The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is, for many, the most beautiful walk in the country. Starting from Sonamarg and finishing at Naranag, it threads roughly 70-75 km through some of the greenest, most flower-strewn meadows in the Himalaya, linking seven high-altitude lakes - Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangabal and their companions - each a different shade of blue and green.
The trail is generous with drama: the climb to Gadsar Pass at 13,800 ft, the twin lakes of Vishansar and Kishansar mirrored beneath sharp peaks, and the wide pastures where Gujjar shepherds graze their flocks. It is a moderate-to-hard trek that rewards every step.
The seven lakes
- Vishansar & Kishansar - the famous twin lakes below Kishansar peak
- Gadsar - the "lake of flowers", reached over the highest pass
- Satsar - a cluster of interconnected alpine pools
- Gangabal & Nundkol - the twin lakes beneath Mount Harmukh
The YHAI way
YHAI runs the Great Lakes as a national trekking program through July to September, when the winter snow has cleared and the meadows are at their most vivid. As always, expect community kitchens, shared camp duty and a mandatory medical certificate for the altitude.
More Trek Guides
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