kashmir Great Lakes trek
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful trekking routes in all of India — an 8-day, 74.8 km high-altitude Kashmir trekking odyssey through a landscape of extraordinary alpine splendour. Passing six stunning mountain lakes beneath the peaks of the Greater Himalayas and crossing three dramatic high-altitude passes above 13,000 ft, this is the Kashmir trek that belongs on every serious trekker’s bucket list.
kashmir great lakes trek
- Jammu & Kashmir, India
₹20,250
Difficulty
Moderate-Difficult
Duration
8 Days
TOTAL TREK DISTANCE
74.8 km
Height
13,715 ft
Base Camp
Gagangir
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Houses or Homestays
PICKUP POINT
PICKUP TIME
07:00 Am
DROPOFF TIME
07:00 PM
About the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek — India's Most Scenic High-Altitude Circuit
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek traces a route from Sonamarg to Naranag through meadows, moraines, and ridgelines that reveal a new panoramic vista at every turn. The six lakes — Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangabal, and Nundkol — each have their own distinct character: from the turquoise twin lakes of Vishansar-Krishansar to the vast, wind-swept expanse of Gangabal beneath the towering Haramukh peak.
Three high-altitude pass crossings — Nichnai, Gadsar, and Zaji — give this high-altitude trek Kashmir its signature adventurous character, with each pass offering sweeping views across the Kashmir Valley and the Himalayan range. Wildflower meadows, glacial moraines, and a sky uninterrupted by light pollution make every campsite on this Kashmir trekking route a world unto itself.
Trek in Kashmir brings full logistical expertise, certified mountain guides, and intimate local knowledge to this premier Kashmir trekking route. With group sizes carefully managed for quality and safety, the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek with us delivers an experience that is both deeply personal and masterfully supported — from ₹20,250 per person.
Day Wise Itinerary of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
- Drive Distance: 83 Km
- Drive Duration: 3-4 hrs
Our First Day of this journey will simply be a Drive from Srinagar to Gagangir. But the drive will be joyful and exploring as well , as we will travelling through various famous tourist destinations like Sonmarg before reaching to Gagangir. All the briefing, rentals and cloakroom will be done there.
- Trek Distance: 11.6 Km
- Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs
- Altitude Gain: 8,150 ft/ 2484 m to 11,607 ft/ 3537 m
This is the Day when our trekking journey will start. There are going to be various ascends and descends on this day. First we will drive to Shitkadi , a short drive of 3 km on the Srinagar Road. As soon as we will reach there, we will only found a restaurant their where we get the small food refills for trek, as the next stop to these shops will be at Naranag.
Taking the right side from their we go down to the exact level of Sindh river, From their track turns into the trek , as we have just entered a green meadow area from their the trial goes left as we will head to the top where we will get to see Sonamarg Town. At the top of the meadow we will witness maple and pine trees, the forest gets denser and denser while ascending. Right after seeing a clearing , we can look back to get a proper look of the Sonamarg Town . At the end of the ascend we will see a ridge, where we will take a rest a look at the scenic beauty of Sonamarg.
Now, the trial will be descending only, during the descend we will see a beautiful green meadow that takes us at a place surrounded by small peaks . This place is known as Shekdur.
While descending Shekdur you will see a Bhoj or Silver Birch trees, after that we will see a river valley that is the starting of the Nichnai. As we are going ahead the river valley widens up till we see triangular twins snowy peaks. After reaching their we will find plan ground to set the tents for camping there for that night.
- Trek Distance: 13.5 Km
- Trek Duration: 7 hrs
- Altitude Gain: 11,607 ft/ 3537 m to 12,011 ft/ 3660 m via 13,229 ft / 4032 m
Today our milestone for the day will be Nichnai Pass and Vishansar Lake. We will leave for trial in the early morning , as we are ascending toward the Nichnai Pass . We will be gradually climbing to the height of 13,299 ft. After the Nichnai Pass there will be gradual descent of rocky trials that further open ups to flowery green meadows, after that we will be seeing the a river flowing into the meadow. Trekking the meadows till the end of the valley we will see a stream that originates from the Vishansar Lake. The Lake is still unseen. We will Camp there as there is enough space for camping.
The Vishansar Lake lies around half Km from there. We will follow the Streams up until we get the glimpse of the Vishansar Lake. Finally we get to see the enormous lake with color changing feature with respect to time. Blue Color when the sun shines and green during the evening
- Trek Distance: 116 Km
- Trek Duration: 7.5 hrs
- Altitude Gain & Loss: 12,011 ft/ 3660m to 10,706 ft/ 3263 m via 13,715 ft / 4180 m
First we will have a steep ascend to the top of the ridge or Gadsar Pass which is at an altitude of 13,800 ft where we will get to witness the two lakes in a single frame i.e. Kishansar Lake and Vishansar Lake. The view will be there while crossing the Pass.
After that we will be descending down the in a gentle way . We will be going through a valley getting narrower as we are moving ahead. Just after that , flowers along with greenery will start to appear. In the flowers area we will witness various flowers various colors. Just after the flower section, we are almost at the Gadsar Lake . After reaching the one of the prettiest lake in this trek, the scene will be unreal for naked eye. A beautiful lake in the centre , colorful wild flowers one side and snowy mountains on the other side. We can camp there if the trek leaders think so. But the best will be to camp beside Gadsar Army Camp. To move further we have to first inform the Army headquater which are just 4.3 Kms from their. The Persons from Army camp connects with through a satellite phone. We will report them as soon as we reached their . Will take around 2-3 hours to get the persmission
- Trek Distance: 11.5 Km
- Trek Duration: 4-5 hrs
- Altitude Gain:10,706 ft / 3263 m to 11,985 ft / 3653 m
Today, we will be taking the trials of mountains, as we going ahead we see a tree line along with river flowing along with it. After crossing the altitude of 11,600 ft . We will then take a left turn , where we will be walking on a meadow surrounded by mountains, we can also see craters their. The place is known as Maengandob. Just a few distance from their , is a place with flat ground along with river and lonely mountains. Best for camping, if Army Camp was not your last camp. Otherwise, we will move ahead to the first lake of the Satsar Lakes to camp there. Satsar is actually a collection of 7 lakes . The number lakes we will see depends upon the season. Right after the ridge, is a army check post where we have to go through same procedure as before. After that only a few minutes track we will camp there.
- Trek Distance: 9 Km
- Trek Duration: 6 hours
- Altitude Gain:11,985 ft / 3653 m to 11,486 ft / 3500 m via 13,276 ft / 4046 m
After starting our trek from the army camp, we will continuous ascends and descends up until we will reach the biggest lake on this trek i.e., the Satsar Lake. After enjoying the beautiful site of this beautiful Lake, we will see have to cross a boulder section. As soon as we are over the boulders, we will see ridge that we are about to climb. Just as we have climbed this ridge , we have to climb two more ridges to gain the height.
As soon as we are at the top of the ridge , we will get to see the two beautiful Lakes , the Gangabal along with it's companion Nandkol. As we descent down , we a see a stream after that a meadow. Taking left from their you will see a glimpse of the Nandkol Lake, walking down just after crossing the wooden log bridge we are at Nandkol Lake. Their is also short trek possible to this place from Naranag .
The Naranag at the feet of Harmukh Peak , we can also see the Harmukh Glacier on the right side. Gangabal lake is just some minutes away distance from Nandkol. We can also see a stream connecting the two lakes. After reaching the Gangabal Lake we can see how huge that lake is. We will camp here for tonight.
- Trek Distance: 13 Km
- Trek Duration: 6 hrs
- Drive Distance: 50 Km
- Drive Duration: 2 hrs
- Altitude loss: 11,486 / 3500 m ft to 7,800 ft/ 2377m
Our Last Day of the this trekking journey isn't going to be easy on our knees. We will have first experience steeping descent , going down until we will see a flat green meadow grounds .
After the meadows , we will go through the pine trees . The forest will get denser and denser as we move ahead. After walking for some distance we will experience sudden steep descent of 3100 ft that leads us to Naranag. We will see a lot of trekkers going to Gangabal Lake. Stay strong and patient along the trial till we will finally reach a track that leads to a main road of Naranag. On the Same Day we will travel back to Srinagar where we part our ways.
Frequently Asked Questions — Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is best undertaken between late June and mid-September. The three high-altitude passes clear of snow by late June, opening the full circuit. July and August are peak season: the lakes are ice-free, wildflowers blanket the meadows, and weather is at its most consistent for this high-altitude trek Kashmir. September is an excellent shoulder month with fewer trekkers, cooler temperatures, and exceptional mountain clarity. By October, snowfall returns and closes the passes. Trek in Kashmir recommends booking 6–8 weeks ahead for July–August departures.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek passes through six major alpine lakes: Vishansar Lake and Krishansar Lake (the stunning twin lakes at ~13,400 ft), Gadsar Lake (the largest lake on the route, known as the Lake of Fish), Satsar Lakes (a cluster of smaller lakes in a high-altitude bowl), Gangabal Lake (the most dramatic, framed by the mighty Haramukh peak), and Nundkol Lake (nestled below Gangabal). Together these form one of the most visually spectacular high-altitude lake circuits in the entire Himalayas.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is graded Moderate to Difficult. The 74.8 km route over 8 days includes three high-altitude pass crossings (the most demanding being Gadsar Pass at approximately 13,800 ft), long walking days of 6–9 hours, and high-altitude camping throughout. Trekkers with some prior multi-day trekking experience above 10,000 ft are best positioned. Well-prepared first-time multi-day trekkers with good baseline fitness regularly complete the route with Trek in Kashmir's expert guidance. Altitude acclimatisation is built into the itinerary to manage health risks effectively.
The Trek in Kashmir Kashmir Great Lakes Trek package starts from ₹20,250 per person. This comprehensive package includes all camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, mattresses), all meals on trail (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner), a certified and experienced trek leader, trained mountain guides, full camp support crew, first-aid and emergency support, and applicable entry fees. Exclusions include travel to/from Sonamarg/Naranag, personal trekking equipment, personal insurance, and personal expenses. Group discounts are available — contact Trek in Kashmir for details.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek crosses three spectacular high-altitude passes: Nichnai Pass (~13,400 ft), the first crossing, offering sweeping views back towards Sonamarg and the Thajiwas Glacier; Gadsar Pass (~13,800 ft), the most demanding of the three — a sustained ascent rewarded by breathtaking Himalayan views and Gadsar Lake below; and Zaji Pass (~11,600 ft), the final transition descending towards Naranag through forest and meadow terrain. Together these three crossings define the high-altitude adventure character of this Kashmir trekking route.
Trek Location
- NTB, Indonesia
Have Any Question?
Whether you’re wondering about the ideal trekking season, route difficulty, necessary permits, or packing essentials, we’re here to guide you. The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a breathtaking journey through alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes, and snow-capped peaks, offering one of the most scenic treks in the Himalayas. Don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re happy to answer all your questions and help you prepare for a truly unforgettable adventure in paradise.
- (+91)7006580880
- infotrekinkashmir@gmail.com
Kashmir great lakes trek altituide
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek ranges from 7,800 ft (2,377 m) at Sonamarg to a maximum altitude of around 13,750 ft (4,190 m) at Gadsar Pass. Proper acclimatization and hydration are essential to avoid altitude-related issues.
Kashmir great lakes trek Highest altituide
The highest altitude on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is 13,750 feet (4,190 meters) at Gadsar Pass. It offers breathtaking views but requires good fitness and acclimatization due to the thin air at high elevation.
Kashmir great lakes Trek distance
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek covers a total distance of approximately 70 to 75 kilometers over 7–8 days. The trail includes varied terrain with daily hikes ranging from 10 to 15 kilometers, passing through alpine meadows, lakes, and mountain passes.
Kashmir great lakes Trek duration
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek typically takes 7 to 8 days to complete. This includes daily trekking, rest breaks, and acclimatization, allowing ample time to enjoy the scenic lakes, meadows, and mountain passes along the route.
Kashmir great lakes trek difficult level
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is rated as moderate to difficult. It involves long walking hours, steep ascents and descents, and high-altitude passes. Good physical fitness and prior trekking experience are recommended for a comfortable and safe journey.
Kashmir great lakes trek best time to visit
The best time to visit the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is from July to early September. During this window, the weather is stable, the trails are clear of snow, and the alpine landscapes are at their most vibrant with blooming flowers and lush meadows.
Kashmir great lakes Trek height
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek spans elevations from 7,800 feet (2,377 meters) at Sonamarg to a maximum height of 13,750 feet (4,190 meters) at Gadsar Pass, offering stunning high-altitude views of lakes, meadows, and mountain ranges.
Kashmir great lakes Trek trek opening date
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek officially opens around late June to early July, and runs through mid‑September: Most operators begin departures in the last days of June or the first week of July The trek closes by mid‑September, as early snowfall makes high passes unsafe
