Day 1
Arrive Srinagar | Dal Lake | Trek Briefing | Equipment Check
Arrive at Srinagar Airport and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon shikara ride on Dal Lake and evening in the Lal Chowk bazaars for last-minute equipment purchases. Briefing with your trekking guide on the route, weather patterns, and altitude acclimatisation. Check all equipment and make sure your footwear is properly broken in before day two. Overnight Srinagar hotel.
💡 Tip: Srinagar is at 1585 metres and provides mild acclimatisation before the high-altitude sections. Use the first afternoon to walk and observe how your body responds to the altitude before committing to the trekking days.
Day 2
Drive to Sonamarg | Thajiwas Glacier Trek | Meadow Camp
Two-hour drive northeast to Sonamarg, the Meadow of Gold at 2740 metres. Trek four kilometres up the Thajiwas valley through alpine meadows to the Thajiwas Glacier, a permanent ice field with dramatic ice walls visible year-round. The valley is carpeted with wildflowers in June and July. Set up camp in the meadow above the glacier tongue and spend the evening watching the mountains change colour at sunset. Overnight trek camp at Thajiwas.
💡 Tip: Sonamarg and Thajiwas are relatively accessible and make a good first trekking day for acclimatisation before the higher passes ahead. The pony trail is easy and suitable for all fitness levels.
Day 3
Sonamarg | Nichnai Pass | Vishansar Lake Trek Day One
Begin the Kashmir Great Lakes circuit, one of the finest high-altitude treks in the Himalaya. Trek from Sonamarg over the Nichnai Pass at 3790 metres with views of the Sonamarg valley and the peaks of the Western Himalaya in every direction. Descend to the camp at Nichnai Nallah meadow beside a stream with wildflower meadows extending in every direction. Overnight high camp.
💡 Tip: The Kashmir Great Lakes trek requires a registered guide and porter or pony support. The trail is unmarked in sections and the altitude makes navigation difficult in poor visibility. Never attempt this route solo.
Day 4
Vishansar Lake | Krishnasar Lake | Twin High-Altitude Lakes
Trek over the watershed to Vishansar Lake at 3710 metres, the first and most beautiful of the Great Lakes, a deep sapphire lake surrounded by grey mountains with the Kishansar peak reflected in the water. Continue to Krishnasar Lake, the twin lake immediately above at 3810 metres, with an even more remote and wild atmosphere. Camp on the grassy shore between the two lakes. Overnight lakeside camp.
💡 Tip: The twin lakes at Vishansar and Krishnasar are among the most beautiful high-altitude lakes in the western Himalaya. Allow time to simply sit and absorb the silence. There are almost no other trekkers compared to the crowded routes in Himachal.
Day 5
Gadsar Pass | Gadsar Lake | Satsar Lakes | High Valley Camp
The highest day of the trek crossing the Gadsar Pass at 4200 metres with sweeping views of the Himalayan range in all directions. Descend to the Gadsar Lake, the most remote of the circuit at 3600 metres, with its green-blue water and complete isolation. Continue to the Satsar group of seven small lakes in a high bowl ringed with peaks. Camp at the head of the valley above the last lake. Overnight high camp.
💡 Tip: The Gadsar Pass at 4200 metres is the highest point of the circuit. Start early to cross before afternoon clouds build and allow extra time if any member of the group shows altitude symptoms.
Day 6
Gangabal Lake | Nundkol Lake | Descent to Naranag
Trek to Gangabal Lake at 3580 metres, the largest and most revered lake in the circuit, held sacred by Kashmiri Hindus and the destination of an annual pilgrimage during the Shravan Purnima full moon. The view across the lake to Harmukh Peak at 5142 metres is one of the finest mountain vistas in Kashmir. Descend steeply to Nundkol Lake and then down through the ancient pine forests to the village of Naranag with its 8th-century temple ruins. Return to Srinagar by road. Overnight Srinagar hotel.
💡 Tip: The Gangabal Lake and Harmukh Peak panorama is considered one of the finest mountain views in the entire Himalayan range. Allow time in the morning before the descent for the best light.
Day 7
Srinagar Rest Day | Dal Lake Shikara | Shopping | Departure
Final rest day in Srinagar after the trek. Morning shikara ride on Dal Lake and a slow walk through the old city bazaars for Kashmiri saffron, dry fruits, and carved walnut wood. Afternoon at a carpet emporium to watch the hand-knotting of traditional Kashmiri rugs. Transfer to Srinagar Airport for departure. End of tour.
💡 Tip: Kashmir saffron from Pampore is the world's finest and the most expensive spice by weight. Always buy from government-certified shops and check for the KPS quality certification mark on the packaging.
