Seventy kilometres on foot through the Kashmir Himalaya, camping beside a different alpine lake almost every night, with a support crew, cook and pack ponies carrying everything but your daypack.
The Kashmir Great Lakes is the trek that ruins other treks for you. Seven days of walking, a lake at almost every camp, and passes just high enough to make you feel you have earned the view.
You should be able to walk 12 km on hill terrain comfortably and jog 5 km in about 40 minutes before you arrive. The Gadsar day is eight hours with 700 m of climbing.
First camp beyond the treeline, birch forest and the Nichnai pass at 4,080 m
Twin lakes below Kishansar peak, trout in the outflow, wildflower meadows
4,190 m, the trek's high point, with three valleys visible at once
The 'lake of flowers', fed by snowmelt and rimmed with primula
Seven linked pools, then the great twin lakes below Harmukh peak
Ancient stone temples at the trail's end, 8th century and largely intact
Airport pick-up, transfer to your houseboat. Afternoon gear check with your trek leader, rental items sorted, route briefing.
Drive up the Sindh valley to Sonamarg and camp at Shitkadi (2,740 m). An easy afternoon walk to loosen the legs.
A steady climb through maple and birch forest, out past the Table Top meadow and up the Nichnai valley to camp beside the stream.
Over the Nichnai pass (4,080 m) — snow patches even in August — then down into the Vishansar valley to camp within sight of the water.
Past Kishansar lake and up to Gadsar Pass (4,190 m), the trek's highest point, then a long descent to Gadsar lake — the lake of flowers — and camp beyond the army post.
Over Maengandob ridge to the Satsar chain of seven linked pools, with the Gujjar shepherd settlements below.
A boulder-field crossing and the Zaj pass, then down to the twin lakes of Nundkol and Gangabal beneath Harmukh (5,142 m). Trout in the stream; a swim if you are brave.
A long descent through pine to Naranag and its 8th-century stone temples, where the vehicle meets you for the drive to Srinagar. Hot shower, celebration dinner.
A slow day: Mughal gardens, the old city lanes and a final shikara ride.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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Srinagar – Sonamarg – Gulmarg – Pahalgam – Srinagar
Delhi – Srinagar – Sonamarg – Gulmarg – Yusmarg – Doodhpathri – Pahalgam – Srinagar – Delhi
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