from 69 reviews
7 night 8 days
Up to 30 days
20 people
English, Hindi, Local
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a 7-day trek that takes you through the heart of the Kashmir Himalayas. The trek passes through five valleys and six alpine lakes, offering stunning views of snow-capped mountains, lush meadows, and crystal-clear waters.
The trek starts in Sonamarg, a small town located 90 kilometers northeast of Srinagar. The first day of the trek is a relatively easy walk to Nichnai, a small village located in the Lidder Valley. The next day, the trek ascends to Vishansar Lake, the first of the six lakes on the trek.
The next few days of the trek involve a series of ascents and descents as you pass through the Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, and Gangabal Valleys. The final day of the trek is a steep descent to Naranag, a village located on the banks of the Jhelum River.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a moderate-to-difficult trek that requires a good level of fitness. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, but there are some steep ascents and descents. The trek is best done during the summer months (June-August), when the weather is warm and sunny.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a great way to experience the beauty of the Kashmir Himalayas. The trek is also a good opportunity to learn about the culture and history of the region. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding trek, the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a great option.
Things to Carry:
Rucksack/Backpack (60 liters) with rain cover
Small day backpack for essentials during the trek
Waterproof dry bags or zip-locks to keep items dry
3-layer clothing system: Base layer, Fleece, Insulated jacket
Waterproof jacket/Poncho/Raincoat
Quick-dry trek pants (2–3 pairs)
Full-sleeve T-shirts (collared preferred)
Thermal inners (top and bottom)
Woolen cap or beanie
Muffler or bandana
Extra undergarments and cotton towels
Trekking shoes with good grip (preferably waterproof)
Floaters or slip-ons for campsite use
3–4 pairs of socks (mix of cotton and woolen)
Gaiters (optional, for snow or muddy trails)
Woolen/fleece gloves and waterproof outer gloves
Sunglasses (UV protected)
Sun cap and balaclava
Sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm with SPF
Moisturizer
Toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper
Wet wipes and face wash
Hand sanitizer and small towel
Feminine hygiene products (if required)
Personal hygiene kit (soap strips, nail cutter, etc.)
Energy bars, chocolates, dry fruits, trail mix
Glucon D or ORS sachets
Reusable cutlery set: tiffin box, spoon, mug
Personal medical kit (with prescribed medicines)
Pain relievers, band-aids, antiseptic cream
Diamox (only after doctor’s consultation)
First-aid kit with Oximeter and Oxygen Cylinder (provided by trek operator)
Headlamp or LED torch with extra batteries
Water bottles (2 x 1-liter) or hydration bladder
Trekking poles (highly recommended)
Camera/Binoculars (optional)
ID Proof (original + 2 photocopies)
Valid Government-issued ID (Aadhar, Passport, etc.)
Travel Insurance copy (mandatory for permit)
Medical fitness certificate (if required by organizer)
The group will assemble at Tourist Reception Centre in Srinagar at 11 AM. Afterward, we'll start driving from Srinagar to reach Sonamarg where Shitkari village serves as the ideal base camp for the Kashmir great lakes trek. Note: It's important that you carry your ID proof, original as well as 2 photocopies as you will need to submit these documents at the army check post.
After early morning breakfast, we will head out towards Nichnai which is our campsite. The entire trail gives you a slice of paradise that is Kashmir. Maple and pine trees line the trail and as you gradually ascend, the stunning landscape of the entire Sonamarg Valley comes into view. Streams of water flow relentlessly, giving way to lush green meadows of Shekdur, adorned by small peaks and surrounded by Bhoj trees, making it a breathtaking stop to take a breather and marvel at the wonder of nature. Following the flow of water of Nichnai stream, we will reach our campsite where we will have dinner and spend the night.
After early morning breakfast, we will head towards the scenic Vishansar lake. The lake holds utmost importance for Kashmiri pandits and its surrounding landscape of alpine forests and gorges filled with small glaciers make it a fascinating spot for trekkers. The Nichnai pass lies behind the twin peaks that stand proudly in the backdrop of your campsite. Nestled at the foot of the mountains, you will see a lake coming into view. As you ascend gradually into the meadows, the pass will finally come into the view providing you with a stunning view of Sonamarg valley. After witnessing the magic of this pass, you will start your descent with the view of flowery meadows and rivers in the backdrop. Soon, you will see a waterfall cascading from a mountain cliff and after trekking for a while a new stream will come into view. We will set up our camps in the open space with the Vishansar lake in the backdrop. The rest of the day is at leisure but you can indulge in any fun activity you like. Dinner followed by an overnight stay at the campsite.
Since the weather near Kishansar lake is unpredictable, we proceed with caution. If the weather doesn't permit movement, we will spend our day here in the campsite. If the weather is clear, we move towards Gangbal camp site.
After morning tea and breakfast, we will embark on to our next stop. Nestled at an altitude of 500ft, the Kishansar lake lies just above Vishansar lake. The blend of stunning landscapes of green meadows and crystal blue lakes makes this a sight to behold. Soon, you will see the ridge that is Gadsar Pass coming into view. After strolling for a while longer, you will see a small lake which would be the Yamsar lake which has a mythological significance associated with the god of death, Yama in Hinduism. As you move forward and the base of snow-covered cliffs come into view, you would see a pristine lake and that would be Gadsar lake. After enjoying the beautiful view, we will walk a bit further and then set up our campsite, Dinner followed by an overnight stay in camps.
After having our morning tea and breakfast, we will leave the campsite to head towards our next stop Satsar camp which is nestled s at 12,000ft and is a collection of seven lakes, the majority of which you can see depending on the season. You will be traversing through lush green forests with rivers and valleys below you. After traversing through terrains with majestic mountains in your view, you will soon see a ridge that is the gateway to Satsar, beyond which lies the 3rd line of defense from the LOC as well as the Satsar Army camp. We will set up our campsite a few meters away from here and enjoy the serenity and peace. Dinner followed by an overnight stay in camps.
Post-breakfast, we will head out for our trekking expedition that consists of ascends and descends. The trail is full of surprises, with countless ridges and nameless lakes. After traversing through all of them, you will finally reach the biggest lake among them all which is Gangabal with Nundkol just by its side. The Nundkhol lake is nestled at the base of the Harmukh peak where the Harmukh glacier hangs on the edges of the mountain. We will set up our campsite here at Nundkol and spend the night after having dinner.
Post breakfast, we will start our descent from the Gangabal campsite. You will see green canopies lining the trail and you will start to see traces of civilization. The meadows give way to wooden huts and Naranag slowly comes into sight at around 8500ft giving way to Naranag road. We will drive back to Srinagar from here. Upon reaching Srinagar, the group will dissemble. End of Tour.
Shitkari, a small village, situated at a distance of approximately 3 Kilometers from Sonamarg serves as the ideal basecamp for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. It is accessible via a short drive from Sonamarg.
The Kashmir Great lakes trek is an 8-day trek and you get to traverse through 7 different valleys each day. The trail consists of steep ascents and descents, where you’ll have to walk on grasslands, boulders, steep inclines, and more which will test your endurance. This is why the difficulty level of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek comes under the moderate category. Because it requires strenuous hours of walking on diverse trails.
The Kashmir Great Lake trek stretches up to a vast expanse of 74 Kilometers where you get to traverse through different valleys. The distance that you cover is major when compared to other Himalayan treks and partly contributes to the difficulty of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.
The Kashmir Great lakes trek is undoubtedly the most beautiful Himalayan trek with its pristine lakes, enchanting valleys, and lush green meadows. It is an experience that every trekker must tick off their bucket list. The fact that it offers such diverse trails and unfolds a different landscape with every step is just one of the reasons that make the Kashmir Great Lakes trek absolutely worth it.
Kashmir Great Lakes trek is considered to be a moderate trek that gradually becomes difficult as you traverse the many steep ascends and descents throughout the trail. There are a few basic fitness tips that you can follow when preparing for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek 1) Run for 30 - 45 mins at least twice a week. 2) Stair climbing. Skip the elevators and take the stairs instead 3) Keep your body active by doing regular exercises. Jogging, Skipping and other cardiovascular activities help build endurance which would help you when you're trekking. 4) Train with your backpack before your trek.
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