All road transport by private ac cars
For Day 1 and 6 – Airport transfers, from Srinagar to Chattergul base camp on Day 2 and back to Srinagar from Naranag on Day 5
Introduction
| Arrive: Srinagar, Kashmir Depart: Srinagar Kashmir Best Time: May to October | Duration: 6 Days Trek-Distance: 33 KM Highest Altitude: Kolesar Lake (3800m) | Activity Level: Level 3 | PRICE INR 18900/Per Person |
The Gangabal Lakes Trek expedition is the best alternative trek to the famous Great Lakes and it remains open most of the year. The trek starts at Chattergul village. It passes through pine forests, meadows and reaches its destination at the twin alpine lakes Gangabal and Nundkol situated at the foothills of mount Haramukh (5300M). The return route is through Trunkhol. The trek concludes at Naranag village and temple.
The first hike is a steep climb through the pine forest of then a gradual walking through meadows all collide to create a challenging trek in one of the most beautiful and serene Himalayas of Kashmir. It becomes a snow-trek in April-May and October-November and presents a unique view of the Himalayas.
While planning your trek, as a beginner keep the following points in consideration:-
- you feel fit enough to trek for hours.
- you walk two or three kilometers daily.
- you don’t have any breathing problems.
- you are not scared of heights.
Inclusions
What’s included in the Price?
What’s not included in the Price?
Itinerary
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 :- Arrival Srinagar
- Arrive Srinagar (Alt. 1600m)
- Pickup from Srinagar airport or Bus stand
- 10 kms drive to Houseboat or Hotel at Dal Lake, approx 30 minutes.
(Transport from Srinagar airport or bus station to the hotel or houseboat. Tea, dinner and breakfast)
Day 2:- Srinagar to Chattergul (40 km, 1 hour drive) to Mahlish (trek)
- Altitude: 2210m to 3250m
- 8 kms trek, approx 5 hours
- Overnight Camp at Mahlish
(Breakfast, Transport, Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
Day 3:- Mahlish to Gangbal Lake via Kolesar Lake
- Altitude: 3250m to 3650m
- 12 kms trek, approx 7 hours
- Overnight Camp at Gangabal Lake
(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
Day 4:- Day at Leisure
- Rest Day
- Explore twin Lakes of Gangabal and Nundkol
- Overnight Camp at Gangabal Lake
(Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner)
Day 5 Gangabal to Naranag trek, Drive to Srinagar
- Altitude: 3650m to 2250m
- 15 kms trek, approx 6 hours
- Check-In Hotel Ash Vale, Nishat, Srinagar
(Breakfast, Transport, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6:- Srinagar Airport or Bus Stand drop.
- 5 kms drive to bus stand, approx 20 minutes
- 12 kms drive to Srinagar airport, approx 30 minutes
(Transport from Srinagar to the airport for departure)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:- Arrival Srinagar
On arrival at the Srinagar airport (on your own), you will be received by Kashmir Treks representative/ driver. Once you board your vehicle, you will proceed to the deluxe Hotel. Later in the evening proceed for shikara ride in Dal Lake. Dinner & overnight will be on board the Hotel in Srinagar.
- Accommodation: Hotel Ash Vale or similar in Srinagar
- Meals: Dinner
Day 2:- Srinagar – Chattergul (40 kms / 1 hour drive) – Mahlish (5 hours trek)
After breakfast at the Hotel, we drive to Chattergul and pack our load and backpacks on horses and start our trek. Our trek is a slightly steep treks through the pine/ birch forest. It takes five hours trek to reach our camping ground at Mahlish to have our tea or kahwa and finally the dinner and an overnight stay.
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 3:- Mahlish – Gangbal via Kolesar Lake Lake (7 hours trek)
After the breakfast, we leave Mahlish meadow crossing a small icy-water stream. We continue our trek passing lush green meadows to Kolesar Lake and Take our lunch. It takes two more hours to reach our camp site at Gangbal Lake. We take our tea or kahwa and the dinner at the campsite. Kolesar Lake is just a 10 minutes walk away from our campsite.
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 4:- Day at leisure
Rest day. Discover the twin Lakes of Nundkol and Gangbal.
- Accommodation: 2 persons per tent (spacious)
- All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea/snacks and Dinner
Day 5:- Gangabal – Naranag. (6 hours trek) – Srinagar (2 hours drive)
We leave Gangabal and Nundkol Lakes and trek down the meadows of Trunkhol. We may need to produce our permits and show our ID cards at the Army check-post at the Trunkhol. We continue our trek down and enter the tree-line. We trek down to Naranag village through the pine forests of Bodpathri. Here ends our 6 days of walking. We take our lunch at a Restaurant and take our car drive back to Srinagar houseboat or hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner and breakfast at the houseboat.
- Accommodation: Houseboat Jewel Box or similar in Srinagar
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Day 6:- Srinagar – Departure Day
Today after breakfast, check out from your hotel and proceed to Srinagar airport.
- Accommodation: N/A
- Meals: Breakfast
What to Carry?
The trek is supported by horses. You will need to carry only a light sack, weighing about 4-6kg for your items like passport, money, and camera gear. The following is a list of the items you should carry on the trek. If you have items that can not be used on the trek, you can store them at our houseboat or our office and take them back after returning from the trek.
- Please note that only postpaid Indian mobile sim cards (Jio, Airtel and BSNL) work in Kashmir Valley. There’s no cellular connectivity from Day 2 to Day 5 of the trek.
- Please double check your passport or Aadhar numbers before submitting through booking form. These numbers are required for preparation of trek permits.
- Passport or a valid ID card
- Duffel Bag 60 liters
- One Pair Trekking Shoes
- One Pair Trail Approach Shoes
- Trekking Pants
- Hooded Rain Jacket
- Shade Hat
- One Pair Sunglasses
- One Pair Liner Gloves
- Small Size Day-Pack
- Two Pair Trekking Socks
- One Pair Sandals
- Extra Warm Clothes
- Warm Hooded Down Jacket
- Sunscreen Cream
- Lip Balm
- Any Personal Medication
Fitness
Kashmir Treks are achievable by anyone with a healthy lifestyle and a good level of general fitness. Team members should be willing to be part of a team working together to achieve the goal of the expedition. As a team member, you should have an adventurous and robust spirit. The biggest challenge on this expedition will be the many consecutive days of challenging trekking across alpine terrain, much of which at altitudes of above 3000m.
Minimum fitness requirements
- Trek: up to 7km per day.
- Daily activity: up to 5 hours’ trekking per day.
- Carry: up to 5kg in a day-sack.
- Terrain: remote, uneven, snowy, icy, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain at up to 3700m.
- Climate: Can be sunny in valleys and cold and windy at high altitudes. June and September months are cooler than those of July and August. Averages are 3000m, 1°C to 20°C.
- Swim: not required though there will be stream crossings to make.
Address Info
Manigam, Ganderbal, Kashmir, India-191201
Phone: +91 1942500570 +91 9906421796
Email: info(at)kashmirtreks.com
Phone: +91 1942500570 +91 9906421796
Email: info(at)kashmirtreks.com
