New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon
New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon

Difficulty

Moderate-Difficult | Level 2

Duration

7 Days

Highest Altitude

13,715 ft

Age

12 to 62 years

Duration

7 Days

Age

12 to 62 years

Difficulty

Moderate-Difficult | Level 2

Highest Altitude

13,715 ft

Avoid the crowds of Kashmir Great Lakes. Choose a new, lesser-known Kashmir trek, to Gurez Valley.

KGL gets extremely crowded every year, often spoiling the serenity of the trek. Yet, you can experience Kashmir minus the crowds, through our newest Kashmir trek. Click here to read about Gurez Valley.

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

The Most Beautiful Trek In India

Kashmir Great Lakes is one of the most beautiful treks in India. No question. It validates Kashmir’s mythical status as heaven on earth.

This is because the trek is set on a canvas that’s larger than life. It is situated 75 km northeast of Srinagar. Every day is a 360° panorama of wild, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, and turquoise alpine lakes.  And you get more than six of these lakes and five very different valleys to explore!

The range of landscape makes it a moderate-difficult trek spanning over six days. This means it has long trekking days with steep ascents and descents with no easy exit points. So, it’s not meant for a beginner who hasn’t been exposed to high-altitude treks.

Having said that, the challenges are worth it. Each day is postcard-perfect, with a new alpine lake to look forward to. What makes these lakes even prettier are the snow patches that feed these lakes. You see them sliding off the serrated mountains into the lakes. Sometimes you’ll see milky white icebergs floating on the lake’s inky blue surface.

And then there are meadows of Kashmir. These meadows come in every shape and size, sometimes many in a day.

After this trek, every other trek feels as though it is a movie on a small screen. Kashmir Great Lakes, however, is an IMAX 3D experience – such is the grandeur of the trek.  If you have not done this trek, put it on your bucket list!

Kashmir Great Lakes Videos

Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek.

Quick Itinerary

Elevation chart of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek

Day 0

Arrive at Srinagar

Reach Srinagar on your own and meet the Indiahikes team at 6 pm.

The process of your registration, health screening, and document verification will take place at Srinagar at a common place, close to Dal Lake along with your rental gear collection.

Day 1

Drive from Srinagar to Shitkadi. Trek to Nichnai

Drive Duration: 2 hours | Drive Distance: 50 km | Trek distance: 11.6 km | Trek Duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude gain: 7,800 ft to 11,607 ft | Pick-up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar

Transport will be organised at 5.30 am from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar. The cab cost is Rs 3,000 per vehicle and needs to be paid directly to the driver.

Trek type: Moderate. 3 hours of steep ascent followed by descent for an hour. Final 2 hours, a gentle ascent to Nichnai. 

Day 2

Trek Nichnai to Vishnusar via Nichnai Pass

Trek distance: 13.5  km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude gain: 11,607 ft to 12,011 ft via 13,229 ft

Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of gradual ascent followed by an hour-long climb to the pass. A steep descent from the pass for about an hour easing off into a flat walk. 

Day 3

Trek from Vishnusar to Gadsar via Gadsar Pass

Trek distance: 16 km | Trek Duration: 7.5 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 12,011 ft to 10,706 ft via 13,715 ft

Trek type: Moderate difficult. 1.5-2 hours of steep ascent followed by 1 hour of steep descent, easing off into level walk. 

Day 4

Trek from Gadsar to Satsar

Trek distance: 11.5 km | Trek Duration: 4.5 hours | Altitude gain: 10,706 ft to 11,985 ft
Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of steep ascent followed by a level walk. 

Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of steep ascent followed by a level walk. 

Day 5

Trek from Satsar to Gangabal via Zaj Pass

Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,985 ft to 11,486 ft via 13,276 ft

Trek type: Difficult. 30 minutes each of gradual ascent followed by steep ascent for about 45 minutes and then a steep descent. Similarly ascending and descending trail all through. 

Day 6

Trek from Gangabal to Naranag. Drive to Srinagar

Trek distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,486 ft to 7,800 ft
Drive Distance: 2 hours | Drive Duration: 50 km

Trek type: Moderate. A mix of ascents and descents for 6 km followed by a very steep descent all the way down. You should reach Srinagar by 6 pm.

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

Day 7

Buffer Day

If the buffer day is used,  you have to pay us Rs 1,800 per day + 5% GST. The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day.

IMPORTANT POINTS

Special Cancellation Policy for Kashmir Treks: Because of a govt. order in Kashmir, we have extremely limited slots for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. This has increased the demand for the trek. Which is why we have a special cancellation policy for this trek. It is designed to help trekkers take an early call about their trek.

If you cancel your trek between 60 days to 1 day of the trek, you do not get any refund or a voucher. You forfeit your entire trek fee.

If you cancel the trek over 60 days before the trek date, you get a refund with 10% cancellation charges.

Advisory Note: There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.

Unforseen Changes: In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise.

For all your travel plans, include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends entirely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.

Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek.

Stay facility: You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers must make arrangements to stay in Srinagar before and at the end of the trek.

Please note: You will have to reach Srinagar a day before and meet the Indiahikes team and the trek leader at 6 pm. The process of your registration, health screening, and document verification will take place at Srinagar in a common space, close to Dal Lake. This is the same place where your rental gear collection will happen.

Elevation chart of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek

PRO-TIPS

Booking Flexi Flight Ticket - There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.

Download the GPX file for your Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

We go to great lengths to ensure you have a safe trek. So here’s a GPX file to help you navigate without getting lost.

Day 0

Arrive at Srinagar

Reach Srinagar on your own and meet the Indiahikes team at 6 pm.

The process of your registration, health screening, and document verification will take place at Srinagar at a common place, close to Dal Lake along with your rental gear collection.

Day 1

Drive from Srinagar to Shitkadi. Trek to Nichnai

Drive Duration: 2 hours | Drive Distance: 50 km | Trek distance: 11.6 km | Trek Duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude gain: 7,800 ft to 11,607 ft | Pick-up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar

Transport will be organised at 5.30 am from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar. The cab cost is Rs 3,000 per vehicle and needs to be paid directly to the driver.

Trek type: Moderate. 3 hours of steep ascent followed by descent for an hour. Final 2 hours, a gentle ascent to Nichnai. 

Day 2

Trek Nichnai to Vishnusar via Nichnai Pass

Trek distance: 13.5  km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude gain: 11,607 ft to 12,011 ft via 13,229 ft

Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of gradual ascent followed by an hour-long climb to the pass. A steep descent from the pass for about an hour easing off into a flat walk. 

Day 3

Trek from Vishnusar to Gadsar via Gadsar Pass

Trek distance: 16 km | Trek Duration: 7.5 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 12,011 ft to 10,706 ft via 13,715 ft

Trek type: Moderate difficult. 1.5-2 hours of steep ascent followed by 1 hour of steep descent, easing off into level walk. 

Day 4

Trek from Gadsar to Satsar

Trek distance: 11.5 km | Trek Duration: 4.5 hours | Altitude gain: 10,706 ft to 11,985 ft
Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of steep ascent followed by a level walk. 

Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of steep ascent followed by a level walk. 

Day 5

Trek from Satsar to Gangabal via Zaj Pass

Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,985 ft to 11,486 ft via 13,276 ft

Trek type: Difficult. 30 minutes each of gradual ascent followed by steep ascent for about 45 minutes and then a steep descent. Similarly ascending and descending trail all through. 

Day 6

Trek from Gangabal to Naranag. Drive to Srinagar

Trek distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,486 ft to 7,800 ft
Drive Distance: 2 hours | Drive Duration: 50 km

Trek type: Moderate. A mix of ascents and descents for 6 km followed by a very steep descent all the way down. You should reach Srinagar by 6 pm.

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

Day 7

Buffer Day

If the buffer day is used,  you have to pay us Rs 1,800 per day + 5% GST. The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day.

IMPORTANT POINTS

➤ Special Cancellation Policy for Kashmir Treks: Because of a govt. order in Kashmir, we have extremely limited slots for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. This has increased the demand for the trek. Which is why we have a special cancellation policy for this trek. It is designed to help trekkers take an early call about their trek.

If you cancel your trek between 60 days to 1 day of the trek, you do not get any refund or a voucher. You forfeit your entire trek fee.

If you cancel the trek over 60 days before the trek date, you get a refund with 10% cancellation charges.

➤Advisory Note: There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.

➤Unforseen Changes: In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise.

For all your travel plans, include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends entirely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.

➤Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek.

➤Stay facility: You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers must make arrangements to stay in Srinagar before and at the end of the trek.

Please note: You will have to reach Srinagar a day before and meet the Indiahikes team and the trek leader at 6 pm. The process of your registration, health screening, and document verification will take place at Srinagar in a common space, close to Dal Lake. This is the same place where your rental gear collection will happen.

PRO-TIPS

Booking Flexi Flight Ticket - There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.

Download the GPX file for your Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

We go to great lengths to ensure you have a safe trek. So here’s a GPX file to help you navigate without getting lost.

Lakes at a Glance

The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is synonymous for its 6 famous alpine lakes. Each day has a new alpine lake to look forward to. What makes these lakes even prettier are the snow patches that feed these lakes. You see them sliding off the serrated mountains into the lakes.

A trekker enjoying the view of Vishnusar lake. Image by Padmanabha K G

Gadsar Lake. Image by Ankit Patidar

Vishnusar Lake. Image by Veera Pendyala

Campsites at a Glance

At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Kashmir Great Lakes trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.

Smooth green grass, almost manicured, a few lone maple trees and a few horses enjoying the graze are what Satsar meadows look like where your campsite is. Picture by Sachin

Sonarmarg is right next to the NH1 highway. You get to see the Kolohoi glacier in the backdrop with the Sindh river flowing right next to you. Picture by Nimesh Mittal

Your first campsite would be the Nichanai campsite. Nichnai grasslands show you how massive and rugged meadows can be. Picture by Sachin

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible. 

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences. 

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.  

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine. 

Sandhya UC, Co-Founder, COO

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the Women of Worth Award by Outlook Business in 2017.

Here’s Sandhya talking about the most beautiful trek in our country.

What I Like and Don’t Like About the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

What I Like About the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Sandhya UC, Co-Founder, COO

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the Women of Worth Award by Outlook Business in 2017. Here’s Sandhya talking about the most beautiful trek in our country.

1. The magnificent mountain scenery on the trek

Most treks in the Himalayas are very scenic. But Kashmir Great Lakes is on a scale of its own. In fact, the mountains of Kashmir are like that. They have a larger-than-life presence around you. I would not be exaggerating too much if I say that a trek in Kashmir is like watching on an IMAX screen while everywhere else is on a normal TV screen. Kashmir — you feel it everywhere.

The larger-than-life scale of the mountains, meadows, and lakes on the trek of KGL. Picture by Rajshree Sarada

2. The variety of the valleys and meadows

The Kashmir Great Lakes trek has 7 trekking days. And coincidentally you are also trekking in 7 different valleys.  What’s more, each of these valleys, spread themselves out each day of the trek. Every valley gives hard competition to the valley before and the valley after.

Trekkers rejoice trekking through the meadows after crossing Nichnai Pass and going through the wide valley. Photo by Rajshree

3. The unforgettable walks in the meadows

Among the 7 different valleys you trek, 6 happen to be distinct grasslands or meadows. These high altitude meadows and grasslands are connected to one another via high passes. One would expect the meadows on either side of a pass to be similar. But they aren’t.  Each one of them is a world of its own and has a charm of its own.

The Shekdur meadows also known as table top set amidst Maples and Birch trees is where you start. Nichnai grasslands show you how massive and rugged meadows can be. Just cross the Nichnai pass and you enter a meadow that you don’t want to end.

A wide grassland, descending gently laden with wildflowers, a gentle river flowing in the middle is what the Vishnusar grassland is all about.

The Gadsar meadow is more dramatic. It is narrower with more jagged mountains lining on either side. A big Gadsar occupies the central landscape but leading to it are many smaller lakes. Flowers bloom in the entire valley in wild abandon.

Climb up from Gadsar valley and you get transported to the “windows wall paper” valley of Satsar. Smooth green grass, almost manicured, a few lone maple trees and a few horses enjoying the graze is what Satsar meadows looks like. I have never seen greener grass anywhere else.

The final grassland is the Gangabal expanse. When you see the valley below from Zaj pass, you are almost looking at the world map in green. Gangabal in blue looks like Africa! Nandkol lies by its side. 4 other lakes also dot the green landscape.

Personally for me, it is the meadows on the trek that take the cake and are my top reason to love KGL.

The Meadows on the last day of the trek after the Gangabal campsite. Photo by Vishwajeet Chavan

4. The lakes

You cannot talk about Kashmir Great Lakes Trek without mentioning the lakes. When I saw one or two pictures of the lakes before my exploration, I thought they were photoshopped pictures from some Scandinavian country. I did not believe such lakes existed in the mountains of our country. These crystal clear high altitude lakes change colours all through the day.

Starting from clear at dawn to sea green to light blue to inky blue by evening. The twin lakes Vishnusar and Kishansar, the sea-green Gadsar with ice floes, the sight of gigantic Gangabal along with its twin Nandkol are some of the best lake scenery you will see in the world.

The twin lakes of Gangabal and Nandkol taken from Zaj Pass on a clear day. Photo by Prasanth Premchandran

What I Don't Like About the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

1. The dhabas on the trek

In the last 4-5 years a lot of dhabas have sprung up on the trek. Especially in the beginning and towards the end. My ideal trek is away from civilization. I go out to getaway. Even a hot cup of tea on a tiring trail will not make me root for a dhaba on a trail. Thankfully they are only on the periphery of the trail.

2. The garbage on the trail

This is a total bummer on the KGL trail. For a very long time, the campsites around the first and the last lakes on the trek are littered with camping leftovers. No matter how many sacks of litter our trekkers pick from Gangabal and Nandkol or Vishansar, these camps get littered by the short campers who come to the lakes.

The trail to Vishnusar around Nichnai and the trail down to Naranag in the pine forest are also littered. I sincerely hope better sense prevails in those who come to these lakes.

3. Unexpected challenges on the trek

Thanks to the lovely green meadows, trails lined by mountain flowers and the aquamarine lakes, everyone assumes the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is a walk on the grass. The reality is far from it. It is a moderate-difficult trek.

Long trek days and high passes to cross are a reality every day. There are quite a few rocky sections to negotiate too. You get them 3 or 4 times on the trail when you least expect them. I would say these unexpected challenges make the trek even more spectacular.

The setting of meadows, horses grazing beside you and the glacier waters flowing is a set taken for endless wallpaper moments.

Picture by: Suresh Kerkatta

Picture Perfect

Know Your Trek

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

PRO TIPS

Why fitness matters on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

On Moderate-Difficult treks like Kashmir Great Lakes, you’ll walk for about 8-12 km each day. Gradual to steep ascents and descents are common on all days. Expect to reach high altitudes of 15,000+ ft. There will also be technical sections (such as rockfall zones, near-vertical sections, glacier walks), which our technical teams will help you navigate.

Your goal is to comfortably run 5 km within 32 minutes.

How to Get Fit for Your Trek

Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll need to submit a Treadmill Test report within 7 days of registration.

Trek Trivia

Things Nobody Tells You About Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Naranag Temple

The Naranag temple was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida of the ancient Kayastha Naga Karkota Dynasty. It is believed to be built in the honour of Shiva. Multiple carvings which can be linked to Shiva are found here, and so is the Shivaling.

Another field of study also believes it to be dedicated to the Nagas (divine snakes in Hindu mythology). These Nagas were widely worshipped in ancient times in the region which is now Kashmir. These were also said to be the primary religion during that time. The Karkota dynasty members were religious devotees of the Nagas.

One of the most famous archaeological sites in India, it is built with the characteristic Aryan style of the 8th century. Now lying mostly in ruins, it is still a beautiful archaeological and religious place.

Trouts, the only Life in Kishansar and Vishansar Lakes

Vishansar translates to ‘The home of Vishnu’ and Kishansar means ‘the lake of Krishna’. 

Something a lot of people don't know is that the Kishansar and Vishansar lakes are connected. The same water flows in both. 

Interestingly, no algae formation can be found in these two lakes. As we know, algae play a significant role in supporting plants and other life in lakes. However, the lack of this algae means that nothing can grow in this lake. Only one life-form has made the exception! Even without algae, trout fish can live perfectly well here.

Gadsar lake, on the other hand, due to the algae growth, always appears green.

In recent years, fishing for these trout grew into a famous activity. However, because of this, the population in the lakes is depleting. 

Harmukh, the Home of Lord Shiva

As per some local mythology, it is said that Shiva resides at the top of the Harmukh mountain, at a height of more than 16,000 feet. 

The myth goes that once, a saintly man tried to climb this mountain to meet Lord Shiva. He met with harsh conditions on this powerful mountain, and yet tried to reach the peak. His efforts continued for a long period of 12 years. However, he was unable to achieve this, but during his efforts, achieved nirvana and disappeared from there.

A Yatra (pilgrimage) takes place up this mountain in honour of the god. The pilgrims climb up to 14,000 ft to worship Shiva.

The first known expedition led to Harmukh was in 1856 by Thomas Montgomerie for the Great Trigonometric Survey. What is interesting about this, however, is that the world-famous K2 was first discovered on that expedition. 

A mountain is as massive as K2 is hidden from many of the local villages, which is why no one around knew of its existence. It turned out, unlike the other mountains in the region, this one, therefore, didn’t have a name. The survey team named it K2 to later change it to the local name. However, the lack of such a name is why the mountain has ever since been K2.

Leaving Mountains Better

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.

Available Dates

Avoid the crowds of Kashmir Great Lakes. Choose a new, lesser-known Kashmir trek, to Gurez Valley.

KGL gets extremely crowded every year, often spoiling the serenity of the trek. Yet, you can experience Kashmir minus the crowds, through our newest Kashmir trek. Click here to read about Gurez Valley.