Introduction
Kashmir is renowned for its incredible natural beauty, snow-capped mountains stunning rivers, as well as its an extensive cultural heritage. In the past, the word Kashmir is believed to mean “desiccated zone” (Ka water and Shimeera desiccate). From the winter paradise that is Gulmarg to the stunning grasslands of Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Aru, and Betab valley, Kashmir’s tourist spots offer a wide range of attractions and activities to see. Kashmir is the home of Dal Lake, Tullian Lake, Chenab River, Jhelum River as well as other gorgeous river and lake.
The Fantastic Lakes Trek is one of Kashmir’s most beautiful treks
Incredible morning views of The Tabletop at Shekdur campsite. Shekdur campsite.
In the Kashmir, Great Lakes walk along the Great Lakes, the Shekdur campground is the initial stop (also called Tabletop). It’s a huge pasture with plain meadows, and is which are surrounded by mountains and woods. From this point of view, you are able to see what is known as the Sonamarg valley. From this vantage point the sunrises are breathtaking. The shepherd’s house in the area which you can purchase Tea, Kava, and Maggie snacks.
The constantly changing landscape
The trek begins in Sitkari which is a tiny village close to Sonamarg and ends in Sonamarg. The path begins ascending and then descending through dense forest, with a few crossings of streams and rivers. As you climb higher to the top, you’ll travel across endless meadows and landscapes with a variety of brown and green hues.
You’ll also travel over high-altitude passes such as Nichnai Pass, Gadsar Pass as well as Zaj Pass, which may be covered in snow based on the conditions. There are trails that lead to stunning lakes that are alpine every day. Massive boulder sections and challenging trails can be seen in the final days of hiking. The trails are dusty when you come to Naranag town, after that the trail is a steep drop.
It is the Kashmiri population and the warm and welcoming culture.
The first 7 days on your stay in this stunning region, you’ll be hiking and trekking in the land of simple and dust is not as plentiful. You can learn more about Kashmiri lifestyle on an excursion called the Great Lakes of Kashmir excursion. There will be lots of smiles and their simplicity will be awe-inspiring. Since the hike links the Sonamarg valley to the Naranag hamlet, you’ll come across a few people.
The nomadic Gujjar as well as Bakharwal tribesmen stay in shepherd’s homes along the trails together with their livestock. There are few people who are more humble and gracious than the people of these. We experienced bad weather and heavy rains on several occasions during my time through Adventure Pulse last year and we were fortunate enough that we could find shelter in the shepherd’s cabin which was where we received the hot beverage of tea and food. Following the trip we stayed on an apartment on the river.
The hike offers a unique adventure with different challenges.
Many reasons make it is for a variety of reasons that the Great Lakes Trek in Kashmir is an opportunity that you will not get again. The trek offers a wide assortment of views and spectacular views of snow-capped peaks like Mt. Harmukh. Because of its geology as well as changes in weather, it is distinct from other areas in the Indian Himalayas. The nature of this remote region offers a unique appeal that isn’t found anywhere other within the Indian Himalayas. It is worth it. Great Lakes Hike in Kashmir is a strenuous hike. Anyone who is new to hiking will appreciate this hike.
This hike, on contrary, requires an extreme fitness level and preparation. A number of difficult climbing sections and climbs on the hike will put your mental and physical endurance to the test. While the ascent may not as strenuous as the previous treks, proper acclimatization essential. Additionally, based on the weather conditions, extreme cold temperatures can be expected in the evening. In order to reach at the Nichnai as well as Gadsar Pass, one will have to exert some effort. There’s always a significant chance of rain when traveling through the pass, therefore one should be well-prepared in the event of rain. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible, due to the above factors.
Beautiful campsites set in vast meadows and along lakesides.
Each day, you’ll be camping in beautiful meadows along the banks of the mountain lakes. The camping spots along the Great Lakes journey are all gorgeous, but the one near Krishnasar Lake was my personal most favorite. In the event that the moonlight becomes dim at night, you could observe millions of stars as well as those of the Milky Way. The views of sunset and sunrise from the campsites were amazing. It’s always a good idea to add an extra day or two to your travel itinerary to give yourself a buffer day to allow you to spend the day in one of the campgrounds and enjoy the natural stunning scenery.
