Top Adventure / Trekking Places in Jammu-Kashmir

At a distance of 13 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Apharwat Peak is one of the most picturesque spots located in Gulmarg. Situated at an altitude of 4,390 m, it is one of the highest mountain peaks in India and among the top places to visit in Gulmarg.

Positioned strategically close to the Line of Control (LOC) with neighboring Pakistan, the peak receives heavy snowfall and remains covered with snow for most of the year. The Peak offers various winter sports activities such as skiing, sleighing, and snowboarding opportunities that draw several adventure lovers as part of Gulmarg Tour Packages. Also, it provides spectacular views of the surrounding area.

The most convenient way to reach the peak is by the Gondola cable car ride, which in itself is a special attraction here in Gulmarg. It ferries visitors from Gulmarg to Kongdoor and from Kongdori to Apharwat. If you wish to go further up the slopes you can hire one of the human sleds available here.

Better to reach Phase II before 2 PM as it gets closed early. Besides, post 3 PM, grey clouds surround the peak, the weather conditions might get worse and you can have a dearth of oxygen. One will need to rent an overcoat and boots from the base itself to prevent yourself from the blazing winds and snow upwards. The charges are approx INR 250 for a single set of boots and overcoat.

Timings: 9 AM - 4 PM (Last Entry: 3 PM)

Entry: Free

Gondola Ride:

Phase 1: Rs. 920 per Person (Both ...

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At a distance of 34 km from Sonamarg, Vishansar is a high altitude oligotrophic lake situated near Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is one of the popular high-altitude lakes in Jammu & Kashmir and among the best places to visit near Sonamarg.

Situated at an altitude of 3,710 m, Vishansar Lake is a sparkling blue lake surrounded by lush green meadows, alpine flowers, and snowcapped mountains at a tantalizing distance. The lake has a maximum length of 1 km and maximum width of 0.6 km. It is fed by the Krishansar Lake and glaciers. The lake is also the source of the Nelum River, a tributary of the Jhelum River, which flows northwards up to Badoab and then westwards through Gurais along the Line of Control. The lake attracts a lot of trekkers and is the best place for a night camping.

Popular as the Lake of Vishnu, the Vishansar Lake is known for the many species of fish it houses, especially the brown trout which make it a perfect location for fishing and angling. During the winter season, the Vishansar Lake completely freezes, whereas lush vegetation encompasses it with the arrival of summers. The scenic lake is a major attraction amongst trekkers in the Kashmir Valley. To re-energize your soul and soothe your inner mind, visit Vishansar Lake.

April to June is the best time to visit Vishansar Lake, as it is most beautiful during this time & you can enjoy a variety of activities. The trek to Vishansar Lake starts from a village ...

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At a distance of 35 km from Sonamarg, Krishansar is high altitude oligotrophic lake situated near Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is one of the popular high-altitude lakes in Jammu & Kashmir and among the best Sonamarg trekking places.

Situated at an altitude of 3,710 m, Krishansar Lake is one of the highest-altitude lakes in the Kashmir Valley. It has a maximum length of 0.95 km and maximum width of 0.6 km. Fondly called the ' lake of Krishna', Krishansar Lake is mostly fed by the melting of snow and glaciers that drains out through a small stream which falls into the Vishansar Lake and gives rise to Neelum River, a tributary of Jhelum River. It is part of the famous trekking route known as the Great Lakes Trek which covers five lakes - Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, and Gangabal.

Surrounded by lush green meadows, snow-capped mountains, and dense forests, this lake is a popular tourist destination for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and photographers alike. The lake is a popular spot for camping under the stars. The lake is also home to a variety of fish species, including brown trout and rainbow trout, making it a popular spot for anglers. The pine and deodar forests are also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and visitors can spot a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, bearded vultures, and Himalayan monals while at the lake.

The trek to Krishansar Lake starts from a village called ...

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At a distance of 47 km from Sonamarg, Gadsar Lake is a picturesque alpine lake situated near Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is one of the scenic high-altitude lakes in Jammu & Kashmir and among the best Sonamarg tourist places.

Situated about 13,750 feet, Gadsar Lake is the gorgeous alpine lake that falls along the trail of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek and is arrived after crossing the Gadsar Pass. The water of the lake is glacier fed comes directly from the mountain in the background and outflows through a stream flow north westwards and joins the Neelum River at Tulail. The lake is about 0.76 km in width and 0.85 km in length. In the local Kashmiri language, Gadisar means, 'the lake of fishes', and it is aptly called so since it abounds in brown trout.

Surrounded by snow-covered mountains and shrouded in alpine flowers, the bluish-green waters of the lakes are so crystal clear that the clouds, & surroundings are perfectly reflected in them. This lake has remained famous in Kashmir for centuries now. The lake was very much traveled by Britishers for fishing. One can enjoy panoramic views of the frozen Satsar and Baltan Lakes. The lake is a great place for anglers and fishing enthusiasts where one can enjoy fishing.

There are two ways to reach Gadsar Lake. The first one is, hiring a private vehicle from Srinagar to Naranag via Ganderbal, which is about 45 km. From there, one needs to trek or hire a pony to cover 15 km toward ...

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At a distance of 12 km from Gadsar Lake, 10 km from Naranag, and 59 km from Sonamarg, Satsar Lake is an alpine lake is located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Situated amid the rocky foothills of the wonderful Himalayas, it is one of the popular places for trekking in Jammu & Kashmir and among the best places to visit in Sonamarg.

Perched at an altitude of 3600 m, Satsar or Sat Sar consists of seven small alpine lakes situated in a narrow alpine valley stretching from north to south. These lakes are spread over a 4 km distance with a width of 1 km. The lake is mainly fed by melting snow. During the late summer and autumn, two or three lakes usually dry up, depending upon the precipitation. The water of Satsar Lakes drains to Wangath River which is a tributary of river Sindh. Satsar serves as a natural mountain pass between Tulail Valley and Sind Valley. The lakes of Gangabal and Nundkol lie on the opposite side of Zajibal Pass.

The picturesque lake is surrounded by lush green meadows and alpine flowers like potentilla, gentian, and blue poppy. During the spring season, rare flowers of Hedysarum are found in abundance along the lakeside. Besides, the lake is home to brown trout fish and only licensed anglers with prior permission are allowed to fish here. Apart from nature enthusiasts, the place is thronged by adventure seekers as trekking can be enjoyed in the region.

The lakes of Satsar Valley are also on the trail of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. ...

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At a distance of 6 km from Sonamarg Bus Station, Kashmir Great Lakes is a high-altitude lake trek that commences from Sonamarg. It is one of the most popular treks in India and among the must-include in Sonamarg tour packages, especially for adventure enthusiasts.

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek comprises 6 stunningly beautiful high-altitude lakes - Vishansar Lake, Krishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Satsar Lake, and Gangabal twin lakes. The trek spanning over a week requires you to walk over 72 km. During this trek, you cross high mountain passes, and witness a 360° panorama of wild, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, and turquoise alpine lakes. The range of landscape makes it a moderate-difficult trek with steep ascents and descents with no easy exit points. So, it's not meant for a beginner who hasn't been exposed to high-altitude treks.

This trek requires a good level of fitness. To register for this trek you are required to complete a 5K run in under 35 minutes. It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek. The lakes are only accessible during the summer months from July to September. However, April to June is the best time to visit these lakes, as these are the most beautiful during this time & you can enjoy a variety of activities.

Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Sonamarg - Shitkadi & Trek to ...

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