Overview
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.
Itinerary
Map

What trekkers say
"I'd never camped in snow before. The HeyHikers team made me feel safe every single step. The summit sunrise — standing at 12,500 ft watching peaks turn gold — I cried. Not from the cold. From the beauty."
PS
Priya Sharma
Kedarkantha, Dec 2025
"Seven lakes, each more unreal than the last. The logistics were flawless — the food at 13,000 ft was better than most restaurants I know. Our guide Farooq knew every stone on the trail. Doing Goechala with them next."
AM
Arjun Mehta
Kashmir Great Lakes, Aug 2025
Inclusion
- All meals during the trek (vegetarian, freshly cooked)
- Camping gear — tents, sleeping bags, mats
- Certified trek leader and support guides
- Pack pony charges for group equipment
- Forest department and national park permits
- First-aid kit and supplemental oxygen
- Transport — Srinagar to Sonamarg and Naranag to Srinagar
Exclusion
- Travel to and from Srinagar
- Accommodation in Srinagar before/after trek
- Personal trekking gear and clothing
- Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking
- Tips, personal expenses, and meals during travel days
- Anything not explicitly listed under inclusions
Things to Carry
- Trekking shoes (high-ankle, broken-in)
- 40-50L backpack with rain cover
- Two pairs of trek pants
- Three full-sleeve t-shirts (synthetic, not cotton)
- Fleece jacket and a heavier down/insulated jacket
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom)
- Waterproof outer shell (jacket + pants)
- Woollen cap, sun cap, balaclava
- Two pairs of warm gloves (inner liner + outer)
- UV-rated sunglasses
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Reusable water bottles (2L total) or hydration bladder
- Personal medical kit and prescription medicines
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and lip balm
- Toiletries and quick-dry towel
- Original photo ID (mandatory at forest checkposts)
How to Reach
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.
Safety & Security
- Acclimatize properly — never skip rest days at altitude.
- Drink at least 4 litres of water per day above 9,000 ft.
- Tell your trek leader immediately if you feel headache, nausea, or breathlessness — early AMS signs are treatable, ignored ones are not.
- Stay close to the group; do not take shortcuts off the marked trail.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking for the entire duration of the trek.
- Keep a buffer day for travel — Himalayan roads can close without notice.
- Carry travel insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Meet your trek leader

Akhil Deruwan
NIM Uttarkashi certified · 9 yrs experience
Akhil grew up in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas and has spent nearly a decade navigating its most demanding trails. He has led over 150 batches across Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, with a strong focus on technical high-altitude routes and safety management. His calm under pressure and deep knowledge of local terrain make him a trusted leader for both beginner and advanced trekkers.
- Wilderness First Responder
- High Altitude Medicine
- Technical Route Navigation
- Search & Rescue
FAQ
Why Trek With Us
Travel Safe
Certified Team
Easy Cancellation
Well Equipped Campsite
Experienced Guide
No Hidden Charges
