Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
INR
Duration
Category
Duration: 7–8 Days
Distance: 72 km
Maximum Altitude: 13,800 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Age Limit: 12–65 Years
Trek Overview
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGL) is one of Kashmir’s most iconic high-altitude treks, offering an extraordinary journey through vast alpine meadows, pristine lakes, river valleys, dense forests, and spectacular mountain passes.
Over 7–8 days, the trail takes you across three high-altitude passes, five river valleys, and a series of stunning alpine lakes, including Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangbal, and Nundkol. The changing landscapes and breathtaking mountain views make every day of the trek distinctly memorable.
Trek Highlights
- Camp beside some of Kashmir’s most beautiful alpine lakes, including Vishansar, Gadsar, and Gangbal.
- Cross three high-altitude passes and experience the region’s magnificent alpine lake system.
- Walk through expansive green meadows, dense forests, and scenic river valleys.
- Witness the spectacular Vishansar–Kishansar and Gangbal–Nundkol twin lakes.
- Experience the serene beauty of the Kashmir Himalayas at elevations of up to 13,800 ft.
- Visit Gangbal Lake, the largest alpine lake in Kashmir.
Itinerary
Drive: 85 km | Duration: 3–4 hrs | Altitude: 9,200 ft
Our LogOut Kashmir representative will pick you up from Srinagar and drive towards Sonamarg, with scenic views of the Sindh River and surrounding countryside along the way.
Continue to Shitkadi Village, just beyond Sonamarg, where our base camp will be set up. On arrival, enjoy refreshments and meet our certified trek leaders and guides for a detailed trek briefing.
Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the beautiful meadows of Shitkadi, surrounded by views of prominent peaks such as Kolahoi and Machoi. Enjoy dinner and settle into your tents for the night.
Trek: 11 km | Duration: 6 hrs | Altitude: 11,500 ft
After breakfast, begin your trek with a gradual ascent through lush green meadows offering panoramic views of Sonamarg. The trail then enters a dense Maple and Pine forest before reaching Tabletop, a scenic grassland with sweeping views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
After a short break and lunch at Tabletop, continue towards Nichnai. The trail descends through the forest before opening into a beautiful mountain valley, where you follow a stream over a rocky section towards the Nichnai campsite.
Relax amidst the golden meadows, enjoy dinner, and rest for the night.
Trek: 12 km | Duration: 6 hrs | Altitude: 12,000 ft
Start early and trek through beautiful meadows towards Nichnai Pass. The ascent is moderately steep, so maintain a steady pace and take regular breaks.
From the pass, enjoy expansive views of the valleys you have crossed before beginning the descent towards Vishansar Lake. The trail leads through open meadows covered with wildflowers before following the stream flowing out of the lake.
Arrive at the campsite beside Vishansar Lake and take in its spectacular turquoise and green hues, which change with the weather and light. You may also spot trout in its clear waters.
Trek: 15 km | Duration: 8 hrs | Altitude: 13,800 ft
An early start is essential today as this is one of the longest and most challenging sections of the trek.
Begin the ascent towards Gadsar Pass along a narrow and steep trail. After around two hours, reach the top of the pass at 13,800 ft—the highest point of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.
From here, enjoy breathtaking views of the Vishansar and Kishansar twin lakes before beginning the steep descent towards Gadsar. The trail gradually opens into lush green meadows dotted with colourful wildflowers, with Yemsar Lake visible along the way.
Continue to the beautiful Gadsar Lake, nestled below snow-covered mountain slopes. Set up camp near the lake and enjoy a well-deserved rest.
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Trek: 11 km | Duration: 5 hrs | Altitude: 12,000 ft
Today’s trail is relatively gentle. Cross a stream and gradually ascend towards Meangadob, a scenic meadow known for its distinctive deep craters.
Continue through the beautiful Satsar meadows, home to a cluster of seven alpine lakes. The open terrain makes this section of the trek more relaxed, allowing you to enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery.
Reach one of the Satsar Lakes, where the campsite will be set up for the night. If time permits, explore some of the nearby lakes before dinner.
Trek: 10 km | Duration: 6 hrs | Altitude: 13,000 ft
Start early with a gradual ascent towards the largest of the Satsar Lakes. The trail then continues through rocky and boulder-strewn terrain before descending and ascending again towards Zaj Pass.
At around 13,000 ft, reach the pass and enjoy a spectacular first view of the Gangbal and Nundkol twin lakes.
Descend towards Gangbal, the largest alpine lake in Kashmir, originating from the glaciers of Mount Harmukh. Spend some time exploring the lake before continuing towards Nundkol, located around 40 minutes away.
Set up camp near Nundkol and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of these magnificent alpine lakes.
Trek: 14 km | Duration: 6 hrs | Drive: 60 km | Drive Duration: 2.5 hrs
Begin early for the final day of the trek. The trail starts with a gentle walk through open meadows alongside the stream flowing from Nundkol before entering a dense forest.
At Trundkol, the army will conduct the final ID and permit check. This is also a good place to rest and refill your water bottles before continuing through the forest.
Further along the trail, you can stop at a local Gujjar Dhaba at Budhsheri Top for tea or snacks. The final descent towards Naranag is steep, so take your time and maintain a controlled pace.
Once you reach Naranag, the trek concludes. Our vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to Srinagar, marking the end of your Kashmir Great Lakes adventure with LogOut Kashmir.
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Inclusions/Exclusions
What is Included?
- Accommodation:Â 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:Â 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.
- 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.
- Trek Permits and Camping Charges:Â All the applicable trekking permits, Camping Charges, Forest Entry Fee, etc will be paid by us.
- Transportation: Transportation from Srinagar to base camp on the first day & back to Srinagar on last day is included.
What is Excluded?
- Food during transit: 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Personal Expenses:Â Any personal expenses incurred (Laundry, Bottled Water, Beverages, Snacks, Orders at tea houses or dhabas, Tips for guides, Camera fees, etc) are not included in the package.
- 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. Â
- Anything not mentioned in Inclusions of the package.
Tour Plan
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