Kashmir Great Lakes

The trek will begin 3 km away from Sonmarg on Srinagar Road. Today you have to ascend for three hours and descend for 1 hour and then finally ascend towards campsite Nichnai.

After 10 minutes of trekking you will enter a blooming meadow and from here Sonamarg town will be clearly visible. Reach the top and trek through thick forest of Maples. There are small forest clearings and ahead the sight of Sonamarg valley is waiting, the sight gets clearer with the gain in altitude. This forest ends at ridge top and on the other side is a meadow downwards.

From the ridge top have a look at the beguiling valleys. Now, start trekking through the meadow and on the left side are shepherds’ huts and Silver Birch trees. The meadow is wide and the green carpet is amusing, there are small streams which are along the trail. Reach Shekdur, a meadow with Silver Birch trees, spend some time here have lunch and head for Nichnai.

Descend and reach the end of trees and this trail leads to the beginning of Nichnai (River valley). Follow the right bank of river and enter a beautiful wide valley surrounded by mountains. The river flows through this valley, trek for 30 minutes and then come to the wider part amidst mountain ranges. Setup your camps at desired area, spend your night in this beautiful setting.

Today you will trek through the meadows and witness the change in landscapes. Start early and first you have to reach Nichnai Pass it is visible from the campsite. Walk along the river and then move towards left bank, keep following it for one hour and the trail ascends through the meadows. Reaching the pass will take one hour and the meadow walk ends near Vishnusar Lake.

Reach Nichnai Pass (13,500 feet) and you can see Sonamarg valley and the trail is visible. On the left are snow covered mountains and on the right is raised land. The trail rapidly starts descending from here through rocky area and after half an hour of trek you will reach the grassy section. The beautiful red flowers looks are overwhelming and ahead a wide meadow stretching long can be seen. The flowery meadow and the view of peaks look perfect together. On the left is a huge waterfall, it joins the river which flows through the meadow.

Walk on the flat meadow on carpet of grass and amidst two mountain ranges. Reach the end and come across a stream, it originates from Vishnusar Lake. The lake isn’t visible not even from the campsite, setup your camps and now if you want, you can go and explore the twin Lakes. Vishnusar Lake is 0.5 km away and you can reach there in 10 minutes. The lake looks beautiful and the mountain reflections can be seen, the colour of the lake changes according to the weather and time. Now trek towards Kishansar it is 0.5 away, it is big and bluish in colour the views are enthralling the meadow and lake looks picture perfect. Spend some time at the meadows of Kishansar and then get back to your camp.

Start your trek and in half an hour you will reach the ridge top (Gadsar Pass) and the views of twin lakes Vishnusar and Kishansar together are rewarding. Ascending is steep for two hours with a steep descend and walk through the meadows. Other side of Gadsar Pass is a wide valley which has small lakes and you can have views of snow covered from a distance.

Descend towards valley and the first lake visible is Yamsar Lake, trek for an hour and reach the flat meadows. The valley gets narrow and colourful flowers look captivating, now you are about to reach Gadsar. It is one of the most beautiful and divine lake of this trek, blue flowers glow on the side and snow slides into the lake from mountains.

You can camp at Gadsar but most people don’t camp here so you can follow the downward trail for half an hour and another valley opens up and on its left side is a blue lake. Then comes army camp of Gadsar, moving further this camp needs permission from the Headquarters and it takes 2-3 hours to get the permit. Id proofs, details of the team and trekkers are checked.

Cross a stream and go uphill, you will reach above the tree line but the trees and river will be visible below. As you go higher the altitude is gained and by trekking further you exit the river valley. Walk on the meadow surrounded by barren mountains and to your right is Maegandob.

Further is a landscape which looks attractive with mountains in front, look toward right there is a small ridge and in between is a flat land all green with a stream flowing through it. You can camp here if your last camp was at Gadsar Lake but if the camping site was army camp then you can camp near Satsar Lakes.

Satsar Lakes are 7 Lakes and water can be found in 4-5 lakes but it depends on the season. Ahead is a Satsar army check post here also all the details original id proofs everything is checked. When you move ahead the army camp then you will get to see the first of Satsar Lakes. The lake is big with Mountain View in front, here you can choose a place to camp.

Today’s trek will be combination of ascends and descends, after half an hour of trekking you will come across the biggest and last Satsar Lake. The trail is through boulders, when you reach the last lake the trail starts descending and after 30 minutes you will reach the forest line. On the right is a ridge line climb the top of ridge, take some rest breaks and now you have to cross two more ridges.

After ascending for two hours you will reach the top of third ridge, its altitude is 13,400 feet. The views offered are surprising, you will see two lakes next to one another. At a distance two clear blue lakes are visible the smaller lakes have no names but the biggest one is Gangabal. The one with Gangabal is Nandkol, the route first descends then ascends towards the lake.

After a steep descend you reach green meadows these aren’t wide but stretches long. The tree line becomes visible and the shore is at a distance, climb for a short while, descend and after crossing the stream you will reach the Nandkol Lake. You can camp around this lake, there is a lot of camping space.

This lake is at Harmukh peak’s base. Gangalbal Lake can be reached from here in 20 minutes, on the right a stream flows which connect the two lakes. If you have to go Gangabal then you have to cross this stream. Go to the bank of Gangabal, there is a bridge for crossing the stream.

Today’s trek is going to be knee breaking because descends are steep. Head downwards from the campsite along the stream, at the end of ridge descend towards meadow on right. Have a look at Harmukh peak which lies behind and the meadow has beautiful yellow flowers on the green grass.

When you come downwards see the pine trees on side of the meadows and the civilization is visible. Climb up to the pine forest and enter it, descend begins now and it gets gentle. Now you lose altitude and Naranag can be seen, come up to the village and then you enter the main road of Naranag. From here drive to Srinagar and you can reach there between 6:30 – 7:00 pm.