Overview

The Great Lakes Trek or Kashmir Great Lakes Trek commercially known as Sonamarg-Vishansar-Naranag Trek^[1] is an alpine himalayan high-altitude trek in the Kashmir Valley in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.^[2] This is the most famous trek in Kashmir. The trek is usually completed in 6-7 days and is rated as moderate-difficult in terms of terrain and trail difficulty. The trek is an absolute treat and worth every effort as one gets to see new alpine lakes, mountain peaks, passes, meadows and glaciers almost every subsequent day.

Quicks Facts:

Region- Kashmir
Route: Srinagar – Shitkadi – Nichnai – Vishansar – Gadsar – Satsar – Gangabal – Naranag – Srinagar
Altitude- 13,870 Ft.
Duration- 8 days
Trekking Distance- 72 kilometres
Difficulty Level- Moderate to Difficult
Start Point & End Point- TRC Srinagar
Base Camp- Shitkadi
Nearest airport- Srinagar Airport
Last ATM- At Srinagar
Best time to visit – July to September

Himalayan Cruise Recommended:

➔ Visit the Floating Vegetable Market early in the morning and witness the culture of Mir Bahris

➔ Head out to the most instagramable café of Srinagar Chai Jaai.

➔ Taste the local cuisines Rogan Josh, Matschgand, Yakhni, Kashmiri Muji Gaad and Kahwa Tea

How to Reach:

By Air: Srinagar International Airport is the nearest airport in Srinagar which has flight connectivity to major cities of India.

By Rail: The closest railway station to Srinagar is in Jammu Tawi which also has trains connectivity all over India.

By Road: Board buses from Chandigarh, Delhi Srinagar

Know Before You Travel

The above mentioned prices are not applicable on special dates (festivals, year end, etc).Rates may fluctuate with any change in services/hotels. The difference in the cost shall be borne by the client in case of any amendment in the package due to an increase in the number of guests, hotel change, etc., before the beginning of the trip.
GST is applicable to the package cost.
Any personal expenses or items of personal nature will not be included in the package. Any meals or transfers not mentioned in the itinerary are to be considered an exclusion in the deal. Any kind of drink (alcoholic, aerated, or mineral water) is not included in the package cost.
Avoid using plastic bags and maintain the ecological balance of the destinations. Travelers littering may be fined.
The exact location will be shared with you post-booking.
Carry dry snacks/food, granola bars, etc. from home. Carry a regular and another insulated water bottle with you, so that you can refill.
Any breakage or damage of any items in the resort will be charged at actuals.
All international and domestic airfare, visa fees, airport tax, or any kind of insurance cover is not a part of the package.
If in case any traveler wants to or decides to leave the trip in the middle, all the expenses from that point onwards will be borne by the traveler. Neither the operator nor Himalayan Cruise will be held responsible for such decisions or for any refund.
Guidelines issued by the State-Government are to be followed. Social distancing to be maintained. Frequent hand sanitization and use of masks recommended.
ID proof is mandatory for each individual guest at the time of booking, and also upon arrival. PAN card will not be considered as a valid address proof.

Things To Carry

Warm clothes
Caps
Hiking shoes
Thermal inners
Walking shoes

Day 1 :

Day 1 Drive from Srinagar (5,200 ft) to Shitkadi (7,850 ft) (90 km, 4 hours)

We will pick you up from TRC and drive to Shitkadi starts. It is just before Sonamarg. Dubbed as the “meadow of gold”, Sonamarg is one of the most popular hill stations in Kashmir valley and in its vicinity are some glaciers and peaks of the Kashmir National Park. We will have a Team Introduction after evening Tea. Early dinner & stay in camps.

Day 2 :

Day 2 Trek from Shitkadi (7,850 ft) to Nichnai (11,778 ft) (12 km, 7 hours)

The first day of Kashmir great lakes trek is a good combination of ascent & descent. The trekking tail starting point is marked by a nice roadside Dhabha where one can buy packaged food items for the trek. For the initial 3 km, the trail is uphill, next 2 km is descent and finally, there is a gradual ascent of 5 km up to Nichnai. On the trail, you will see beautiful meadows, dark forests with trees of Maple, Pine, and Bhoj. Reach Nichnai by afternoon. Camp in Nichnai.

Day 3 :

Day 3 Trek from Nichnai (11,778 ft) to Vishansar (12,100 ft) (14 km, 7 hours)

Break camps early & start the trek by 8 AM as today it’s a long walk through meadows. The scenery keeps changing all the way which is a treat for the senses. Once you cross the Nichnai pass towards Vishansar Lake you have reached your destination for the day. The Vishansar lake is an alpine lake which will calm your senses n the first glimpse of it. This banks of this lake make the perfect campsite. Camp here for the night.

Day 4 :

Day 4 Trek from Vishansar (12,100 ft) to Gadsar (12,200 ft) via Gadsar Pass (13,870 ft) (16 km, 8 hours)

After breakfast we will start our trek passing by Kishansar Lake towards Gadsar Pass. Initially, the trek is a steep ascent which is followed by a steep descent & a gentle walk through the meadows. To reach Gadsar Pass, it takes around 2 to 3 hours depending upon your pace and once you reach the top, be ready to absorb the views of the Vishansar and Kishansar Lakes, together. Cross Gadsar pass. On the other side of the pass, there are a couple of small lakes & peaks. The LOC can be seen from here. The beauty of flowers & Meadows en route is something you should look forward to. You will reach Gadsar lake by early afternoon. Gadsar is one of the most beautiful and most pristine lake of the Kashmir great lakes trek. On one side of the Gadsar lake lies the snow clad cliffs and on the other side open lush green meadows. All details of the visitors including original id cards are checked in the army camp which is nearby. Please keep original Id cards essentially with you. Camp for the night at Gadsar.

Day 5 :

Day 5 Trek from Gadsar (12,200 ft) to Satsar (12,100 ft) (11 km, 5 hours)

Start trek early towards Satsar after a nice breakfast. You will cross the river today. Satsar is basically a collection of 7 lakes and you can find water in various lakes depending upon the season of your trek and all of these lakes are interconnected. ID cards will be checked again at Satsar army check post. A few minutes from the army camp is the first of the Satsar lakes, which is pretty big in size and amazingly beautiful. The lakes drain out into the Wangath nallah which is a tributary of the Sind. Camp at the beautiful campsite near the first lake.

Day 6 :

Day 6 Trek from Satsar (12,100 ft) to Gangabal (11,720 ft) via Zaj Pass (13,050 ft) (9 km, 6 hours)

Today is a tough day and be prepared for a long arduous trek through the rocky terrain full of boulders. Today the trail is dominated by boulders.Be careful of loose rocks while trekking. The view of Gangabal and Nandkol twin lakes from the Zaj Pass is something to look forward. After spending sometime at the top of Zaj Pass, we will start descending towards Gangabal lake. Last few Kilometres are through Meadows. Reach our destination for the day, Gangabal lake. Camp here for the night.

Day 7 :

Day 7 Trek from Gangabal (11,720 ft) to Naranag (7,450 ft) (13 km, 6 hours) and drive to Srinagar (75 km, 3 hours)

Today is the last and final day of Kashmir Great Lakes trek. Like most treks, the trail on the last day is a steep descent. You will see the most beautiful pine forests today. The trail passes through a meadow with pretty yellow flowers. After trekking for a couple of hours, finally, we reach the road head of Naranag, where jeeps would be waiting to pick us up. Start the drive and reach Srinagar in the evening The moment we reach the Naranag hamlet, the relaxation phase begins to prepare us for the journey from Naranag to Srinagar.

Day 8 :

Day 8 Buffer Day

This day will be utilised in case of bad weather or other unexpected delays. You are advised to keep a buffer day in your travel plan. In case buffer day is not used, then the group can take a collective decision to stay one more day at Gangabal Camp and explore around or they can go to Srinagar

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What are the mandatory safety protocols that I need to follow to protect myself from Covid-19?

It is mandatory to wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing when moving around in public places. We recommend that you ensure appropriate hand hygiene and wash your hands regularly. Keep a bottle of hand sanitisers with you at all times. It is mandatory to download the Aarogya Setu app on your mobile phone.

Besides this, you will be required to install specific quarantine apps in some states. These help the government agencies to ensure the authenticity of COVID-19 statistics. A negative PCR report taken 72 hours before boarding the flight from the country of origin, or a complete Covid19 vaccination certificate/report is required.

Is it safe to travel to Kashmir?

Yes, travelling to Kashmir is absolutely safe. However, don’t be shocked by the abundance of military checkpoints, tanks on the side of the road, military trucks and heavy-armed soldiers roaming down the streets.

Do I need special permission while travelling to Kashmir?

Travelling to some parts of Ladakh that lie close to the borders of China and Tibet do require a permit.

How far is Kashmir from Delhi?

The distance between Kashmir and Delhi is approximately 842 kilometres. You can take a flight from New Delhi to Srinagar that will take around 1 hour and 25 minutes. While travelling via train will take you 7 hours and 25 minutes.

How many days are needed for a holiday to Kashmir?

Ideally, at least a week would be needed to explore Kashmir and its hidden gems.

How much would a Kashmir holiday cost?

Normally Packages start from a budget of INR 12,999 to an extravagant INR 42,999. Check our website to browse through our list of packages.

Has the internet been restored in Kashmir?

The internet ban has been lifted in Kashmir, but with certain terms and conditions. Internet services have resumed on postpaid mobiles across 12 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The ban on social media sites however remains intact.

Which is the best time of the year to travel to Kashmir?

The best time to visit Kashmir is in the summer season, between the months of April and June.

What are the must-visit places in Kashmir?

There are a plethora of must-visit places in Kashmir, some of them are below:

Srinagar – Slice of heaven on Earth.
Sonamarg – Gold Land
Gulmarg – Ski Your Way
Kupwara — Kashmir’s Pleasure
Kathua — A Little-Known Treasure
Kargil is a war-torn region that has seen many battles.

Do not miss out on these places when you are on your Kashmir tour.

When does it snow in Kashmir?

The weather of Kashmir in winter blankets the region with a thick sheet of snow. This is between the months of December to February.

How far is Jammu from the airport?

The Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar is approximately 6 hours and 33 minutes away from Jammu.

Are there hotels in Kashmir?

Yes, there are quite a few hotels in Kashmir. However, We will take care of all your accommodation booking hassles.

What are best houseboats available in Kashmir?

Some Best popular recommended house-boats in Kashmir are Claremont Houseboats, Montreal Group of Houseboats, Queens Lap House Boat, New Alexandra Houseboats.