Gangabal Lakes Trek

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:
Activity Level 3C
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?

  • 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

  • 3 nights of tented accommodation

    Twin sharing; 2 persons in a 3-man-tent

  • 2 nights (1 night before and 1 night after the trek) Houseboat and Hotel accommodation

    Hotel Ash Vale, Nishat and Houseboat Jewel Box, Dal Lake, Srinagar

  • All trekking gear included

    Tents (twin sharing), dining and kitchen tent, toilet tents, sleeping bags and mats. Trekking poles (1 per person) also included.

  • Local Guides and Cooking staff

    Languages; English, Urdu, Hindi and Kashmiri

  • All cooking utensils

    LPG stoves

  • Offloading

    Horses to carry your backpack throughout the trek (offloading) (except day sack)

  • Meal plan- Vegetarian meals including eggs and cheese, unless specified

    Trek-4 meals per day (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea snacks, Dinner). Hotel or Houseboat – 2 Meals (Dinner and Breakfast)

  • Trek Permits

    Wildlife Permits

  • Drinking Water

    Packed bottled mineral drinking water (2 ltrs per person) on first day of the trek. Boiled drinking water for the rest trek-days

  • First Aid Kit

What’s not included in the Price?

  • International or domestic flights
  • Visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal clothing and equipment
  • Any medical costs

    Costs associated with a medical incident, such as your evacuation from the mountain and/ or hospitalization (for which you should have travel insurance)

  • Optional trips or excursions
  • Tips for local staff and guides.

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.