Right now at Vishansar: 7°, overcast
ChallengingAMS moderateJul–Sep

Kashmir Great Lakes

Jammu & Kashmir · Himalaya · Sonamarg · from Shitkadi (Sonamarg)

Arguably India's most beautiful alpine-lake trek — a chain of turquoise glacial lakes below the peaks of Kashmir, crossing several high passes.

Plan this trekOpen in the grader
Max altitude
4200 m
Distance
72 km
Days
7
Honest grade
Challenging
AMS risk
moderate · 28
The flyover

Fly the route in 3D

Real SRTM terrain, with the trail colored by each night’s AMS risk — watch where Kashmir Great Lakes starts pushing your body too fast.

The map

Where you’ll sleep, on real terrain

The elevation profile traces the full climb and descent; tap a camp on the map and the SpO₂ gauge and safety numbers follow.

Elevation profile — the whole climb
Highest-risk night: Nichnai · sleeps 3,500 m (+760 m) · tap a camp on the map for its numbers
2,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,100 m4,200 m3,800 m4,080 m3,580 m0 km69 km
Hover the profile to read altitude & AMS zone at any point.
Below 2,500 m — AMS rare2,500–3,500 m — acclimatise3,500–5,500 m — AMS common
D1 9 km · 4–5.5 hD2 12 km · 5–7.5 hD3 14 km · 6.5–9 hD4 12 km · 5–7 hD5 9 km · 4–6 hD6 13 km · 5.5–8 h

Reconstructed from real per-day distance, ascent and camp altitudes. The line between points is a straight approximation — not a surveyed terrain profile.

When to go

Best months

Prime window: Jul, Aug, Sep

Curated season (Jul–Sep)— off-months reasoned from the region’s monsoon and winter.

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Prime windowShoulderOff-season
Trail path

Stage by stage

Start · Shitkadi (Sonamarg)→End · Naranag~69 km walked · est 30–43 h total
Day 1Shitkadi → Nichnai~9 kmest 4–5.5 h
Day 2Nichnai → Vishansar~12 kmest 5–7.5 hOver Nichnai Pass
Day 3Vishansar → Gadsar~14 kmest 6.5–9 hGadsar Pass — the highest point; army check post
Day 4Gadsar → Satsar~12 kmest 5–7 h
Day 5Satsar → Gangbal (Nundkol)~9 kmest 4–6 hZaj Pass — Harmukh views
Day 6Gangbal → Naranag~13 kmest 5.5–8 hKnee-testing descent

Distances are approximate operator-standard figures. Times are computed— Naismith’s rule (pace + climb + descent) slowed for altitude, for a fit trekker with breaks — not copied from brochures. Plan generously; groups move at the pace of their slowest member.

The route

Night by night, stop by stop

Each stop is where you sleep — the altitude that drives acclimatisation. Exact camps and per-day distances vary by operator; the safety flags are computed from this profile.

  1. 1
    Sonamarg2740 m · est SpO₂ 91%
  2. 2
    Nichnai3500 m (+760 m) · est SpO₂ 87%
    500 m/night limitSleeping altitude jumps 760 m to 3500 m. Above 3000 m the guideline is ≤500 m per night.
  3. 3
    Vishansar3660 m (+160 m) · est SpO₂ 86%
    Climb high, sleep lowReached 4100 m but sleeps 440 m lower — textbook acclimatisation practice.
  4. 4
    Gadsar3600 m (-60 m) · est SpO₂ 86%
    Rest daySleeping altitude held — this is where the body actually acclimatises.
    Climb high, sleep lowReached 4200 m but sleeps 600 m lower — textbook acclimatisation practice.
  5. 5
    Satsar3600 m · est SpO₂ 86%
    Rest daySleeping altitude held — this is where the body actually acclimatises.
  6. 6
    Gangbal (Nundkol)3570 m (-30 m) · est SpO₂ 87%
    Rest daySleeping altitude held — this is where the body actually acclimatises.
    Climb high, sleep lowReached 4100 m but sleeps 530 m lower — textbook acclimatisation practice.
Why this grade

Sold as "Moderate–Difficult"; our numbers put it at Challenging. Broadly consistent.

Max altitude
24
Acclimatisation load
8
Daily distance
15
Length & remoteness
12
7-day weather window

Overnight lows lapse-adjusted to the high camp (~3660 m).

Sun
-1°
Mon
-2°
Tue
-2°
Wed
-2°
Thu
-4°
Fri
-3°
Sat
-4°
Permits (Indian nationals)

Jammu & Kashmir: no special line-permit framework — but most treks cross forest/sanctuary land that needs a local permit.

Local forest / park permit
State Forest Dept / park authority
Full permit navigator →
⛑Emergency & evacuation
Nearest roadhead
See the trek roadhead
Nearest hospital
Nearest district / community health centre
Helipad
Charter only — arranged via operator/administration
Trek area (approx)
34.350, 74.900
If things go wrong

Descend to the roadhead; arrange onward transport to the nearest hospital. Carry evacuation insurance.

Approximate planning info — confirm with your operator. HAPE/HACE signs = descend immediately.

Known hazards
  • •Several 4000 m+ pass days
  • •Weather turns fast at the passes
  • •Remote — plan evacuation
Highlights

On the trail

Photo credits →
Before you go

Necessary preparations

▲

Fitness

  • Target 5 km in ~30–33 minutes plus one long hike a week; start 6–8 weeks out.
  • Expect ~10 km of walking a day — train on stairs and inclines, not just flat ground.
  • Do a few hikes carrying your actual daypack weight so your legs and shoulders are used to it.
✚

Acclimatisation & health

  • Know the AMS golden rules: don't ascend with symptoms; if worse, descend; HAPE/HACE = descend now.
  • Carry a pulse oximeter and take a daily resting reading — a falling trend that doesn't recover means stop.
  • Discuss acetazolamide (Diamox) with a doctor before you go — Shikhar never prescribes medication.
  • Stay hydrated (3–4 L/day), eat well even without appetite, and avoid alcohol at altitude.
  • Carry a personal first-aid kit; tell your operator about any medical conditions in advance.
◆

Gear & clothing

  • Layering system: moisture-wicking base, fleece/down mid, waterproof-breathable shell (jacket + pants).
  • Broken-in waterproof trekking boots with ankle support + 3–4 pairs of wool/synthetic socks.
  • 40–55 L backpack with rain cover; a 20 L daypack if porters carry the main load.
  • 3-season sleeping bag rated to at least −5 °C; a liner adds warmth cheaply.
  • Trekking poles, sun hat, and warm hat + gloves for cold camps.
  • Monsoon-proofing: full rain gear, dry-bags for electronics, quick-dry clothing, leech socks/salt.
  • UV protection: category-4 glacier sunglasses, SPF 50+, lip balm — UV is brutal at altitude and on snow.
  • Headlamp (+ spare batteries), 1 L insulated bottle, and a power bank (cold drains batteries fast).
❖

Documents & permits

  • Government photo ID (original + several photocopies) and passport photos for permits.
  • Forest/national-park entry & camping permit — often arranged at the roadhead or by your operator.
  • Travel + trek insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
  • Emergency-contact card: family contact, blood group, allergies, and your day-by-day itinerary.
Ask about this trek

Kashmir Great Lakes copilot

Grounded strictly in this trek’s data — route, computed times, AMS grade, permits and field notes. It won’t invent water sources or clear you medically. Ask in English or Hindi.

Community

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