Discover the Kashmir Great Lakes trek: snow-capped peaks, vibrant meadows, and breathtaking landscapes. Plan your adventure from July to September.
Discover the Kashmir Great Lakes trek: snow-capped peaks, vibrant meadows, and breathtaking landscapes. Plan your adventure from July to September.
Arrival at Srinagar for drive to Sonmarg at Shitkadi Campsite | Drive: 81 KM in 3 to 4 hours
Anchar Lake - Departing from Srinagar around 1 PM, we reach Sonamarg by 4:30 PM. The drive follows the Sind River, crossing to the true right of the river at Wayil bridge, 25 KM from Srinagar. Along the way, we pass Anchar Lake in Srinagar. The drive is a…
Arrival at Srinagar for drive to Sonmarg at Shitkadi Campsite | Drive: 81 KM in 3 to 4 hours
Anchar Lake - Departing from Srinagar around 1 PM, we reach Sonamarg by 4:30 PM. The drive follows the Sind River, crossing to the true right of the river at Wayil bridge, 25 KM from Srinagar. Along the way, we pass Anchar Lake in Srinagar. The drive is a gradual ascent to Sonamarg, rising from 1,600 meters in Srinagar to just over 2,700 meters in Sonamarg. We camp overnight at Shitkadi, with a short 500-meter walk to our campsite.
Shitkadi camp to Nichinai Camp | Trek: 11 KM in 5 to 6 hours
Nichinai to Vishnusar (Vishansar) & Kishansar Lakes via Nichinai Pass | Trek: 13 KM in 5 to 6 hours
Vishansar Lake - The trek from Nichinai camp begins with an ascent to the Nichinai Pass, which is around 4,100 meters high. The climb takes a couple of hours at a moderate pace. After crossing the Nichinai Pass, we see a small lake at the mountain’s base to our left. Another larger lake, about 500 meters long, is 2 KM ahead but is not visible until we climb to the ridge on our right. The trail descends from the pass into grassland with a gentle slope after an hour of descent. From here, the trail is gentle up to Vishansar Lake. It’s a few KM to the lake’s base and our campsite. The lake requires another 20 minutes to reach as it is slightly higher in altitude. Kishansar is further ahead and higher in altitude than Vishansar Lake.
Vishansar Lake (Vishnusar) to Gadsar via Gadsar Pass | Trek: 16 KM in 5 hours
Gadsar Lake - The trek from Vishansar to Gadsar is beautiful but challenging. Today’s trek takes you to the highest point of the entire journey, at 4,210 meters at the Gadsar Pass. The trail from Vishansar campsite continues to the right, with Kishansar Lake to our left. The trail then climbs steeply to the pass, with a zig-zag path visible from afar. It takes around 2 hours to reach the Gadsar Pass. As we climb higher, we are rewarded with magnificent views of the two lakes behind us. Take some time to capture these moments in your mind, as you will cherish them for the rest of your life.
Gadsar to Satsar | Trek: 11 KM in 5 hours
Tarsar Lake - The trek from Gadsar to Satsar starts with a steep hike that takes a little over an hour, followed by a gradual, mostly level trail. This will be a relatively easier day compared to other trek days.
Satsar to Gangabal Lake and Nund Kol Lake via Zaj Pass (13,280 feet) | Trek: 11 KM in 6 hours
Gangabal Lake - The trek begins with an ascent to the Zaj Pass, which is lower in altitude than the previous passes. At 13,280 feet, it takes around 2 hours to reach the pass. The trail then descends steeply, followed by a gradual descent, making for an enjoyable walk.
Gangabal Lake to Naranag (7,800 feet) & drive to Srinagar | Trek: 13 KM in 6 hours & Drive: 50KM in 2 to 3 hours
Gangabal Lake - On the final trekking day, the trail alternates between minor ascents and descents for the first half, followed by a steep descent to Naranag. We arrive in Srinagar between 5 and 7 PM, depending on our start time from Gangabal.
- Accommodation for 6 Nights Standard Tent stay with Double occupancy
- Clean sleeping bag & mats
- Lunch
- Transport support on Srinagar onwards
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Good quality ‘A’ shape tent, Kitchen, dining and toilet tent with portable seats, Camping stools
- All fees and/or taxes
- Mountaineering qualified & BMC certified professional trek guide with First Aid kit
- Accommodation for 6 Nights Standard Tent stay with Double occupancy
- Clean sleeping bag & mats
- Lunch
- Transport support on Srinagar onwards
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Good quality ‘A’ shape tent, Kitchen, dining and toilet tent with portable seats, Camping stools
- All fees and/or taxes
- Mountaineering qualified & BMC certified professional trek guide with First Aid kit
- Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls, etc.
- Transport to reach Srinagar from hometown.
- Accommodation in Srinagar on last day.
- Porter to carry personal luggage.( INR 500/- Charge per bag(<12), per day).
- Any costs incurred apart from the above inclusions.
- Increasing in prices due to emergency.
- Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls, etc.
- Transport to reach Srinagar from hometown.
- Accommodation in Srinagar on last day.
- Porter to carry personal luggage.( INR 500/- Charge per bag(<12), per day).
- Any costs incurred apart from the above inclusions.
- Increasing in prices due to emergency.
The trek starts from early July month. During this time snow is still present on the higher altitudes and the meadows are in their fresh bloom. The landscape is contrasting. Those keen to witness the snow covered landscape with a foreground of fresh summer bloom, should plan their trek in early July. By end of July the snow melts away, and the meadows…
The trek starts from early July month. During this time snow is still present on the higher altitudes and the meadows are in their fresh bloom. The landscape is contrasting. Those keen to witness the snow covered landscape with a foreground of fresh summer bloom, should plan their trek in early July. By end of July the snow melts away, and the meadows are in their full bloom. The landscape has all the floral hues it can get and its a very great time to plan the trek. The temperatures are warmer than in July, making the nights more comfortable during camping. By late August the temperature starts to drop again, the flowers begin to wither as the cold begins to sweep the alpine meadows. Abrupt rainfall can be more than expected during this time period. The trek can continue well into the second week of September, before the snow starts to take over the higher reaches again and winter comes knocking at the doors.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.