On this day, you will begin carrying your backpack as we start the ascent towards the next campsite. Our standard routine begins with an early wake-up call at 6 am, followed by breakfast at 7 am, and departure from the campsite by 8 am. Starting early ensures we avoid the heat of midday, reach the campsite with ample time to rest, and allow for better acclimatization. After breakfast, your trek leader will provide a brief orientation before we embark on the day's journey. Before setting off, a packed lunch will be provided at Shutkadi. The trek begins with a steady ascent, and shortly after, we will pass by a military post where we are required to stop for a routine check. Please ensure your Aadhar card or passport is kept securely in your daypack. The process usually takes about an hour. As we continue the climb, our first stop will be Tabletop, a breathtaking plateau surrounded by dense jungle and offering panoramic views of the Thajwas Mountain Range. From here, you’ll enjoy spectacular vistas of the entire Sonamarg region and its prominent peaks, including Lesser Thajwas, Greater Thajwas, Umbrella, Kazim Pahlin Baal, Innominate, Vale Head, Mosquito, Cathedral, and, of course, the iconic Amarnath Peak. In addition, you’ll also catch sight of Zabnar Meadow, a beautiful, expansive landscape that adds to the grandeur of the surroundings. Following Tabletop, we will enter Shokdari, a serene birch forest that provides welcome shade and relief from the sun. During autumn, the forest transforms into a golden wonderland, making this stretch even more enchanting. The trail then opens up into a wide, scenic valley, offering views that become increasingly spectacular as we move forward. Our trek continues towards Nichnai, where we will follow the Nichnai Nalla, a river that flows down the valley. The landscape soon opens up to reveal towering mountains, and we will encounter a small stream crossing. Our experienced guides will assist in safely navigating the waters. As we progress, the scenery becomes even more awe-inspiring, with the trail winding through rocky patches and forests of maple, birch, and pine. For those who are less experienced, our expert guides will be on hand to assist with crossing streams and ensuring a safe journey through the rugged terrain. The trek takes approximately 6 to 7 hours, covering a distance of 10 km. Upon reaching the campsite, you can settle in and enjoy evening tea with snacks. Later, a warm soup will be served, followed by a delicious dinner with a sweet dish to round off the day. The nights in the mountains are typically starry, provided the weather is clear. If the skies are free of clouds, this will be the perfect time to enjoy some star-gazing and take in the celestial beauty above.

The day begins similarly to the previous one, with a wake-up call at 6 am, followed by breakfast at 7 am, and departure from the campsite by 8 am. As always, starting early will allow us to avoid the heat of the midday sun, reach the next campsite in good time, and have enough space for proper rest and acclimatization. After breakfast, your trek leader will provide a brief briefing before we embark on the day's journey. Before setting off, a packed lunch will be provided to keep you energized as we embark on today’s trek. Today’s adventure involves crossing the Nichnai Pass (4100m), the first major pass of the trek. This pass, which remains snow-covered until mid-July, is an exciting and beautiful challenge. The pass connects Nichnai Valley with Vishensar Valley and offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The journey towards the pass offers a breathtaking experience, passing through lush expansive meadows, vibrant wildflower fields, and serene alpine landscapes. As we ascend, you’ll be surrounded by a stunning variety of flowers that blanket the valleys, adding splashes of color to the otherwise green and snowy vistas. The long walk to the pass is both rewarding and challenging, with every step bringing us closer to the top. Once we reach the Nichnai Pass, you’ll be greeted with magnificent views of the Vishensar Valley, which unfolds below in all its beauty. After crossing the Nichnai Pass, we will make our way down into the Vishensar Valley, which is known for its stunning natural beauty. The Vishensar Campsite is situated on the banks of a river that originates from the Vishensar and Kishensar Lakes. These pristine lakes are home to abundant brown and rainbow trout, making the river and surrounding waters a haven for fishing enthusiasts. The river flows down, eventually forming the Raman Nallah, which drains into Gurez and is a main tributary of the Khishenganga River, also known as the Neelum River in Pakistan. The landscape here is simply breathtaking, with the surrounding mountains providing a majestic backdrop to the campsite. The area is known for its peaceful, untouched beauty, offering an ideal spot for relaxation after a day of trekking. As we trek through the valley, we will also encounter several sheep herds, as these mountains serve as summer grazing grounds for the local shepherds. The sight of the herds grazing peacefully in the lush meadows adds to the charm of this beautiful valley. The trek takes approximately 6 hours, covering a distance of 13 km. Once we arrive at the campsite and settle in, we will be treated to evening tea with snacks, followed by a warm and comforting soup. Later, we will enjoy a hearty dinner, accompanied by a sweet dish to end the day on a delicious note.

The day begins similarly to the previous one, with a wake-up call at 6 am, followed by breakfast at 7 am, and departure from the campsite by 8 am. As always, starting early will allow us to avoid the heat of the midday sun, reach the next campsite in good time, and have enough space for proper rest and acclimatization. After breakfast, your trek leader will provide a brief briefing before we embark on the day's journey. Before setting off, a packed lunch will be provided to keep you energized as we embark on today’s trek. Today’s adventure involves crossing the Nichnai Pass (4100m), the first major pass of the trek. This pass, which remains snow-covered until mid-July, is an exciting and beautiful challenge. The pass connects Nichnai Valley with Vishensar Valley and offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The journey towards the pass offers a breathtaking experience, passing through lush expansive meadows, vibrant wildflower fields, and serene alpine landscapes. As we ascend, you’ll be surrounded by a stunning variety of flowers that blanket the valleys, adding splashes of color to the otherwise green and snowy vistas. The long walk to the pass is both rewarding and challenging, with every step bringing us closer to the top. Once we reach the Nichnai Pass, you’ll be greeted with magnificent views of the Vishensar Valley, which unfolds below in all its beauty. After crossing the Nichnai Pass, we will make our way down into the Vishensar Valley, which is known for its stunning natural beauty. The Vishensar Campsite is situated on the banks of a river that originates from the Vishensar and Kishensar Lakes. These pristine lakes are home to abundant brown and rainbow trout, making the river and surrounding waters a haven for fishing enthusiasts. The river flows down, eventually forming the Raman Nallah, which drains into Gurez and is a main tributary of the Khishenganga River, also known as the Neelum River in Pakistan. The landscape here is simply breathtaking, with the surrounding mountains providing a majestic backdrop to the campsite. The area is known for its peaceful, untouched beauty, offering an ideal spot for relaxation after a day of trekking. As we trek through the valley, we will also encounter several sheep herds, as these mountains serve as summer grazing grounds for the local shepherds. The sight of the herds grazing peacefully in the lush meadows adds to the charm of this beautiful valley. The trek takes approximately 6 hours, covering a distance of 13 km. Once we arrive at the campsite and settle in, we will be treated to evening tea with snacks, followed by a warm and comforting soup. Later, we will enjoy a hearty dinner, accompanied by a sweet dish to end the day on a delicious note.

Our day begins as usual, with a wake-up call at 6 am, breakfast at 7 am, and departure by 8 am. After a brief briefing from your trek leader, we set off on what promises to be a moderately challenging yet rewarding trek. Today, we will cover 9 km, crossing the Zacchibal Pass (4100m), which marks the transition from the rugged terrain of the previous valley to the serene beauty of Gangbal Valley. This day is considered moderate to difficult, beginning with a section of boulders and rocky terrain. The boulder field will dominate much of the day, requiring us to carefully hop from one rock to the next as we continue our ascent. The trail gradually climbs toward Zacchibal Pass, with a sharp 3-hour ascent leading us to the top. Once we reach the pass, we will enjoy a well-deserved break before beginning an equally long descent. The trail thereafter takes us deeper into Gangbal Valley, where the landscape becomes increasingly captivating. As we descend, we are treated to breathtaking views of Nundkol Lake and Gangbal Lake, both nestled beneath the towering Mount Harmukh (5200m). Harmukh, often referred to as the "Face of Shiva" for its resemblance to the Hindu god Shiva’s visage, is also known as the "Eiger of Kashmir" due to its striking similarity to the iconic Eiger mountain in the Swiss Alps. The grandeur of this mountain and the pristine beauty of the lakes are unparalleled. Both Gangbal and Nundkol Lakes are abundant in trout fish, making these waters not only visually stunning but ecologically rich as well. Gangbal Lake, the largest alpine lake in the Kashmir Valley, is a particularly serene spot, surrounded by towering peaks and lush meadows. After a full day of trekking through such an awe-inspiring landscape, we will reach the Nundkol Campsite, located at the foot of the imposing Mount Harmukh. The sheer size and beauty of Harmukh draw all eyes toward it, making this campsite a truly remarkable place to rest for the night. The sunrise here is nothing short of magical, casting a golden hue over the valley and the lake, creating a tranquil and meditative atmosphere. Along the way, we will enjoy a packed lunch, and once we reach camp, we’ll be treated to evening tea with snacks. A warm and comforting soup will follow, along with a hearty dinner and a sweet dish to round off the day. This day will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the trek, offering stunning views, an exhilarating challenge, and the chance to rest in the shadow of one of the most iconic mountains in the region.

Buffer day or Rest day, thoughtfully built into the itinerary to allow for recovery or to account for any unforeseen delays, such as inclement weather. If we encounter a rainy day or any other reason requiring us to adjust the schedule, this day serves as a backup to ensure we stay on track. The day is to rest and recuperate, allowing everyone to recharge before continuing with the trek. One may choose to bask in the sun, read a book, swim in the nearby waters, meditate, or simply reflect on the journey thus far. It's also a perfect opportunity to soak in the beauty of your surroundings and explore the region around the campsite at a leisurely pace. Breakfast will be served at a leisurely time, allowing you to fully rest and enjoy the morning. Later in the day, we will have a hot lunch, followed by evening tea with snacks, soup, dinner, and a sweet dish. This day offers a much-needed respite in the midst of the trek, allowing everyone to relax and fully enjoy the serene beauty of the landscape, both physically and mentally.

We begin the last day of our trek with an early breakfast at 7:00 am, and by 8:00 am, we will set off. A packed lunch will be provided for the day. Today, we will trek from Nundkol Lake to Naranag, covering a distance of 13 km in approximately 6 hours. The trail is a steady descent all the way to Naranag, which can be hard on your legs, so it’s important to exercise caution and maintain a steady pace. The trek from Nundkol to Naranag is a magnificent journey. As we descend, we will pass through the expansive meadows of Trunkol, offering panoramic views of Mount Harmukh and the picturesque Salnai Valley. The terrain is varied, and the winding, zig-zag descent through Butsheri Forest adds a thrilling aspect to the day. The highlight of the trek is Naranag, a beautiful hamlet where the Naranag Temple, an ancient 7th-century AD site, stands. This historic temple, now in ruins, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on the banks of the Wanghat River in Wangat Valley. The serene surroundings make it a fitting conclusion to the trek. This marks the last day of our trek and the culmination of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. After exploring the temple, we will take transportation back to Srinagar, which is 55 km away, and the journey will take approximately 2 hours.