Sheshnag Lake trek is the most famous alpine lake trek in Kashmir. In summer trekkers and tourists throng this beautiful lake. They enjoy the breathtaking view and trail to this lake.
As we know, Kashmir is full of alpine lakes tucked away amid the mountains and lush meadows. Most of these alpine lakes are glacier-fed. They are a great source of river streams like the Lidder and Sindh rivers. One such alpine lake is Sheshnag Lake.
Sheshnag Lake is the most exotic and gorgeous alpine lake in Kashmir.Sheshnag means the King of Snakes which is the throne of Vishnu. During Amarnath, Yatra devotees go to this sacred lake before vising the cave. The sacred cave lies around 23km from this lake. One has to trek for around 7 km to reach this lake from the Chandanwari area of Pahalgam. It’s an oligotrophic blue lake surrounded by snow-peaked mountainshe lake is on the way to the famous Amarnath Cave pilgrimage and is around 25km from Pahalgam. The lake is at an altitude of around 3590m and is around 1km in length and 0.7km in width.
Sheshnag Lake is the most scenic lake here in Kashmir and is the most frequently visited and promoted trek for Kashmir Trekking.
The first day of the trek starts with a drive from Pahalgam to Chandanwari. From Chandanwari the trek starts beside the shimmering river. The trail goes through fine forest covers here in Kashmir along the river stream. There is a gradual ascent to the Pissu top which is at an altitude of 11,000ft. Further, it is a sharp ascent to the Sheshnag Lake. The total duration of the trek is around 8 hours. The campsite is just in the vicinity of the lake. Enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the lake. Night stay in camps here.
This is an all-day descent towards the Chandanwari and follows the same trail. From Chandanwari the drive takes you to Pahalgam.
Backpack
Shoes
You need to have trekking shoes. The shoes must be sturdy and high-ankle. You can buy trekking shoes preferably from Decathlon which has a good MH series for a good market price.
Clothes
Three T-shirts
sun will be out most of the day while you are trekking so carry one full sleeve dry-fit T-shirt, and at least two other T-shirts. The full sleeves will prevent your arms from sun heat and sunburn. You can choose a T-shirt with a collar. Dry fit is essential as they dry quickly and are easy to wash. The material for the T-shirts can be synthetic.
Trekking poles
This is one of the essentials of trekking. Trekking poles are very much helpful in giving you balance and stability while you trek. As in the mountains, there is no flat walk, you will have to traverse ascends and descends so you need poles to balance your walk. They also help you in descending and let you have less stress on your knees. Two trekking poles are always better than a single trekking pole.
Raingear
It can rain anytime. You need to carry one good rain gear that can at least hold the rainfall of about 7 hours. A poncho is a good choice over jacket type rain gear, as the poncho covers your entire body till knees down and you can keep your daypack bag inside it too.
Rain cover for your backpack
Backpack carries all the personal essentials of the trek. You either give your backpack to ponies to carry, or you carry it yourself. In both situations, you would not want your belongings to get wet and drip in rain. Buy a good rain cover for your backpack to keep it dry and safe. It also helps to keep your backpack from wear and tear.
Daypack
In case you offload your backpack, you need to carry the daypack – a small bag of around 20 to 30 liters to carry your essentials like water bottle, rainwear, headlamp, snacks, etc that you will consume while walking on the trail.
Sunglasses
You need sunglasses for all kinds of treks. So do carry one to protect your eyes from glaring and UV radiation. You can drop wearing sunglasses on the days when the sun is not out and the weather is gloomy.
Suncap
A sun cap prevents you from getting sunstrokes, headaches, and dehydration. It also prevents you from losing stamina for trekking. You can either get the normal suncap or sun cap with flaps which is preferred by most of the trekkers and is advisable by the experts.
Synthetic hand gloves
Most of the time they won’t be used. However, in case the temperature drops sharply they come handy to keep your hands warm. You can wear them during the evenings and mornings.
Woollen cap or Balaclava
Woolen caps are mostly used during winter treks. However, you can carry one in case the temperature drops and you feel cold during the evening or morning. The cap covers your ears, neck, and some parts of your face.
Three pairs of Socks
Take two pairs of sports socks and one pair of woolen socks. Depending upon the cold you feel, wear the type of socks accordingly. You need to get good quality socks as they will form a cushion to your feet and will make a lot more difference in your trekking experience. If you get comfy socks, they will help you in trekking smoothly.
Headlamp
You should always carry one headlamp, and always choose a headlamp over a hand torch. The headlamp gives you the freedom to keep your hands free. You will not be trekking during the night or in darkness, however, in your camping, you will need a headlamp. You might want to go to the loo during the night, or just sit and relax outside the camps, you need the headlamp
A toilet kit
Carry your toilet kit as per your requirement and hygiene. It should include things like a toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturizer, lip balm, deodorant, etc. Women should carry their sanitary pads.
Water Bottle
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek has long walks every day. You will be trekking for around 6 hours every day, so carrying a water bottle is a must.
Plastic covers
Carry a few plastic bags to keep your used clothes. Sometimes when it rains your clothes get wet, you can’t mix the wet clothes with new and dry ones. So carry the plastic bag to keep the wet or used clothes in it.
Personal medical kit
Please carry all the essential medicine. If you are on any medicine, don’t skip that during the trek unless your doctor advises. Always consult your doctor if you have any diseases that can worsen in mountains or by altitude gain.
Our trek leader will be carrying the essential mountain medicine which will include an oxygen cylinder, oximeter etc.
Mandatory Documents
Carry your original Aadhar card or Passport or Driver’s license. Also, keep the photocopy of any of them with you always.
For Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, the tourism department of Kashmir has made a medical certificate necessary. You need to get one medical certificate from the registered doctor mentioning that you are fit for the trek and that you have no ailments that can turn worse or fatal with the gain in altitude or in mountains. The certificate should be stamped and signed by the doctor.
Note: You need to provide your Aadhaar or other registered ID along with a medical fitness certificate copy before the three days of the commencement of the trek.
Lunch Box
Everyday you will reach the campsite only in the afternoon, so there will be no hot lunch but packed lunch. You must buy and carry one small lunch box. Every day after breakfast, the cook will fill the lunch box with your lunch.
Bucketlist Voyage is Registered with J&K Tourism as BUCKETLIST VOYAGE
© copyright 2023 Managed by Makntour