• Vishansar-greatlakes
  • Krishansar-Lake
  • Warwan-Meadow

Sonamarg Vishansar Trek (5N6D)


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Sonamarg Vishansar Trek

Arrive: Srinagar, Kashmir
Depart: Srinagar Kashmir
Best Time:June to September
Duration: 6 Days
Trek-Distance: 46 KM
Highest Altitude: Nichai Pass (4080m)
Activity Level:
Activity Level 3C
Level 3
PRICE
INR 17700/Per Person

Introduction

The Sonamarg-Vishansr-Trek expedition is a part and the first leg of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. The trek passes through pine and birch forests of Shokdari and meadows of Nichnai. The highest point of the trek is Nichnai Pass (4100M) which is crossed to reach the destination at the trek at the twin alpine lakes of Vishansar and Krishansar.

Though trekking in Kashmir is not the newest still this expedition is no walk in the park. The first hike is a steep climb through the pine forest of Butsheri 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 May-June 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 Sonamarg base camp on Day 2 and back to Srinagar on Day 5.

  • 3 nights of tented accommodation
    Twin sharing; 2 persons in a 3-man-tent
  • 2 nights (before and after the trek) Houseboat and Hotel accommodation
    See above (Standard, Deluxe or Premium)
  • 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)

  • Wildlife Permits
    Trek 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 Sonamarg (drive) and Nichnai (trek)

  • Altitude: 1600m to 2610m drive
  • Altitude: 2610m to 3450m trek
  • 80 kms drive approx 3 hours and 11 km trek, approx 6 hours

(lunch, tea, dinner and the breakfast)

Day 3 :- Nichnai to Vishansar Lake via Nichnai Pass

  • Altitude: 3450m to 3650m via 4100m
  • 12 kms trek, approx 6 hours

(lunch, tea, dinner and the breakfast)

Day 4:- Vishansar to Shokdari

  • Altitude: 3650m to 3200m via 4100m
  • 13 kms trek, approx 6 hours

(lunch, tea, dinner and the breakfast)

Day 5:- Shokdari to Sonamarg trek, Drive to Srinagar

  • Altitude: 3200m to 2610m
  • 10 kms trek, approx 4 hours
  • 80 kms drive, approx 3 hours

(Transport from Sonamarg to Srinagar Hotel. Deluxe Houseboat or Hotel accommodation (twin sharing) at Srinagar. lunch at Sonamarg, dinner and the breakfast at the hotel in Srinagar)

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. Reception at Srinagar airport/bus station.
On arrival at Srinagar airport or bus station, our representative will receive you and transfer you to the houseboat at Dal Lake for an overnight stay.

Day 2: – Srinagar – Sonamarg – Nichnai (3 hrs drive/ 5 hrs trek). After breakfast at the houseboat, we drive to Sonamarg “the meadow of gold’ along the picturesque Sind river. At Shitksri we pack our load on horses and start our trek. Our trail a slightly steep passes through the meadows and enters a pine/ birch forest at Shokdari before the vast and long Nichnai meadow which is our camping ground for an overnight stay.

Day 3: – Nichnai – Vishnasar – Krishansar Lake (6 hrs trek). We leave Nichnai meadow and immediately start ascending one of the three passes of the trek the Nichnai Pass (4000m). We ascend it through long grazing pastures sheep. After crossing the pass we enter into the Vishansar Valley “the valley medicinal plants”, we descend gradually through the alpine flower valley and camp at Vishansar Lake for an overnight stay.

Day 4: – Vishansar – Shokdari (5 hours trek). Leaving Vishansar Lake we walk through meadows and cross Nichnai Pass. We continue further and trek through Nichnai meadow and reach Shokdari for an overnight stay.

Day 5: – Shokdari – Sonamarg – Srinagar (4 hours trek, 3 hours drive). We leave Shokdari and trek down to Sonamarg through the meadows. Here ends our walking. We take our car and drive back to Srinagar houseboat for an overnight stay.

Day 6: – Departure day.
Our representative will drop you at the airport or bus station. Departure.

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 is the first part of the trek across alpine terrain, much of which at altitudes of above 3000m.

Minimum fitness requirements

  • Trek: up to 10km 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 3600m.
  • Climate: Can be sunny in valleys and cold and windy at Gangabal. Averages are 3000m, 5 to 25C.
  • Swim: not required though there will be river crossings to make.