Kashmir Great Lakes Sonamarg

We will start our trek from Shitkadi which is 30 min drive from our stay.

Our first stop will be at Tabletop. It is a beautiful plateau surrounded by jungle and it opens wide towards the Thajiwas Mountain Range. It will give you a beautiful view of the entire Sonamarg area and its mountain range. Later, you trek towards Nichnai. You will trek by the river . Later the trail opens and gives way to tall mountains. You will need to cross a river after that. Follow the guidelines given by your trek leaders during the crossing. As the group reaches the campsite, the view will become more beautiful and exciting.

We will start our trek after having the breakfast. Today, we carry packed lunch for the day.

Our first stop will be near Nichnai Pass, located after the river. As you cross the ridgeline, you will be able to see the stunning valley from the top. The ascent is steady toward the pass. Don’t forget to stop for regular water breaks.

The pass is steep and has a rocky climb to the stunning valley. You will be able to see a vast mountain range to the right and left of your path in the surrounding area. The mountain range appears rugged to the left, and the mountain line is snow-capped to your right.

After crossing the Nichnai pass, it is downhill 1 hr  and after that it is gentle walk.

After walking for about a few kilometers, you will arrive at the campsite. The campsite is situated next to the streams of the river that originate at stunning Vishansar Lake. The river is where you will find a large variety of trout fish well-known in this area. (Fishing and catching fish is not permitted).

Visit Kishansar Lake in the evening.

Today will be the longest and most challenging day of the trek.

We will start our day a bit early.

The first and most popular attraction on the trek is visible within an hour. Witness the two gorgeous lakes cosily and calmly adjacent to each other: Vishansar and Kishansa Lakes. Take a look at the beautiful lakes. Both lakes have the significance of a sacred site and are drained in the Kishanganga River that flows through Gurez valley. 

Following the lakes, you begin the steep climb towards Gadsar Pass. It will take about two hours before you reach the summit.

Once you reach the top, which is the highest point of the trek, enjoy yourself with the beauty of the twin lake and the mountains surrounding them.

Relax here and enjoy a few minutes. Take some fantastic pictures.

From the pass, it is a long descent to the campsite.

The descent ends and flows into a lush meadow known as Gadsar Meadow. The meadow is lush greenery with diverse and vibrant flowers and plants and is one of the most vibrant of the trek.

You will witness a blue-coloured lake called Gadsar Lake on your left side. This lake is only accessible during the Kashmir Great Lakes trek and is one of the least visited lakes in India.  

There is an ascent for about an hour until the trail begins to open onto the Satsar Meadow. 

The trail becomes easy after that as you walk through lush grass and trails. The trail is composed of meadows and rocks with a few water-filled grasses and land. The terrain of the mountain is primarily rough and deserted. The valley has seven alpine lakes, and you will see one of them. 

Later, you will arrive at the campsite.

Today the trek starts with a patch of boulders and rocky terrain.

The boulder section will be the most prominent and interesting part of the day, as you’ll be moving from one boulder to the next. 

The trail ascends and eventually reaches Zaj Pass. A steep climb to the pass lasts for around three hours before an equally long descent. 

The trail follows an array of climbs and descents until it reaches Gangabal Valley.

After the climb, you will reach the highest elevation known as Zaj Pass.

Following the descent from the pass, you will be walking through the meadow, which is narrow. You will also encounter small changes in the landscape until you arrive at the twin lakes in the valley.

The lakes and the glacial lakes are fed by melting glaciers that rests upon Mount Harmukh. Gangabal Lake is almost 25 minutes away from Nundkol Lake

The trek to Naranag, the final destination of the trek, begins with a gradual descent, followed by a rapid descent through the jungle.

The gradual descent takes you through the meadows of Trunkhol. Here you will find the government hut and waving meadows that lie within the mountains surrounding. It is lush greenery and is dotted with bright yellow flowers.

There are many shepherd’s houses constructed of brick and mud. It is possible to stop if you have time, to sip the tea of the region within the mud-built houses.

Post Trunkhol meadow, the trail immediately leads through the forest. 

The path isn’t extremely difficult or risky, but it can be challenging for your legs. Once you’ve climbed halfway, you’ll be able to see the houses below. Further, it is a steep descent until you reach Naranag, the endpoint of the trek. 

Drive from Naranag to Srinagar, TRC

For all your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability.

This depends completely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.