Kashmir Great Lakes: A Complete Trek Guide

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a popular trekking route in the Indian Himalayas. Located in the Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian-administered region, this trek involves several breathtaking alpine lakes, lush meadows, dense forests, and wild mountain vistas. This 72-kilometer trek takes approximately 7 to 9 days and reaches elevations of up to 4,300 meters (14,107 feet).

This page covers a complete trek guide to Kashmir Great Lakes, including an itinerary and other important information.

A Background on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

The Kashmir Great Lakes, a unique and incredible trekking destination, is a fusion of natural beauty and cultural significance, and the challenging terrain makes this trek a perfect escape for all the nature lovers. Depending upon your pace and fitness level, we stretch your trek days. However, below we have mentioned the process to obtain a permit, regular itinerary, which will cover the highlights and route of the journey you will take with us. After the itinerary, we have also mentioned the key points to keep in mind when planning a trip like the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.

How to Take a Permit for the Kashmir Great Lake Trek

Obtaining permits for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is quite a direct process. However, to avoid trouble doing all the paperwork, our experienced trek leaders will take care of everything, including additional paperwork and logistics. If you want to do it on your own, you can always contact us-we will be more than happy to assist you through the process.

Complete Kashmir Great Lakes Itinerary

Arrival in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar. Rest and acclimatize to the environment.

Also, you can either visit the famous Dal Lake to take a shikara ride or explore Mughal Gardens. If time allows, you can enjoy both popular places.

Stay overnight in Srinagar.

Day 1: Drive from Srinagar to Gagangir.

Distance covered: 80 km, taking around 3-4 hours of driving.

Altitude covered: 5,220 ft (1,590 m) – 9,022 ft (2,750 m)

Trek for 0.5 km to reach the Shitkadi (Sonmarg) campsite.

Meals included: evening snack, dinner.

Stay: Shitkadi campsite.

How does your day 1 look?

• Depart from Srinagar at around 12:30 PM.
• Arrive in Sonamarg by 4:30 PM. Enjoy the Sind River during the drive, passing the Anchar Lake of Srinagar along the way.
• Our dedicated trek leader will provide you with all the trek-related required information.
• You will do an overnight camping at Shitkadi with a breathtaking view of Thajiwas Glacier and go into a good sleep while listening to the sound of the river.

Day 2: Trek from Sonamarg to Nichnai.

Distance covered: 11-12 km around 5-6 hours of trek

Altitude covered: 9,022 ft to 11,811 ft.

Witness the beauty of lush meadows and striking valleys throughput your day 2 trek.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, evening snack and dinner.

Stay: Nichnai campsite.

How does your day 2 look?

• Hike to the Nichinai camp from Shitkadi. Nichinai stream will be on the right side which will be visible whole day 2 trek.
• Hike for 1.5-kilometer upstream and reach a meadow dotted with pines and maple trees. As the trail keeps going up the hill, more gorgeous the view of Sonamarg gets.
• Time to enjoy the stunning view of Amarnath and Sonmarg valleys as we reach the table top. Table top is one the highest locations on the ridge.
• Get the opportunity to gel up with the local shepherds and other locals to learn about their livelihood.
• To your east, the maples are visible all along the path till the summit. To your west silver birch (Bhojpatra) trees can be seen. This meadow is known as Shekdur spanned across 1.5 kilometers long.
• As the tree line is about to finish, it will pass through a silver birch forest for over a kilometer.
• Follow the path dotted with stone and grassland areas, all the way to Nichinai.

Day 3: Trek from Nichnai to Vishansar Lake to Krishansar Lake by following the Nichnai Pass route

Distance covered: 13 km around 5-6 hours of trek

Altitude covered: 11,811 ft to 13,100 ft

Meals covered: breakfast, lunch, evening snack, dinner

Stay: camp near Vishnansar Lake

How does your day 3 look?

• From Nichnai, ascend towards Nichnai Pass (4,100 meters). Then descend to the base camp at Nichnai.
• From here the trail gets gentle till the Vishansar Lake. It only takes some more time to reach the campsite.  
• Reach a pristine lake called Krishnasar Lake after a short climb from Vishansar Lake. It is famous for its amazing blue waters, settled beneath towering peaks.

Day 4: Trek from Vishansar Lake to Gadsar Lake by following the Gadsar Pass route.

Distance covered: 16 km in around 7-8 hours

Altitude covered: 13,100 ft to 13, 813 ft and other 12,500 ft

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, evening snack and dinner

Stay: Gadsar Lake campsite

How does your day 4 look?

• As you continue the trek towards Gadsar Lake, the trail will pass through high-altitude terrain and meadows.
• On day 4, cover 4,300 meters and then descend into the valley to enjoy the splendid Gadsar Lake.
• Relish over hot lunch and relax.
• After a short break, trekkers need to show their ID proof and permit letter at the Army check post. It is suggested to the trekkers to stay with the group for hassle free process of ID checking. Continue with the trek and reach Gadsar Lake for the night stay as you have covered the longest and hectic route of the trek.
• Enjoy your dinner and rest at the Gadsar Lake campsite.

Day 5: Gadsar Lake to Satsar Lakes

Trek Distance: 10-12 km (6-7 hours)

Altitude covered: 12,500 ft to 12,007 ft

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, evening snack and dinner

How does your day 5 look?

• The trek continues across several meadows and streams before you reach the Satsar Lakes (seven small lakes), a beautiful and serene location surrounded by alpine forests and high-altitude mountains.
• After a little over an hour of a strenuous first hike, the trek from Gadsar to Satsar gradually progresses over the ridge. The magnificent Nanga Parbat (8,126) will be visible when you pass that ridge. After that, the trail leads to a brook and broad meadows. This is where you can eat your packed lunch.
• After that, you will eventually arrive at the Satsar campsite after a gradual ascent to rocky terrain.
• In comparison to earlier hike days, this one will be comparatively simpler. Although the KGL journey involves a considerable walking distance, today’s journey will give you plenty opportunity to relax and explore.

Day 6: Satsar Lakes to Gangbal and Nand Kol Lake by following the Zaj Pass route

Distance covered: 9-10 km in around 5-6 hours

Altitude covered: 12,007 ft to 11,482 ft

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, evening snack and dinner

Stay: Near Gangbal Lake

How does your day 6 look?

• Before reaching the Gangbal Lake, trek the scenic route that takes you through alpine meadows and the Alpine Pass. This sacred site (Gangbal Lake) is not less than heaven for Kashmiri pilgrims.
• Begin the trek with an ascent to the Zaj Pass. Here you will need to navigate through a boulder’s way on the trail.
• However, in comparison to other two crosses (which we crossed during the trek), Zaj Pass is lower in elevation. Maximum two hours and you will reach there.After reaching there Gangbal and Nandkul lakes will be clearly visible.
• The pass offers a breathtaking view. The trail is fun to walk.

Day 7: Trek from Gangbal Lake to Naranag and then drive back to Srinagar.

Trek distance: 13 km in around 5-6 hours.

Drive distance: 50 km in around 2 hours

Meals included: breakfast

How does your last day look?

• On the final day of the trek, descend to a foothill mountain village called Naranag. Drive back to Srinagar. Say good bye to your group and trek leaders. This is where the trip ends.
• On the next day, after a relaxing night in Srinagar, either catch your flight back home or spend some more time shopping or exploring the city.

Points to keep in mind before booking The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

For high-altitude trekking, it is always recommended to bring your fitness workouts into routine. This trek is classified as moderate to difficult. Only a person with a good level of fitness can enjoy all the perks of this beautiful trek.

Elevation gains during the course of the trek tend to give you altitude sickness. Our team will get you through it by acclimatizing you from day 1 by ensuring you get enough rest before starting the trek as soon as you reach Srinagar. In addition, it is suggested to carry acclimatization essentials with you; contact our team for more information.

Weather in the mountain regions is always unpredictable. From packing warm clothes to carry important stuff, our experts will guide you a few days in advance considering the current weather conditions of that time. Everything else will be provided by us, like a good sleeping bag, hiking shoes, rain gear, and a well-stocked first-aid kit.

We are more than excited to welcome groups of any size, bigger or smaller, and adjust the itinerary depending upon their needs.

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is definitely going to be an unforgettable adventure, living rent-free in your heart for the rest of your life. No other place can give you a proper blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and stimulating trekking experience like this trek. It is now time to see the other side of Kashmir—places that are untouched and less visited. Thinairexpedition ensures the overall safety and success of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek—‘paradise on earth’.

Find your path with the trusted trail companion—Thin Air Expedition.

Want to make your hiking accessible and inspiring? Schedule a call with us. Our trekking expert will call you at the earliest.