Very well known for the trek in the Himalayas. The Kashmir Great Lakes (KGL) Trek and the Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek. The hikers who want a different experience, beautiful scenery and challenging terrain come to these places. The main features of each trip will be compared, including its location, degree of difficulty, length, ideal time to go, scenery and overall trekking experience. Said to be the highest altitude trek in the world, the Everest Base Camp trip is a 11-13 days duration trek that goes through the Khumbu Valley of Nepal. It is also opted by beginners with a good fitness regime who will do this with a bang. It is a must-do for all adventure seekers because of the area’s magnificent peaks, pine and fir woods, and cultural legacy.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek will start after you reach from Srinagar and travels through the center of Kashmir, very popularly known as “Heaven on Earth.” This 7-day hike will be carved inside your heart forever as you pass the boundless fields and colorful blue lakes. You will pass through twelve high-altitude lakes, three mountain passes, and countless mountain landscapes over the seven days of trekking. You will cross these three mountain passes of Nichnai, Zaj, and Gadsar. You can complete this trek through the various packages provided by trek & tour operators in kashmir
Location and How to Get There
Everest Base Camp Trek, known as the highest peak in the world, the EBC trek starts from a place situated in the Solu-Khumbu area of Nepal. Usually, you need to take a flight from Kathmandu to the little mountain airport in Lukla. You will come across different communities of Sherpa, and the breathtaking views of Lukla.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is situated in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir specifically in the Kashmir Valley. It starts from Sonamarg which is approximately 80 kilometers from Srinagar. The KGL Trek is comparatively easier to get to the base camp than the EBC Trek because it is accessible by road from Srinagar and does not require any flying.
Difficulty and time required.
Because of its length and high altitude, the Everest Base camp trek is a moderately tough trip. The average time to finish is 12–14 days and the total distance trekked is about 130 km. At 5,545 meters, Kala Patthar is the highest point of the climb and offers breathtaking views of Mount Everest.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is regarded as a moderate trek that lasts for seven to nine days and travels 75 kilometers in total. At 4,200 meters above sea level, Gadsar Pass is the highest point on the journey. The journey is appropriate for hikers with a moderate level of fitness, even if it does have some steep ascents and descents. But still the EBC has been more popular as it is said to be the base of the highest mountain in the world, so this is less popular.
Best time for the trek
The pre-monsoon period is the month between March to May and post-monsoon that falls between September to November seasons are the ideal times to complete the Everest Base Camp trek as the sky remains clear, steady weather and has a clear visibility of all the surroundings as well. If you go during the rainy season, there is a chance of landslides and the roads are slippery and winter seasons roadblocks due to heavy snowfall.
The summer months of June to September are the best times to do the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. It’s a pleasant time of year, with a wide variety of wildflowers in full bloom on the meadows. The high mountain passes are now accessible because the snow has melted. In contrast to other Himalayan regions, monsoon rains are not as problematic here but still there persists risk of landslides, or slippery paths.
How to Reach:
Everest Base Camp Trek:
Traveling to Nepal’s Kathmandu and the Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu serves as the primary international entry point into Nepal. There are numerous international airlines that offer direct flights from all around the world to Kathmandu. Flying domestically from Kathmandu to Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport) is the most popular route to get to the Everest Base Camp Trek starting point. The trip takes 30 to 40 minutes and provides breathtaking Himalayan vistas. Also by road you can drive from Kathmandu to Jiri or Phaplu and then trekking to Lukla is an alternate method. This option provides a gradual acclimatization, but it is less usual and takes several days. The journey to Everest begins in Lukla.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek:
Trekking the Kashmir Great Lakes you have to arrive in Srinagar, India and the closest airport is Srinagar’s Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport (SXR) which is connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore have regular flights. Also, by train the nearest station is Jammu Tawi Railway Station which is almost 300 km from Srinagar. It takes eight to ten hours to reach Srinagar by bus or taxi from Jammu. Srinagar has excellent road access to several important northern Indian towns. From cities such as Chandigarh, Jammu, or Delhi, you can hire a taxi or take a bus.
Then By Road travel to Sonamarg which is roughly 80 km from Srinagar and is the beginning point of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. To get to Sonamarg you can either take a bus or hire a taxi. The two-to-three-hour drive is average. The journey to the Kashmir Great Lakes starts in Sonamarg. Usually, it takes 7-9 days to finish the journey.
Experience Needed:
Trek to Everest Base Camp: The Everest Base Camp Trek is a well-known and well-traveled trekking path that draws thousands of hikers each year. The trail’s teahouses offer lodging and food, and the infrastructure is comparatively advanced. Reaching Mount Everest’s base camp, a goal for many trekkers, culminates in a sense of accomplishment and adventure.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: Although it is becoming increasingly well-known, the KGL Trek is less marketed and provides a more adventurous experience. Trekkers usually camp along the trail, setting up tents at pre-designated campsites. This walk offers a calm and immersive experience, away from the congestion of more popular trekking routes thanks to the tranquility and pristine beauty of the Kashmir Valley.
CONCLUSION
With their own set of highlights and difficulties, the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek both provide one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experiences. For those looking for an in-depth look at Sherpa culture, stunning mountain views, and high-altitude adventure, the EBC Trek is the perfect choice. Conversely, the KGL Trek is ideal for anyone seeking a modest hike that passes through verdant meadows, immaculate alpine lakes, and offers an insight into the customs of Kashmir’s nomadic tribes.
Which of these two treks you choose will ultimately rely on your interests, degree of fitness, and type of experience you’re looking for. Choosing between the well-known route to Everest Base Camp and the tranquil trek through the Kashmir Great Lakes will undoubtedly leave you with priceless memories and a deep respect for the magnificent Himalayas.
