Kashmir Great Lakes is one of the most beautiful treks in India. No question. It validates Kashmir’s mythical status as heaven on earth. This is because the trek is set on a canvas that’s larger than life. It is situated 75 km northeast of Srinagar. Every day is a 360° panorama of wild, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, and turquoise alpine lakes. And you get more than six of these lakes and five very different valleys to explore! The range of landscape makes it a moderate-difficult trek spanning over six days. This means it has long trekking days with steep ascents and descents with no easy exit points. So, it’s not meant for a beginner who hasn’t been exposed to high-altitude treks.
Having said that, the challenges are worth it. Each day is postcard-perfect, with a new alpine lake to look forward to. What makes these lakes even prettier are the snow patches that feed these lakes. You see them sliding off the serrated mountains into the lakes. Sometimes you’ll see milky white icebergs floating on the lake’s inky blue surface.
And then there are meadows of Kashmir. These meadows come in every shape and size, sometimes many in a day.
After this trek, every other trek feels as though it is a movie on a small screen. Kashmir Great Lakes, however, is an IMAX 3D experience – such is the grandeur of the trek. If you have not done this trek, put it on your bucket list!
Transport will be organised at 10:00 am from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar to Gagangir on Day 2. Each trekker has to pay 750 per person, in Gagangir (on Day 2), directly to the driver. The vehicle will be non-AC.
You will collect your rentals and submit them to the cloakroom in Gagangir.
Trek distance: 11.6 km | Trek duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude gain: 8,150 ft to 11,607 ft
Transport will be organised at 10:00 am from Sheikh Feroze Tours & Travels, Sathu, Barbara Shah Chowk, near Flourmill, Srinagar (On Day 1) to Gagangir. Each trekker has to pay 750 per person, in Gagangir, directly to the driver. The vehicle will be non-AC. You will collect your rentals and submit them to the cloakroom in Gagangir.
Trek distance: 13.5 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude gain: 11,607 ft to 12,011 ft via 13,229 ft
Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of gradual ascent followed by an hour-long climb to the pass. A steep descent from the pass for about an hour easing off into a flat walk.
Trek distance: 16 km | Trek Duration: 7.5 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 12,011 ft to 10,706 ft via 13,715 ft
Trek type: Moderate difficult. 1.5-2 hours of steep ascent followed by 1 hour of steep descent, easing off into level walk.
Trek distance: 11.5 km | Trek Duration: 4.5 hours | Altitude gain: 10,706 ft to 11,985 ft
Trek type: Moderate. 1.5 hours of steep ascent followed by a level walk.
Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,985 ft to 11,486 ft via 13,276 ft
Trek type: Difficult. 30 minutes each of gradual ascent followed by steep ascent for about 45 minutes and then a steep descent. Similarly ascending and descending trail all through.
Trek distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude loss: 11,486 ft to 7,800 ft
Drive Distance: 2 hours | Drive Duration: 50 km
Trek type: Moderate. A mix of ascents and descents for 6 km followed by a very steep descent all the way down. You should reach Srinagar by 5 pm.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
Important: While returning from Naranag, the checkpost closes at 4pm. Make sure to plan according to this. If stuck, you will personally have to take the help of Indian Army for your stay at night.
Transport will be organised from Naranag to Srinagar. Each trekker has to pay 600 per person, in Srinagar, directly to the driver. The vehicle will be non-AC.
Weather Information
In Srinagar, the summers are long, warm, and clear and the winters are short, very cold, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 28°F to 85°F and is rarely below 19°F or above 91°F.
Based on the tourism score, the best times of year to visit Srinagar for warm-weather activities are from mid May to late July and from early August to early October.
The trek is considered moderate in difficulty. It involves daily walks of 6–7 hours on varied terrain, with a gradual ascent. Suitable for those with basic fitness and some prior trekking experience.
The best time is July to September. During this window, the weather is pleasant, meadows are lush, and the lakes are fully thawed and vibrant.
The trek usually takes 7 days, including travel from Srinagar to Aru (base camp) and back. The trekking distance is around 48–50 km.
Yes, trekking permits are required. If you're going with a registered trekking operator, they usually handle all permissions and paperwork for you.
The highest altitude on this trek is around 13,000 ft (3,962 m) near Marsar Lake.
Essentials include trekking shoes, layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, a backpack, a water bottle, personal medication, and sun protection. A detailed packing list is usually provided by us.