Vishansar and Kishansar
Kishansar is the twin of Vishansar, the first of the great lakes, and lies just above it.
After the lakes · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
A long traverse, not a summit: every camp from the third day on sits beside a lake.
4,206m
Gadsar Pass, the high point
67km
Walking, over 7 days
7
Lakes in Satsar alone
8days
Srinagar to Srinagar
💪 Difficult (BRS 5)☀️ Best: Jul–Sep🪪 Army ID checks⚠️ Check it's open
Day by day
Eight days, step by step
The Bikat Adventures plan, Srinagar to Naranag.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Srinagar → SonamargDrive81 km🛏️ Sonamarg · 2,730 m
- Day 2Sonamarg → NichnaiStart from Sonamarg or Shitkadi10 km🛏️ Tents at Nichnai · 3,500 m
- Day 3Nichnai → VishansarOver Nichnai Pass, 4,150 m11 km🛏️ Tents at Vishansar · 3,658 m
- Day 4Buffer dayKept in hand for weather🛏️ Vishansar
- Day 5Vishansar → GadsarOver Gadsar Pass, 4,206 m10 km🛏️ Tents near Gadsar · 3,810 m
- Day 6Gadsar → SatsarThe seven lakes12 km🛏️ Tents at Satsar · 3,658 m
- Day 7Satsar → GangabalNundkol lake nearby13 km🛏️ Tents at Gangabal · 3,505 m
- Day 8Gangabal → NaranagDown to the road11 km
Stories and nature
A chain of lakes
Satsar
Seven lakes linked one to the next, at about 3,658 m.
Gangabal and Harmukh
The last lake camp sits under Harmukh, with Nundkol lake close by.
When to go
A high-summer trek
Bikat runs it from July to September.
Jul–Sep
The season for the passes and the lake camps.
ID checks
The army checks ID near the day 5 and day 6 camps. Carry yours.
Is it open?
Kashmir's trekking routes were closed after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack. As of July 2026 no official reopening notice had been found, and several operators had cancelled 2026 departures. Get written confirmation that permits are being issued for your dates before you pay. Travel Coffee, July 2026
Cost
₹21,000 + 5% GST with Bikat.
Plan your trip
Getting to Sonamarg
Groups meet in Srinagar and drive to Sonamarg on day one. The trek ends at Naranag.
- Srinagar🚙 81 km
- Sonamarg
Hardest part
Days 3 and 5: the two passes above 4,100 m.
Altitude sickness
Headache, sickness or dizziness? Tell your leader, rest, and go down if it gets worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Check it's open
Kashmir's trek routes were shut after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack. As of July 2026 no official reopening notice was found. Get written permit confirmation before you pay. Travel Coffee, July 2026
Bring cash
The nearest ATM is in Srinagar. There is no ATM or card payment on the trail. Bikat Adventures
Phone signal
Signal works in Sonamarg and again at Naranag. Expect none after Shitkadi. Himalayan Hikers
No charging
No electricity on the trail. The last power is in Sonamarg. Bring a charged power bank. Himalayan Hikers
Tents and toilets
You sleep two to a tent. Toilets are dry pits in a toilet tent. Carry your own toilet paper. Bikat Adventures
Weather
Days 10–20 °C. Nights 0–10 °C, and below freezing at the high camps. Bikat Adventures
Nearest hospital
Primary Health Centre, Sonamarg: 0194-2417231. Serious cases go to SKIMS in Srinagar. TrekUp India
Rescue
Leaders bring you down to the road, and a car takes you to hospital. You pay for the rescue unless you are insured. Bikat Adventures
Offloading
Bikat charges ₹2,570 to carry your backpack for the trek. Bikat Adventures
Srinagar to Sonamarg
Bikat's cab, Srinagar and back, is ₹1,600. It leaves Dal Gate No. 1 around noon and reaches Sonamarg by 3 p.m. Bikat Adventures
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Bikat Adventures: packing list.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Sonamarg at the start of the trek
Bikat AdventuresRent · trek shoes, pole, fleece jacket, rucksack. For Bikat trekkers; handed out at the day 1 briefingSonamarg briefing, day 1 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 11 operators with a Kashmir Great Lakes page in October 2026. As of July 2026 the trek was not confirmed open, and The Searching Souls and TrekUp India were reported to have suspended 2026 departures, so ask for the permit in writing before you pay.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.