Kashmir is paradise on Earth, attracting mountaineers and hikers worldwide. Kashmir is known for its snow-clad Himalayan mountains, verdant meadows, and alpine lakes. The Kashmir Great Lakes journey is a picturesque trekking experience in the beautiful Kashmir valleys. There are over 2000 alpine lakes in Kashmir, but not everyone is trekkable or open for tourism.
However, the Great Lakes Trek in Kashmir is one of Kashmir's best, most beautiful, and most promising treks.
The best time to trek this challenging yet rewarding experience is mid-July and late August. Why these months? The blog below answers all this.
To head to Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, the months between July to August are perfect. Here is why:
The trek is moderate to challenging. Unless you are an experienced trekker, you cannot trek alone here. You will trek every day for 10–11 km, and it does require a lot of stamina and strength.
The day you reach Srinagar, you will move to a hotel and get accustomed to the weather of Srinagar. On day 1, you can enjoy an evening stroll while visiting the vibrant market and historical sites.
On day 2, you reach Sonamarg after a drive of 3 hours. To reach Sonamarg, the base point of the trek, take a state or private transportation.
It is time to start your trek from Sonamarg to Nichol. It is the first campsite of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, at an altitude of 11,500 ft. You cover 11 km in 8–9 hours with a stay at Nichnai.
From Sonamarg, you will trek to Vishansar Lake, an alpine lake at KGL situated at a height of 13,100 ft, which you cover 10–11 hours.
From Vishansar Lake, you will head to Gadsar Lake, situated at a height of 13,750 ft. It is a 14-kilometer trail. The trail’s air is thinner here, so you need to stay hydrated too.
The trail takes you to Satsar Lake; it is a bit of a descent here. The total distance you cover in Hebrew will be 9 km, which you will cover in 6-7 hours.
On day 7, you reach the final stage of your trek—the Gangabal Twin Lake. The distance is 11 km long, which you can cover in 8–9 hours.
From July to September, the trek is open for these three months. However, the best option is July and August. During these months, the weather is especially impressive with spectacular views. The trek is also moderately challenging, so you will need a good fitness level. But if you are an experienced trekker, you can trek here alone. Otherwise, it is recommended that you trek along with a known guide.
The total distance of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is 75 km, which you can cover in 6 or 7 days. On average, you will trek every day for 10–11 km.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is safe as it is in the remote regions of Kashmir. It is not near any region with safety issues. Near the trail, there is an army camp, and most camps are near the army camps. So, it is safe, and you make tons of memories too. But political unrest happens, and if that happens, we will call off the trek, and we will require your full cooperation.
It is a tough choice as both the treks are vastly different but both are equally beautiful. The decision about which trek to do will depend on your fitness level. The KGL trek requires more fitness than the Tarsar Marsar trek. The former is challenging as you need to cross three mountain passes and cover long distances every day. If you have a good fitness level or are experienced, go for it. Otherwise, you should go for the Tarsar Marsar trek.
Yes, you should book this trek in advance because you can trek it between July and September only. So, booking in advance is necessary.
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