Starts from

15499/-

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

+3 More

Trek at a glance

Trek duration

7 Days / 6 Nights

Difficulty level

Moderate to Hard

Max altitude

13750

Location

Aru Valley

Total trek distance

69 km

For ages

Best time to go

Summer (May, June, July), Monsoon (Aug, Sept, Oct)

Depart from

Srinagar | Trek Start: Sonmarg

Trek highlights

Snow-capped mountains, fragrant apple orchards, pine and maple forests and shades of colours that will blow your mind – that is what awaits you at the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. Commercially known as the Sonamarg-Vishansar-Naranag Trek, this trek will take you through some of the prettiest places of Kashmir and give you the opportunity to camp in some of the most amazing locations in the world.

Starting from stunning Sonmarg, we will spend the first day getting acclimatised and acquainted
A moderately challenging trek awaits you on the second day, taking you from Sonmarg to Nichnai
The famous tabletop will give you panoramic 360-degree views and some incredible clicks for the ‘gram too
Set up camp in the Thajiwas mountain range, aka the Valley of Wildflowers
Wake up in the most exquisite location ever and then make your way to Kishansar and Vishansar Valley
Dip your feet in the gorgeous lakes and let your mind float away
On the 5th day, you will move to the mesmerizing views of Satsar valley – camp and relax
As you cross the Zajibal pass, you will trek into the Gangabal Valley, where 2 pristine lakes await you
On the last day of your trek, you go from the Gangabal campsite to Naranag via a picturesque route

Kashmir has so much to offer and when you go at the right time of the year, there is no other way to describe it but as magical. The beauty and charm of Kashmir awaits you and we at Plan The Unplanned are all set to take you there!

Trek itinerary

All timings are an estimate and subject to change

Arrive in Srinagar (suggested to reach a day prior)

Overnight stay in Srinagar (self-arranged or booked via PTU)

Depart from Srinagar to Sonamarg

Acclimatization and trek briefing
Overnight stay in Sonamarg

Begin trek from Sonamarg to Nichnai

Trek through lush meadows and scenic valleys
Overnight stay in tents at Nichnai

Trek from Nichnai to Kishansar/Vishansar Valley

Cross Nichnai Pass (~13,000 ft)
Camp near the twin alpine lakes
Overnight stay at Vishansar/Kishansar campsite

Trek from Kishansar/Vishansar to Gadsar

Cross Gadsar Pass (~13,750 ft) with panoramic views
Visit Gadsar Lake
Overnight stay at Gadsar campsite

Trek from Gadsar to Satsar

Trail passes through remote alpine meadows and streams
Overnight stay at Satsar campsite

Trek from Satsar to Gangabal

Cross Zaj Pass (~13,200 ft)
Explore twin lakes of Gangabal and Nundkol
Overnight stay near Gangabal Lake

Trek from Gangabal to Naranag

Drive back to Srinagar
Check-in at stay (self-arranged or through PTU)

Note:

• Please schedule your flights a day before arrival and a day after departure to avoid airline delays/cancellations.
• Plan The Unplanned can assist with booking flights and accommodation.

Trek detail itinerary

All timings are an estimate and subject to change

Day 1 | Day 1: Srinagar to Sonmarg

Your journey will start with the lovely city of Srinagar at an altitude of 1,585m above sea level. You will have a pleasant ride in the vehicle and as you get in, we will give you an introduction to the trip that is ahead of you- exciting trails, exhilarating altitudes and unforgettable friendships that are awaiting you.

The path to Sonamarg is most beautiful and goes on through some beautiful valleys and some beautiful regions of alpine beauty. As the altitude rises to 2377 meters so does the excitement. Within an approximate time of three hours, you will be engulfed with snow capped mountains and cool air of Sonamarg, which in literal terms also means Meadow of Gold.

Today is the day of acclimatization. It is a very important part of your Himalayan adventure. Go your time. Take some steps outside, take a walk in the calm scenery, rub the fresh air on your skin, and allow your body to get used to the altitude. Talk to other trekkers, have some steaming kahwa, and enjoy the game of hide and seek of clouds amidst the sun.

When evening falls, have a healthy meal, exchange tales and have laughs in the glow of new acquaintanceship. Tomorrow the actual climbing will begin.

Day 2 | Day 2: Sonmarg to Nichnai

Day 3 | Day 3: Nichnai to Kishansar and Vishansar Valley

Day 4 | Day 4: Gadsar Valley via Gadsar Pass

Day 5 | Day 5: Coming down to Satsar Valley

Day 6 | Day 6: Visiting Gangabal and Nundkul Lakes at the foot of Harmukh

Day 7 | Day 7: Descent to Naranag

Inclusions

Cozy tented accommodation on a triple-sharing basis

All meals from Day 1 dinner at Sonamarg to Day 7 lunch at Naranag

All camping fees, forest permits, and necessary permissions

Trekking essentials: sleeping bags, mattresses, toilet tents & kitchen tents

Experienced trek leaders, cooks, and support staff

Basic safety equipment: first aid kit, oxygen cylinders, etc.

Trained outdoor leader from Plan The Unplanned & a local guide

The overall experience that you gain during the trek

Exclusions

Any meals beyond those listed

Any kind of personal expenses

Accommodation at Srinagar

Offloading charges – ₹2800/person (if you choose to offload your backpack for the full trek duration

Mandatory adventure insurance cover for 7 days (₹650/person) – please select while booking

Any kind of personal expenses

Trekking equipment on a rental basis

Any expenses arising from unforeseen contingencies such as landslides, curfew, government orders, or natural disasters

Any expenses related to medical evacuation

Flight cancellation charges due to delays or any other reason

Single-sharing tent (available at an additional charge of ₹2500/person)

Anything not expressly mentioned in the inclusions

PTU in a nutshell

Treks, backpacking trips & international tours with Plan The Unplanned

Weekend escapes you didn’t know you needed

Fellow travellers! Take a meaningful break from life to soak up raw, real & unforgettable moments in nature. With unfiltered experiences, a team of trained outdoor leaders, and a like-minded community.

Experience your firsts. Conquer your fears. Step out of your comfort zone. All of this and more with your new strangers-turned-tribe on every trip.

Never trek alone again

You’ll want to come back and you won’t be alone – 200+ travelers have joined us more than 5 times

Soulful stays

Safe, clean & comfortable homestays and tents with warm hosts who greet you like family

No pressure, no rush

Unplug from the grind with thoughtfully paced treks that let you breathe, pause, and reboot

Unplanned magic

Spontaneous stops and surprises (think hidden waterfalls and beyond) that are worth a detour

Leave no trace policy

We haul out every piece of trash and stray litter to keep India’s trails & peaks pristine for future local communities, nature, and wildlife

Responsible travel

With eco-friendly trips, conscious practices, clean up drives, and initiatives to support local communities – we invite you to travel with a purpose

Things to carry

Here is all that you will carry on this trek:

Soft copy of your Aadhaar or Voter ID (mandatory for permits)

A comfortable pair of trekking shoes with good grip and ankle support (no sneakers or sports shoes)

40–60 litre backpack with sturdy straps and a rain cover

20-litre foldable daypack for summit day essentials

Warm layers, thermals, and weather-appropriate clothing

Lightweight trek pants, t-shirts, and undergarments as per your need

Sunglasses, sun cap, and sunscreen for sun protection

2 pairs of regular socks + 1 pair of woollen socks

Hand gloves to keep your fingers warm

Torch or headlamp for visibility at night (mandatory)

Trekking pole to support your walk

Extra cash for any meals not covered in your itinerary

Compact raincoat or backpack cover to stay dry

Power bank and charging cable for your phone

Portable chargers for other electronics

Flip-flops for lazing around the campsite

Extra pairs of clothes to change into

Poly bags to pack your wet clothes

2x one litre water bottles

Policy and terms

All refund or cancellation requests must be submitted exclusively via email to [email protected]. Requests made by call or WhatsApp will not be accepted.

If you cancel your booking

In the event that YOU cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy:

30 days or more before scheduled date

15–29 days before scheduled date

0–15 days before scheduled date

Cancellation Fee

10% of the total invoice

Cancellation Fee

50% of the total invoice

Cancellation Fee

100% of the total invoice

30 days or more before scheduled date

Cancellation Fee

10% of the total invoice

15–29 days before scheduled date

Cancellation Fee

50% of the total invoice

0–15 days before scheduled date

Cancellation Fee

100% of the total invoice

Important information

Last-minute cancellations on the day of or the day before trek departure

Last-minute cancellations made on the day of trek departure or the day before are not eligible for a refund or rescheduling, regardless of the reason (such as work commitments, family emergencies, or health).

Reschedule your booking on the day of trek departure

Should you choose to postpone your booking to a future date, an additional fee of ₹1500 per person will be incurred. This postponement option is valid for a period of 3 months from your original trek departure date.

Aranya Vihara treks and permits

Permit fees for treks obtained under Aranya Vihara are non-refundable in the event of customer cancellation.

If plan the unplanned cancel your booking

In the event that WE postpone or cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy:

During or after the trek

In the event of severe weather or other safety concerns, we may shorten a trek day or abandon the trek entirely. No refunds will be issued in such circumstances, as your safety is our top priority.

Prior to the trek

If we cancel a trek due to natural disasters (such as rainstorm, flood, landslide, earthquake) or unanticipated political disturbances (such as curfews, local riots, government orders, forest department directives), Plan The Unplanned will issue a voucher for the full value of your ticket. Please note that payment gateway charges will be deducted from this refund.

Insufficient reservations

If we cancel a trek due to insufficient reservations or lack of participants for a specific batch, a refund of 96% of the trek money will be issued. Please note that payment gateway charges will be deducted from this refund.

Trek guidelines

To ensure everyone has a great time and knows what to expect, please read these important points:

No alcohol or smoking
For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, please don’t consume alcohol, intoxicants, or smoke at any point during the journey or trek.
Dinner before boarding
Kindly complete your dinner before you board the bus.
Travel arrangements
We’ll arrange transportation based on our group size. If there are 12 or fewer of us, we’ll use a tempo traveler. For groups of 13 or more, it’ll be a mini-bus. Both options are non-AC and have push-back seats for your comfort. We appreciate your understanding regarding our travel logistics.
"Without Travel" option
If you prefer to arrange your own transportation to the destination (the homestay), be sure to book the “Without Travel” option when you sign up. Please note: If you select this, you’ll need a private car for your entire trip. Public transport won’t work, as our Day 2 activities begin directly from the homestay and require continuous private car access to ensure you can fully participate in all planned activities.
Embrace the outdoors
Our trips are about getting out into nature, often in remote locations. Please don’t expect luxury accommodations; we focus on providing comfortable basic facilities.
Food provided
We’ll provide basic, vegetarian meals. We do not serve non-vegetarian food.
Leave no trace policy
Please help us keep our beautiful outdoors clean by disposing of all litter properly.
Personal belongings
You are responsible for your personal belongings, valuables, and jewelry. Plan The Unplanned is not liable for any lost items.
Potential delays
While we strive to be on schedule, please be aware that traffic delays or vehicle breakdowns can sometimes occur, leading to slight delays in reaching our destination.