m.u.s.a.f.i.r
Heaven on Earth
Great Lakes of Kashmir
‘JANNAT’ or Heaven is how every traveler has described Kashmir for millennia – and it sure lives up to the reputation!
Snowy Mountains, lush flower-filled Meadows and dreamy turquoise Lakes create an unbelievable palette of colours making the Kashmir Great Lakes trek the most beautiful trail in India, and much of the world!
A treat for the eyes and soul of any weary traveler, the m.u.s.a.f.i.r. experience combines this otherworldly Himalayan beauty with inward-seeking Mindfulness & Yoga practices. Each day isn’t only about the Physical endurance of trekking and the beauty to behold, but also about Mental & Spiritual practices that allow us to immerse deeply into Self-inquiry. After all, the Himalayas aren’t like any other mountain – they also carry the energy of Seekers over thousands of years! Every experience we curate also brings alive the best Cultural elements of the land.
We’ll immerse in the rich musical legacy of Kashmir – by listening each evening to specially chosen ‘Santoor’ compositions by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma! The ‘Jannat’-like beauty of Kashmir inspires us to Meditate on the poems of Kahlil Gibran’s ‘The Prophet’ each day while we Trek – after practising an hour of Yoga, Pranayam & Meditation in the most scenic Himalayan meadows every morning. Camping is the best way to become one with Nature! Bonfires with music, conversations and delicious food; and then waking up to postcard-perfect vistas all around.
As a traveling group with our horses, we embody the spirit of the m.u.s.a.f.i.r. – being on a Journey! Aug 27 is the New Moon – the perfect night to Meditate and set our intention for the coming months.
The Great Lakes trek takes up through 7 days of moderate Trekking over 75kms ascending to a height of 4200m as we cross 3 high passes! With the right training – one Breath at a time, it will be an experience of a lifetime for each of us. And we’ll end with a rest day visiting around Srinagar, and staying the night in a Shikara Houseboat on the magical Dal Lake!
Our trip is designed as such that you are with us from the time you land on Aug 24 till your departure on Sep 2 – 10 days in HEAVEN!
Trip Details
- Dates: Aug 24 to Sep 02, 2022
- Location: Srinagar, J&K, India
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Price: INR 59,999 | USD 999 including GST
- Pay an Initial Deposit to confirm your participation | Balance payments by 5th August 2022
[asp_product id=”21137″]
[asp_product id=”21138″]
[asp_product id=”21146″]
[asp_product id=”21228″]
Itinerary & FAQs
Itinerary
Trip Leader
Inclusions
Exclusions
Booking Policies
Itinerary
Day 1, Aug 24: Arrive Srinagar – 2pm latest + Drive to Shitkari (85km, 3hrs)
Our Kashmir adventure begins! Fly to Srinagar via Delhi (from India or overseas). We’ll meet at the Srinagar airport, have a Kashmiri lunch and then drive to Shitkari where our Campsite awaits us! Say BYE to civilization and get ready to walk in Heaven for the next whole week!
Day 2, Aug 25: Trek Shitkari – Nichnai (11km, 8hrs)
The first day is always the hardest, and yet the best! The charm of trekking through Maple & Silver Birch trees, and lush meadows in the backdrop of the big Mountains.
Day 3, Aug 26: Trek Nichnai – Vishansar (13km, 7hrs Via Nichnai Pass 4150 M)
We experience a river crossing and the first Lake! After an ascent to Nichnai Pass, we’ll descend to pasture land.
Vihansar is the mythical Lake of Lord Vishnu (1km long, 0.5km wide) and main source of the Neelam river.
Day 4, Aug 27: Restful Day (Trek to Kishansar Lake And Return (2hrs)
Vihansar and Kishansar are twin lakes!
Aug 27 is the New Moon night – the perfect time to Meditate and set our Intention for the coming months.
Day 5, Aug 28: Trek Vishansar – Gadsar (15km, 10hrs) Via Gadsar Pass (4200 M)
We’ll ascend to Gadsar Pass, the highest point of our trek!
From there we descend to a meadow with irises all over the hillside, passing lakes including the Yamsar lake, supposedly connected to Lord Yama, the God of Death.
Day 6, Aug 29: Trek Gadsar – Satsar (9km, 6hrs)
We’ll trek above the tree-line! And then past ascents & descents, we trek through meadows.
Satsar gets its name from ‘7 lakes’, which are all interconnected.
Day 7, Aug 30: Trek Satsar – Gangabal (11km, 6hrs) Via Zaj Pass (3950 M)
We’ll ascend to Zaj Pass which takes 3-4 hours, with amazing views of the Harigandan & Harmukh lakes!
We reach the Gangabal and Nandkot lakes.
Day 8, Aug 31: Trek Gangabal – Naranag (15km, 7hrs) + Drive To Srinagar (60km, 3hrs)
A descent over a decline of 1,000 m eventually brings us to Naranag, where we end our Trek!
Onwards, we drive back to Srinagar and rest the night in our hotel.
Day 9, Sept 01: Srinagar Sightseeing, Night in a Shikara Houseboat on the Dal Lake!
We’ve set aside a day to explore the beauty of Srinagar including traditional Kashmiri Wazwan cuisine!
Our night of celebration together includes Shikara rides exploring the floating Flower & Vegetable market on Dal Lake – where we spend the night on a houseboat.
Day 10, Sept 02 : Depart from Srinagar Airport
Our last day together! We head to the Srinagar airport and onwards to Delhi (mostly) to fly back home.
Everyone is welcome to stay back in Srinagar for a few more days of course!
Trip Leader
Manish Pole
Yogi + Guide
The Journey
- Teaching Yoga & Meditation since 2003.
- Lived and trained for 7 years with his Guru – Himalayan Yogi, Bharat Thakur.
- Moved on from being the CEO of Artistic Yoga in 2010, and co-founded Total Yoga with Neetu Singh
- Total Yoga has spread from India to USA, UK, UAE, NZ, Singapore & Canada
- Leads Himalayan retreats in India & Bhutan; as well as Yoga Teacher Trainings in Bali.
- Founder of 21st Century Yoga for online Yoga + Nature retreats.
Teaching Yoga:
- Led the main Meditation event at the Dubai Expo 2020.
- Taught at the YPO as well as TV shows including TATA Sky Active, authored Pune Mirror columns.
- Trained the UAE National Golf team and Bijapur Bulls cricket team.
- Taught Yoga to India’s most successful actors, musicians, political & business leaders.
Corporate Wellness, Mindfulness & Leadership Training
- Accenture, Dell, Microsoft, IBM, Infosys, Citibank, HSBC, Hager and even at Marlboro!
Social Projects
- Fundraising for children’s education at the Vidya Foundation through Yoga events
- Taught Yoga at the Poona Blind School
- Taught Yoga at Old Age centers in Singapore
Inclusions
- Entire Accommodation during the trek on twin occupancy
- 2 nights at hotel in Kashmir @ twin occupancy
- 7 nights camping on trek
- Experienced Trek Crew: Qualified Trip Leader, Local Guide, Cook, Kitchen Helpers and Horsemen
- Food: 3 meals per day – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and evening beverage except lunch in Srinagar
- Porterage: 15 kg/person on trek which will be carried by Horses
- Road Transportation: all transfers as mentioned in the itinerary from Srinagar Airport till drop back to Airport
- Permits for the trek
Exclusions
- Domestic and International Airfares, Visas
- Personal trekking gear and sleeping bags
- Any additional transport or activities apart from the trip itinerary
- Travel or Medical Insurance
- Expenses rising through unforeseen conditions like bad weather, covid restrictions, natural calamities, flight cancellations, etc
- Rescue and evacuation services
- Expenses of any personal nature like phone calls, drinks, cigarettes, souvenirs, laundry, etc
- Any tips to the Crew (optional)
- Shikhara Rides on Dal Lake
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in the cost inclusions
Booking Policies
To ensure your reservation on this departure, kindly make a full payment or make an initial deposit of INR 10,000 | USD 150 as an advance at the time of registration. The Balance will be due on or before 5th August 2022.
[asp_product id=”21137″]
[asp_product id=”21138″]
[asp_product id=”21146″]
[asp_product id=”21228″]
