Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: A scenic journey through the pristine turquoise lakes in the Himalayas11/2/2025
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: Exploring Jewelled Alpine Lakes
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is one of the most beautiful high-altitude treks in India, offering a surreal journey through pristine alpine meadows, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, and a chain of stunning glacial lakes. Nestled deep in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, this moderate to challenging trek takes adventurers across rugged mountain trails to discover six magnificent lakes - each uniquely beautiful and framed by untouched Himalayan wilderness.
If there’s a paradise on earth, it’s undoubtedly Kashmir. I’ve always been fascinated by this state, and I finally decided to take the plunge and go alone, despite the opposition from my friends and family. Determined to capture the purest essence of Kashmir in my eyes, I chose to join a trek to the Great Lakes of Kashmir to experience the raw beauty of these jewelled lakes, hidden from the crowd. Height: 14000 ft Route: Sonmarg to Narnag Distance covered: 63 kms Difficulty Level: Moderate with several steep ascends and descends. The Trail: runs through meadows, boulders, rivers, passes, forests with huge pine and maple trees, army campsites. The gradient and the landscape changes at every kilometer. No. of trekking days: 7 days (includes one leisure exploration day at the twin lakes). Dates I trekked on: 10th Aug 2013 - 17th Aug 2013 (Failed attempt). 13th Jul 2014 - 20th Jul 2014 (Successful Attempt). Best time for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: Mid July to 1st week of August I reached my base camp site and was completely mesmerized by the bird's eye view of Sonmarg town. A DELIGHTFUL START!!! The first day of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek was anything but easy. The sun played hide-and-seek through the clouds as we navigated dense pine forests, rocky switchbacks, and narrow trails hugging the hillside. But just when fatigue began to creep in, the landscape opened up, and what I saw took my breath away. Rolling meadows, distant snow-capped peaks, and an endless canvas of sky unfolded before me, and in that moment, every ache and struggle felt worthwhile. The sheer beauty of the Himalayas didn’t dampen my spirits; it ignited a hunger for more. Have I seen this site before? Yes, I think I saw a similar one in the movie “Highway.” It was a dream house on the table land. Even the rocks in Kashmir seem to wear colors of their own - painted by nature in hues of rust, slate, and emerald that glisten under the sun. Along the trails of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, every step reveals a new surprise, from vividly patterned stones to crystal-clear streams reflecting the alpine skies. It's as if the land itself is a living canvas, making even the smallest details feel magical and full of wonder.
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AUTHORNamaste! I'm Medhavi Davda.
I travel to Evolve.. In Nature, I confide.. I find my calling in the Himalayas.. In the Oceans, I meditate.. A High-Altitude Trekker & PADI certified SCUBA Diver, I love exploring the heights and depths of the planet with my regular doses of mountains and oceans. Discovering myself & life through nature, adventures, travels, sports and dance has been an addiction since my existence! Recent PostsRavenousLegs on InstagramRavenousLegs on FaceBookRavenousLegs on X |