Overview
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.
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
- Forest department permits and entry fees
- First-aid kit and supplemental oxygen
- Basecamp accommodation on twin/triple sharing
Exclusion
- Travel to and from the basecamp pickup point
- 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 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.
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
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