Kashmir - Great - Lakes Trek with Golden Triangle Tour

In the morning take a flight for Srinagar. On arrival at Srinagar Airport meet our guide and drive to Sonamarg. The drive takes approx 3 hours. We have organized the car with a safe and experienced driver. Overnight stay at hotel in Sonamarg.

After breakfast in the lush green meadows and rising sun from the peaks we will move towards Nichnai. It’s a gradual ascend to this place in almost 4 hours. A little bit after the start you will spot a Dhaba which is the last evidence of civilisation till the end of our trek in Naranag. Continuing to a beautiful meadow from where we can see Sonamarg from above. Maple and Pine trees surround this meadow. Nichnai base camp is a very beautiful place with ice-cold, crystal-clear streams flowing from the mountains; one will love to see the shepherds with their sheeps. After our crew has pitched the tents, we will prepare for our overnight stay in the mountain camp area. We will have a log fire like nearly every night and enjoy the sunset with a beer or wine.

In the morning our group will start ascending towards Vishensar pass which is at an altitude of around 12,000 ft. To reach the pass it will take about 2 – 3 hours. Hiking down to Vishensar lake will take another 2 hours. Vishensar lake is a natural spring water lake with a total radius of 2 – 2.5 kilometers. The water remains warm throughout the whole year. The total area of the Vishensar lake is about 9 square kilometers. The quality of trout fish is fantastic. It´s a red spotted brown trout which is originally from Australia. Long back the seeds were put in the lake. Our camp will be at Vishensar overnight stay. Vishensar is the 1st lake in the Great Lake Trek and very famous for its water and fish quality. You as a trekker will love to see the sun set in the evening with some chilled beer.

In the early morning we will start moving towards Kishensar Lake which is lake No. 2 in the Great Lake Trek. Kishensar lake is located above Vishensar lake and below Gadsar pass. Here you will see the route towards Gadsar Pass which is a barren mountain with no trees but a lot of green. The Kishensar peak can be seen very clearly. It will take about 1hour from Vishensar lake to reach to Kishensar with a mid-gradual ascend. After a stop over by the water our group will start ascending Gadsar pass which will take about 2 – 3 hours to reach the top. From here you will see both the lakes at the same time from above. Believe us: it looks magnificent and fantastic. Beyond one’s imagination – from here we will come down to Gadsar Lake which is another 2 – 3 hours descend to reach. This is lake no 3. Surrounded by mountains and sharp peaks believe us; we are rating it as the most beautiful lake during our trek. We will have our packed lunch here, rest and move towards Gadsar valley and its stream. Our camp for the night will be here. An army camp is here and we have to show our identity whether that is your passport or some other valid ID proof. As our guides are professionals and possess the whole “Kashmir valley guide license” therefore we have no restriction to pitch our tents at the camp site where ever we desire – no need to stay within the army area.

In the morning of our 5th day, we are moving from Gadsar valley to Satsaran lake which will take about 4 – 5 hours. It´s a medium uphill walk-through beautiful meadow and you will get to see wild strawberries. They are easy to spot in the green grass. Go and eat some – they are delicious and juicy. After reaching Satsaran lake we move towards Satsaran mountain and pass by an army camp area and have again to show our identity cards. We continue moving towards the camp site of Mangandub. This is our overnight stay.

This morning our group is moving from Mangandub to Zajibal Pass which is on an altitude of around 12,500-13,500 ft. and it will take us about 3 – 4 hours. It´s a medium difficult ascend to reach Zajibal mountain. Usually, the weather is clear at Zajibal Mountain. As a trekker in the nature from this spot you can see Harigandan lake, Harmukh lake, Harmukh mountain (16,500 ft.) as well as big and small Gangbal lake. We will start ascending towards the small Gangbal lake and camp within the lake area.

Starting the day with the sunrise at small Gangbal lake. After our breakfast we will go to see big Gangbal lake which is huge (one could think it´s an ocean) at an altitude of 11,500 – 12,500 ft. Here we will divide you into small groups and take the groups around the lake – duration: about 2 hours. We will explore the source of water coming into the lake and will also introduce you to the local geology and botany. Besides there is a big ancient rock – in former days the Pandits Brahmans (a class of people who lived with Muslims in the Kashmir valley) used to drop there remains of dead bodies after burning them into the big Gangbal lake. They used the shortest way from Naranag to reach Gangbal and do this ritual. After a day full of new impressions, we will come down to the camp site for tea, go fishing and enjoy the sunset. We will have a log fire with Kashmiri folk songs, dance, play small skits and enjoy a starry night in the wilderness as this will be our last one in the mountains.

A gradual descent followed by a steep descent into Naranag, a walk of about 5-6 hours. The end point of the trek will be here. At the end the entire group will assemble and we have a little surprise for you. Your overnight stay will be either in Srinagar on a romantic houseboat or you choose the Gulmarg option and proceed from Sonamarg in our arranged taxi straight to Srinagar. Overnight stay in houseboat.

Transfer to airport according to your flight schedule for Delhi. On coming to Delhi, you will be welcomed by our representative/driver, who’ll assist you in transfer to the pre-booked hotel in Delhi. Spend your time at leisure gearing up for the start of an exciting tour from the next day. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast after which you will embark upon a sightseeing tour of Delhi. Today, cover places such as India Gate war memorial, Parliament House, President’s House, Secretariat Building, Jama Masjid. Lotus Temple, and Qutub Minar. You will also drive past Red Fort, Rickshaw Ride at Famous Chandni Chowk market, as well as Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi and Shanti Vana, the cremation site of Jawahar Lal Nehru. After an eventful day of sightseeing, return to the hotel for a relaxing night stay. Overnight stay in Delhi.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Jaipur. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Birla temple, Nahargarh Fort (sunset view over the city). In the evening, you are free to explore the local market. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Enjoy an elephant ride up to the famous 17th century Amber Fort. Thereafter, visit the enchantingly beautiful City Palace, a fine blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, now housing a museum containing rare armoires, manuscripts, and paintings. Later, visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), the landmark architecture of Jaipur built of pink sandstone. You will also visit the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built by maharaja Jai Singh in 1728. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaipur.

After having breakfast, you will be transferred to Agra. En-route, visit the Fatehpur Sikri and visit Panch Mahal, a five storied building, Buland Darwaza, which was built to celebrate victory of Akbar, Jodha Bai Palace, made for Queen’s of Akbar with blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Check into the hotel and stay overnight.

In the morning, visit the famous Taj Mahal built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument is made of white marble and it took 22 years to get it constructed. You will also visit the magnificent Agra Fort, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, which has the Pearl Mosque, Diwan-e-Aam (the hall of public audience) and Diwan-e-Khas (the hall of private audience). Later, drive to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, transfer to the hotel.

After buffet breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Delhi Airport to board your flight for the respective hub, with memorable experiences of Tour My India.