- Altitude: 12500 ft (Gadsar camp-site) to 12000 ft (Satsar camp-site)
- Distance & Time: ~12 kms and ~7 hours
By now, we had experienced 3 out of 7 alpine lakes (Read more here: Vishnusar Lake to Gadsar: Via Kishansar Lake and Gadsar Lake) that fall on KGL trek route and today was the day to explore two more pristine lakes of this wonderful trek (two of seven Satsar Lakes). Satsar is a collection of 7 lakes and two of them fall on Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Route. Rest of them are spread in the lap of near-by mountains. In case, you have a spare day, you may trek to few more of Satsar lakes.
Please click here to read about our complete Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Experience and click here to read all our India backpacking blogs.
Here are our videos capturing Day-5 of our trek from to Gadsar camp-site to Satsar Lakes. First video is of us cross snow-bridge as we walked on top of a glacier to cross the river. An amazing experience !!
Here is our photo blog for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Day- 5: Gadsar camp-site to Satsar Lakes. . We wish that these pictures excite you to explore this splendid trek by yourself !!
- Thrilling Experience of crossing Snow Bridge
Hike through Strawberry Valley- Kasturkoth Pass: Maengandob and Nanga Parbat views
- Rasbal (Meadow) to Satsar Army Camp
- First of Satsar Lake
- Satsar Camp Site
- Second of Satsar Lake
Thrilling Experience of crossing Snow Bridge
(Go to the Top) Our stay started with an amazing experience as Javed Bhai led us to a snow bridge to cross the river stream. It took us some time but as we realized, we were amazed seeing this unique phenomenon. It was our first time walking on a glacier and that too a snow-bridge !!
Hike through Strawberry Valley
(Go to the Top) We still were getting over our snow-bridge surprise and suddenly Javed Bhai, our guide, stopped and started plucking something from the grass and turned to us with strawberries on his palm. Yes this patch has wild strawberry plants. Though it was last stage of the fruit, still we could grab few last strawberries from this valley.
Kasturkoth Pass: Maengandob and Nanga Parbat views
(Go to the Top) Here on, it is slow gradient as you cross the Kasturkoth Pass. There is no top for this pass but trail slowly goes on by the side of the ridge, finally giving way to a big Meadow called Rasbal. On the way, you will also see a lone tree standing our there far from tree line. Probably an introvert one, so came away from all fellow ones 🙂
If you are lucky and weather is clear (which happens rarely), you may even get a sight of Nanga Parbat from here. We were not so lucky as clouds had wrapped those far off peaks. There were also few craters on the way back from 1965 Indo-Pak War, created by shelling from Pak side.
Army Camp To First Satsar Lake
(Go to the Top) Rasbal Meadow ends at an Army camp. Please carry your ID card in your back-pack. From Army Camp, path is very pleasant, passing through boulders along side small lakes. As you move ahead, you get a mix of lakes, greenery, boulders, mountains and clouds 🙂
First of Satsar Lake
(Go to the Top) There are seven of Satsar Lakes and they are spread around in mountains. Out of seven, only two lakes are en-route Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. As we reached first of Satsar lakes, it encapsulated us with its clean transparent water mirroring white floating clouds.
Satsar Lake Camp-Site
(Go to the Top) Satsar camp-site is a beauty in itself. With clouds floating through, mountains over-looking your tents and relaxing sound of water – it seems as if you are in the lap of nature, pure and pristine !!
Second of Satsar Lake
(Go to the Top) After some rest and evening snacks, we headed to second of Satsar lake, nestled behind the hill in front of us. It was around 500 meters hike up-hill through the boulders. Sight of the lake is worth the efforts for sure.
Checking out for the day. See you tomorrow for our next day trek !! Read about our Day – 6 Experience here. Please drop us comments in case you want to add more or require any additional information.