Seven days, four passes, five alpine lakes and about 72 km - what the trek demands and how to prepare for it.
The Kashmir Great Lakes trek runs from Sonmarg to Naranag, roughly 72 km over seven trekking days, crossing the Nichnai, Gadsar, Zaj and Satsar passes. It is graded moderate, but that grading assumes real fitness.
When to go
The season is early July to mid September. July is greenest, with the most wildflowers and the most stream crossings. September is drier and clearer, with the best photography, but nights drop below freezing.
How hard is it?
Six to seven hours of walking a day, with a maximum altitude of 4,200 m at the Gadsar pass. There are no technical sections and no rope work. The difficulty is cumulative - it is a long time at altitude with a daily ascent and descent. Train with 5 km runs and stair repeats for at least six weeks beforehand.
Permits and logistics
Forest department permits are required and are arranged by your operator. Photo ID is checked at the army post before Satsar. There is no mobile signal after Sonmarg apart from occasional patches near Gangabal.
The lakes
Vishansar and Krishansar sit as a pair below the Nichnai pass. Gadsar, the most photographed, lies directly under the pass of the same name. Satsar is a scatter of seven small lakes. Gangabal and Nundkol, the twin lakes under Mount Harmukh, make the finest campsite of the trek.
