Fixed Departures
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GuaranteedFridaySep 5, 2025ThursdaySep 11, 2025₹24,000Available
Trek Date: 05th September to 11th September 2025 (Ex-Srinagar)
Trek Fees: INR 24,000+ GST 5%
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, also called as KGL, is one of the beautiful and famous trek in India. The trek has a variety and offers a scenic landscape unparalleled with any of the other treks. The 8 turquoise alpine lakes sit charmingly in the lush meadows of its valley. It indeed has the most alpine lakes that any trek can offer.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek starts from Sonamarg – the famous tourist place in Kashmir. The trek winds up through jungles, meadows, gullies, and the vast spread of grasslands in the high altitude of Kashmir. The total duration of the trek is 8 days and the gradient of the trek is moderate to difficult.
It is best done in autumn and remains closed during the winter season.
Overview
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGL) is one of the most famous trek in India known for its unmatched beauty. It features 8 turquoise lakes nestled in lush meadows and diverse landscapes like jungles, meadows, and grasslands. This moderate to difficult trek takes 8 days and is best enjoyed during the summer months.
Trek Schedule:
05th September to 11th September 2025
Trek Fees:
INR 24,000/- + GST (at actual) (Ex- Srinagar)
Age group: 14 to 50 yrs
Eligibility:
1. Age relaxation applicable based only on physical fitness
2. Prior trekking experience is must. If not, you should be able to trek in outdoors with at least 4-5 kg backpack for about 6-7 hrs.
3. Please follow Giripremi’s training module for better results – Training Module
Register yourself by paying booking amount INR 10,000
(Non-Refundable INR 5,000)
Fixed Departures
-
GuaranteedFridaySep 5, 2025ThursdaySep 11, 2025₹24,000Available
Itinerary
Arrival at Srinagar and you will meet our representative who will guide you for further trek. There will be a briefing planned related to the trip details. Evening preparation for the expedition. Spent the night on the banks of Sindhu river in Sonmarg.
Reporting time at Srinagar : 1.30 PM
Venue: Tourist Reception Center (TRC), Dal Lake
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1XZqf9LnnsKD4a3z9
You will start early morning from Sonmarg and trek to Nichnai- a high altitude pass that gives you a wide view of the valleys down. The trek is lengthy but being the first day of the trek, you are expected to walk very slowly and let your body acclimatize to the altitude.
Trek distance: 11 km
Trek Duration: 7-8 hours
Altitude gain: 7800 ft to 11500 ft
Start your trek after breakfast. Climb the Nichnai pass very slowly. Once you reach the top, you will find a small food joint where you an have Kahwa and refreshments (optional), and descend towards the next campsite at Vishansar valley. This valley is famous for its twin lakes – Vishnusar and Krishnasar. (‘Sar’ means Lakes in local language)
Trek distance: 13 km
Trek Duration: 7-8 hours
Altitude gain: 11,500 ft to 12,000 ft via 13,200 ft (Nichnai Pass)
You will trek from Vishnusar valley to Gadsar via Gadsar pass at 4,200 m. This is the toughest of all days in this trek. Gadsar pass is the highest point of this trek. At the pass, enjoy the wider view of the twin lakes and two valleys – Gadsar valley and Vishnusar valley.
Trek distance: 16 km
Trek Duration: 7-8 hours
Altitude gain: 12,000 ft to 10,500 ft via 13,800 ft (Gadsar Pass)
This is the easiest day of the trek. The day is mostly a meadow walk in the Satsar valley. There are seven lakes in this valley and you will be able to see some of the best lakes in this valley. The day is spent in a delightful walk without any sharp ascent or descent.
Trek distance: 12 km
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
Altitude gain: 10,500 ft to 12,100 ft
You will initially ascend Zajibal Pass which is a challenging hike with an equally tiring descent. The trail goes over a boulder and rocky section just before the pass. At the pass, you get the fantastic view of the twin lakes of Gangabal Valley along with twin lakes – Nandakol & Gangabal lakes- are in the vicinity.
Trek distance: 9 km
Trek Duration: 7-8 hours
Altitude gain: 12,000 ft to 11,400 ft via 13,200 ft (Zajibal Pass)
The last day of the trek has an easy walk in the wavy meadows of Trunkhol. After the meadow, the trail enters the jungle and gets down with a heavy steepness. The day and the trek finish in Naranag village. You will be driven to Srinagar after the trek.
Trek distance: 9 km
Trek Duration: 6-7 hours
Altitude loss: 11,400 ft to 7,800 ft (Naranag)
Tentative time to reach Srinagar – 7.30 PM (Plan your travel accordingly)
** Suggestion: Stay at Srinagar on Day 8 will ease your travel plan and avoid unnecessary hassle.
Trek Cost: Rs. 24,000 + GST (at actual)
Includes
- 1. Travel arrangements from Srinagar to Srinagar in jeep / bus
- 2. Accommodation in comfortable tents on sharing basis while on trek
- 3. Sleeping bags, Sleeping Mattresses , toilet tents & kitchen tent, Dining tent and cutlery.
- 4. A variety of wholesome hygienic vegetarian meals
- 5. Services of cook, kitchen helpers with the entire necessary kitchen items, utensils etc.
- 6. Qualified and experienced high altitude guide
- 7. High altitude porters
- 8. Insurance of technical staff and camp staff (Members to obtain their own insurance).
- 9. First aid kit with oxygen cylinders
- 10. GAF's Qualified Mountaineer will accompany throughout the trek
Excludes
- 1. Any accidental and emergency evacuation charges based on the point of the trek where you are
- 2. Porter charges / Bag off-loading charges - Around INR 300-400 per bag per day
- 3. Beverages or drinks of any sort, including soft drinks, drinks or bottled / mineral water
- 4. Personal climbing gear or equipment, not mentioned above
- 5. Any other services not specifically mentioned in the service inclusions
- 6. Extra luggage drop off charges at Srinagar (if any)
- 7. Trek Insurance - COMPULSORY (INR 300-400). We will assist you for this process.
- 8. Single Tent Accommodation - INR 2,000
- 7. GST as applicable (Current rate 5%)
Registration
Registration Process –
Step 1>> Booking Amount
Register yourself by paying booking amount Rs. 10,000 (Non Refundable Rs 5000 + Refundable Rs. 5000)
Step 2>> GAF Medical Form
Print and submit the Medical declaration Form Download
Step 3>> GAF Indemnity Bond
FOR ADULTS – Print and submit the notarized indemnity bond Download
FOR MINORS – Print and submit the notarized indemnity bond Download
Step 4>> Submit scanned copy:
- Aadhar Card Scanned Copy
- Medical form of local agency Download
- Trek insurance copy – Contact us for the process
Step 5>> Balance Payment of your trek (Before 20th July 2024)
Bank Transfer:
Account Name: GIRIPREMI ADVENTURE FOUNDATION
Bank Name: HDFC Bank, FC Road Branch
A/c No. : 50200062745252
IFSC code: HDFC0000103
Google Pay:
G-Pay Number: 8668548653
UPI: 8668548653@okbizaxis
(Please mention participant’s name and activity name in the remarks section)
FAQs
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is one of the prettiest treks in India. Yet, you’ll get to enjoy its rewards only after a bit of hard work and toil. The trek is not as easy as the pictures make it look. It is of moderate-difficult grade. And there are mainly three factors that make it difficult.
Considerable altitude gain every day, of around 1,500 – 3,000 ft..
Three strenuous pass crossings – Gadsar Pass, Nichnai Pass, and Zaj Pass.
Long hours of trekking every day. Each day involves around 8-9 hours of trekking.
A Himalayan trek like Kashmir Great Lakes requires a really good fitness level. The trek has long climbs and steep descents daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:
Run at least 5 km in 32 minutes before your trek. Consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 25 km a week or 100 km in a month. It’s a minimum mandatory requirement if you wish to trek with us.
OR
Alternatively, cycle for at least 25 km in 60 minutes. Aim to cycle 125 km a week or 500 km in a month. However, running is better suited for your trek preparation.
The weather in the season ranges from 1-10 degrees Celsius in lower places and 5 to -5 degrees Celsius as you go to higher positions.
The Kashmir Great Lakes trail is safe. It is in the remote regions of Kashmir, away from the hotbed of turmoil. It is towards the more touristy Sonamarg region. There are also 3 army camps on the trekking trail. And we camp close to them. So the trekking trail itself is completely safe.
However, political unrest, curfews and clampdowns have occurred in the past during our trekking season. We have tackled these efficiently, never compromising on the safety of trekkers. We travel during non-curfew hours and take measures to safely pick up or drop trekkers at the airport.
Sometimes, we call off treks if the situation is too serious (for instance when Burhan Wani was shot and the political situation in Kashmir was out of control). Calling off a trek is a worst-case scenario and has not occurred too many times in the past.
Keep in mind that if we are running the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, you can assume that it is safe. We would not compromise on anyone’s safety and run it during dangerous times.
1. GAF Indemnity Bond – (ADULT / MINOR) – Ask for the draft from GAF Team
2. GAF Medical form – Ask for the draft from GAF Team
3. Confirmed Air/Train ticket
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGL) has a narrow window for trekking. It is possible to trek in Kashmir for only 3 months in a year. The season starts in July and goes till the middle of September.
But the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is one of the most popular treks in our country. Trekkers eagerly wait to do this trek.
This is why when we open groups for KGL early in the year — by end of February-early march they get fully booked within 2 weeks.
Trek Disclaimer and Conduct Policy
GAF Disclaimer: Unexpected Events and Additional Costs
Please note: While we strive to provide a seamless and enjoyable adventure experience during your trek, unforeseen circumstances can sometimes arise due to the unpredictable nature of the mountain region.
Potential Disruptions:
Weather Conditions: Heavy snowfall, rain, or landslides can lead to route closures or changes in the itinerary.
Local Regulations: Changes in local regulations or policies, such as those related to services, hot water provision, facilities, or insurance, may impact the trek.
Emergency Situations: Medical emergencies, natural disasters, or political instability can necessitate unexpected deviations from the planned itinerary.
Government Restrictions: Government regulations or advisories may restrict access to certain areas due to adverse weather conditions or other safety concerns.
Other Uncertain Interruptions: Any unforeseen events that may disrupt the trek.
Additional Costs:
In the event of such disruptions, additional costs may be incurred for the following, which the participant will be responsible for:
Emergency Transportation: Helicopter evacuations or alternative flight or road transportation arrangements may be necessary due to weather conditions or route closures.
Accommodation Changes: If the original itinerary cannot be followed, we may need to make alternative accommodation arrangements.
Insurance Premiums: While we recommend travel insurance to cover unforeseen expenses, please note that the cost of insurance is not included in our tour package. Participants must follow up with their insurance company for any disputes. We will assist with any required documentation or information from our organization but cannot guarantee insurance coverage.
Other Uncertain Additional Expenses: Any unforeseen expenses that may arise due to disruptions.
GAF’s Commitment:
Despite these potential challenges, we are committed to your safety and well-being throughout your trek. Our experienced guides and local partners will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. In the event of unexpected circumstances, we will provide support and assistance to help you navigate the situation.
Important Note: We kindly request that you familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of your travel and adventure cover insurance policies to understand your coverage in case of unforeseen events.
GAF’s Financial Considerations:
As a professional and ethical adventure trek organizer, we typically pay our local suppliers in advance to ensure smooth operations. This means that in the event of unforeseen circumstances, we may not be able to obtain refunds from our suppliers. As a result, we may not be able to absorb additional costs that may arise due to such disruptions, and the participant will be responsible for these costs.
Government Restrictions: Please note that government regulations or advisories may restrict access to certain areas due to adverse weather conditions or other safety concerns. If such restrictions are imposed during your trek, we may need to alter the itinerary or terminate the trek early. In such cases, we may not be able to provide a full refund.
However, we remain committed to providing the best possible experience and will do everything within our power to assist you during any unforeseen challenges.
By booking this trek, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer and agree to its terms and conditions.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
1. If cancellation is made one month or more prior to the trek, we will refund 100% of the paid amount.
2. If cancellation is made 15 to 30 days prior to the trek, we will refund 50% of the paid amount.
3. If the cancellation is made within 15 days prior to the trek, there will be no refund.
4. If the trek gets cancelled due to any any natural calamities like Uttarakhand floods, Nepal Earthquake, Covid-19 pandemic, we will refund the trek fees deducting actual expenses incurred depending on the stage of the trek.
