Krishansar Lake is a high alpine lake above Sonmarg, lying less than a kilometre from its twin, Vishansar, on the trekking route to Gadsar Pass. This is walking country, not driving country: the lake is reached on the Kashmir Great Lakes route and is used as a camp before the climb to Gadsar Pass. Snow rings it for most of the year.
Duke Kashmir Travels, a Srinagar agency registered with the J&K Department of Tourism as JKTA00003978 since 2011, arranges the road legs and the Sonmarg base for trekking groups. Kashmir packages start near ₹6,350 per person, twin sharing; treks are quoted separately.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- Above Sonmarg in the Sind valley, on the Great Lakes trekking route.
- Twinned with Vishansar Lake, less than a kilometre away.
- Camps here precede the climb over Gadsar Pass towards Gadsar Lake.
- Brown trout are found in these waters.
- Harmukh and the surrounding peaks stand over the basin.
- Reached only on foot; there is no road and no facility at the lake.
How do you reach Krishansar Lake?
On foot, over two to three days from Sonmarg on the Kashmir Great Lakes route. There is no vehicle access.
The usual line runs Sonmarg to Nichnai, then over the Nichnai pass to the Vishansar and Krishansar basin, and on over Gadsar Pass. Groups camp at the lakes. Guides, ponies, permits where required and full equipment are needed; this is not a day outing.
What is the lake like?
A clear alpine tarn in a bowl of grass and scree, with snow on the ridges above it for most of the season.
Vishansar lies immediately below it, which is why the pair are treated as one camp. Trout are present, and the meadows around the lakes are grazed by shepherds through the summer.
When can it be walked?
Late June to early September. Snow blocks the passes either side of that window.
Weather turns quickly at this altitude and nights are cold even in July. We handle Srinagar and Sonmarg logistics; the trek itself should be run by a qualified mountain operator. See Kashmir tour ideas for how the road legs fit around it.
Booking this with us
Duke Kashmir Travels works out of Nowhatta Chowk in Srinagar, registered as JKTA00003978 since 2011, IATO allied member since 2016 and a TAAK member. See About Us for the rest.
Share your travel dates and group size and we will price the trip around this stop. Phone +91 9018 44 0000, write to info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or open the contact page.
About the founder
Founder Rayies Ahmad Zargar opened Duke Kashmir Travels in Srinagar in 2011, sits in TAAK, co-founded the JK Tourism Council, and signs off the guides on this site. Find him on LinkedIn.