Kashmir Great Lakes is one of the most beautiful treks in India. No question. It validates Kashmir’s mythical status as heaven on earth. This is because the trek is set on a canvas that’s larger than life. It is situated 75 km northeast of Srinagar. Every day is a 360° panorama of wild, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, and turquoise alpine lakes. And you get more than six of these lakes and five very different valleys to explore! The range of landscape makes it a moderate-difficult trek spanning over six days. This means it has long trekking days with steep ascents and descents with no easy exit points. So, it’s not meant for a beginner who hasn’t been exposed to high-altitude treks. Having said that, the challenges are worth it. Each day is postcard-perfect, with a new alpine lake to look forward to. What makes these lakes even prettier are the snow patches that feed these lakes. You see them sliding off the serrated mountains into the lakes. Sometimes you’ll see milky white icebergs floating on the lake’s inky blue surface. And then there are meadows of Kashmir. These meadows come in every shape and size, sometimes many in a day. After this trek, every other trek feels as though it is a movie on a small screen. Kashmir Great Lakes, however, is an IMAX 3D experience – such is the grandeur of the trek. If you have not done this trek, put it on your bucket list!.
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Drive Duration: 2 hours | Drive Distance: 50 km | Trek distance: 11.6 km | Trek Duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude gain: 8,625 ft to 11,607 ft | Pick-up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar
Important Note: Reach Srinagar on your own and meet the Indiahikes team at 6 pm a day before your trek starts. Your rental gear collection will take place at Srinagar at a common place, close to Dal Lake.
Transport will be organised at 5.30 am from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar. The cab cost is Rs 600 per person and needs to be paid directly to the driver.
Trek distance: 13.5 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude gain: 11,607 ft to 12,011 ft via 13,229 ft
Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of gradual ascent followed by an hour-long climb to the pass. A steep descent from the pass for about an hour easing off into a flat walk. .
Trek distance: 16 km | Trek Duration: 7.5 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 12,011 ft to 10,706 ft via 13,715 ft
Trek type: Moderate difficult. 1.5-2 hours of steep ascent followed by 1 hour of steep descent, easing off into level walk.
Trek distance: 11.5 km | Trek Duration: 4.5 hours | Altitude gain: 10,706 ft to 11,985 ft Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of steep ascent followed by a level walk.
Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of steep ascent followed by a level walk.
Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,985 ft to 11,486 ft via 13,276 ft
Trek type: Difficult. 30 minutes each of gradual ascent followed by steep ascent for about 45 minutes and then a steep descent. Similarly ascending and descending trail all through.
Trek distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,486 ft to 7,800 ft Drive Distance: 2 hours | Drive Duration: 50 km
Trek type: Moderate. A mix of ascents and descents for 6 km followed by a very steep descent all the way down. You should reach Srinagar by 6 pm.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
If the buffer day is used, you have to pay us Rs 1,800 per day + 5% GST. The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day.