Kashmir Great Lakes (KGL)
The KGL is India's most celebrated multi-day alpine trek — 60+ km crossing 7 lakes above 3,800 m in 7 days. Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangabal and more. The route crosses Sonamarg and ends at Naranag.
Kashmir Great Lakes • Tarsar Marsar • Aru Valley • Lidderwat Camps
4.9 from 500+ travellers on this trip last season
PLAN YOUR TRIP
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3,800+m
Highest lake elevation
7alpine lakes
On the KGL route
60+km
KGL total distance
WHY THIS TRIP
The KGL is India's most celebrated multi-day alpine trek — 60+ km crossing 7 lakes above 3,800 m in 7 days. Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangabal and more. The route crosses Sonamarg and ends at Naranag.
Two twin alpine lakes at 3,800 m above Pahalgam. The 5-day Tarsar Marsar trek starts from Aru Valley, climbs through Lidderwat camp and reaches the lakes via a 4,200 m pass. Smaller groups, more intimate than KGL.
For first-time trekkers — a 3-day route from Aru Valley (12 km from Pahalgam) to the Lidderwat alpine camp at 3,300 m. Dense forest, open meadows, trout streams. No technical passes. Perfect introduction to Himalayan camping.
Every trek includes nights in pitched tents at alpine campsites where no buildings exist within 10 km. Sleeping at 3,500+ m with a clear sky above is the part guests remember longest.
All our trek leaders are certified by the Jammu & Kashmir Institute of Mountaineering and Hiking (JK-IMH). They carry first aid kits, satellite phones and oxygen for every trek above 3,500 m.
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Alpine lake swimming (Vishansar, 3,810 m)
Campfire cooking in the wilderness
Milky Way photography at altitude
Wildlife spotting — Himalayan brown bear, marmots
THE PLAN
Drive from Srinagar to Sonamarg (87 km, 2 hrs). Gear check, trek briefing, acclimatisation walk in the Sonamarg meadow. First camp night at base. Trek leader reviews fitness levels and distributes porter loads.
First day on trail. The path leaves Sonamarg and climbs steeply through pine forest before opening onto wide meadows above the treeline. Nichnai camp sits above a glacial stream with views of the first peaks of the route.
The route crosses the Nichnai Pass (4,100 m) before descending to Vishansar Lake — the first and arguably most beautiful of the seven KGL lakes. Camp on the lakeshore. Optional swim in the glacial water for the brave.
The most demanding day of the KGL. Cross from Vishansar to Krishansar Lake (3,800 m) — the two lakes sit in the same glacial bowl. Cross the Gadsar Pass (4,200 m — the highest point on the route) before descending to Gadsar Lake camp. Epic high-altitude day.
A relatively gentle day — the route passes through the Satsar plateau where seven small tarns are scattered across a wide grassland. Camp at the largest Satsar lake. Afternoon free for photography and rest.
The last great lake of the KGL. Gangabal is the largest alpine lake in Kashmir — 2 km long, deep blue, ringed by moraines with Haramukh peak (5,142 m) reflected on its surface. Last camp night on the route.
Final descent from Gangabal to Naranag (12 km, 4–5 hrs). Drive from Naranag back to Srinagar (55 km, 1.5 hrs). Trek complete. Certificate issued to all finishers.
SIMPLE PRICING
Lock your seat with just 10% advance · Balance 7 days before departure
3 days | Aru to Lidderwat camp
₹14,999₹17,999/person
5 days | Aru → Tarsar → Marsar
₹22,999₹26,999/person
7 days | Sonamarg → Naranag
₹32,999₹38,999/person
FIXED DEPARTURES
Need different dates or a private batch? Talk to us — we run custom departures for groups of 4+.
TRAVELLER STORIES
“Highly recommend Vertex Kashmir Holidays for family trips! We traveled with our 4-year-old and my in-laws on a custom family package. Before we even landed, their team called to ensure we converted our SIMs to postpaid and reminded us to book our Gulmarg Gondola tickets online, which was a lifesaver. Out of deep respect for our dietary preferences, they pre-coordinated with all the hotels to ensure pure vegetarian and garlic-free Jain food was prepared with absolute care and separate utensils. Our private SUV was spacious, and our driver was always on hand to help us negotiate fair rates for pony rides and local sightseeing, as outside cabs aren't allowed past the Pahalgam stands. We felt incredibly safe, respected, and well-cared for. Booking through a true local specialist makes all the difference!”
Meenakshi Iyer
Kashmir Family Tour Package - 5 Nights 6 Days
“We booked the 6 Nights 7 Days Kashmir Family Tour with Vertex Kashmir Holidays for a family of six, including my elderly parents and two kids. I must say, their planning is extremely practical. Most agencies keep you in Srinagar, but Vertex had us stay overnight directly in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, which completely saved my parents from daily road fatigue. Our private vehicle was incredibly comfortable, and our driver, Fayaz, was extremely patient and respectful. He helped us register my parents' physical Aadhaar cards at the checkpoints, guided us through the process of hiring the local union cabs at Pahalgam, and even negotiated fair pony rates for the kids. The Deluxe / Family-Friendly Hotels were exceptionally clean and warm, and the Premium Houseboat stay on Dal Lake was the perfect ending. Zero hidden costs, pure operational transparency. Five stars!”
Dr. Alok Sharma
Kashmir Family Tour Package - 5 Nights 6 Days
“We are so glad we chose a private honeymoon package over a shared group tour. Our driver, Fayaz, was highly professional and acted like a shield, protecting us from aggressive touts and helping us negotiate fair rates for our optional pony rides. The linear routing is highly logical; we spent almost no time stuck in exhausting traffic, allowing us to enjoy the meadows of Gulmarg and the pine trails of Pahalgam in peace. A seamless, deeply authentic, and memorable start to our married life!”
Aditya & Priya
Luxury Kashmir Honeymoon Package
“Our honeymoon in Kashmir was a dream come true, all thanks to this beautifully planned itinerary. Staying overnight in a Boutique / Romantic Hotel in Gulmarg and Pahalgam gave us so much private, uninterrupted time together. The highlights of our trip were the private candlelight dinner and the special cake-cutting arranged by the riverside in Pahalgam. On our final night, staying in a Premium Houseboat on Dal Lake with warm Kehwa on the cedarwood porch was incredibly romantic. Every detail was handled with absolute care.”
Rohan & Neha
Luxury Kashmir Honeymoon Package
“Absolute peace of mind for seniors. We booked this tour primarily for the Vaishno Devi darshan, combined with a relaxed Kashmir holiday. In Katra, the hotel prepared pure vegetarian, garlic-free food for us with absolute care and respect for our faith. Our private SUV was highly comfortable, and the driver planned multiple scenic, easy stops on our national highway run to Pahalgam. The balance between spiritual devotion in Katra and relaxed sightseeing in Srinagar gardens and a Premium Houseboat was absolutely perfect.”
Rajesh & Sunita Iyer
Vaishno Devi Kashmir Tour Package | 6 Nights 7 Days
“We traveled as a multi-generational family of 6, including my 72-year-old parents and two young kids. Planning the Katra darshan alongside Kashmir leisure is physically demanding, but this itinerary is a masterpiece. After the strenuous 13 km trek, driving to Pahalgam for a quiet riverside recovery stay instead of rushing directly to Srinagar was the best decision. Our driver, Shabir, was incredibly patient with my parents, helping them coordinate the physical on-the-spot registrations at army checkposts and assisting us at the pony stands. A beautiful, deeply comforting family pilgrimage.”
Devendra Shinde
Vaishno Devi Kashmir Tour Package | 6 Nights 7 Days
Certified guides, all camping gear provided, group sizes capped for safety.
30% advance to reserve spot. Balance due 10 days before departure.
From
₹14,999 /person