VI
EN
India is not just the sacred Ganges River and the magnificent Taj Mahal. Nestled in the Himalayas, Kashmir is a hidden gem with pristine and majestic natural beauty. Since the time of the Mughal emperors, it has been known as a paradise for relaxation. Today, Kashmir attracts visitors with its crystal-clear lakes, vibrant tulip gardens, ancient monasteries, and snow-capped mountains.
In addition, tourism is one of the region's important economic sectors, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for Vietnamese tourists, Kashmir is still a relatively new destination, especially for nature exploration activities such as trekking or mountain climbing.
The small, simple house of the nomadic people here.
The stream comes from melting ice, and along the way, people will take water from the stream to drink.
Overcome challenges, conquer Kashmir.
One tiring afternoon, Vu Nguyen suddenly remembered Kashmir – a land he had long dreamed of visiting. Although he had explored Ladakh before, the beauty of Kashmir still compelled him to explore it. Without hesitation, he began planning the trip and quickly invited his travel-loving friends. In early August, they officially set off for Kashmir, beginning an exciting journey of discovery.
Initially, only Vu Nguyen and a friend harbored the idea of exploring the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. They began planning in detail and searching for more like-minded individuals to conquer this challenging route together. However, finding enough companions proved difficult. With a 10-day journey, completely cut off from the outside world, convincing everyone to join was no easy task, especially given their differing work schedules.
"Thanks to a chance connection among fellow travel enthusiasts, we've formed a group of 12 members," Vu Nguyen shared.
Dal Lake (Srinagar)
Walking across endless grassy hills feels like touching the clouds.
In stark contrast to the sweltering summer heat and storms in Vietnam, Kashmir offers an ideal climate for trekking. With gentle golden sunshine during the day and cool, refreshing air at night, Kashmir in summer is truly a paradise for nature lovers. Especially from July to September, the Kashmir Great Lakes trail becomes famous for its stunning turquoise lakes. Along with his friends, Vu Nguyen had the opportunity to experience this 7-day, 6-night trekking route and immerse himself in the majestic natural scenery of Kashmir.
“To ensure a safe and cost-effective trip for the group, we consulted major travel community websites and asked for advice from some friends who had traveled before. Through this, we found a Land Tour service and a local guide who was knowledgeable about the terrain to lead the group in the most effective way,” said Vu Nguyen.
Gadsar Lake, a glacier flowing from the mountaintop into the lake.
Lake Kishansar
In my opinion, Vishansar Lake is the most beautiful lake on this trek.
From Vietnam, travelers can fly directly to New Delhi, India, and then connect to Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir. After landing at Srinagar airport, it only takes about 2 hours by car to reach Sonamarg, the starting point for a trekking journey to explore this "paradise on earth".
Vu Nguyen's group spent a summer full of experiences in the remote northern border region of India on a 7-day, 6-night trip. They lived in a pristine natural environment, without electricity or internet, eating and sleeping entirely in mobile tents. They were immersed in the symphony of sky and earth, plants and rivers, feeling their own insignificance before the majestic nature.
Summer, the season when wildflowers bloom in abundance, is like a healing love song for our weary feet.
Watch the sunrise from Campsite Niknai.
Each day, they travel approximately 8-10 km on shorter days and 12-16 km on longer days. They traverse pristine vegetation and diverse terrains and climates. Some days they trek through ancient forests and deep ravines, other days they cross verdant hillsides and fields of vibrant wildflowers, sometimes they overcome treacherous rocky cliffs, and on other days they must exert all their strength to conquer high mountain passes like Gadsar Pass, reaching an altitude of 4,200 meters. They admire the long valleys teeming with livestock and witness the magical beauty of the stunning lakes nestled beneath the legendary Himalayas.
The best part of the trip wasn't just the breathtaking natural scenery, but also the strong bond among the group members. Twelve people, whether they knew each other before or met for the first time, overcame the challenges of the journey together. From slippery rocky slopes to nights sleeping in tents under the stars, they always stood by each other, sharing joys and sorrows. Stories told around the campfire, warm hugs when someone wasn't feeling well – all of these created a beautiful memory that Vu Nguyen will never forget. This trip not only helped him discover nature but also helped him find wonderful friends.
The bond between the group members.
Watch the flocks of sheep stretching towards the cool water.
From the top of Zaj Pass, you can look down at the twin lakes Nund Kul Lake and Gangbal Lake.
Speaking with a Travellive reporter, Vu Nguyen shared: “As someone who has trekked through mountains ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 meters, I rate the difficulty of this route as medium to above average. A day in Kashmir feels very long, from 5:30 AM when the sun rises until 7-8 PM when the sun sets completely. Summer here has beautiful but unpredictable weather; daytime temperatures in July-August range from 28-33 degrees Celsius, while nights are cold from 10-15 degrees Celsius and there are often showers in the afternoon. Although some members of the group are professional trail runners, they still experienced heat shock and altitude sickness in the first 1-2 days due to the significant changes in climate and altitude during the day.”
Day 2: Camping at the foot of Vishansar Lake to watch the Milky Way.
Kashmir Great Lakes Travel Guide from A to Z
If you're considering this route, Vu Nguyen advises you to prepare yourself mentally and physically. With its stunning scenery and constantly changing weather, Kashmir will reveal hidden gems for those who are patient and determined to conquer it.
Yamsar Lake is a small lake, but it is covered in a carpet of vibrant yellow flowers.
The view from the top of Gadsar Pass looking down at the two twin lakes, Vishansar and Kishansar.
You should bring cold and flu medication, stomach ache medicine, altitude sickness medication, and pain relievers/fever reducers. You should also bring extra food such as canned goods, dried shredded meat, instant noodles, and spices, as the tour will mainly consist of vegetarian dishes with boiled vegetables and vegetable soup. Choose quick-drying, breathable clothing suitable for trekking and sports. Don't forget a raincoat and good trekking shoes, preferably waterproof ones.
The cost for this trip is approximately 14-15 million VND, including airfare booked through Trip (around 7-8 million VND), land tour fees (5 million VND), Indian visa fees (25 USD), and incidental expenses for food and group activities.
The cost for this trip is approximately 14-15 million VND.
