Gangabal Lake Winter Trek

5D/4N
8 - 15
Twin Sharing
26th Dec
Min Age : 18+
Homestay & Tents

Gangabal Lake Trek is the best winter trek in India. Unlike other winter treks in India, this trek offers a bouquet of frozen lakes, snow-covered vast meadow, white-laden mountains. The trek is famous for many attractions. It has one of India’s largest alpine lakes, Gangabal Lake, in its trail. The lake is fed with water by the glacier of Mount Harmukh, a legendry mountain considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Mount Harmukh (towering at the height of 5142 meters) is known as the Eiger of Kashmir, it was from Mount Harmukh that Thomas Montgomery, a great trigonometric surveyor, first discovered K1 and K2 mountains in 1865.

The trek has Trunkhol meadow, too, where the mud huts of Gujjar community comfortably rest. The camping location is unique in this trek, it gives a panoramic view of mountains that circle the Gangabal Valley and hold more than six alpine lakes each within a day of distance.

The trek has a religious significance, too, and is called Ganges in Shavism.

Meeting Point

Srinagar(Google Map)

Reporting Time

12.00 pm

Destination

Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

Price Includes

All transfers in shared taxi
All travel to and from Srinagar.
Permits and Entrance fees.
Accommodation in tents & Homestay (Twin sharing)
All vegetarian nutritious meals,{DURING TREK/Base camp to base camp} Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Tea/Snacks & Dinner
All camping gear including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mattress, Liner, Kitchen tent, Dining tent and toilet tent.
Trekking gears including but not limited to Gaiters, Microspikes etc.
Fully trained and equipped crew to handle any emergency

Price Excludes

Personal Insurance.
Personal toiletry Items & medical kit
Charges of mules/porters/carrying extra luggage.
Anything not included under the inclusions
Any cost arising from unforeseen circumstances like bad weather, road blocks, landslides etc.

Things to Carry

We will send you a detailed list of what and what not to carry once you register

Itinerary

Day 1 Srinagar – Naranag

• Altitude: 2,130m
• Time taken: 3 hours drive

A three hour drive from Srinagar to Naranag base camp. An acclimatization walk around the base camp and an overnight stay.

Day 2Naranag – Butshree

• Altitude: 3,200 m
• Time taken: 4 hours

This day starts with a three hour trek up through the pine forest till Butshree which is at an altitude of 3200m. We camp at Butshree top that cosily sits in the forest beside a bakerwal house made of mud and logs. The place is serene and gives the view of surrounding mountains of thick pine trees.

Day 3Butshree – Trunkhol

• Altitude: 3,400 m
• Time taken: 3 hours

This day we push further and leave Butshree top. The top opens onto a beautiful meadow Trunkhol Meadow (3400m). It’s from here we get the panoramic view of the Gangabal Valley encircled with moutains and we get the glimpse of Mount Harmukh – a five thousand feet vertical wall made of Rock and Ice. The appearance of the mountiain give it a sobriquet ”Eiger”. We pitch our tents in the meadow and spend the night.

Day 4Trunkhol – Gangabal Lake/Nundkol Lake – Trunkhol Meadow

• Altitude: 3,587 m
• Time taken: 5 hours

This day we start with a mild trek that winds further into the Gangabal Valley. First, we get to see a calm and fascinating Nundkol Lake just at the hem of Mount Harmukh. We see the might Harmukh standing tall in the valley with its glaciers that feed the lake.

On the same day we trek for a short distance to see the eternally beautiful Gangabal Lake (3587m). Gangabal Lake is one of the largest alpine lakes in India and the biggest in Kashmir. The lake is abound with trout fish having varied colours and taste. We see the summit route of Harmukh this day.

We return to our camp at Trunkhol.

Day 5Trunkhol – Naranag – Srinagar

• Altitude: 2,130 m
• Time taken: 4 hours

We trek down to Naranag and then drive to Srinagar.

Note: If weather and other conditions permit, the itinerary will cover Kolsar Lake (3700m), too, the trail to which goes via Kolsar Pass.

Photos

Map

FAQs

How will you contact me once I register?

We will be mailing you the details once you register. We will also create a WhatsApp group of all the participants

What is the age limit for this trip?

The age limit for the trek is 18 years

Can I come alone?

Yes, many of our participants are solo travellers.

Is it safe for a female solo traveller?

It is completely safe for a female solo traveller as our representatives will be there with you all the time. Moreover, most of our event have 60% female participation.

How are the washroom arrangements?

Clean & basic washroom facility available at homestay at basecamp. Toilet tents during the trek

Would I get cellular connectivity?

You will get limited connectivity during the trek.

What type of food will I get?

Locally cooked veg meals

What if I have a medical emergency?

We will carry first aid kit with us. The coordinators will be first aid certified. If the problem increases, we will quickly get you to closest medical attention possible.

What kind of clothing we need to wear?

Winter wear and hiking pants and T-shirts. We will send you a detailed list once you register

What is the stay like?

We will be staying in a Homestay at basecamp and in Tents while trekking

Disclaimer

It is trekking activity and not a leisure trip so one needs to prepare themselves accordingly
Smoking and drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Please avoid wearing Gold and other jewellery.
A planned activity or programs may be cancelled or revised depending on the weather or any other unavoidable circumstances

COVID Safety Guidelines

Each member of the group (participants/trek leads) will need to wear protective masks while interacting with others.
It should be ascertained from the participants that they are not residing / have not travelled in a containment zone and have not come in contact with any person who was tested Covid positive in last 14 days.
The accommodation will be thoroughly sanitised
Follow safe health practices in case you want to cough, sneeze in public space or during activity.
Trek Lead would be carrying sanitizer, spare masks, few pairs of disposable gloves (in sufficient quantity) as a Covid Protection Kit.
It is mandatory that a participant informs the organisers if he tests positive for Covid within 14 days of returning from adventure activity. It will help the organisers to inform and alert all other persons in the group and concerned health authorities of Government, so that they can follow the medical/government norms in this regard. Here it is absolutely essential that the participant observes transparency and informs the organisers/group leaders about his Covid test results. Organisers should actively pursue this matter with participants as this is a mutual responsibility.

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