Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

• Altitude: 2,730 m
• Time taken: 3 hours drive

• Highlight of the day: Scenic drive along the Sindh River, surrounded by villages, farmlands, and mountain ranges.
• Trail Type: Road journey (no trekking).
• Tip: Arrive at the pickup point before noon; use the evening to acclimatize and rest.
• Clothing: Comfortable travel clothes, light jacket for evening, hat for sun protection.
• What to Look For: Beautiful river views, traditional Kashmiri villages, and the first glimpse of alpine landscapes.

Our pick-up is from Srinagar and usually, we leave from Srinagar at noon. You will need to schedule your flight arrival in such a way that by 12 you are already at the pickup location. Drive from Srinagar to the base camp at Shitkadi Sonamarg. While driving you will get the best highlight of the Kashmir landscape. The drive winds through villages, and farmlands and the road is between two mountain ranges.

You will be driving beside the shimmering and ever-flowing Sindh River. On the way, you can stop to feel the views of these mountains and pastures. We stop at a lovely location beside the Sindh River stream for lunch or a tea break.

By evening you will reach Shitkadi where you will be served with welcome drink and evening snacks, later you will be served dinner.

You will spend the night camping at Shitkadi which is surrounded by luring mountain peaks. The reason to spend the night at Shitkadi is for acclimatization. You will be briefed by your trek leader about an entire trek, and you will be given all the details about the trek.

Note: Make sure you start taking enough water, take proper rest, and avoid smoking or taking alcohol from this day itself. In all of our treks, no drinking is allowed. We have a cloakroom facility. If any trekker has an extra bag to be kept in the cloakroom, our office will come on the way. The charge per bag is 250 rupees.

• Altitude: 2,730m to 3,505 m
• Time taken: 6.5 hours, 9 km
• Highlight of the day: Trek begins with stunning views from Tabletop plateau and a lush forest walk.
• Trail Type: Moderate trek with ascent, forest, and open valley sections; includes a river crossing.
• Tip: Start early to avoid direct sun and reach campsite with time to recover.
• Clothing: Trekking pants, moisture-wicking shirt, light fleece, rain jacket (weather-dependent), sturdy trekking shoes.
• What to Look For: Thajwas Mountain Range, Amarnath Peak, maple/pine/birch forests, and river streams.

This is the first day you will be taking your backpack and start ascending towards the next campsite. Our usual schedule is to wake up at 6 am, have breakfast at 7 am, and leave the campsite by 8 am. The earlier we start, the better as we will get less direct sun, will reach early the campsite and can have more time to recover. After breakfast, there will be a short briefing by your trek leader before we start walking.

Today starts with an ascend. Just after ascending a few meters, there is an army post where you will have to stop to check. You need to keep your Adhar card/passport in your daypack. It takes around one hour here for all the formalities.

As we continue our ascent, the first stop will be at Tabletop, a beautiful plateau that is surrounded by jungle but opens wide towards the Thajwas Mountain Range. This gives a fascinating wide look of the entire Sonamarg area and its mountain range. You will be able to see the famous Amarnath Peak from here.

From Table Top, we enter a small patch of forest walk. It’s soothing during hot days to find a shade like this. It however leads to an open valley.

Post this, you will trek towards Nichnai. You will be trekking beside the river canal that goes down, and after a patch of jungle, the trail opens up and gives way to tall mountains. There is a river crossing too, a small stream that cuts this valley. Your trek leader and guides will help you cross the stream.

The view becomes more and more breathtaking as you trek further towards the campsite. The trail has rocky patches as well and is dotted with maple, birch, and pine trees. If you are a beginner, you must take the assistance of our able guides to cross the river streams. Our guides will help you cross the stream.

The view becomes more and more breathtaking as you trek further towards the campsite. The trail has rocky patches as well and is dotted with maple, birch, and pine trees.

• Altitude: 3,505m to 3,650 m
• Time: 5.5 hours, 13 km
• Highlight of the day: Crossing Nichnai Pass with panoramic valley views; wildflower meadows.
• Trail Type: Moderate to long walk, mostly open valley and meadow, steep ascent/descent at pass.
• Tip: Stay hydrated, cover your head, and carry cash for the dhaba at the pass.
• Clothing: Layered clothing for changing temperatures, sun hat, sunglasses, rain gear if needed.
• What to Look For: Wildflowers (especially in August), trout fish in streams, rugged and snow-peaked mountain ranges.

The gradient of the day is moderate with long hours of walk. After breakfast, you will be given the packed lunch as we will be lunching on our way to the next campsite. This day we will be covering the first high-altitude pass of the trek – Nichnai Pass. It’s an all-ascent to the pass. Walk steadily, keeping your feet firm. And take a moderate pace. As the valley is open and doesn’t have forest shade, take regular water breaks. And better to keep your head covered.

We will be taking our first rest spot at Nichnai Pass. The pass is after the river stream. Just before the top, crossing the ridgeline you will see the beautiful valley down that you just traversed.

Near the pass, there is a Dhaba. Take rest here, you can have Maggie or omelette or just a tea or coffee here. Make sure you keep cash with you as no network works here, no UPI or bank transfers. Also, the pricing is very high so must keep that in mind too.

The pass also has a steep and rocky descent towards the beautiful valley on the other side. The meadow below is dotted with wildflowers. You will be walking in this quiet and serene meadow with joy and delight. In the surroundings, you will see a long stretch of mountains to both the left and right sides of you. Towards the right, the mountain range is rugged, to your right the mountain line in contrast is snow-peaked.

After walking for a couple of kilometers you will cross the river and reach our campsite. The campsite is beside the river stream that originates at the breathtaking Vishansar Lake.

In the river, you will see a wide range of trout fish which are very famous here. However, fishing is forbidden here. You need to have a proper fishing license from the Fisheries Authority of Kashmir. During August month the entire valley is full of flowers.
Relax beside the lake and take your evening snacks that you will receive as you reach the campsite.       

Altitude: 3,650m to 3,810m via 4,200m Gadsar Pass

• Time taken: 8 hours, 16 km
• Highlight of the day: Breathtaking views of Vishansar and Kishansar lakes; crossing the highest pass (Gadsar Pass).
• Trail Type: Long, tough day with steep ascent/descent; rocky and narrow sections.
• Tip: Start early, carry extra snacks, and be prepared for weather changes.
• Clothing: Warm layers, windproof/waterproof jacket, gloves, trekking poles, sturdy shoes.
• What to Look For: Twin lakes, colorful wildflowers in Gadsar meadow, Gadsar Lake, and panoramic views from the pass.

This day is the longest and toughest day of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. The gradient is difficult. On this day, you will cross over the highest altitude of the trek which is GadsarPass standing tall at 4,200m. This day you will cross the highest altitude of this trekking route.

We will start early, have a proper lunch, and don’t forget to take your snacks like protein bars or fruits for this day.

Your trek leader will guide you and start you early in the morning for the day. The first attraction and the best attraction of the trek will be visible within an hour of your trek. Behold the two gorgeous lakes cozily and calmly adjacent to each other: Vishansar and Kishansar Lakes.

The lakes are famous for their blue water and abundant trout fish. You will see trout fish swimming around. The fish are of different colors. Both of these lakes have a religious significance, and they drain into the Kishanganga River that meanders through Gurez Valley.

After the lakes, start the ardent steep ascend to Gadsar Pass. It has a narrow and sharp trail. Ascend carefully and steadily. It takes around 2 hours to reach the top of the pass. It is during rains that the trail of this pass disappears.

Most of the breathtaking pictures that you see of the route are shot from this pass. Take some rest here for some time. Click your videos and pictures here to cherish the memories later on.

From the pass is a steep and a bit long descent. Place your steps carefully. The descent then finishes and merges into a long, lush meadow called Gadsar Meadow. The meadow is wavy breathtakingly placed between the two mountain stretches. It has lush grass and varied colorful flowers and herbs. The meadow is the most colorful of this trek.

Shortly afterward, you will see on your left a soothing, blue-colored lake – Gadsar Lake. The lake is the least visited and is an essential part of the Great Lakes Trek. Since it is almost in the middle of this trek, this lake is the least visited and explored and is one of the best alpine lakes that you will see on the trek.

Legends say the water and fish from the Gadsar Lake have healing powers. The campsite is just a small walk from the lake.

Note: It is on this day most of the treks get terminated during rainy days. If it rains heavily then we won’t be able to ascent the Gadsar Pass as the trail disappears and it gets all slippery and muddy. In that situation, we use the buffer day (there is an extra payment for the buffer day).

Buffer day means we don’t trek forward, we just spend another day at the same campsite. If the weather turns good and the trail is doable the next day, we cross the Gadsar Pass. If the trail is again slippery and it is not safe to cross the pass, then we abandon the plan of going to the other side. We spend the rest of the days exploring Vishansar and Nichani Valley and then descend to Shitkadi, Sonamarg.    

• Altitude: 3,810m to 3,600 m
• Time taken: 5 hours, 12 km
• Highlight of the day: Trek through lush meadows and past the seven alpine lakes of Satsar.
• Trail Type: Easy to moderate, mostly meadow walking with some rocky patches.
• Tip: Enjoy the easier terrain; reach campsite early for a hot lunch.
• Clothing: Light layers, comfortable trekking clothes, rain jacket (just in case).
• What to Look For: Seven alpine lakes, wildflowers, rugged mountain landscapes, and shepherd trails.

The gradient of this day is easy. Only around one hour is an ascend until the trail opens on the Satsar Meadow. Then the walk turns into an easy walk on lush grass and trail. The trail has small rocky patches amidst the lush meadow and some water-filled grassland. The landscape of the mountain is mostly rugged and desolate. The valley in total holds seven alpine lakes. The seven lakes are one of the sources of the famous Wangath River that you will be seeing on the way going towards Srinagar after finishing the trek. Afterward, shortly, we will reach our campsite which is in the vicinity of the river stream.

Satsar means ‘seven lakes’, and this valley has remained famous for its alpine lakes. It is connected on one side to the famous Gurez Valley. It is the traditional route of Shepherd to go to Gurez from and Sonamarg or Kangan area.

In Satsar Valley, there is an army camp and you will be asked to show your original Adhar or passport. Do not click any pictures near any of the army camps while on the trail.

On this day, we will reach the campsite before noon, hence we will have a hot lunch at the campsite. We won’t have to carry the lunch boxes. Considering the difficulty of all other trek days on Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, this will seem like a rest day as the walk is easy.

• Altitude: 3,600m to 3,587 m
• Time taken:5 hours, 9 km
• Highlight of the day: Crossing Zajibal Pass with the first view of twin lakes (Nundkol and Gangabal).
• Trail Type: Moderate to difficult, boulder hopping, steep ascent/descent at pass.
• Tip: Prepare for a challenging day; use trekking poles for stability.
• Clothing: Warm layers, windproof jacket, gloves, sturdy trekking shoes.
• What to Look For: Twin glacial lakes, Mt. Harmukh, abundant trout fish, and dramatic mountain scenery.

This day is moderate to difficult and starts with a patch of boulders and rocky terrain. The boulder section will dominate the day, with the hopping from one boulder to another. The trail goes up and reaches the Zajibal Pass. There is a sharp ascend towards the pass for about 3 hours and then an equally long descent. The trail then has a succession of ascends and descends until it goes into Gangabal Valley.

On the way comes the biggest of the Satsar Lakes. The lake is bigger and more gorgeous. After the ascend, one reaches the highest altitude of the day at the top of the ridge called Zajibal Pass. The pass stands at an altitude of 4000m.

However, the best part of this pass and the treat to the eyes is the first look you get of twin lakes: Nundkol and Gangabal Lakes. After the descent from the pass, you will be walking in the narrow meadow after which there are small ups and downs in the terrain until you reach the twin lakes of the valley.

Both the lakes are glacial lakes and get the water from the melting of glaciers that hang on Mount Harmukh. You will be camping beside the Nundkol Lake which has this gorgeous Mount Harmukh in the background. Gangabal Lake is almost 25 minutes from Nundkol Lake. Both the lakes are abundant in trout fish.

Be prepared, this is the second most difficult day of the trek after the Gadsar Pass day.

• Altitude: 3,587m to 2,271 m
• Time taken: 6.5 hours, 13 km
• Highlight of the day: Gradual and steep descent through meadows and forests; visit to ancient temple ruins at Naranag.
• Trail Type: Difficult descent, long day, mostly downhill with some jungle sections.
• Tip: Wear ankle-high boots, use knee supports if needed, and leave early if trekking in monsoon.
• Clothing: Comfortable trekking pants, moisture-wicking shirt, light jacket, good hiking shoes.
• What to Look For: Trunkhol meadow, shepherd houses, ancient temple ruins, and the transition from alpine to village landscape.

This is the last day of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. The gradient of this day is difficult. You will be leaving in the early morning after breakfast. The trek towards Naranag i.e. the endpoint of the trek is first a gradual descent and then a sharp descent through the jungle. The gradual descent is through the meadow of Trunkhol.

This is where you will see the government hut and wavy meadows in the middle of the surrounding mountains. The grass is lush and dotted with yellow flowers. And the land stretches far ahead of you. Take a rest at Trunkhol Meadow Hut. You will see a lot of shepherd houses made of mud and brick. You can stop, if time allows, to sip the local tea here in the mud houses.

At Trunkhol you will see the last army check post. Again you will have to show your original IDs. It takes around one hour here to finish the formalities.

Post-Trunkhol meadow, the trail immediately goes through the jungle. After walking for half an hour you will reach Butsheri Top, and it is from here a 3-hour steep descent starts. It is heavy on your knees. Make sure you tie your laces ankle-high, if you have kneecaps wear them. The trail isn’t tricky or dangerous but hard on your legs.

After descending halfway, you will begin to see the houses below. It further takes a hard descent to reach the end of the trek. At Naranag take some rest before leaving for your destination further.

If you leave earlier than others at Narangar, we recommend you use that time to explore the Naranga ancient temple ruins.

You will have the cab ready at Naranag, once all the trekkers descend, we will leave for Srinagar. There is a Union Transportation system in Naranag, so at times, it takes some time for them to arrange a taxi from the taxi stand. You will get either TATA Sumo or Tavera cabs from here.

Note: For those trekking from July until mid-August, you will have to cooperate with your trek leader and leave the campsite earlier than normal. There is a check post on the way to Srinagar that we have to cross before 4 pm. That’s a police check post for Amarnath Yatris. If we delay it, then no one will be allowed to cross that post, and you will be taken to the Yatri Niwas for the night stay.