It is the most pristine and beautiful treks in India. This trek offers a bouquet of five large alpine lakes surrounded by wavy meadows and snow-peaked mountains. Meandering through the North-West Himalayas, this trek is a kaleidoscope of nature.
Great Lakes trek is nothing short of a lifetime experience: walking on the lush green meadows, seeing flocks of sheep dotting them, beholding the lofty mountains carrying glaciers that melt to form the undulated lakes; trekking parallel to the canals and rivulets that cut through mountains, and waking up in the morning to see the clouds drifting around your camps.
On the way, one gets a glimpse of Mount Harmukh, Gadsar peak and Mount Vishu and varied Himalayan animals like Common Leopard, Himalayan Marmot, Black Bear and many wildflowers and birds.
The enchanting beauty of the trek is such that one ascends 11000ft without realising it.
SRINAGAR -SONAMARG
Drive from Srinagar to the base camp at SHITKADI.
At SHITKADI an afternoon acclimatization three-kilometres-trek around the VALLEY OF SONMARG.
Nara Nag to Trunkhol Meadow
The first day of the Great Lakes Trek.
A three-hour ascent through a dense pine forest and then a short steady walk leading to the famous Trunkhol meadow. The meadow gives a breathtaking view of Mount Harmukh.
A night-stay at the Trunkhol meadow.
Trunkhol to Gangbal
On the second day, we start early morning trek after breakfast.
We cover a mild gradient that leads us to the first lake of the trek, the Nandansar Lake lying at the foot of Harmukh. The Harmukh, the lake and the reflection of the Harmukh in the lake make it majestic. A half an hour walk takes us into Gangbal Valley where we pitch the tents for the night stay.
Gangbal to Satsar
On the third day of the trek, we cross over the Zajball pass, the highest altitude in the entire trek. The pass turns the Gangbal valley into Satsar Valley. The trek is a repetition of ascents and descents till we reach the Satsar valley holding seven alpine lakes; we camp for the night besides those pristine lakes.
Satsar to Gadsar
Enchant yourself with long wavy meadows dotted with multicoloured flowers. The Gadsar Valley is famous for its lake and sinking river. We pitch the tents beside the Gadsar Lake.
Gadsar to Kishansar/Vishansar
We ascend the Gadsar pass that overlooks the two lakes (Kishansar and Vishansar) having both religious and historical significance. The lakes drain into Kishanganga River that meanders through Gurez valley. The Gadsar pass will give us a panoramic view of the mountain chain crossing over to the other side of Kashmir.
Kishansar/Vishansar Valley to Nichnai Valley
A mild ascent followed by a long descent will take us into the valley of Nichnai, the valley of wildflowers. We camp in the flowery meadows of Nichnai.
Nichnai to Sonamarg
On the last day of the trek, we descend into the Sonamarg valley. On the way, we get the view of the Thajwas mountain range and Bear Valley that nourish snow leopards and Himalayan Marmots. The same day, we will drive to the hotel for the night.
