Gangbal Lake Trek
INR
Duration
Category
The Gangbal Lake Trek
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Trek Distance: 30 km
Maximum Altitude: 12,000 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Age Limit: 12–65 Years
Trek Highlights
- Camp amidst the beautiful meadows of Trundkol, surrounded by tall pine and maple forests and traditional Gujjar mud houses.
- Spend over 40 hours exploring and camping near the spectacular twin alpine lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol.
- Discover the turquoise waters, vast meadows, and dramatic Himalayan landscapes of one of Kashmir’s most celebrated trekking destinations.
- Visit Gangbal Lake, the largest alpine lake in Kashmir, located beneath the magnificent Mount Harmukh.
- Experience the cultural and religious significance of Gangbal, also known as Harmukh Ganga.
Overview
The Gangbal Lake Trek is one of Kashmir’s most popular trekking experiences and is especially loved by local trekkers. With a moderate trail and a total distance of approximately 30 km, the trek offers an ideal combination of adventure, spectacular scenery, and time to connect with nature.
The highlight of the trek is the magnificent twin alpine lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol. Their crystal-clear turquoise waters, surrounded by lush green meadows and the Himalayan landscape, create an unforgettable setting.
Gangbal is the largest alpine lake in Kashmir, stretching approximately 2.5 km in length and 1 km in width. Also known as Harmukh Ganga, the lake is fed by glaciers from Mount Harmukh, one of Kashmir’s prominent mountain peaks. Gangbal and Nundkol are located approximately 30 minutes apart, with water flowing from Gangbal into Nundkol and eventually reaching the Sindh River through Wangath Nallah.
Our itinerary is designed to give you ample time to experience both lakes, including more than a day exploring the stunning Gangbal–Nundkol region. Situated at approximately 11,730 ft, Gangbal also holds religious significance for Hindus, with some Kashmiri Hindu pilgrims undertaking an annual yatra to the lake.
Itinerary
Drive: 45 km
Drive Time: Approximately 2 hours
Trek: 10 km
Trek Time: 5–6 hours
Your Gangbal adventure begins early in the morning as our representative picks you up from Srinagar and drives you towards the scenic village of Naranag.
Located at an elevation of nearly 7,000 ft and around 45 km from Srinagar, Naranag is known for its ancient temple ruins. The drive takes you alongside the Sindh River, passing picturesque paddy fields and charming villages along the way.
After reaching Naranag, you’ll meet your trek leader and guides. Following a short tea break, your trek briefing will cover the route, important instructions, and everything you need to know before setting off.
The trek begins with a steep ascent towards Butsheri Top. This is the most demanding section of the day, with approximately 7 km of uphill trekking. The trail winds through beautiful pine and maple forests, offering welcome shade during warmer days.
At Butsheri Top, you’ll find a small dhaba where you can stop for tea, snacks, or refreshments. This is also the last point on the trail with mobile network connectivity.
From here, the trail gradually becomes easier as you continue towards Trundkol. After a couple of hours, the forest gives way to expansive green meadows used by local shepherds for grazing cattle. You’ll pass traditional Gujjar mud houses before reaching your campsite.
Upon arrival, enjoy refreshments and take in the spectacular views of Mount Harmukh, the source of the Gangbal and Nundkol lakes. After dinner, settle into your tent for a well-earned night of rest.
Trek: 4 km
Trek Time: Approximately 2 hours
Maximum Altitude: 11,800 ft
Day 2 is a shorter and easier trekking day, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Trundkol.
After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey towards Nundkol and Gangbal. Trundkol is the last section of the trail where you’ll see trees; beyond this point, the landscape opens into vast alpine meadows.
Along the way, you’ll pass through an army check post where your identification and trekking permissions will be checked. As you continue, the imposing peak of Mount Harmukh gradually comes into view.
Soon, the landscape transforms into a breathtaking stretch of lush green meadows. As you get closer to Nundkol, you’ll begin hearing the stream flowing out of the lake. A few minutes later, the turquoise waters of Nundkol Lake reveal themselves, surrounded by the mountains.
This spectacular alpine setting will be your campsite for the night.
After lunch, spend the rest of the day exploring Nundkol, photographing the landscape, relaxing beside the lake, and enjoying the tranquillity of the Himalayas. The area is also popular among local visitors and anglers, with brown and rainbow trout found in the lake.
Return to camp for dinner and a peaceful night beneath the Himalayan skies.
.
Trek: 1 km
Trek Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Maximum Altitude: 12,000 ft
Wake up to the breathtaking sight of Nundkol Lake and enjoy breakfast beside the water.
Today’s trek is short but one of the major highlights of the journey. You’ll make your way from Nundkol to the magnificent Gangbal Lake. You can leave your backpack at camp and carry only your essentials, such as a camera, phone, and water bottle.
Following the stream connecting the two lakes, you’ll cross a section of boulders before reaching Gangbal. Within around 30 minutes, the vast turquoise waters of Gangbal Lake come into view.
Fed by the glaciers of Mount Harmukh, Gangbal is the largest alpine lake in Kashmir, measuring approximately 2.5 km in length and 1 km in width. Take time to explore the lake, capture photographs, and simply enjoy the extraordinary Himalayan surroundings.
After exploring Gangbal, return to Nundkol for lunch. The remainder of the day is yours to relax around camp and enjoy the surrounding valley. You may encounter shepherds with large flocks of sheep grazing across the meadows, as well as anglers fishing for trout in the lake.
Spend your final night at the Nundkol campsite before beginning the descent to Naranag the following morning.
Trek: 14 km
Trek Time: Approximately 6 hours
Maximum Altitude: 11,800 ft
Wake up early, enjoy breakfast, pack your belongings, and prepare for the final day of your trek.
Before leaving Nundkol, take a moment to enjoy the surrounding landscape and appreciate the journey you’ve completed. You’ll follow the same route back towards Naranag.
The descent begins with a gentle walk across the open alpine meadows. The trail gradually descends, with occasional uphill sections, before continuing towards Trundkol. At the army check post, your permissions will be checked once again.
As you move beyond Trundkol, the landscape changes as trees begin to reappear. The trail then winds through the forests with a mixture of uphill and downhill sections until you reach Butsheri Top.
At Butsheri Top, mobile network connectivity returns, allowing you to reconnect with family and friends. You can also take a break at the local dhaba for refreshments before beginning the final descent.
The trail from Butsheri Top to Naranag is steeper, so take your time and watch your footing. After approximately two hours, you’ll arrive back in Naranag.
Enjoy lunch before meeting your driver for the return journey to Srinagar, marking the end of your Gangbal Lake adventure.
Inclusions/Exclusions
What is Included?
- Accommodation: Accommodation during all days of the trek is included. LogOut Kashmir gives you a choice to choose from a single person, two person or three person tents for you stay. But the same needs to be informed at the time of booking.
- Meals: All Meals on the Trek(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner) are included. The food during the trek will be all vegetarian cooked by our high altitude chefs. You will be given packed lunch everyday which you will carry in your backpack.
- Transportation: Transportation from Srinagar to base camp on the first day & back to Srinagar on last day is included.
- Â GST and Other Taxes:Â The goods and services tax is included in the booking price.
- Camping Equipment: All the camping equipment like Tents, Sleeping bags, Toilet Tents, Dining Tent, Sleeping Mats etc. of high quality is included.
- Safety Equipment: First Aid including Medical kit, Oxygen Cylinder, Oximeter,stretcher etc. will be available all the time to deal with the emergencies.
- Â Trek Permits and Camping Charges: All the applicable trekking permits, Camping Charges, Forest Entry Fee, etc will be paid by us.
What is Excluded?
- Food during transit:Â Any food you have during your travel to & from base camp will be out of your own pocket.
- Personal Equipment: Your Rucksack, personal clothing, shoes, trek poles, and other personal trekking gear is not included in this package. You have to bring your own gear according to the weather and difficulty of the trek.
- Â Travel Insurance:Â Travel Insurance is not included in this package. You need to have travel insurance before opting for such adventures. You can contact our support to guide you through the process.
- Portage of Personal Bags(Offloading): If due to any reason, you wish  not to carry your rucksack/backpack, we can arrange for a porter/mule to carry it. For this service, you will be charged over and above the trek cost. The charges for offloading vary with every trek.
- Cloakroom Cost: We have a cloakroom facility available to keep your bags & valuables during you trek. The facility is available at Rs 200/bag/day. Such cost is not included.
- Anything not mentioned in Inclusions of the package.
Tour Plan
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