Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
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Kashmir · Jammu & Kashmir

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Explore Seven Alpine Lakes On The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Difficulty
Trek DifficultyModerate to Difficult
Duration
Trek Duration7 Days / 6 Nights
Altitude
Highest Altitude13,850 feet
Suitable For
Suitable For15 to 60 years
Distance
Total Trek Distance74.6 kms
Basecamp
BasecampShitkadi- Sonamarg
Accommodation
AccommodationTents
Region
RegionKashmir
Pickup
Pickup DetailsTRC –Srinagar
Dropoff
Dropoff DetailsTRC –Srinagar
Cloakroom
CloakroomAvailable
Off Loading
Off LoadingAvailable
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Highlights

  • Explore Seven Alpine Lakes On The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
  • Stunning alpine meadows and high-altitude lakes
  • Breathtaking mountain passes (Nichnai Pass and Gadsar Pass)
  • Gangabal Lake, Nundkol Lake, and Tarsar Lake

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek — Overview

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek and Kashmir Ghati has always been compared to heaven because of its exotic beauty and fascinating places untouched and serene. The Kashmir Great Lakes is an extremely beautiful trek because of “Eight Alpine Lakes” in a series attitude is 13850 feet. The confluence of many G…

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek — Complete Guide

Our mission has always been to ensure that no trekker steps into the Himalayas without the right perspective. A trek is not just a checklist of summits; it is a serious commitment to the outdoors. Having the right information is what separates a reckless climb from a soulful journey.

This section serves as your definitive manual for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. We have distilled years of mountain experience and real-time feedback into this guide to give you a clear, honest picture of the trail.

We provide this depth of information because we want you to be more than just a visitor—we want you to be a prepared, responsible trekker who respects the mountains as much as we do.

Short Itinerary
Trek Summary at a Glance
Day 1: Pickup from Srinagar TRC & Drive to Shitkadi Camp
Drive Distance: 90 km (3-4 hours) | Altitude: 8,625 ft | Pickup at 1:00 PM from TRC (Near Krishna Dhaba). Overnight Stay: Tents (Twin Sharing).
Day 2: Trek from Shitkadi to Nichani Thach
Trek Distance: 12 km (6-7 hours) | Altitude: 11,605 ft | Trek through meadows and forests. Overnight Stay: Tents (Twin Sharing).
Day 3: Trek from Nichani to Vishansar via Nichani Pass
Trek Distance: 13.5 km (6-7 hours) | Altitude: 13,225 ft | Cross the Nichnai Pass and descend to Vishansar lake. Overnight Stay: Tents (Twin Sharing).
Day 4: Trek from Vishansar to Gadsar Lake via Gadsar Pass
Trek Distance: 16 km (7-8 hours) | Altitude: 10,725 ft (Pass at 13,785 ft) | Cross the highest point of the trek, Gadsar Pass. Overnight Stay: Tents (Twin Sharing).
Day 5: Trek from Gadsar Lake to Satsar Lake
Trek Distance: 11 km (5-6 hours) | Altitude: 11,995 ft | Explore the 7 inter-connected lakes of Satsar. Overnight Stay: Tents (Twin Sharing).
Day 6: Trek from Satsar Lake to Gangabal via Zaj Pass
Trek Distance: 9 km (5-6 hours) | Altitude: 11,885 ft | See Mount Harmukh and the twin lakes of Gangabal and Nundkol. Overnight Stay: Tents (Twin Sharing).
Day 7: Trek from Gangabal Lake to Naranag & Drive to Srinagar
Trek Distance: 13 km (5-6 hours) | Altitude Loss: down to 7,805 ft | Drive: 70 km (2 hours) back to Srinagar TRC.
Detailed Day-wise Itinerary
A Complete Route & Campsite Breakdown

Day 1: Pickup from Srinagar TRC & Drive to Shitkadi Camp

  • Drive Distance: 90 km (3-4 hours)
  • Altitude: 8,625 ft
Pickup at 1:00 PM from TRC (Near Krishna Dhaba). Overnight Stay: Tents (Twin Sharing).
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Difficulty & Experience
What to Expect: Terrain, Weather & Challenges

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult — Suitable for fit beginners.

You will cover a total distance over 7 trekking days, gaining significant altitude. The terrain includes steep ascents and rocky paths. Weather can change rapidly at altitude — rain, snow, and mist are common. Our Trek Leaders monitor conditions and make safety decisions accordingly.

Altitude: You will reach 13,850 ft. At altitudes above 10,000 ft, the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness are real. Fitness helps, but even experienced trekkers can be affected.

Best Time to Visit Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Seasonal Weather & Temperature Guide

Best months to visit:

JulyAugustSeptember
How to Reach the Base Camp
Your Detailed Travel & Connectivity Guide

The base camp is accessible by road from Rishikesh or Haridwar. Nearest railway station is Haridwar; nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. We arrange pickup from Rishikesh.

Packing and Gear List
Your Complete Trekking Checklist
  • Layered woollen clothing (thermal base + mid-layer + rain jacket)
  • Trekking poles
  • Good quality trekking shoes (waterproof)
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Personal first aid kit and any prescription medicine
  • Water bottle (2L minimum)
  • Light snacks (nuts, dry fruits, energy bars)
Preparation & Fitness Tips
Train. Trek. Triumph: Your Complete Fitness Plan

Start training 6 weeks before the trek. Focus on:

  • Cardio — 45 minutes of jogging/cycling, 5 days a week
  • Stair climbing — builds leg and lung capacity
  • Squats and lunges — strengthen knees for steep descents
  • Weekend hikes — practice with a loaded backpack

Fitness Benchmark: Complete 5 km in under 40 minutes before the trek.

Himalayan Ibex Safety Standards & Expertise
Our Expertise Why We Are India's Trusted Trekking Community

Your safety is our priority. We bring oxygen cylinders, high altitude medical kits, and certified Trek Leaders who are trained as Wilderness First Responders.

What is Included & Excluded in Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
What is Covered & NOT Covered in the Package
What is included in the trek fee?

Complete Package from Srinagar To Srinagar, Accommodation: Tents on Twin Sharing during the trek, Meals: Nutritious meals during the trek, Transport: Srinagar to Shitkadi and Naranag to Srinagar, Certified high-altitude guide and support staff, Permits: Trekking permits, Safety equipment & first aid.

What is not included?

Personal gear and expenses, Meals during transit to and from Srinagar, Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory), Optional Services: Backpack Offloading charge ₹4000, Single Tent occupancy on request, extra cost.

Map of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Route
Complete Journey Pickup Point to the Peak

Detailed maps and GPS coordinates will be provided in your pre-trek briefing document.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Your Curiosity, Our Commitment
Is Kashmir Great Lakes Trek suitable for beginners?

Yes, with proper fitness preparation. The difficulty is rated Moderate to Difficult.

Important Booking Notes
How to book and payment information
  • Himalayan Ibex offers both online and offline booking options.
  • Payment: We require a 25% advance payment for booking treks. The remaining amount is to be paid in cash at the basecamp before the trek starts.

The IBEX Spirit of Trekking

Our values on and off the trail

We're always ready for adventure
Trekking comes with uncertainty. Weather, terrain, and setbacks are part of the journey. We embrace them with resilience and openness.
We embrace low-noise trekking
We blend into nature, not the other way around. We avoid shouting, loud music, and noisy games. In silence, we hear birdsong, streams, and the wind.
We protect the environment
We minimise waste, reuse resources, and pick up litter. We carry eco-bags, segregate waste, and inspire others to preserve trails.
We are self-sufficient
We carry our load as much as possible, manage our gear, and stay prepared for all situations.
We support each other
We wait for each other, share burdens, and uplift teammates. By putting the group first, we build strong bonds.
We are fit and prepared
We train well before our treks. This helps us walk longer, handle emergencies, and contribute to the team.