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The Himalayas Calling
The Himalayas Calling
Jagged peaks and glaciers above the Thajiwas valley near Sonamarg
  • Kashmir
  • 8 days
  • Challenging

Kashmir Great Lakes trek

Overview

Seven alpine lakes in seven days: a high, open trek through the meadows above Sonamarg, over three passes, to the twin lakes of Gangabal below Mount Harmukh. Challenging, and one of the most beautiful walks in India.

  • Vishansar and Kishansar lakes
  • Wildflowers on Gadsar Pass
  • The Satsar lakes
  • Gangabal and Nundkol below Harmukh

Day by day

Where you sleepHighest night 3,650 m
  1. Night 1: Shitkadi camp, 2,730 m
  2. Night 2: Nichnai camp, 3,505 m
  3. Night 3: Vishansar camp, 3,650 m
  4. Night 4: Gadsar camp, 3,650 m
  5. Night 5: Satsar camp, 3,600 m
  6. Night 6: Gangabal camp, 3,500 m
  7. Night 7: Srinagar, 1,585 m
  1. 1

    Day 1: Srinagar to Shitkadi

    The drive to the trailhead near Sonamarg.

    • Night in Shitkadi camp, 2,730 m
    • 80 km
  2. 2

    Day 2: To Nichnai

    Through maple and birch forest into open meadows.

    • Night in Nichnai camp, 3,505 m
    • 11 km
  3. 3

    Day 3: Over Nichnai Pass to Vishansar

    Cross the first pass and drop to the lake at Vishansar.

    • Night in Vishansar camp, 3,650 m
    • Highest point 4,100 m
    • 12 km
  4. 4

    Day 4: Over Gadsar Pass

    Climb past Kishansar to the highest pass of the trek, then down to Gadsar.

    • Night in Gadsar camp, 3,650 m
    • Highest point 4,200 m
    • 14 to 16 km
  5. 5

    Day 5: To Satsar

    An army checkpoint, then the basin of the seven Satsar lakes.

    • Night in Satsar camp, 3,600 m
    • 11 km
  6. 6

    Day 6: Over Zaj Pass to Gangabal

    Over the last pass to the twin lakes below Harmukh.

    • Night in Gangabal camp, 3,500 m
    • 9 to 11 km
  7. 7

    Day 7: Down to Naranag

    A steep descent through pine forest to Naranag, then the drive to Srinagar.

    • Night in Srinagar, 1,585 m
    • 11 to 13 km on foot, 50 km drive
  8. 8

    Day 8: Fly home

    A spare morning in Srinagar before your flight.

What the price covers

Included

  • Certified trek leader and local guides
  • All meals on the trek, cooked fresh by our kitchen team
  • Twin-share tents, sleeping bags and mats
  • Guesthouse nights before and after the trek
  • Mules or porters for the common gear
  • First-aid kit, pulse oximeter and oxygen with the group
  • Forest and trekking permits
  • Transfers listed in the itinerary

Not included

  • Travel to the start and from the end
  • Carrying your personal backpack (offloading on request)
  • Travel insurance and evacuation costs
  • Extra nights caused by weather or road closures
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • 5% GST

Good to know

Permits

The Jammu & Kashmir forest trekking permit is included. There are army checkpoints on the route, so carry original photo ID. Foreign nationals need their passport.

  • Departures depend on clearances from the Jammu & Kashmir authorities each season. We confirm them well in advance.
  • Days are long, up to 16 km. You should be able to run 5 km in under 30 minutes.
  • There is no mobile signal between Sonamarg and Naranag.
  • The season is short: mid-July to mid-September.

Questions travellers ask

Is the trek running this season?

Departures depend on clearances from the Jammu & Kashmir authorities, which are confirmed season by season. Tell us your preferred month and we will confirm availability.

How hard is it?

Challenging. Six trekking days, three passes up to 4,200 metres and long days on uneven ground.

When is the best time?

Mid-July to mid-September, when the passes are clear of snow and the meadows are in flower.

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