TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

SUITABLE FOR

Kilimanjaro needs no introduction. It gives you the unique experience of standing on top of the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

At Indiahikes we are taking the Machame route to the top. This route has the right mix of adventure and dramatic changes in scenery.

It is hard to comprehend the changes in scenery that happen over 6 days. You are looking at the free-standing mountain standing out of the plains on Day 1. You trek through cultivated fields, rain forests, moorlands, and suddenly alpine deserts full of rock and scree. Beyond that, there are arctic snowfields and glaciers. It is too dramatic, frankly. 

On this trek, you have a strong local Tanzanian flavour added to your Indiahikes Experience as well. Our local partners are residents of the villages that surround the mountain. They are going to fill you with stories, culture, and food of the region. 

“This trek must be done not only to experience the Kilimanjaro trek but also to experience the wilderness and culture of Africa. Even before and after the trek, you get to witness one of the most unique wildlife landscapes in the world,” says Arjun Majumdar, founder, and CEO of Indiahikes. “You must spend time in the Serengeti National Park or the wonder of Ngorongoro crater. If time permits, visit some of the old towns. The beaches of Tanzania have crystal clear waters as well!” adds Arjun.

The best part is that it is one of the seven summits that does not require technical expertise or any mountaineering knowledge. On the other hand, we admit it's challenging. You climb to 19,341 ft and trek 60 km in 6 days. Being supremely fit is a basic criterion to do this trek.

This fee includes everything from Hotel Leopard till you leave the hotel after your trek.

There are no optional additions for Mount Kilimanjaro Trek. Your trek fee includes everything from the time you reach the accommodation at Moshi and leave from there. For a detailed list of inclusions and exclusions, click on "See Inclusions and Exclusions" above.

Listen to what trekkers have to share about Kilimanjaro Trek

Mount Kilimanjaro - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a high altitude trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Kilimanjaro trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

A elevation chart of the Kilimanjaro trek

➤ Mandatory Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry original documents (Passport, Visa, Covid Vaccination Certificate) for entry inside the Kilimanjaro National Park. Keep a watch on the Visa site for any changes in the law on things to be carried inside the state. Along with this, you need to carry the medical certificate and disclaimer form for the trek. 

➤Stay facility: In Moshi, your stay will be arranged in a hotel. On the trek, you will be staying 2 in a tent

➤Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: You may leave behind the luggage that you won't need on the trek at your hotel, near the reception. There will not be any specific cloakroom facility with lockers.

You are going on an International trek, where there are several unpredictable factors. It's best to book flexible flight tickets, which you can reschedule if required. These are available for a small added cost with most travel companies.

If the flight cost to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Tanzania is on the higher side, you can think of an alternative journey to take. Fly to Nairobi and then take a bus to Moshi. 

After a lot of research, we have concluded that flying to Nairobi from Ahmedabad or Mumbai will cut your travel costs by half. From Nairobi, you need to take a 7-hour bus to Moshi. 

This option can be cheaper as compared to flying directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) from any of the metro cities in India. 

However, you'll need to have a Visa for Kenya as well as Tanzania in this case. So calculate the cost including this and then decide. 

Getting a visa for Tanzania is very simple. You can either apply it online or choose to get it on arrival (On-Arrival visa option only for Indians)

1. You can apply for the E-Visa Immigration Online portal. Once filled out, it takes about 7–10 days to get approval.

2. If you are Indian, Tanzanian immigration officials will allow you to get your Tanzanian visa on arrival (VOA). 

Suhas is the head of the DIY and Documentation Team. He has been working at Indiahikes for the past 8 years. Nature, adventure, and wildlife are the top things that get his heart racing. He has done more than 14 Himalayan treks. Along with that, he has done explorations in the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and around Bengaluru. And it was he who explored the grand Phulara Ridge trek. Suhas was also involved in the exploration of other treks like Ranthank Kharak, Pir Panjal Lakes, Vellore Amirthi Forest Trek and the Goa Netravali Forest Trek. 

He was also the trek leader for the Kilimanjaro Trek in 2022.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather, etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

Here, we rate Mount Kilimanjaro as a ‘difficult’ trek. It is a very high altitude trek that takes you beyond 19,000 ft. The trek climbs rapidly and your safety depends a lot on the preparation you put in for the trek. 

The trek is long and strenuous. Having prior experience trekking in the high altitudes helps in accustoming you to hardship. Having know-how about Acute Mountain Sickness, HAPE and HACE greatly help in dealing with altitude issues you may face on the trek.

Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's proximity to the equator, this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather, but rather dry and wet seasons. Therefore, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro tends to be the warmest and driest months.

The primary issue is safety, as the risks associated with climbing increase significantly when the weather is foul. The effects of rain, mud, snow, ice, and cold can be very strenuous on the body. Correspondingly, your chances of a successful summit also increase significantly with nice weather.

On Mount Kilimanjaro, the most favourable months to trek would be July, August, September, and October. Some trekkers prefer to do the trek in  January and February as these are the warmest months of the year.

The period from end of March to June is the rainy period where clouds tend to pile up and over the summit, dropping snow on top and rain at the base. Visibility can be limited by the cold cover end when no rain falls. The cold and dry season starts from June to the end of July. 

July and August are the coldest months in Kilimanjaro. Barring the cold, these months are ideal to do the trek as the chances of rainfall/snowfall are less, and there is no cloud cover. September is also a month that tends to be cool and has clear days. 

This means you will get crystal clear views of the mountain and its surroundings, while having a favourable terrain to trek, without the mud and slush during rains. Usually, a dripping cloud belt girdles the mountain above the forest and moorland. 

These months are also the busiest when lots of trekkers flock to Mount Kilimanjaro. The summit can be totally clear and the successful trekker looks down on a vast sea of clouds with distant mountain peas poking through like islands. 

The minimum temperature is -20 °C at the summit, and the maximum temperature is 21 °C at the start of the trek in these months.

Mount Kilimanjaro in July, August and September

October to February is the shorter rainy period. It often has thunderstorms that pass over the mountains, dropping rain as they go. Typically, the clouds disappear in the evening leaving the nights and mornings clear with excellent visibility. 

January and February are usually dry, warm and clear with brief rainshowers. These months are also considered to be good months for trekkers to climb Kilimanjaro. 

The minimum temperature is -15 °C at the summit, and the maximum temperature is 26 °C at the start of the trek in these months.

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have complete knowledge about them. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Mweka Gate. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Kilimanjaro trek.

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Life Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your Trek Leader will inform you in case the need arises.

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Life-Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your Trek Leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a Combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our Trek Leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original Passport. This is required by the National Park authorities for your identification.

Original and photocopy of a government photo identity card. Anything such as an international driver’s license or even your passport. This is required by the National Park authorities for your identification.  

Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. Please note there might not be any no facility to get printouts and photocopies at Machame.

Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.

Warm layers: 5 layers - 1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, and 1 padded jacket
(Cross Fleece Cap and Crosstrek Neck Warmer are available for purchase)

3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)

2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)

Sun cap, preferably with flaps (Available for purchase)

Waterproof gloves (Available for purchase)

Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of woollen) (Available for purchase)

Rain jacket + pants/poncho (Rain jacket available for purchase)

Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)

Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (coffee mug available for purchase)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from, and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low-impact, sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Kilimanjaro

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools.

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 10 km in under 60 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 10 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 10 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 10 km in less than 60 mins.

You must be able to run 10 km in 60 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Complete the steps below to register for your Kilimanjaro Trek

We  go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However, trekking  with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments  from your end.

We are organising a small group on August 22nd, where only 6 trekkers will be accommodated. Our local guides of Kilimanjaro will lead this group. 

Complete information on the Kilimanjaro trek. Trek details, experiences, maps, photos, videos, when to go, what to take, how difficult is the trek etc. 

Mount Kilimanjaro 2024 - Trek in Tanzania, Africa - Machame Route - Indiahikes

kili kilimanjaro kililima njaro kilimenjaro killimanjaro kilimanjaaro kili killi keliman 

Kashmir Great Lakes is one of the most beautiful treks in India. No question. It validates Kashmir’s mythical status as heaven on earth.

This is because the trek is set on a canvas that’s larger than life. It is situated 75 km northeast of Srinagar. Every day is a 360° panorama of wild, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, and turquoise alpine lakes.  And you get more than six of these lakes and five very different valleys to explore!

The range of landscape makes it a moderate-difficult trek spanning over six days. This means it has long trekking days with steep ascents and descents with no easy exit points. So, it’s not meant for a beginner who hasn’t been exposed to high-altitude treks.

Having said that, the challenges are worth it. Each day is postcard-perfect, with a new alpine lake to look forward to. What makes these lakes even prettier are the snow patches that feed these lakes. You see them sliding off the serrated mountains into the lakes. Sometimes you’ll see milky white icebergs floating on the lake’s inky blue surface.

And then there are meadows of Kashmir. These meadows come in every shape and size, sometimes many in a day.

After this trek, every other trek feels as though it is a movie on a small screen. Kashmir Great Lakes, however, is an IMAX 3D experience – such is the grandeur of the trek.  If you have not done this trek, put it on your bucket list!

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Kashmir Great Lakes: Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Andar Ka Bacha (Inner Child): Kashmir Great Lakes By Anmol Maggon

Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek.

➤Advisory Note: There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.

➤Unforseen Changes: In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise.

For all your travel plans, include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends entirely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.

➤Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek. 

➤Stay facility: You will be staying in tents (2 sharing) on all days of the trek. Trekkers must make arrangements to stay in Srinagar before and at the end of the trek. 

Booking Flexi Flight Ticket - There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.

Download the GPX file for your Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

We go to great lengths to ensure you have a safe trek. So here’s a GPX file to help you navigate without getting lost.

The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is synonymous for its 6 famous alpine lakes. Each day has a new alpine lake to look forward to. What makes these lakes even prettier are the snow patches that feed these lakes. You see them sliding off the serrated mountains into the lakes. 

At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Kashmir Great Lakes trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible. 

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences. 

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.  

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine. 

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the Women of Worth Award by Outlook Business in 2017.

Here’s Sandhya talking about the most beautiful trek in our country.

What I Like and Don’t Like About the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

What I Like About the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

What I Don't Like About the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Kashmir Great Lakes Is Best Discovered Through Pictures

Kashmir Great Lakes trek climbs to 13,715 feet and we rate it as a moderate-difficult. A moderate rating refers to long trekking days with steep climbs in between.

Though most pictures of Kashmir Great Lakes trek show you meadows and lakes, the trek is no pushover in terms of difficulty.

Coming to the details, you cover a total of 75 km in six days. On average you will trek 12 km every day. The trek also makes you climb 1500 feet and descend 1500 feet every single day.

There are 5 difficult sections on this trek:

1.  First-day climb to Nichnai Campsite
2. Continuous ascent from Nichnai Campsite to Nichnai Pass
3. The challenging climb to Gadsar Pass
4. Boulder section from Satsar to Gangabal
5. The steep descent to Naranag 

The challenges of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek start in the first hour of the trek. It is quite a bit of an ascent from Shitkadi (the start point of the trek) to the Table Top (first rest point). Additionally, Shitkadi to Nichnai, it's about 6-7 hours of an ascent with an altitude gain of 3,000 ft in a single day. Because of this, there are high chances of getting affected by AMS.

2. Continuous ascent from Nichnai Campsite to Nichnai Pass

The second day’s trek too is nothing short of a challenge. It's a 3-hour long climb to Nichnai Pass from the Nichnai Campsite. 

Boulder section between Satsar to Gangbal:

On this day, you will come across a 40-minute long section filled with big boulders. There is no trail here. You will need to hop skip and jump on this section to cross it.

It could get difficult if you are not nimble on your feet or are not mentally prepared for this.

Trekkers often worry about the safety of trekking in Kashmir. This article will help throw some light on that aspect.

The Kashmir Great Lakes trek by itself involves some risks. 

The trek is 75 km long and goes deep into the valley. You have to cross 3 high passes. The highest altitude you go up to is 13,715 ft.  There are several streams to cross and boulders to negotiate.

 At Indiahikes, we believe that if you are well-informed and well-prepared, you can tackle high-altitude treks without much ado.

To prepare you effectively, we will touch upon the following aspects of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek below:

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include, altitude gained every day, length of trek everyday, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Base on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

The best time to be on this trek is from the beginning of July to the middle of September. That’s the only time you can trek here. In all the other seasons, Kashmir trails are buried under snow.

This season brings up many questions in the mind of a trekker. Primarily because it is monsoon in the rest of the country. Will it rain heavily on the trek? Well, most trails in Uttarakhand are shut during this time. But things are different in Kashmir.

If you observe the map, you see the Pir Panjal range separating Kashmir from the rest of the Indian subcontinent. This range is 288 km long and 40-50 km wide. It blocks most rain clouds from crossing over into the Kashmir Valley.

This divide determines the nature of precipitation and the vegetation in this rainshadow area. All of which stand very different from the rest of the country.

July to September happens to be peak summer transitioning to Autumn and the best time to trek in Kashmir. The landscape comes alive during this window. And even though the window is tight, you notice the landscape changing colour and texture as the months proceed.

This is peak summer in Kashmir. The upper reaches of the trek start crawling out of the snow blanket in July. It’s warm and you experience light evening showers during this month.

The trail to Kashmir Great Lakes opens in the first week of July. Snow remains at higher altitudes, at Nichnai Pass and towards Gadsar. But the trek is more or less accessible.

As the snow melts, colourful flowers start appearing on the meadows. You see flowers throughout the Kashmir trekking season. But the colours of these flowers vary based on the month.

The landscape has lush green meadows punctuated with alpine lakes that are still frozen in parts.

Presence of snow: Snow remains at higher altitudes, at Nichnai Pass, and towards Gadsar. But the trek is more or less accessible. As the snow melts, colourful flowers start appearing on the meadows. You see flowers throughout the Kashmir trekking season. But the colours of these flowers vary based on the month.

Caution: It’s risky to attempt a pass crossing when there’s too much snow. So hold back and exercise safety. Horses too cannot continue under such conditions.

Day time temperature: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time temperature : Between 2 °C and 7 °C

No. of warm layers required: 3-4 warm layers

After mid-July, a robust trekking season begins on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. Expect bright sunny mornings with some evening showers. Rains although, are still mild when compared to rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The trail is carpeted with green meadows everywhere. The Gadsar meadows earn a special mention here. They look dramatic in contrast with the rugged, grey mountains around them. The best part is, that these meadows are densely dotted with wildflowers!

Protip: You might experience evening showers on certain days during this time of the year. This is why it is a good practice to cross the pass early in the day and reach the next campsite by 4 PM.

Presence of snow: Most snow has melted by now. Frozen chunks of ice in most lakes on the trail would have melted. But you will still find ice floes on the green Gadsar lake.

Day time temperature: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time temperature : Between 4 °C and 8 °C 

Kashmir Great Lakes from mid-July to third week of August

After the end of August, cold sets in.  Rains reduce giving way to one of the best times to do the trek. The clouds part during this time of the year and you witness brilliant blue skies. Their reflection deepens the blue of the alpine lakes.

| Photography Point: It's a sight to behold from Gadsar Pass. You can catch the twin lakes Krishansar and Vishnusar in one frame. They sparkle and are deep blue under a clear sky.

Another stark change that happens in early September is the change in the colour of the meadows. The grass no longer retains the soft, fresh green tinge. The flowers change. And yet, there’s a beauty to this change of tone.

We usually stop our trek after the second week of September. It turns colder and chances of snowfall increase. That raises the difficulty of the trek and it's no longer possible to cross the pass. The trail on the other side becomes inaccessible.

Presence of snow: You can expect snowfall during the second week of September

Day time temperature: Between 14 °C and 18 °C | Night time temperature : Between 0 °C and 5 °C 

Kashmir Great Lakes from Aug-end to second week of Sept

No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Naranag. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. 

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually the mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Given below is a list of all the gear you need for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek:

If you don’t have certain items, you can rent high-quality gear like trekking shoes, backpacks, and jackets from the Crosstrek Rental Store by Indiahikes. It costs less than Rs 2000 for the entire trek. We highly recommend renting gear since it is both more affordable and environmentally friendly. 

Additionally, you’ll notice a small medical kit in the list. While our trek leaders carry medical kits with 17 medicines including life-saving drugs, you must bring your personal medical kit as well. We are already equipped with BP machines, oximeters and canned oxygen, but your medical kit is for quick access to you, especially while travelling.

Most importantly, you must digitally upload and carry mandatory documents to get government permits for the trek - your ID card, medical certificate, and disclaimer certificate. Keep them in a plastic bag to keep them safe in your backpack. There are no printing or photocopy facilities at the basecamp.

Kashmir Great Lakes requires sturdy trekking shoes, has good grip, has ankle support and can handle snow. You have a long distance to cover every day. Also, there is a bouldery section to cross after the Satsar campsite along with a few stream crossings. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

| Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.

| Rental: We have the Trek series and the MH series by Decathlon available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean. Rent here - MH 100 and Trek 100.

For a trek like Kashmir Great Lakes, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.

| Rental: The 55-litre backpack is available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack. Rent here.

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required. 

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.
Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space since you’re already carrying them. 

The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 13,850 ft. At these altitudes, it can get cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 3 insulation layers for this trek.
You will need 2 light fleece layers and 1 full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

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