Naranag Gangabal

Naranag Gangabal — Kashmir's Ancient Lake Trail

The Naranag Gangabal trek is a five-day circuit that begins and ends near the ancient 8th-century Naranag temple complex in Kashmir's Sindh Valley and reaches the twin-lake Gangabal plateau — one of the most photographed alpine landscapes in the Indian Himalayas. The route is quieter and more intimate than the classic Kashmir Great Lakes circuit but visits the same dramatic Gangabal and Nundkol lakes below the Haramukh massif (16,872 ft). The Trunkol Pass crossing (13,517 ft) on Day 4 is the high point — a short but steep scramble with a view that opens suddenly onto the Sindh Valley below.

The Naranag temple complex

The trek starts at the ruins of the Naranag temple complex — a series of 8th-century stone temples built during the reign of Lalitaditya Muktapida, the most powerful Kashmir king of the early medieval period. The temples were dedicated to Lord Shiva and are among the finest examples of Kashmir's distinctive medieval stone temple architecture. The ruins are maintained as a protected monument and the site is surrounded by old walnut and chinar trees. Most Kashmir Great Lakes trekkers pass through Naranag only as an exit point — starting here allows you to explore the site properly.

Gangabal and Nundkol

The twin lakes are the centrepiece. Gangabal is the larger — roughly 1 km long — and the clearer of the two. Nundkol sits 500 metres above Gangabal on a separate bench and is named for the reflection of the Nundkol peak in its surface (Nundkol means "Nund's lake" in Kashmiri). Both lakes are glacially fed; the Haramukh Gangabal glacier feeds Gangabal from the northwest. The plateau between and above the lakes is carpeted in Himalayan blue poppy in July and alpine grasses in September.

Fly to Srinagar (SXR). Drive from Srinagar to Naranag village (50 km, ~2 hours) via Kangan on the Srinagar–Leh highway (NH-1). Naranag has a small roadhead with limited facilities — our team provides transport from Srinagar and back after the trek. The return from Wangath to Naranag on Day 5 is a 6 km walk; vehicle then drives to Srinagar.

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.