition: Before getting on board with the trek consult a doctor and have a body checkup. Increase your intake of complex carbohydrates to energize your body. Build a habit of drinking enough water in a day and stay hydrated.

What to carry for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?

Some of the things required on the Trek:

• Poncho / Raincoat: Poncho is made of waterproof and dust proof fabric; poncho is a big coat in which you can put your bag. Raincoats are also made of water repellent material.
• Waterproof Jacket / Windcheater: These jackets which are waterproof will help you to be dry & warm. Windcheaters will also help you to be safe from high speed wind.
• Trekking Poles: This trek pole is the necessary accessory which every one must have because it helps you to balance on the muddy trail or rocky trail.
• Trekking Boots: One more necessary thing required on a trek. But in the monsoon season, you must have water-repellent boots.
• Extra Pair of undergarments and socks: Carry extra undergarments and socks, if one pair gets wet. Moving in wet pairs may cause many problems, and you must take out the wet ones to dry ones.
• Waterproof Socks: Waterproof Socks are also present in the market; you can buy them. These socks are made to have three layers which make them stretchable, durable and keep your feet dry.
• Trekking Pants: This fabric is also water resistant so it does not allow water to touch your body.
• Bag Cover: In the rainy season, there may be rain which might get you wet; to save the bag, you need a bag cover that will not let the bag get wet.
• Power Bank: Everyone on the tour has electronic items. so you all must have a power bank to charge them. It will charge electronic devices like mobile phones, power banks, cameras, lenses, etc.
• Quick Dry Outfits: All the trekkers should have quick dry outfits so if they get wet then it will take less time to dry.
• Mosquito Repellent: In the monsoon season, there will be too many mosquitos and the chances of mosquito bites are higher, so you must carry mosquito repellent to protect yourself. if the mosquito bites you more so there will be chances of dengue & malaria.
• Anti-Bacterial and anti-fungal Cream: Anti-bacterial cream is used to protect the skin from bacterial skin infections which may happen due to rain. anti-fungal cream would help the skin to be safe from any fungus due to water.
• Water Bottle: On trekking, a trekker must keep him/her hydrated. so they must have a water bottle with them so anytime when they feel thirsty you can drink it.
• Backpack or Rucksack: You can buy a waterproof Rucksack that saves your things from getting wet in the monsoon season.
• Plastic Bags: Take extra plastic bags if you want to keep anything else safe from water.

Tips to take care of during KGL Trek

• Before you begin with KGL Trek:

It is important to be aware of the news of Kashmir and stay updated about the current weather conditions and predictions for the upcoming days when you will be traveling to that region. Though it's never there has never been any major issue in the trekking area it is always advisable to keep a buffer day after your expected completion date of KGL trek. Before you leave for the KGL trek inform someone about your trekking and expected return only for your safety.

• During:

KGL trek is surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful lakes but the difficulty arises because of the long trails where one has to trek for many kms in one day and this long distance makes the trek difficult. The Kashmir Great Lakes trek will fall under the category of Moderate to difficult so don't underestimate the trek of KGL. One of the important factors of this KGL trek is that you start from a different point and travel to another point, so you cannot keep things at base camp. Because you will have to carry your things throughout the trek it is better to carry a light bag. Because the KGL trek is long it is important to Stay hydrated. The most sensible thing to do to protect yourself from changing weather conditions is to dress up in layers. Termed as India’s prettiest Trek, KGL is famous for its serene beauty and as an environment lover and responsible citizen and a traveler it is our collective duty to maintain cleanliness and don’t throw garbage in the lakes.

How to reach Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?

• Airways: There are two major airports one is Srinagar International Airport (SXR) and the other one is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) in Leh, which are well connected with major cities in India including Delhi,Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore. Cabs and private shuttles are available at both airports in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Railways: Jammu Tawi is the most connected railway station in Jammu and Kashmir. It connects Jammu with other major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata etc.
• Roadways: From Delhi take a bus or car ride to Srinagar and then take a 3-hour drive to Narang Village from where the trek begins.

How difficult is the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?

KGL trek is surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful lakes but this may overshadow your idea about difficulty of trek. The Kashmir Great Lakes Trekking is of moderate level. The path on which we are going to trek is the infusion of beautiful sightseeing, muddy trail, rocky trail, lake view, valley view, ascends & descends.

Best time to do Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

The best time to visit Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is July to September because in these months there are the beautiful meadows, greenery is everywhere so you will have the best view & feel on this trip. The temperature is also going to be good this time, it will be around 15 to 30 degree celsius.

FAQs

1. Is Kashmir Great Lakes Trek safe?

Yes it is safe though there is always a cloud of uncertainty around it about the safety in Kashmir valley but trekkers have been going on Kashmir Great Lakes Trek for years and have successfully completed the trek without any safety issues. There are various army camps to ensure a more secure environment for trekkers.

2. How difficult is the KGL trek?

KGL trek falls under the category of Moderate-difficult level.

3. How long is the Kashmir Great Lakes trek?

The Kashmir Great Lakes trek covers a distance of 70-75 km.

4. How many days does it take to complete the Kashmir Great Lakes trek package?

It will take around 7-8 days to complete the KGL trek.

Explore our popular Kashmir Packages: Kashmir Offbeat, Charismatic Kashmir Tour, and Kashmir Summer Edition

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Know Before You Go

Route changes, postponement, delay, or finishing the trek a day earlier: Under some extraordinary circumstance, your trek may end a day earlier or start a day later. This may become necessary due to inclement weather, heavy rainfall conditions, political restrictions, or any other cause. In the event of a change, postponement or delay, participants have no right to refund of the trek (in whole or in part) or other compensation for any injury, loss or damage. Trek fee is not charged broken down in terms of days but is a composite fee for the whole trek.

In such a case, we will look for the best possible alternatives, as feasible. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of safety, comfort and general wellbeing as per the call taken by locals, the driver and your trek leader.

Only postpaid mobile sim cards (Jio, Airtel and BSNL) work in Kashmir Valley. There’s no cellular connectivity from Day 02 to Day 06 of the trek.