Kashmir is not just a place but an emotion that every person wants to experience. The surreal beauty of this gorgeous paradise has been defined by several poets, authors, and philosophers. The beauty of the Kashmir Valley is beyond description but yet many celebrities have tried to quote the beauty of Kashmir in words. With the gushing rivers, shiny waterfalls, picturesque surroundings, and lush green forests, it has always appealed to tourists & trekkers. Amir Khusro's famous quote on Kashmir "Gar firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin ast" (If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here) has justified the splendour of this place in the most perfect way.
Kashmir Great Lake (KGL) is spellbound, not just by the trek but by the eternal beauty that the trail has offered me. This blog is a very humble tribute to this great valley, its people, culture and nature.
You’ve probably never heard of this trek before, or maybe you’ve just heard about it. That’s because, according to our trek guide, the trail reopened only some 10 years ago. Before that, it had been cordoned off due to the increasing military unrest.
How To Reach?
Shutkati is the base village for the Kashmir Great Lake Trek located right on the Srinagar-Leh highway and falls under Sonmarg Town. Shutkati is 80 km from Srinagar. There is no direct connectivity to the base village or Sonmarg from Mumbai. But Srinagar has decent connectivity from Mumbai and from Srinagar you can reach the base village easily for Kashmir Great Lake Trek. From Srinagar, it would take you 2-3 hrs with breaks to reach our base village Shutkati. The route to reach Shutkati: Mumbai - Srinagar - Nagbal - Ganderbal - Shutkati (Sonmarg). So, the closest city to Sonmarg is Srinagar which is also well connected to other cities by all means of transportation. Here are some of the options for the people directly coming from Mumbai.
Via Train From Mumbai: The journey from Mumbai to Srinagar by train is a little long, however, it is the best way to commute between the two destinations if one is travelling with a big group or friends. There is no direct train to Srinagar but there is one to Jammu. The train Jammu Tawi Special (09021) is the most preferred train from Mumbai to Jammu. Other trains are Vivek Express (19027) and Swaraj Express (12471). From Jammu, travellers can either board a train or hire a taxi to reach Srinagar. The train journey will take 36 hours to cover Mumbai to Srinagar distance by train. The distance between both places is around 2208 kilometres.
Via Air From Mumbai (recommended): Srinagar has flight connectivity from Mumbai, but there is only three direct flight. So if you plan this trip well in advance as I did, you can get a round way direct flight for ₹ 13,000 and with a layover of between 2-3 hours, you can get it for ₹ 10,000. Sometimes, flights to Srinagar can be quite expensive.
I recommend taking the earliest flight possible so that you reach the base village in daylight or travel a day earlier and take a night stay in Srinagar (Coming Soon: Things to do in Srinagar Blog).
Via Delhi: If you are on a budget, please consider flying via Delhi and travelling to Srinagar by bus or train. This option is cheaper but demands more time for travel.
How to Reach KGL Base Village (Shutkati, Sonmarg) from Srinagar?
Once you reach Srinagar, you can continue your journey to Sonamarg through various means.
The best journey of life comes in a short and sweet package and this road journey will be nothing less. The drive of 100 km from Srinagar Airport to Sonamarg just takes around 3 hours. The roads to Sonmarg are flat throwing open views of expansive landscapes. Once you cross 30 kilometres, the roads run parallel to the mighty Sindh River on one side and have village-style villas on another side. About 50 kilometres into the drive, the cityscape ends and the roads open up to apple orchards, lush gardens, snow-capped mountains, and a few military check posts on either side.
Cab / Taxi:
If you are travelling in a group of 4-6 members would recommend hiring a direct car, you can hire a private car to Sonamarg right outside the Srinagar airport. The journey takes around 3 hours and costs Rs. 2400 (fixed rate) but stick to travelling in the daylight. The distance between the airport and the base village is 80 km and it will take 2-3 hours.
Another option is via shared taxi, which will overall take 4 - 4.5 hours and cost around Rs. 360 for the complete journey from Srinagar to Sonmarg, but not worth it. The route would be Srinagar Airport - TRC Stand - Soura - Kangan - Sonmarag.
Public / Private Bus:
To travel by bus, you will first need to approach the TRC bus stand counter one day before the journey. They have daily buses going from Srinagar to Leh at 8 am. Sonamarg is on the way and the ticket costs around Rs. 240. However, it usually takes a long time (at least 5 hours) to reach there as they are mail buses.
There is also a JKSRTC bus network with direct buses to Sonamarg. However, these are not very frequent, so, it’s better first to contact the JKSRTC to get all the required details.
By Trek Organizer Transport:
This is the best & safe option to travel from Srinagar to the base village. The vehicle can also pick you up from any point that falls on the route to Sonamarg upon prior notice. The cost of the cab is usually split amongst trekkers or the charges are included in the trek cost.
Where to Stay?
Shutkati is a small village, so it has a limited number of homestays & food points. You can find a few along the highway and at the Zmorh Tunnel deviation point, but nothing fancy. So your first night in "Meadow Of Gold" (Sonmarg) would be in the tent pitched along with the Sindh River. (Drop a mail at thetravelblueprint@gmail.com if you want any help to plan this trek ).
Kashmir Great Lake Trek
Day 1: Base Village Shutkati
Campsite: Shutkati (Start Point) | Max. Altitude: 7800 ft.
After a full day of travel, your body needs to rest, so on day one you would just travel to base camp and get your body to acclimatize to the new climate. The temperature at the base camp would be 25°C during the day and at night drop to 19°C. So your body must get acclimatized to the climate. Before going to bed you need to prepare your bag. You can carry your bag and trek or you have an option to offload your bag to be carried by the horse. Since KGL, is the pass trek, it will start from one point and end at another point, so you cannot leave your things at the base village. Incase of offloading prepare two separate bags one with the thing that you will need during the treks and one big one with other things. Do checkout the what to pack section for details.
Day 2: Sonmarg to Nichnai
Campsite: Nichnai | Max. Altitude: 11,500 ft | Distance: 14 km approx.
The trek begins at 8 am and across the campsite is the starting point of the trek. The trails from the starting point are well marked and gain elevation with gradual ascends. The beginning is a very steep climb that goes for about thirty minutes and the trails open up to expansive meadows painted in a royal green shade. Once you reach the meadow area, do not forget to look behind. You can witness Shitkadi, a charming village at the banks of the Sindh River, and Sonmarg Village. The rustic Kashmiri architecture and the flow of the river blend to paint a picturesque portrait along with gorgeous surrounding peaks. This is just 2 km from the campsite On the other side you can see the Maple and pine trees forest, rocky terrains and pretty meadows.
Another 30 minutes of walk and you will reach the first army checkpoint post, where your id and registration details would be verified by the army. If you have a message to send or a call to make to your love once, do it here. Because you don't get a phone network beyond this point.
The target of the day is to cross five hamlet hilltops (the best I remember), and a long forest walk. The initial steep climb will continue for 3-4 hours more than 1 hour of the moderate climb through the forest area, the view grows wider and more spectacular. After the moderate climb, the elevations stop and a flat stretch of grassland, resembling the top of a table, comes into view. This point is known as the Table-Top Point and has a "dhaba" (food point). The smooth grasses and the gentle breeze here will remind you of the familiar warmth of a mother's lap. During small breaks, you can sit on the silky grassland, stretch your leg and enjoy the true comforts of nature.
The trail and the climate drastically change from the tabletop point. The trail penetrates a forest area filled with Himalayan Birch trees and open terrain with absolutely no place to take cover but lots of places where you can stop and soak in the view around you, go ahead and sit and lean on those hammock-shaped trees.
Although, I got exceptionally good weather on all the days, however, the last 45 min on the first day gave us a good experience of how bad & dangerous it can get. I was about to reach the campsite in the evening when all of a sudden, the skies poured down in vengeance and it caught me by surprise. There was lightning & loud thunder for a few minutes. Strange thoughts ran into my head. I wondered whether I would be hit by lightning & probably this was how I was to die! Rain & hail lashed down on us really hard.
The one thing which is completely unpredictable on this trek is the weather. Half the time you will be getting yourself in and out of a fleece jacket or by the time you put on your poncho, you might get wet or the rain will stop. So keep everything handy.
It will take another two hours to cross the forest area and land on the valley side. You will notice that a silky stream of glacial water flows to your right hand aside, on its way to join the Sindh River. The ascents from this point will be smooth and directly lead us to the Nichnai campsite where you will be with curious neighbours Mehhhs! (large herds of sheep) and the stunning views of snow-capped mountains.
Day 3: Nichnai to Vishansar
Campsite: Vishansar | Max. Altitude: 13,100 ft | Distance: 17 km approx.
After a good night's sleep, now it's time to start a fresh day with a blue sky and the golden rising sun behind the mountains. The trail on this day crosses the Nichnai Pass and is very different from the previous day. You'll walk around 7-8 hours, during which you will ascend and descend and cover vast meadows before finally making camp at a plain area, a hill away from Vishansar Lake (camping next to the lake is forbidden).
Following the fixed morning ritual 6-7-8 (Morning Tea - Breakfast - Walk On)
Started the march at 8 am with a moderate climb for a couple of hours having small boulder sections gradual ascents and easy descents before the gruelling ascents to Nichnai Pass. The pass feels like a wide tunnel with a series of snow-clad peaks on one side and an elevated land mass on the other side. Nichnai Pass is at an altitude of 11,500 ft. The ascent to the pass is moderate, a bit daunting, and strenuous but the smooth transition of colours and scenic views will keep you motivated to keep going.
Nichnai pass holds spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, small peaks, and a wide range of the Kashmir Valleys.
Once on the pass, you will be exuberant with your first success. Standing there on the rocky top, the roving eye could just see rugged peaks all around, jutting out into the sky. You might have to turn around many times to get a complete 360 view of the place. You can fill your cameras with the moments, selfies one after the other, not wanting to miss anything and indulge in some hot food at the last "dhaba" (food point).
Marching onwards will be a steep descent from the pass for about a couple of hours followed by hours of flat walk through meadows with grazing sheep. This day is not about gaining altitude but walking on flat trails with tremendously beautiful green views at every turn, through the grasslands of heaven which almost felt unreal to me.
It will take about 2 hours to cross this grassland and at the end of the stretch lies your campsite for the day near the Vishansar stream.
Day 4: Vishansar to Gadsar
Campsite: Gadsar | Max. Altitude: 13,750 ft | Distance: 12 km approx.
The trail on this day has everything, beginning with two-star attractions of the KGL trek the twin lakes Vishnasar and Kishanasar lake, a difficult upward ascend to Gadsar Pass than steep descent and another star attraction Gadsar Lake.
Following the fixed morning ritual, on this day you start marching by 8 am.
About a15 minutes walk you will get the first glimpse of the first lake of the trek, Vishansar Lake from the top of a slope at a distance - shining, calmly in the morning sun under Vishansar Peak. The first sight of this alpine lake and words will vanish from your mind. It's like an emerald gem, half of it surrounded by mountains that had glaciers melting into the lake. An indomitable focus will take over your sight and make your travel inwards, deeper within the realms of reality and truth. You will experience a speechless moment with a clear state of mind.
Spend some time here before moving on to Kishansar Lake. It takes another 15 minutes to reach the second lake. The diameter, texture, look, and feel of the Kishansar, look similar to the Vishansar Lake. Even nature's offsprings come in pairs. They are no less than identical twins.
This day is the toughest day, though that's not what the guide will have you believe. Not that the other days are easy, but on this particular day, the trail teases you and plays with your head like never before. That's how I felt atleast as I reached camp after 9 hours of walking. It starts right at the Kishansar Lake which has a big meadow spread out on its right and in front, a ridge line rises sharply, this is what you have to cross today. The trail initially ascends gradually and transforms into a narrow ridge and from halfway you can see the beautiful top view of Twin Lake - Vishansar & Kishansar.