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Great Lakes Trek

The Mountain Hike, Uttarakhand  >  Great Lakes Trek

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GREAT LAKES TREK

GREAT LAKES TREK




Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is one of the Top Treks in India and it is the most popular trek in Kashmir,. The stellar beauty of five alpine lakes lapped in the dreamscape of Kashmir - can you think of a more beautiful combination? Kashmir Great Lakes is a name that sets every trekker's heart racing - and for good reason! The Great Lakes of Kashmir Trek is easily the most beautiful, picture-perfect, postcard-worthy trek we run. The trail of this Himalayan Trekking leads you through five alpine lakes, each as beautiful as the other. The lakes follow one after the other every day, making each day equally exciting. Remember the rush and excitement of a pass day/summit day? Well, multiply all of that by 5, and you have the Kashmir Great Lakes Trekking - each day a beautiful, new lake to look forward to. What's more interesting is that you get to see these lakes just as they are being fed by the snow-clad mountains. If you are lucky enough, you may even chance upon an occasional iceberg floating across the pristine blues and greens of the lake. The beautiful, albeit distorted reflections of the surrounding mountains on the surface of the lake, is also something to look forward to. Given the arduous, undulating trail, Kashmir Great Lakes Trekking demands commendable fitness.



Trekking Alpine Lakes in the Himalayas plunges into the beautiful, lush meadows of Kashmir, each one competing with the other in terms of beauty. Every day brings a new meadow to explore. From pine and maple lining the meadows to the verdant valleys of Kashmir, the trek is essentially a patchwork of different terrains. On the fourth day of the trek, you can see the sweeping Satsar Plains looking phenomenal as a gurgling stream snakes through the middle. Climbing up to 13,800 ft., Kashmir great lakes trek difficulty is fairly challenging and demands a rigorous fitness regime to be followed. The fitter you are, the more you can explore. If you are a nature lover, you cannot miss this trek! If adventure and mountain trails are your callings, book your Kashmir Great Lakes trek in India with us. Check out the Kashmir great lakes trek guide now and Kashmir great lakes trek reviews. Head to our dates for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek 2019 and book your slots today.

Day 1 : Getting to base camp - Arrive at Shitkadi

Shitkadi is a beautiful, quaint little place just a few kilometers beyond Sonamarg. The drive to Shitkadi is very picturesque and will take around 4 hours. You will reach the campsite by evening.
Note: The pick you up will be arranged from Tourist Reception Center, Near Dal Gate 1 from 12 pm -1 pm. Cost of 5-6 seater cab is approx Rs. 4,500 Which is shared between the fellow trekkers.

Day 2 : Trek from Sonamarg to Nichnai via Shekdur

The Kashmir Great Lakes trek begins about 3 km away from Sonamarg, along the Srinagar road. Once you cross 3 km, a solitary little dhaba can be seen on your right. If you’re short on edible supplies, this dhaba is the last place until Naranag to buy them. The trail follows a moderate ascent for the first 3 hours, followed by an hour-long descent before another mild ascent leads you to Nichnai. After the first 10 minutes, the trail climbs into a lush, green meadow that offers sweeping views of Sonamarg. Another 30 minutes into the trek, trees of maple and pine spring around, beyond which the trail dips down to a small stream and then moves up again. You’re now treading through a dense Maple forest – a dreamy experience that is exclusive to Kashmir treks. Continue along the trail climbing up until the forest finally ends at a ridge, giving you a beautiful glimpse of the Sonamarg valley.
You now begin descending to another meadow graced generously by beautiful trees of Silver Birch. What comes next is a beautiful blanket of greenery that spans the meadow. There are a few books here where you can refill your water bottles. The right side of the meadow is the Shekdur meadow and is flanked by lofty, snow-capped peaks. Have your lunch under the canopy of the Bhoj trees that Shekdur is home to. The trail dips gently into a beautiful Silver Birch forest, after which it climbs back up to a river valley. This is the beginning of Nichnai. Soon, the inviting meadow of Nichani opens up, perched in the laps of two mountain ranges. Camp overnight at Nichnai.

Day 3 : Trek from Nichnai to Vishnusar Lake

It is a slight long day, with the trail winding through yet another set of lovely meadows. There is also a noticeable change in scenery beyond Nichnai! We start early in the morning by 08:00 AM so that there’s sufficient time for you to wander around and admire the beauty of the meadows. The Nichnai Pass or Vishnusar Berry almost marks the halfway point of the day’s trek. About half an hour later, a river-crossing awaits you and the trail runs along the left bank of the river. The trail now begins ascending gradually through the meadow, with the pass being just an hour’s climb away now. The climb to Nichani pass is a moderate one before it descends and eases off into a flat walk as you approach Vishnusar Lake. Nichnai Pass opens up yet again to stunning views of the Sonamarg valley. You can get a decent BSNL connection here. The climb to Nichani pass is a fast one, and you can actually feel the altitude shift even as you climb. Nothing to worry about though, as, beyond the pass, the trail begins depending quickly into a large meadow through which a beautiful river flows. The meadow stretches for another half hour till the valley ends. You can now see a whispering stream here, which originated from Vishnusar Lake. Settle here for the camp, and rest for a while. The lake is now only 500 meters away. It bears a striking reflection of the Kishansar peak. The color of the lake changes throughout the day, depending on the weather and skies. The next destination to explore is the Kishansar lake, just 500 meters away from Vishnusar lake. It thrives right at the foot of the Kishansar peak and takes 45 minutes to reach. It is accompanied by a magnificent meadow on the right, while the ridge on another end of the lake rises up to the famous Gadsar Pass.

Day 4 : Trek from Vishnusar to Gadsar Via Kishansar lake & Gadsar Pass

The trek starts from the side of Kishansar Lake, and the trail leads to the ridge’s top. Follow the narrow trail that unfolds along the mountain side, and stick to the ascending trail. Reaching the top should take you about 1.5 hours or 2, depending on your pace. Soon, you are treated with the views of Vishnusar and Kishansar lakes in entirety. It is a rare view and follows you right up to the tip of the ridge i.e. Gadsar Pass. Reigning atop 13,800 ft., Gadsar Pass is the highest point of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. The ascent is a steep one, and takes about 2 hours, followed by an equally steep descent which eases out into a mild walk through the meadows. You can see some tall and lofty mountains in the distance; these are beyond our Line of Control. You will most likely find some snow at the pass.
Yamsar Lake is the first small lake visible on your left. Another hour’s descent dips into the meadows, with two glorious ranges bordering both sides of the valley. The grassy meadow is spiked with beautiful floral colours crisscrossing its surface – an amalgamation of reds, blues, purples, and yellows. Once you enter the blue Iris region, Gadsar is not far. It thrives at foot of snowy mountains, with lovely blue flowers popping up on the side. On the other side, you can see snow slabs sliding off from the mountain and into the lake! Camp overnight near Gadsar.

Day 5 : Trek from Gadsar to Satsar

Being the trek by crossing the stream and following the trail that climbs up the mountains. The terrain starkly resembles that of the Western Ghats here. You can see the river valley and tree line right beneath you. It is a level walkthrough Maengandob, a place identified by its iconic, deep craters. The riveting views of the mountains and valleys take your breath away. Satsar is a cluster of 7 beautiful lakes On the right side, just next to the ridge is the Satsar army check post, where some ID proofs must again be shown. The first Satsar lake appears 10 minutes away from the army post. Camp overnight at Satsar.

Day 6 : Trek from Satsar to Gangabal twin lakes

The trail starts out as a mild ascent, alternating between ascents and descents. Reaching the targets Satsar lake takes about a half-hour, and the trail essentially involves hopping over boulders. This lake is the last one for the trek. The trail begins descending now as a lovely forest appears on the left. The trail is an undulating one throughout. As you reach the top for a ridge atop 13,400 ft., you can see the two beautiful lakes side by side, out of which the biggest one is Gangabal, accompanied by Nandkol. The route climbs up and down yet again followed by a stiff descent, which lasts for 1.5 hours and brings you to lush, green meadows. Another kilometer into the trail, the tree line springs up again. A short climb followed by a quick descent brings you to the lake. You can see that Nandkol lake, right at the foot of Mt. Harmukh, is not nearly as untouched and clean as the other lakes of the trek. A lot of trekking residue can be seen scattered along the sides as the trek from Naranag to Gangabal is a famous weekend trail. You can try to clean up if you want here, making sure it is in a better condition than when you had found it. Gangabal is merely 20 minutes away from Nandkol, and the two are linked by a whispering stream which must be crossed via a bridge. Camp overnight.

Day 7 : Trek from Gangabal to Naranag, Drive to Srinagar

Though it is the last day of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, it is an exhausting one and takes a toll on your knees and toes. The trail descends gradually initially, followed by a steep descent all the way. About 30 – 45 minutes into the trail you can find traces of Airtel connection. The Harmukh peak still dominated the landscape, tall and mighty as you enter a beautiful meadow with blooming yellow flowers covering its face. An hour later, the tree line emerges again, and the pine trees are a welcoming sight. We stick to the borders of the forest, instead of heading straight into it. For the next 6 km, you keep weaving in and out go the first before finally entering it. Soon, the descent becomes really steep through the pine forest. Soon, the main road of Naranag can be seen, from where Srinagar is a short drive away. The cab arrangement will be same as before. Overnight stay at Srinagar. Arrange for your stay in Srinagar.

Inclusions :-

1.Accommodation. (Guest house, Home stay, Camping)

2.Meals while on trek (Veg.+ Egg)

3.Trek equipments (Sleeping bag, mattress, Kitchen & dinning tent, crampon, utensils, tent)

4.All necessary permits and entry fees.

5.First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.

6.Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.

Exclusions :-

1.Any kind of personal expenses.

2. Food during the transit.

3. Insurance.

4. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.

5. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head

Cancellation and Refund Policy

A. Change/Cancellation of Booking by the participant

A.1.1. Process – The cancellation process is completely automated. Please login to you’re Mountain Hike account and find relevant instructions on your dashboard. You can choose your preferred mode of refund (Instant/Cash) as per the policy below and your refund would automatically be processed by the system.

A.1.2. Replacement of participant(s) – Our system allows you to seamlessly replace any of the participants in your booking through the Mountain Hike login account dashboard. Please note that this feature is applicable only when the status of the Booking is “Paid” and there are at least 5 days remaining prior to the departure date (departure date minus 5). If you are unable to replace a participant through your dashboard, then, drop an email to themountainhike@gmail.com the screenshot of the error. The new participant needs to print, sign, scan and send the undertaking form to themountainhike@gmail.com

Please note that the replacement would not be applicable on any Volvo/Train transport booked for the original participant. The same would be automatically cancelled. This is simply because the seats booked in such transport mediums are not transferrable.

A.1.3. Cash Refund: Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers. Also, the cash refunds would not be applicable in case of shifted batch bookings & if the status of the Booking is “Booked”.

The Refund of the amount would be processed as per deduction guidelines outlined below:

  1. Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date – 5% deduction
  2. Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure – 50% deduction
  3. Less than 15 days of departure – No Cash Refund

All cancellation refunds will be processed back to the bank account or the credit card account from which the event fee has been paid. The amount for refund processing would always be calculated basis the net amount paid* for booking the event w.r.t the Base Price of the event (excluding additional components like transport, insurance, rent, portage, etc.).

A.1.4. Voucher Refund: This option is available for all types of bookings including the bookings made under promotional offers.

The Mountain Hike would offer you a short term voucher that would enable you with a flexibility to book any other The Mountain Hike event using the voucher. The option of claiming a voucher is available till 5 day prior to the departure of the event. The Refund of the amount would be processed as per deduction guidelines outlined below:

  1. Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date – No deduction
  2. Less than 5 days prior to departure – No Refund

The amount for refund processing would always be calculated basis the net amount paid* for booking the event w.r.t the Base Price of the event (excluding additional components like transport, insurance, rent, portage, etc.). Please note that the voucher issued would not include the service tax amount paid while making the booking. However, when you use the voucher to book again on our website, service tax would not be applicable on the voucher amount. Validity of the voucher would be 10 months from the date of issue.

*Net Amount Paid would be the amount paid to The Mountain Hike Ak at the time of booking after adjusting for all rebates provided by applying vouchers.

Please note that any additional transport bookings are completely non-refundable, be it cash or voucher refund. For e.g. If you have booked Monal Top Trek by paying a base prices of INR 6,950 along with the transportation from Dehradun to Village Wan and back, and with portage and insurance, then in case of postponement or cancellation, only the base price of INR 6,950 would be considered for calculations of refund as per the slabs defined above or for the matter of issuing a voucher (for postponement cases). The additional transport fee deposited is completely non-refundable.

A.2. In case of Cancellation or change initiated by The Mountain Hike

The Mountain Hike reserves the right to cancel your booking or change any of the facilities, services or prices described in our brochures or website. We will endeavour to advise you of any changes known at the time of booking. We plan the arrangements for your events many months in advance and may occasionally have to make minor changes..Transport timings and carriers shown or communicated on our website are for guidance only and are subject to change.

However in the field of adventure activities, there are many variables beyond our control like weather conditions, landslides, road situations and any other force majeure conditions. Circumstances amounting to “force majeure” include any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not even with all due care, foresee or forestall such as (by way of example and not by way of limitation) war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, industrial disputes, actual or threatened terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks and pandemics, ban by local authorities, acts of God, unavoidable and unforeseeable technical problems with transport for reasons beyond our control or that of our suppliers, closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other actual or potential adverse weather conditions, and any other similar events. In such situations we might be forced to change the itinerary or even cancel an event. In case of a change /cancellation, you will have the choice of either:

Accepting a replacement event from us of equivalent or similar standard and price (at the date of the change), if we are able to offer you one; or Cancelling your event, in which case you shall receive a full refund*, including all the components paid by you (transport, base fee, taxes).

*The refund would always be in the form of a voucher (validity 6 months) if the change or cancellation arises from circumstances amounting to “force majeure” or from any other reason beyond our control. However, for cancellations made otherwise (low participation due to cancellation by other participants), the participant would have a choice between voucher of 6 month validity or cash refund. Please note that in case you have made the booking using a voucher, cash refund would only be made for the part paid in cash. However, we will reactivate your consumed voucher with an additional validity of 6 month.

A.3 In case of changes/cancellation of the event after departure

A.3.1. When the change or cancellation arise from circumstances amounting to “force majeure” or for any other reason beyond our control The Mountain Hike shall not be liable to refund the amount already deposited.

A.3.2. When the change or cancellation arising otherwise: We will, wherever possible, make suitable alternative arrangements. If we are unable to make such alternative arrangements, or you reject the same for good reason then we will return you to your point of departure and refund you for any unused services, as appropriate. The refund would be primarily made in the form of a voucher (6 month validity). However, in case the participant desires, the same amount can also be refunded in cash.

A.4. In case of drop out by the participant in between the event We shall not be liable to make any refund in such situation. The participant would also have to pay additionally for unplanned expenses on planning and executing the retreat of the participant on actual basis. In case suitable arrangements for retreat are not possible, The Mountain Hike reserves the right to deny such drop out in between the event.

A.5. In case of early return from an event In situations wherein the participant(s) return early from the event due to the event being completed earlier than estimated or wherein due to force majeur conditions, the participant(s) had to return early, in such cases, any extra service(s) availed or extra night(s) accommodation booked, etc., the participant will have to bear the expenses incurred.

A.6. In case of Emergency Evacuation While we do have first aid and experts available on all our events but still there might be situations under which an emergency evacuation might be needed. We are committed to make a safe evacuation for you in case of an emergency. We would make necessary and adequate arrangements for your evacuation till the nearest road head that is well connected by road, and would also help you in boarding a vehicle to the nearest Hospital or any other facility so required. Any additional expenses incurred, that of porters, vehicle, ambulance, hospitalization, or any other expense incurred for evacuation, would be covered by the participant

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