Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Explore the beauty of hidden valleys, meadows of wildflowers spread over miles and green lakes in the lap of Might Himalayan mountains.

Highlights

• The trek covers an approximate trekking distance of 63 km
• Spend the first night of your trek at the base camp Sonamarg (Meadow of Gold) 
• Trek takes you to Shekdur, a cluster of rocky snowy peaks
• Camp near Vishansar Lake
• Trek through the famous Gadsar Pass at 13,750 feet 
• Night bonfire in Gangabal on the 2nd last day of the trek

Detailed Overview

Take yourself to pristine sparkling Lakes in midst of majestic mountains of Kashmir Himalayas, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is the most popular trek in Kashmir. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is surprisingly an easy trek, and great for people with little trekking experience. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is the best way to see the true beauty of Kashmir which lies in the hidden valleys which are not accessible by road. Trek covers seven beautiful Himalayan lakes, which are accessed through alpine pastures of beautiful wildflowers.

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Srinagar to Sonamarg (9000ft)
• Day 2: Sonamarg (9000 feet) to Nichnai (11,500 feet).
• Day 3: Nichnai (11,500 feet) Vishansar Lake (12,000 feet).
• Day 4: Explore Vishansar Lake and Kishansar Lake (12,000 feet)
• Day 5: Vishansar lake (12,500ft) to Gadsar (13,750 ft) via Gadsar Pass
• Day 6: Gadsar (12,000 ft) to Satsar (12,000 ft)
• Day 7: Satsar (12,000ft) to Twin Lakes of Gangabal (11,500 ft).
• Day 8: Gangabal (11,500 ft) to Naranag (7,450ft).

Key Information 

• Max. Altitude: 13,750 feet
• The starting point of trek: Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
• Total Trekking Distance: 63 km
• Average Daily Trekking: 6-7 hours
• Best Trekking Time: July to September

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival day (Base camp – Sonamarg)

• Arrive in Srinagar.
• Tour operator can arrange the pick up from TRC Srinagar at additional cost.
• Drive from Srinagar to Sonmarg, which is 4 hours journey.
• If you are coming on your own to the campsite, you are expected to report the Sonamarg base camp by 5 pm.
• It is advisable to arrive in Srinagar a day early as it helps in acclimatization.

Day 2: Sonamarg to Nichnai via Shekdur (Approximately 9 KM and 6-Hour trek)

• The trek to Nichnai covers a distance of 9 km.
• 3 km into the trek, you will spot a Lone dhabha. Pick up your stock of short eats from here.
• It is a total 3-hour ascent followed by 1-hour descent and finally a gentle 2-hour ascent to Nichnai which is at 11,500 feet.
• The trail takes you through meadows, dense forests with Maple, Pine and Bhoj trees.
• You will reach Nichnai in about 6 hours. Camp overnight at Nichnai.

Day 3: Nichnai to Vishnusar lake (Approximately 12 KM and 6-Hour trek)

• The day's trek is a long 12 km walk on meadows with the scenery changing for the better all along.
• Start by 8 am to give you enough time en route to enjoy the meadows.
• Your first destination for the day is to cross the Nichnai pass or Vishnusar.
• It will take you about 6 hours to reach Vishnusar, gaining an altitude of 2000 feet.
• Pitch your tents next near a water source. Camp for the night.

Day 4: Explore Vishnusar and Kishansar twin lakes ( A day at leisure)

• This day can be spent leisurely, exploring the twin lakes.
• These lakes are full of trouts and trout fishing is popular. Obtain a permit from Srinagar for fishing.
• The trail from Kishansar climbs up to the top of a ridge and on the top of the ridge is the Gadsar pass.
• Spend time at the Kishansar meadows photographing the lake from various angles.
• Camp for the night at Vishnusar.

Day 5: Vishnusar to Gadsar via Kishansar lake and Gadsar Pass(Approximately 10 KM and 5-Hour trek)

• Start trekking towards the top of the ridge from Kishansar.
• The trek is a steep 2-hour ascent followed by a steep descent followed a gentle walk in the meadows.
• It will take you from 12,000 feet to the Gadsar pass at 13,750 feet covering a distance of 10km.
• An hour into the trek, you will see the most beautiful view of the twin lakes together.
• On the other side of the Gadsar pass stretches a long valley with 2-3 small lakes.
• You can also see a few peaks outside the LOC (Line of control).
• Walk through a long stretch of multicoloured flowers, till you reach Gadsar lake.
• You will reach the campsite in 5 hours.
• There is an army camp closeby and all details of the trekkers and staff including original id cards are recorded, collected and checked here.
• Camp for the night at Gadsar.

Day 6: Gadsar to Satsar (Approximately 12 KM and 6-Hour trek)

• Begin your trek towards Satsar, traversing through meadows, a ridge and a stream.
• The trek covers a distance of 12 km in 6 hours.
• Before you reach the first lake, you will have to report to the Satsar army check post.
• It is the 3rd line of defence from the LOC. The same process of ID checking, collection repeats here too.
• Ten minutes out of the army camp is the first of the Satsar lakes.
• The lake is pretty big and looks picturesque in its green setting with mountains in front.
• Camp here for the night.

Day 7: Satsar to Gangabal twin lakes (Approximately 9 KM and 6-Hour trek)

• You will need to cover 9 km today. It may take around 6 hours.
• The trail is mostly descending, with a steep ascends, bringing you down from 12,000 feet to 11,500 feet.
• Trek up half an hour out of camp, to reach the biggest Satsar lake.
• The terrain is bouldery and it is more of a boulder hopping exercise than anything else.
• Look out for the Gangabal and Nandkol twin lakes – a beautiful view from the top.
• Descend further down to meadows and to the Nandakol lake, beside which is the Gangabal Lake.
• Camp for the night at Gangabal.
• Enjoy the bonfire if the weather allows.

Day 8: Gangabal to Naranag (Approximately 11 KM and 6-Hour trek)

• The final descent is quite taxing, as it involves a long and steep descent, but it also passes through the most beautiful pine forests.
• It covers a distance of 11 km and dropping from 11,500 feet to 7,450 feet.
• The trail descends down a ridge onto a meadow with pretty little yellow flowers and then moves in and out of a pine forest until it hits the main road head of Narang.
• You will reach Narang in about 6 hours. The trek ends at Naranag.
• Tour operator can arrange the transport back to Srinagar at additional cost