Day 6 - Tarsar Trek - Tarsar lake to Liddderwat via Jadsar

Day 6 of our trek was from Tarsar Lake to Lidderwat via Jadsar lake. Camping at Tarsar Lake for a day is a must if you have plans of trekking at this place. We did not have an option/permission to explore further and continue our trek to Marsar, instead we had to go back to Lidderwat via Shekwas. Instead of Shekwas we took the parallel route which is at a slightly higher altitude to reach Jadsar lake. After spending some time at Jadsar, it was a steep descent to Lidderwat.

If you have not gone through my previous five days of Tarsar trek, then check the following links:

Tarsar Trek – Day 1 – Srinagar to Aru drive Tarsar Trek – Day 2 – Aru to Lidderwat Tarsar Trek – Day 3 – Lidderwat to Shekwas Tarsar Trek – Day 4 – Shekwas to Tarsar Tarsar Trek - Day 5 - A day at Tarsar Lake

After spending a day and experiencing all kinds of weather from bright sunny day to snowfall and rain, we camped next to Tarsar Lake and explored the place around this lake. The lake is approx 2 km's long and the other end of the lake had mountain peaks covered with snow. Lovely place for landscape photographers. Before heading to Jadsar lake,  we saw the sunrise that was spectacular, with the mountain peaks appearing orange next to the lake during golden hours. It cannot be explained in words and you definite need to visit at least once in a lifetime.

The peak that you see in this image is the Kolahoi Peak which is 17,799 ft high. Right next/below is the Kolahoi glacier... Posted by Ravindra Joisa Photography on Monday, September 21, 2015

From Tarsar we were supposed to go to Marsar lake which is another beautiful lake, but we were unfortunate that we had to return as we were not allowed to go and there was no permission given to go further. We could 've returned to Shekwas, but instead climbed up a bit. But reaching on top isn't that easy and you need to cross the huge boulders. This route was exploratory and was not as per our plan. Even though other trekkers followed their camp lead all the way down to Shekwas, few of us took the parallel route which was much higher and full of boulders. While climbing up the mountain full of boulders and wild plants, we had reached multiple dead ends with no way to go. Had to explore a bit and finally reached the meadows. We could see other trekkers far below and they appeared like ants. The trail ahead appeared like waves in the mountain slopes, we had to climb up and down multiple times. Finally, we reached Jadsar lake. A much smaller lake and there was hardly any water in it and was disappointing after spending a day at Tarsar. But our camp leader informed us that when there is rain and once the snow melts, the Jadsar like is equally good, with snow on another side of the lake.

We spent some time sitting next to the lake having snacks and hiked further down. On the way down, I happened to see an abandoned shepherd's hut. The view from this hut was just amazing and no words can describe that. You may check the Youtube video to get an idea of how it was. On the way back at Homwas we get a small window of 5 to 8 minutes where you get to see Kolahoi peak and the glacier. The peak that you see in this image above is the Kolahoi Peak which is 17,799 ft high. Right next/below is the Kolahoi glacier which is the source of Lidder river. We went further down and joined our original trail near Homvas and continued our trek back to Lidderwat. We were not allowed to campfire but the locals did and we enjoyed the evening having hot soup and we were lucky to hear some local Gujjar songs. Had a great evening at Lidderwat campsite.

Check out the video below and don't forget to subscribe to my channel and also to follow me on social media for more of my photography and travel updates. Leave a comment on what you think about this place or the photos that I had captured.

Day 7: On day 7 we continued our trek back from Liderwatt to Aru and completed our trek by noon. After lunch we continued or jeep ride back to Srinagar and back home.

 

Asia's largest and heavenly alpine meadows above 10,000 feet | Ali Bedni Bugyal

You may have encountered meadows (bugyals) on your hiking trail, but did you know that India has the most beautiful, picturesque, biggest alpine meadows? The Bugyal (Auli bugyal, Bedni bugyal) in Uttarakhand, India, is Asia's biggest high-altitude meadow. If you walk via Didina village on your Roopkund or Bedni Bugyal hike, you will be able to glimpse beautiful high-altitude meadows. Check out my earlier postings about the Roopkund trek via Didina village to learn more about it. The Auli, Bedni, Dayara, Tungnath, and Gorson bugyals are among the prominent alpine meadows. The majority of these bugyals are above 10,000 feet tall.

Auli Bugyal Meadows, Uttarakhand, India

Where is Bedni Bugyal located?

Ali Bedni Bugyal's magnificent swirling meadows are among Uttarakhand's most picturesque alpine meadows. It's in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, on the boundary of Garhwal and Kumaon. There is no direct access to this location. This walk takes two days and maybe started from either Lohajung or Wan. To go to Roopkund this is the common point whether you start from Wan or Lohajung via Didina village.

The fascinating hikes lead you through beautiful valleys, quiet hamlets, and coniferous and oak woods. One of India's most beautiful meadows is Bedni Bugyal. The Trishul peak is visible from Bedni Bugyal, and one cannot not but capture the gorgeous snow-covered peak with their camera. Bedni Bugyal provides several options for wildlife and nature photographers to capture nature at its finest.

Why are these bugyals significant?

The treacherous walk to Bedni Bugyal and Ali Bugyal winds through velvety grasslands and heavy coniferous woodland clinging to the steep slopes and peaks. The villagers revere Bedni Kund in Bedni Bugyal for its sacred significance. Even an old temple and a few religious artifacts may be seen in the centre of Bedni Kund (pond).

Auli bugyal is considered the most beautiful meadows in Uttarakhand, India by National Geographic and Bedni bugyal is the most beautiful campsite on the entire trail. This place is like paradise for trekkers and looks more like a golf course.

The landscape is just too good and cannot be described in words, you need to be there to get a feel of it. Also, this is the last place where you get something to buy. There is a small hut serving local buns, maggie, egg, biscuits, hot tea, snacks, etc. Try this food if you are sick of the food provided by the trekking group. Most of us just entered this place while coming back from Roopkund.

From Auli bugyal, you get to see the snow-covered Himalayan mountain range. The view is just too good. You get to see government-built bunkers soon after you leave Auli bugyal and enter the Bedni bugyal. You can camp there or at Bedni Bugyal. There is an old man-made structure, old temples, and a huge pond. Sunset is spectacular and the sunrise is, even more, making the snow-covered mountains change their color to bright orange and Mt. Trishul's plume high above is the god of all mountains in this region.

Camping in Ali Bedni Bugyal

On the hike to Roopkund, Ali Bedni Bugyal, one of the largest and most beautiful meadows, is met. Camping on meadows is not permitted at a height of more than 3,000 metres, thus locating a guest home or lodge is impossible. Previously, trekkers would camp on the meadow, but today they must camp in the forest or in adjacent communities such as Didina or Pattar Nachauni. It is recommended that you pack or hire a tent before beginning your walk.

Exploring around the lake

We continued to explore the place around the campsite. We climbed the ridge which was to the right of our camp. It was approx one hour climb and was steep, but was worth the climb. We could see the top view of Tarsar lake and also, the other side of the pass. This was the highest point in the entire trek.

Don't forget to capture the panoramic shot from this place. Spend some time on top and enjoy the view. If you continue further, it will take you to Sundarsar lake. You can also see the trail from Tarsar to the pass on the other side of the lake. From that point, you can see Marsar lake far away which is another half-day trek from that place.

View from the ridge next to Tarsar lake. The lake is almost 2 km long.

In the evening we spent time going around the campsite and the lake. You are not allowed to take bath or clean your cloth or vessels at Tarsar. You may use the water that goes out as a stream for cooking. We hardly spent time inside the tent and at night it is an ideal place to do some astrophotography. I managed to get some timelapse of the galaxy and a few galaxy shots. If you have plans to do timelapse then don't forget to carry some additional batteries.

An award-winning shot of mine at Tarsar lake

The next day morning was a perfect one. The sunrise behind the Kolahoi peak, the shadow of the nearby mountain, the sun rays, the clear sky, etc made it the perfect day to start our hike back from Tarsar to Jadsar. Follow my blog to know more about what we did on day 6. Check out the video below.

Where is Tarsar Lake and how to reach Tarsar Lake?

Tarsar Lake is located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the western Himalayas. It is situated in the Aru Valley of the Anantnag district. Tarsar Lake is at an altitude of 2,400m/7,950ft.

• Pick-up location - Tourist Reception Center, Get into a bus or shared taxi.
• Drive:- 4 hrs, Srinagar to Aru via Apple valley.
• Srinagar to Pahalgam 100 km to Aru 12 km.
• Aru is on the bank of the Lidder River.

If you have not gone through my previous four days of the Tarsar trek, then check the following links:

Tarsar Trek – Day 1 – Srinagar to Aru drive
Tarsar Trek – Day 2 – Aru to Lidderwat
Tarsar Trek – Day 3 – Lidderwat to Shekwas
Tarsar Trek - Day 4 - Shekwas to Tarsar

Tarsar lake camp is ideal for galaxy photoshoots as there is hardly any light pollution and is away from the city. Hope you liked this incredible hike to Tarasar Lake, if you have liked this post then consider subscribing to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram - @ravindrajoisa.

Ghairoli Patal to Wan - Heavenly forest trail | Roopkund Trek – Day 8 – Bedni Bugyal trek

Day 8 of the Roopkund trek is all descent in the forest area till you reach Neel Ganga river, after which there is a gradual climb for about an hour, followed by the man-made trail through the Wan village for another 1 hour. It's a short and easy trek on day 8. Once you reach Wan where there is road connectivity, take a local jeep back to Lohajung, which is the starting point of this trek and is about an hour's drive.

Mt Trishul, as viewed from Ghairoli Patal camp, late in the evening.

Roopkund trek - past 7 days of hike

If you have not gone thru’ my previous seven days of trekking at Roopkund, then check out these links:

Day 1 – Jeep Ride

Day 2 – Lohajung to Didina village

Day 3 – Didina to Bedni Bugyal (same as Bedni Bugyal trek till day 3)

Day 4 – Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachauni

Day 5 – Pathar Nachauni to Bhagwabhasa via Kalu Vinayak temple

Day 6 – Bhagwabhasa to Roopkund and back to Pathar Nachauni

Day 7 - Pathar Nachauni to Ghairoli Patal

Our campsite at Ghairoli Patal which is in the forest area is the last place to get a glimpse of Mt. Trishul. The early morning view of this mountain peak that appears in gold color is mesmerizing. There is a small overpriced Tea shop where you can have breakfast. Continue your trek all the way down in the forest. It's a zig-zag trail and can be vertically down at some places. As you reach the Neel Ganga stream/river, you can hear the water movement. There is a concrete bridge to cross this river.

Fun time at Neel Ganga

Trekkers stop at Neel Ganga and a few take baths here. The water at Neel Ganga is crystal clear and can be used to fill your bottle. Ideal place for photographers to get some long exposure shots of the stream and also for a few selfie shots. Spend some time, maybe an hour or so, and enjoy this place. Cross this bridge to continue your trek further. This is a gradual climb. As you climb further you will find less number of trees and more agricultural, cultivated land and small huts. And this is where the man-made stone block trail starts.

Continue till you reach the highest point where there is a U-turn. On the other side of the hill is Wan village. Few people don't like to be photographed, so, remember to get permission/ or request them if you can photograph them. Respect them, and don't blindly click on the shutter button. Few were friendly, and they were happy to be photographed. You will find a lot of kids around and they ask for toffees or money. These kids just say "Bakshish" and also a few kids say "namaste".

The trail continues further down and you will find a lot of wild colorful flowers as you continue further in the trail. As you hike all the way down, don't forget to see the mountain slopes and the scenery around. Once you are about to reach Wan village's main road there are huge pine trees and a temple. Just sit under the tree and take a rest for a while, as this will be the last place to take some rest and you are almost done with the trek. Pray in the nearby temple for your safe return and continue for another 10 minutes will you reach the main road.

The final drive just before the camp

This is where you get cabs that will take you back to Lohajung which was our starting point of the Roopkund trek. Wan village is connected with this main road and you get to see many shops here. Have some snacks here before you get into your cab, as it is another 60 to 90 minutes drive from Wan to Lohajung.

The drive from Wan to Lohajung may not be too far, but the drive is not easy. The roads were good, but scary in some places. You get to see landslides, roadblocks, bridges, under-construction bridges, tar roads, concrete roads, walls, etc. Overall it was a bumpy drive. On reaching Lohajung, we had our backpacks back in our room. Freshen up and have lunch. You get enough time in the evening to go around in the Lohajung village. I visited the local shiva temple and went on shopping. Bought some showcase items and spent the evening in our room in Lohajung.

Bedni Bugyal trek starts from Wan

Update: Most of the hiking groups start the Roopkund trek or Bedni Bugyal trek from Wan as this is easier but you will miss out on covering the beautiful Didina village which was our first-day campsite. Also, camping these days is not allowed in the Bugyals (meadows). So, most of the hikes in Uttarakhand are now under a protected zone. So. check and confirm with your trek team before you register for a hike.

https://youtu.be/_v0-9ljioJA

We packed our bags the next day morning and soon after having breakfast, our cabs were ready to go back to Kathgodam railway station which was another 8 hours of journey in the ghats and mountain slopes. Roopkund trek was a wonderful experience and a must-do. I would recommend you to do this trek sometime at the end of June if you don't like snow and also if you want to reach Junargali Pass.

If you have managed to complete this trek then you might want to try some advanced trek like the Kanamo Peak trek in Himachal which stands tall at approx 19,600 feet. If you find this blog post interesting then you can buy me a coffee to support my work. Also, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for more and you may join my friendzone.

Stunning crossover hike from Pathar Nachauni to Bhagwabhasa (Roopkund Trek – Day 5)

On Day 5, the trek begins from Pathar Nachauni and continues to Bhagwabhasa through the 14550-foot-high Kalu Vinayak Temple. Even though Roopkund is another day's walk away, you can see it from here. It's a 3 to 4-hour vertical zig-zag ascent to Kalu Vinayak temple, followed by a 2-hour moderate descent to Bhagwabhasa.

Trail from Kalu Vinayak temple to Bhagwabhasa

On the previous days of Roopkund Trek

If you have not gone thru’ my previous 4 days of trekking at Roopkund, then check out these links:

? Day 1 – Jeep Ride to Lohajung

??‍♂️Day 2 – Lohajung to Didina village

??‍♂️Day 3 – Didina to Bedni Bugyal

??‍♂️Day 4 – Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachauni

On this day, you will travel fewer miles but rise over 1400 feet in height till you reach the Kalu Vinayak temple, followed by a fall the rest of the way. The zig-zag route goes all the way up to Kalu Vinayak, which is 14200 feet above sea level.

Small patches of snow will be visible on this side of the hill, and you will need to cross these patches of snow in certain locations. The terrain is very steep and can be exhausting. Take your time and don't rush to attain your peak. Take a break every now and again, perhaps after each zig-zag. You gain a lot of height in this location and begin to feel out of breath. Take your time today because you'll be covering less ground.

Looking around and seeing the gorgeous environment, snow-patched hills, you can even see the meadows that you had traversed the previous days as you travel up the slopes is one method to keep yourself relaxed. Remember not to rush and to take your time climbing; even if you are a rapid climber, it is recommended that you slow down so that you can acclimate to the altitude rise.

Kalu Vinayak temple

Take a break and enjoy the sight once you've reached the top. This is the location of the Kalu Vinayak temple. On Google Maps, the tents appear as little dots. Because of rain, snow, hailstorm, or cloud cover, visibility may be compromised. The bell at Kalu Vinayak temple is what allows us to get here in poor weather. Continue your journey and pray for your safe return. Few may become ill or experience extreme altitude sickness as a result of the hike.

View from Kalu Vinayak temple

The hill on the other side is completely covered with snow. On a clear day, you can view the lovely snow-covered Mt. Trishul from Kalu Vinayak temple, and the Roopkund lies just below Mt Trishul. It's difficult to pinpoint Roopkund's exact position from here.

Hike downhill to Bhagwabhasa

From the Kalu Vinayak temple, one side of the mountain is completely dry or snow-covered, while the other side (towards Bhagwabhasa) is completely covered with snow. These mountain slopes are enormous and tremendous. Continue your descent all the way to Bhagwabhasa. It's a steady drop where you'll uncover the ruins of stone cottages. During the summer, there may be no snow in this area, and the man-made road all the way to Roopkund is simple to discover.

Waterfall at Bhagwabhasa

Investigate the Bhagwabhasa campground. On one side, you can view the mountain slopes, and in the center, you can see Roopkund. On snow-covered hills, tiny avalanches are prevalent, with a little waterfall and valley on the other side. From here, you can see the orange flag of Kalu Vinayak temple.

The deep valley is lovely, and it's a great location to spend an evening with a cup of hot tea. Here are some nice time-lapse photos/videos. Some trekkers choose to remain near the bottom of the slope, where there are a few shelters. Have a good time walking about the campsite in the evening.

Weather at Bhagwabhasa

The weather in the Bhagwabhasa campground can quickly change. This location is prone to hail storms and snowfall. The temperature at night may dip below zero, and it has done so during our walk. In addition to the drop in temperature, there is too much wind, which might make you feel colder than your thermometer indicates. Other than our campground, it's difficult to locate flat land.

When I got there in early June, our tents were on top of a thick sheet of ice. Due to the very cold weather, almost all of us had difficulty sleeping overnight, and the temperature had plummeted to approximately zero. We had to go to bed from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. since we were advised to get up at 4:00 a.m. to continue our trip and get to Roopkund before daylight.

Here's a YouTube video of days 4 and 5 from Bedni Bugyal to Bhagwabhasa, which we did in one day instead of two. I would strongly advise trekking in this region over two days rather than one, as here is where people become ill from altitude sickness.

https://youtu.be/L-oaWB9q72o

The next day we hiked from Pathar Nachauni to Bhagwabhasa via Kalu Vinayak temple. If you find this blog post interesting then you can buy me a coffee to support my work. Also, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for more and you may join my friendzone.

Bedni Bugyal trek via the Magnificent Didina village and Ali Bugyal | Roopkund Trek - Day 3

The Bedni Bugyal trek takes up the first three days of the Roopkund trek, which is currently prohibited due to camping restrictions in the bugyal or meadows. The Bedni Bugyal is among the greatest because they take you to Asia's largest high-altitude meadow, which offers breathtaking panoramas of the Himalayas, stunning scenery, and wonderful campsites.

View of the hilltop meadows from Ali Bugyal

Morning at Didina Village

The third day of the Roopkund trek begins in the Didina village ? guesthouse. We were fortunate enough to be able to stay at a homestay in Didina for the night. Didina is a tiny community with no power and residents who rely on solar lighting. For farming, agriculture, and daily usage, little streams in and around Didina hamlet suffice. This is the last hamlet before you run out of options for human habitation. The walk continues through the hamlet to the opposite end, where you must cross a bridge. There is a creek below and vivid yellow blooms all around. Take a 5-minute pause to take some pictures of the stream.

Previously - Hike to Didina village

If you haven't seen my prior two days of Roopkund hiking, click on the following links:

? Day 1 - Jeep Ride to Lohajung

??‍♂️ Day 2 - Lohajung to Didina village

How to reach Bedni Bugyal

There are two ways to reach Bedni Bugyal. One is as mentioned in the above articles, Lohajung to Bedni Bugyal via Didina village and the other is from Lohajung to Wan by jeep and then trek to Bedni Bugyal via Ghaeroli Patal.

Bedni Bugyal trek - Hiking uphill through the dense forest

The next stop is at Ali Bugyal meadows, where you may locate a V-shaped section of Ali Bugyal meadows from Didina village. After crossing the creek over the bridge, the hard ascent through the Oak and Rhododendron forest ?continues for another 3 hours. The weather in the area might change quickly, so it's always a good idea to have a rain cover on hand. Remember to turn off all electrical devices in this region since lightning and thunder are prevalent. The forest is dense, and there's a good risk you'll miss the route because it's completely covered in dried brown leaves.

Largest high altitude meadows

After crossing the woodland, continue walking across meadows to gain height for another 15 minutes until you reach the top. The Ali Bugyal, one of Asia's largest high-altitude meadows, is located here. We ate our packed lunch and had a 30-minute rest. From Didina village, it took us around 4 hours to get here. Take in the beauty of the surroundings. The snow-capped Himalayan range is on one side, while vast mountain slopes are on the other three. This is the ideal spot for some selfies and photos. There will be no cell connection at Ali Bugyal, so don't waste your phone's battery attempting to post those selfie photos.

View from Ali Bugyal

Continue walking through the meadows. This is a spot where you may remove your shoes. Walking on a green carpet with a little yellow, blue, and purple flowers won't cause any discomfort to your legs. As you continue walking, you will come across several wild horses roaming freely and grazing in these high-altitude meadows. This location is quite serene and tranquil, with a lovely panoramic scenery view all around it.

Bedni Bugyal campsite

A government-built green bunker ⛺may be found to the right. You have the option of camping there or continuing on to Bedni Bugyal. A correct trail leads up in a zig-zag pattern from the green bunker, followed by a level track. Continue walking till you get to Bedni Bugyal.

https://youtu.be/aYYdYFLyF-k

Bedni Bugyal is one of the greatest campsites; to get there, you'll have to descend for around ten minutes. On one side, Mount Trishul ?️can be seen, and the route that leads to Roopkund appears more like the terrain from Ladakh, with a dry brown mountain range on one side and a green carpet on the other.

With a nice cup of tea or a bowl of soup, watch the sunset here in the evening. This campground offers adequate space for a game of cricket. There is also a tiny shop where you can obtain cold beverages, maggie, egg, tea, ? and bread for double the price. This was my favorite location, and I explored it by walking around the campsite with my camera.

The next day we hiked from Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachauni. If you find this blog post useful and interesting then you can buy me a coffee to support my work. Also, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for more and you may join my friendzone.

Splendid view of the dense Naranag forest - KGL Trek- Day 7

The final day of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek begins a few kilometers from the twin lake in the meadows. We enter the Naranag forest area after passing through the government guest house. The hiking trail winds through the pine forest all the way down to the historic Naranag temple complex. This section of the trail has been well-known since ancient times as Mt Harmukh and the twin lake are sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites. This trail is also ideal for a weekend getaway.

View from Naranag Forest, Kashmir, India

Trekking from Gangabal to Naranag was an entirely new experience for me. It began with a walk through the meadows and ended with a long, steep descent through the Naranag Pine forest. It was a rainy day with visibility as low as 10 meters in some places.

Distance between Naranag and Gangabal

The distance between Gangabal and Naranag is approximately 11 to 12 kilometers, and you will be trekking from an elevation of 11,600 feet to 7,500 feet. On the final day of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, it's all downhill with no ascent. The final lake is Gangbal / Nundkol (twin lake). So, once you've had your fill of Gangbal Twin Lake, it's time to pack your belongings and begin Day 7 of your trek.

Crossing the stream

Day 7 trekking begins with a crossing of a small stream near the Gangbal campsite. This is followed by a small gradual ascent and a long flat walk through the meadows. To the left is a deep valley with a stream, and to the right is what appears to be a river of boulders. On a rainy day, visibility can be poor. Continue walking until you reach the government guest house. This is the location where you will find some human activities after 7 days of trekking.

Guest House in the middle of nowhere

The pine forest begins shortly after the guest house, and there is a man-made trail that leads all the way to Naranag. The path is not continuous, and there are mud trails that can be difficult to navigate when it rains. On day 7, it rained, and the entire trail was muddied. The majority of them had their cameras inside, and no one had the patience to bring their camera out on the final day, especially after trekking for 7 days.

A hut in the middle of pine forest

There were small streams along the trail that were suitable for filling our water bottles. There was once a Maggie noddles shop. Our entire trekking party dashed into this small shop/hut. It was raining and cold outside. However, we were fortunate to find some buns, hot Maggie noodles, and tea in a small hut. This is where you get your first phone signal, and I called home to let them know everything was fine.

We resumed our descent after a brief rest. The scenery was simply stunning. Our local guide informed us that there had been a forest fire a few months prior, and we happened to be there at the right time to see all of the half-burned trees and greenery. Because it had rained for a few days, the burnt trees had young, fresh green shoots.

Ideal weekend getaway

Gangabal is a popular trekking destination and is well-known for a weekend trek from Naranag. As you descend, you will see many trekkers ascending who are on their way to Gangabal for the weekend. There aren't many vantage points on the way down (not man-made). The view from here is unrivaled, as is the view from Naranag Forest above. There are some wild bright yellow flowers in the forest and above. Trekking on a rainy day may be difficult on this trail because it will be too slippery and muddy. Unless you're like me, keep your camera in your backpack.

The zig-zag trail continues all the way down, and as you walk further down, you can hear the water flowing from the stream/river far below. The final stretch is a man-made trail that leads to Naranag village, which serves as the base camp for trekkers climbing Mount Haramukh/Gangbal. After seven days of trekking, the majority of them are exhausted.

Historic Naranag temple complex

Don't forget to stop by the ruins of an 8th century Shiva temple, which are only 50 meters from the finish line. This temple is a popular tourist destination and one of India's most important archaeological sites. Taxis are available from this location, which is approximately 4 hours from the Srinagar airport. Take a look at this video.

YouTube video of the trek

https://youtu.be/uCpe_-fHnGs

Follow me on social media for the latest updates on my trekking and photography tips and You may find the complete details on all days of Kashmir Great Lakes here. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.

Strikingly impressive view of Gangabal Lake and Mt Harmukh - Day 6

On this day, we begin our hike to Gangabal Lake by crossing a stream, which is followed by a boulder section of the trail. This is difficult because they are enormous and there is no proper trail. Then it's an uphill climb until we reach the pass, where we get a breathtaking view of Mt Harmukh, the Gangabal lake, and How to Nundkol lake. This is a twin lake that appears stunning from this vantage point. The hike from here is all downhill, crossing a stream and camping next to Gangabal Lake.

How to reach Gangabal Lake?

How to reach Mt Harmukh - Arrive at Naranag's ancient but pillaged temple ruins complex. The hike begins near the temple complex and continues through the pine forest. At the upper end of the forest, there is only one shop where you can get snacks but not a full meal. This is followed by the government guest house area, and then a kilometer or two of walking on meadows until you reach Gangbal Lake. This is a fantastic weekend getaway.

However, this is only one of the stunning lakes on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. The other option is to take the KGL Trek trail, which begins in Naranag and takes 5 days to complete. More information can be found here:

Day 1 – Journey from Srinagar to Sonamarg

Day 2 – Trek from Sonamarg to Nichnai

Day 3 – Trek from Nichnai to Vishnusar Lake

Day 4 – Trek from Vishnusar Lake to Gadsar

Day 5 - Trek from Gadsar to Satsar

Crossing the stream and boulders

The sixth day of our trek begins with a crossing of an icy-cold stream right next to the Satsar campsite. The view from the Satsar campsite is simply breathtaking. Soon after crossing the stream, the gradual ascent begins, which is littered with massive boulders. It's best not to use your poles here because they're useless. Crossing these boulders must be done with caution because one wrong step can be fatal.

Satsar camp site.#Trekking in the #Himalayas at #Kashmir great lakes in #India. pic.twitter.com/qWGrEjPp4E

— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) January 13, 2015

Continue trekking across these boulders for another 1.5 to 2 kilometers, after which there is a steep ascent but it is very manageable due to the hike being on meadows. Remember to turn around. After many days of trekking in the mountains with almost no trees, you will arrive at a mountain range densely forested with pine trees. On the mountain slopes, you'll even come across a few shepherds' or Gujjar's huts. Continue walking until you reach the 13,400-foot pass.

The strikingly impressive view from the pass

This is the most beautiful view of the entire trek once you reach the peak. The Gangabal and Nundkol lakes appear to be twins. To be honest, it was well worth the effort. "Wow," I overheard many of them say. The scenery is absolutely stunning. The Gangabal and Nundkol lakes appear to be playing hide and seek in the cloud.

The twin lake

Gangabal Lake is much larger than Nundkol Lake. The stream of water can be seen flowing down from one lake to the other. Spend some time here to get some good landscape shots and to appreciate nature's beauty. The view from this vantage point is so stunning that you will forget about your tiredness or illness of any kind. A few of my friends have even expressed a desire to spend their retirement years here.

The steep descent

The steep descent from this 13400-foot peak all the way down to 12000 feet. Be cautious as you descend further because the descent is steep and will last for at least an hour. There is a stream to cross once you reach the bottom. Once you've crossed the stream, take a seat and look back at the steep descent. The mountain slope appears to be significantly steeper than the Gadsar pass. Continue your trek through the meadows, gradually ascending and descending until you reach another stream. This is our campsite for the day.

Where to camp - Gangabal lake campsite?

Many people visit Gangabal Lake on weekends because it is close to Naranag, which is our final destination and a one-day trek away from Gangabal Lake. You can camp near Gangabal Lake or cross the stream over a wooden log bridge and camp near the stream or Nundkol Lake. The landscape of this twin lake is beautiful from afar, but once you get to the lake, human activities and camping remnants are common. On the next day, the hike is from Gangabal to Naranag.

Exploring Mt Harmukh Peak base

Nundkol lake, located at the base of Harmukh peak, is only a few minutes of walk from Gangabal lake. Harmukh has a massive snow patch that appears to be a glacier from a distance. If you arrive at this campsite early, you can spend time walking around the two lakes, which is also a great location for some amazing photos. You could try some timelapse shots, and this is the last place to get some great long exposure night shots because it is the last place where there is no light pollution.

YouTube video - Trek from Satsar to Gangabal lake

https://youtu.be/zn9INuHStoc

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