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34°11'20.3"N 75°18'19.4"E
Basmai - Soun Valley Trek
The beauty and calmness of this trail is unimaginable. The trail takes you to the highest peak in Kashmir Mt. Kolohai and then moves to the famous lakes of Tarsar and Marsar.
Highlights
- The Basmai Soun trek is a treasure for lovers of solitude, peace, and pristine palaces of earth.
- It gives you the pleasure of wandering along the Himalayan peak Kolahoi for five whole days.
- You also get an opportunity to study the flora and fauna around Tarsar Lake. This includes the Himalayan brown bear, Kashmiri stag, and migratory birds in summers.
Overview
A route carved in the most interior and unexplored parts of Kashmir, the Ganderbal, and Anantnag region, the Basmai Soun trek is set on the edges of Zanskar Valley. The highest peak in Jammu and Kashmir, the Kolahoi Peak looks down upon it. The Basmai trek has been frequented in the past by passionate trekkers but the route from Basmai to Soun has remained untouched all these years. When you meander in this region, you constantly gaze at the enchanting landscapes of the Himalayas as it gives you company all along the route. The trek not only provides you with a holistic sight into the Himalayan terrain but also a peek into the lives of the local Bakkarwal shepherds. We realize their lives are entirely different than ours! You also pass by Basmai Valley and the Soun Valley as the name of the trek suggests.
The route also takes you across a few scenic lakes. You set your eyes upon an almond-shaped lake, covered with a sheet of alpine flowers and floating ice, which looks as if the mountains hold it gently in their palms. This is Tarsar Lake. Migratory birds like bar-headed geese, Himalayan golden eagles, and black bulbuls can be seen around the lake in summers. The basin of Tarsar is connected to Dachigam National Park. The Basmai lake and the Satlanjan also count amongst the most breathtaking places on the trek. Some of the wildlife species that one sight on the trek are mountain goats and species of the groundhog.
The Basmai Soun trek is a lovely combination of enchanting views of high peaks of the Himalayas, high altitude lakes, lively valleys, and scanty villages. The trek is not only a window to nature but also to the local culture and traditions. This trek covers the most virgin regions around Srinagar, pulls you away from the daily chaotic routine of traffic and work, slows down the pace of life, and connects you to nature. This route is not the most challenging, it is moderate and will not leave the non-experts out of breath. The Basmai Soun trek is accessible, inviting, and alluring!
Trekmunk as a Basmai Soun Trek Organizer will make sure that you get once in a lifetime experience that will stay in your memory for years to come. Find your way through Kashmir with a different lens by pursuing this trek. The Basmai Soun trek cost covers all the inclusions from the base camp.
The Basmai Soun trek is your chance to pledge a connection with the majestic Himalayas, serene lakes, and rugged terrain. Trekmunk has the perfect itinerary for your trekking plans. Place your trust on us to lead you through the most enriching route you've ever marched across. Join the Trekmunk team on this rare trek and discover the concealed enthusiast in you.
Best Time to Visit
The best suited time for this trek is from mid-June to October. During this time, the mountains along with the valleys are clad with a white sheet of snow. The temperature is as low as 5 degrees at night and remains around 25 degrees during the day. Don't confuse the 25 degrees with bright sunny hot days. It is usually windy and the weather feels much chillier than it actually is. The winters in this area are severe. The trek remains closed due to freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.
Brief Itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Reach Srinagar and Drive from Srinagar to Gagangir
This will mark the first day of the trek on your journey to the top of the Basmai-Soun trek. On this day, we will pick you up from Srinagar. From Srinagar, we will drive to Gagangir. Gagangir is around 70 kilometers from Srinagar and it consumes around 3 hours of time by road. The stretch from Srinagar to Gagangir is scenic, and we drive past several grasslands, alpine forests, and lofty mountains. The transition in the beauty of the landscapes will be worth it. You will feel like you have finally made your way to heaven. Once we reach Gagangir, we will settle a bit and get ready for the trek. You can roam around and embrace the beauty of this amazing place.
During the evening, a few activities will be arranged in order to increase the interaction between the trekkers. Trekking is a team activity and in order to reach the summit, it is very important to climb together. You will certainly light up in the hues of the place, welcoming strangers to become a part of your life.
Dinner will be served at night. Overnight stay will be set up at Gagangir. This will mark the end of the first day of the trek.
Meals : Dinner Only
Accommodation : Homestay
Time Taken : 4 hours
Altitude : 9,187 ft.
Distance : 80 km
Day 2: Trek from Gaganir to Basmai
This will be the second day of the trek. On this day, we will advance to Basmai from Gaganir. After waking up early in the morning, we will begin the trek post a sumptuous breakfast at Gagangir. Although we will be crossing a river, we still make sure that you have enough water to meet the water demands of the day.
Early at the beginning of today, we made our first strides up the mountain. Though the trail to Basmai is short, it makes for a steep uphill climb. Very quickly we will stroll up a lofty incline of the solidified day off. The whole trail will be a walk in heaven along with the perks of extreme serenity. When you will come across a decorated tree, it means you’ve covered half of the day’s trek. The trail now evens out a bit before giving way to the Basmai camp in about 3 hours. You can also see a number of Gujjar huts lined up here.
Dinner will be served at night along with few activities to boost up the further interaction. Overnight stay will be set up in tents.
Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents
Time Taken : 5 hours
Altitude : 12,450 ft.
Day 3 : Trek from Basmai to Soun Valley
The next step on the way to Basmai Soun Trek is a few kilometers of a trek from Basmaii to Soun Valley. We leave behind the previous night’s camp and resume trekking along the right side of the valley. The trail is an ascending one and moves over a little ridge turn right, and then opens up to a pass leading to Soun valley, which is now clearly visible. The uphill climb to Soun is mild and commands excellent views of the sweeping valley below. In about 3 hours, you will be reaching the campsite.
Soun Valley campsite is one of the best campsites you might have ever encountered in your life. Take a short walk in the evening. Get acclimatized with the climate of this place. Revel in the beauty of this beautiful campsite. Dinner will be served at night along with lots of life stories. Overnight stay will be set up in tents.
Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents
Time Taken : 3 hours
Altitude : 13,123 ft.
Day 4: Rest & Acclimatisation day
Today will be a finished rest day. We'll go through the day at base camp eating, drinking, and dozing and changing by the elevation. The errands for the day will incorporate specialized rigging circulation, crampon fitting, and a regular gathering on how we'll continue over the coming days.
You are free to relax at the campsite and explore the valley to your heart’s content. The beautiful meadows surrounding the campsite, coupled with the majestic mountains towering the valley are a treat for the soul. You can also stop by a few Gujjar huts, and interact with the friendly folks. They have hoards of untold stories and adventures to share. Sharpen your photography skills, write, or just meditate! Undoubtedly, this is one of the best places to widen your camera gallery with the most beautiful pictures of the mountains. We will sleep overnight in tents.
Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents
Day 5 : Trek from Soun Valley to Rezan; Drive to Srinagar
This will be the last day of your trek where we will make our way back to Srinagar. We begin ascending over a gradual trail to passages and then continue walking towards the right. A beautiful line of keep you company as the trail opens up to a verdant forest on the right side. The descent is quite long and takes about 8 hours to land you at Rezan. Rezan is a beautiful village shaded by the lofty Kashmiri Himalayas. Roam around and feel the essence of an alluring Himalayan village. From here, vehicles will be arranged to drive you back to Srinagar. You can either stay back in Srinagar and enjoy the local sightseeing or return back to your own city.
This marks the end of your beautiful trek. Here the trip ends physically but not in your memories. You will surely cherish this awesome trip for a lifetime. You will feel changes in your perspective and you will feel more energized and adventurous. The mountains are huge and hence it will occupy a huge space in your heart forcing you to return back real soon.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation : Not Included
Time Taken : 8 hours trek
How To Reach
We can arrange a cab for you from the pickup point in Srinagar, the charges for the same are not included in the package. The cost of the cab can be shared among the trekkers joining the trek. For communications purposes, we will create a Whatsapp Group before the departure date of the trek and will share the details regarding the transportation. The drop at Srinagar after the trek will be arranged in a similar way.
How To Reach Basmai Soun Valley Trek in Kashmir (Gagangir):
By Air
Srinagar Airport is well connected to the major cities of the country. Frequent flights ply from Delhi, Jammu, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chandigarh, and Kolkata. Srinagar airport is about 70 km away from Gagangir.
By Road
Gagangir is accessible from the other parts of the country via the National Highway 1D. The Srinagar bus stand is about 87 km away from Gagangir, and sufficient public buses are available from Srinagar to Sonamarg. The Srinagar Bus Stand is well connected to Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu
By Rail
The Jammu Tawi Railway station is the most convenient stop, from where frequent buses and cabs are available for Gagangir.
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