• Kashmir Trek Itinerary
    ITINERARY FOR KASHMIR GREAT LAKES TREK
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Itinerary for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek - Things You Need to Carry

How to Reach
Srinagar to Sonamarg
Kashmir Alpine Lakes

Planning a Trek to Kashmir’s Great Lakes?

Well, an expectation of great results requires appropriate preparations. Located in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent, the State of Kashmir possesses captivating beauty. It’s an epitome of beauty. The Itinerary to Kashmir Great Lakes trek is one of the most popular trekking trips where one can explore the gems of nature in an entirely new way. This trek is the taste of adventure sprinkled with beauty. And being situated at the peak of Himalayan range, the state experiences a varied topography and even sudden climatic changes as compared to what we experience during our daily life. This distinctive quality is what adds up to the state’s uniqueness. However, you still don’t wish to take the risk and get yourself prepared before initiating the trek.

Let’s take a look at what all things you need prepare and then carry to Kashmir great lakes trek.

  1. Backpack (40-60 liters) : Backpack is one of the most important items in the list that you can’t afford to skip because that will be acting as your support system. It should be the one with well-built straps and a supporting frame. Rain cover for backpack should also be carried.
  2. Trekking Shoes : Don’t confuse trekking shoes with sport shoes. They are different. The shoes need to have soles which provide you with good grip and ankle support.You are advised to wear shoes for a week prior to the trek to get used to them and avoid shoe bites/blisters on slope.
Since the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is organized during the months of July, August and September. Light showers can be expected. So it is necessary to carry a poncho.

Get yourself ready with Clothes

  1. Full sleeve fleece clothes (One extra pair with the one you’ll be wearing) : We emphasize fleece over wool because it is light weight, compact and warm. Rather than carrying one thick heavy jacket, it would be preferable to layer your clothing with multiple light sweaters.
  2. Thick jacket : Don’t forget to carry one full sleeve wind tight jacket/down jacket.
  3. Trek pants (2 pairs plus the one you’ll be wearing) : We highly recommendwearing and carrying synthetic quick-dry pants as they are light. You can wear one over the other when it gets colder. While trekking, you’ll wear one pair and carry another. You can keep the third pair for your return journey. You can consider cotton pants with many pockets or track pants as an alternative. Shorts, Half Pants and Jeans are not fit for trekking.
  4. Collared t-shirts (2 pairs plus the one you’ll be wearing) : Ideally light, full sleeve t-shirts that will be able to protect you from sun burns on the neck and arms. Steer clear of loud colors as they may distract birds and animals. Don’t be mistaken that it will be cold there so you won’t sweat. Despite of how cold it is, the body tends to sweat a lot. So, you should change your t-shirts often enough. The ones who don’t change to fresh clothes are prone to fall ill due to wet clothes.
  5. Thermal inners : 1 pair of lightweight, upper and lower. Thermal inners are not that necessary except for those who are more sensitive to the cold.

Accessories for Trek Itinerary

  1. Sunglasses : Refer the curved ones to cover your eyes well. Avoid blue colored sunglass as they don’t solve the purpose of protection against UV rays. Blacks, greens and browns would be fine. Avoid multi tone sunglasses. The role of sunglass here is to prevent snow blindness. People, who wear spectacles, choose either contact lenses or photo chromatic glasses. Or wear your spectacles and carry big sunglass that can be worn over your spectacles as an option.
  2. Sun Cap : Wear sun capto protect your head face and neck from direct heat of the sun and sunburns. Neck and ears must also be covered under the cap.
  3. Synthetic Hand Gloves : A pair of fleece or woolen hand gloves is required with a pair of water proof/resistant and wind proof gloves.
  4. Balaclava : Balaclava is a close-fitting woolen garment covering the whole head and neck except for parts of the face. Scarves can be used as an alternative for balaclavas.
  5. Poncho : A lightweight poncho is preferred over raincoats as it covers the backpack as well. A poncho is essential for the Tarsar Marsar lake trek as light showers could happen.
  6. Socks (3 pairs) : 2 cotton pairs, 2 woolen pairs (To be used while camping and sleeping. Keep them dry.)
  7. Headlamp/LED Torch : Compulsory.
  8. Trekking Pole : Trekking pole is also compulsory.

Others

  1. Daypack (20 liters) : If not backpack then it is mandatory to carry a daypack. If you are willing to carry your backpack, day pack is not required.
  2. Toiletries : Sunscreen – SPF 40+, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm/chap stick, small soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer. If you wish to use wet wipes to clean up after a trek, do not leave the used wipes/tissues in the mountains since these are not biodegradable. Same is the case for used sanitary napkins. It is advised to put used tissues and napkins in the zip lock bag. Make sure you don’t dispose wet tissues and sanitary napkins in the mountains and carry the zip lock bag back with you to the city.
  3. Repair Kit : Needle & thread.
  4. Camera : Carry all accessories – spare batteries, charger, etc.
  5. Cutlery : For the sake of hygiene reasons, we insist you to carry your own cutlery. You can use the lunchbox in the place of a separate plate to prevent adding more weight to your backpack.
  6. Water Bottles : 2 bottles (1 Liter each). Packaged drinking water bottles are not allowed.
  7. Plastic Covers : Use plastic bags while packing to separate things from one another and carry few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.

Mandatory Personal Medical Kit

  1. Diamox – 10 tablets (to prevent AMS)
  2. Dexamethasone – one strip
  3. Nifedipine – 5 tablets
  4. Crocin – 6 tablets (fever)
  5. Avomine – 4 tablets (motion sickness)
  6. Avil 25mg – 4 tablets (allergies)
  7. Combiflam – 4 tablets (Pain killer)
  8. Disprin – 6 tablets (headache)
  9. Norflox TZ & Lomofen – 6 tablets each (diarrhea)
  10. Digene – 10 tablets (acidity)
  11. Omez/ Rantadine – 10 tablets (antacids)
  12. Crepe bandage – 3 to 5 meters
  13. Gauze – 1 small roll
  14. Band aid – 10 strips
  15. Cotton – 1 small roll
  16. ORS – 10 packets
  17. Betadine or any antiseptic cream - in case of wounds
  18. Moov spray - (aches, & sprains)

Mandatory Documents

Please carry the documents mentioned below. Medical Certificate and Disclaimer need to be downloaded (PDF), filled in, signed and handed over to the trek leader at the base camp.

You will not be allowed on the trek without these documents.

  1. Original and photocopy of government photo identity card- (driving license, voters ID, etc.)
  2. Medical Certificate (first part to be filled by a doctor and second part by the trekker.)
  3. Disclaimer form (to be filled by the trekker.)

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