Kashmir Great Lakes

Kashmir Great Lakes — India's Most Beautiful Trek

Kashmir Great Lakes is widely regarded as the single most beautiful trek in India. In seven days the trail loops past six distinct alpine lakes — Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangabal, and Nundkol — each with its own colour, character, and surrounding landscape. The route crosses three high passes (Nichnai at 13,500 ft, Gadsar at 13,750 ft, Zajibal at 13,250 ft) and traverses terrain that shifts from dense birch forest to volcanic meadow to high glacial plateau in the space of a week.

The Gangabal plateau — the centrepiece

The fifth day's arrival at the Gangabal plateau is the moment every Kashmir Great Lakes trekker remembers for life. The twin lakes of Gangabal and Nundkol lie side by side on a broad alpine bench at 11,600 ft, directly below the north face of Haramukh peak (16,872 ft). On still mornings Haramukh reflects perfectly in Nundkol. The plateau is wide enough to pitch thirty tents and still feel empty. Brahma kamal flowers — the lotus of the Himalayas, sacred across Uttarakhand and Kashmir — carpet the lakeside grass in July and August.

Best season

The trek operates from mid-July through mid-September. July has abundant wildflowers (Himalayan blue poppy, geraniums, primulas) but some residual snow on the passes. August is the prime month — all passes clear, flowers at peak, lakes at full water level. September brings crystal-clear post-monsoon skies and autumn colour on the birch stands above Vishansar. The trek closes by early October as snow returns to the passes.

Difficulty and fitness

This is a graded moderate trek with one demanding day — Day 3 (Vishansar to Gadsar Pass to Gadsar Lake) covers 14 km with 1,700 ft of ascent and a long scree descent. The rest of the trek is steady but not extreme. Prior trekking experience (at least one 4-5 day trek) is strongly recommended. Daily 5 km jogs for six weeks before departure is the minimum fitness base.

Permits and entry

The trek passes through the Dachigam National Park buffer zone and requires a forest department permit arranged through your trek operator. Foreign nationals additionally need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for travel to Sonamarg and the eastern valleys — we handle all permits as part of the package. Biometric registration at Sonamarg forest post is mandatory for all trekkers.

Fly or drive to Srinagar. Flights connect Srinagar to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru daily. The Srinagar airport (SXR) is 15–20 minutes from the city.

Our team picks you up from a designated hotel in Srinagar at 7 AM on Day 1 and drives to Sonamarg (85 km, ~2.5 hours) through the Sindh Valley. The trek ends at Naranag village, from where we drive back to Srinagar (~70 km, ~2.5 hours), arriving by early afternoon on Day 7.

We strongly recommend booking Srinagar accommodation through us for the night before Day 1 — Srinagar–Sonamarg road can have occasional early-morning checkpoints and early departure ensures you reach the trailhead in time.

Cancellations must be requested in writing.

- More than 30 days before the trek start date: 90% refund. - 21–30 days before: 50% refund. - 11–20 days before: 25% refund. - 10 days or fewer: no refund, but you may transfer your slot to another trekker or to any future batch within 12 months at no extra charge.

Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 7-10 working days. Trip cancellations triggered by us (weather, force majeure, government restrictions) are refunded in full or moved to an alternate batch at your option.