About this Himalayan Trek
A bucket-list walk past a string of alpine lakes
Widely rated one of India's most beautiful treks, the Kashmir Great Lakes route strings together a series of glacial alpine lakes — Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and the twin Gangabal lakes — across high meadows and mountain passes between Sonamarg and Naranag.
This is a guided, fully-supported camping trek with an experienced mountain team, meals, tents and permits handled. It's a moderate-to-hard trek best suited to fit walkers with some prior high-altitude experience. Pricing is on request, based on group size and dates.
Trip Highlights
A week among the high Himalayan lakes
The twin Vishansar & Kishansar lakes
The green-blue Gadsar lake & pass
The Satsar chain of lakes
The twin Gangabal & Nundkol lakes
High meadows & mountain passes
A guided, fully-supported camp trek
Trip Gallery
A taste of the trip
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Seven days from Sonamarg to Naranag
- Meet in Srinagar and drive to Sonamarg (the "meadow of gold").
- Short acclimatisation walk and trek briefing with the guides.
- Overnight near Sonamarg.
- Trek from Shitkadi through pine and maple forest into open meadows.
- Camp at Nichnai beside the stream.
- Overnight in tents.
- Cross the Nichnai Pass (~13,100 ft).
- Descend to camp near the beautiful Vishansar Lake.
- Overnight in tents.
- Climb past Kishansar Lake to the Gadsar Pass (~13,750 ft), the trek's highest point.
- Descend past the jewel-like Gadsar Lake to camp.
- Overnight in tents.
- Trek through meadows to the Satsar group of alpine lakes.
- Camp near Satsar.
- Overnight in tents.
- Cross the Zaj Pass to the twin Gangabal and Nundkol lakes below Mount Harmukh.
- Camp by the lakes — a spectacular last night.
- Overnight in tents.
- Final descent through forest to Naranag village.
- Drive back to Srinagar; trek concludes.
- Depart or overnight in Srinagar (on request).
What's Included
Transparent pricing — no hidden surprises
- Trek guide & support team
- All camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, mats)
- All meals during the trek (veg)
- Forest & camping permits
- Sonamarg / Naranag road transfers
- A safety kit & oxygen for emergencies
- 24x7 coordination & support
- Airfare / train fare to Srinagar
- Hotel stay in Srinagar (can be added)
- Backpack offloading (on request)
- Personal trekking gear & clothing
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Things to Carry
Mountain holiday essentials
Important Notes
Please read before booking
Local taxis & ponies: At Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, local union taxis and ponies are mandatory for the inner points (meadows, valleys). These are paid directly on the spot and are not part of the package.
Flights: The price is a land package. Fly into Srinagar (SXR) — we can add return flights from your city on request.
Weather: Mountain weather changes quickly and higher spots like Gulmarg and Sonamarg stay cool even in summer — carry warm layers year-round. Snow can affect road access in peak winter.
ID: Carry a valid government photo ID for hotels and houseboats. No special permit is needed for the main Kashmir tourist circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you book
It's a moderate-to-hard trek — six days of walking, long days and high passes up to around 13,750 ft. Good cardio fitness and some prior trekking experience are strongly recommended.
July to September, once the high passes are clear of snow and the alpine meadows are green and in bloom. Outside this window the route is not safely trekkable.
A guide and support team, all camping equipment, all meals during the trek, forest and camping permits, and the Sonamarg and Naranag road transfers. See the full inclusions list above.
Some high-altitude trekking experience and solid fitness help a great deal. Once you book, we share a preparation and fitness guide to get you trek-ready.
The cost depends on group size, the departure date and any add-ons such as a Srinagar hotel or backpack offloading, so we prepare a tailored quote for each departure.
