Quick answer: The Kashmir Great Lakes trek with Trekkaro costs ₹19,500 + 5% GST (₹20,475) per person for 7 days, Shitkadi to Naranag. That covers 6 nights of camping, all meals on the trek, permits, the trek team, horse support and free trekking gear. Add the shared cab from Srinagar and return flights from Delhi, and the whole trip comes to about ₹32,275. EMI starts at about ₹1,003 a month.
Kashmir Great Lakes is the trek people call the most beautiful in India: seven alpine lakes, including Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal, strung across meadows and three high passes. Trekkaro runs it from July to mid-September 2027. Here is every cost, line by line, and how the total compares with other operators.
1. The trek fee: ₹20,475, free gear included
Your ₹19,500 + GST covers everything from Day 1 dinner at Shitkadi to Day 7 breakfast at Gangabal:
- 6 nights camping on the trail (triple sharing), with tents, sleeping bags and mattresses
- All meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 7 breakfast
- All permits and forest entry fees
- A certified trek leader and guides, a mountain kitchen and camp staff
- A local horse and mule team to carry the camp
- Daily SpO₂, pulse and blood pressure checks, a portable oxygen cylinder and an emergency stretcher
- Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes
Not included: the Srinagar cab, flights or trains to Srinagar, a Srinagar hotel, travel insurance and personal expenses.
2. Getting to Srinagar
| From Delhi | Time | Typical one-way cost |
|---|---|---|
| Flight to Srinagar (SXR) | About 1.5 hours | ₹4,000–8,000 (more if booked late) |
| Train to Jammu or Katra, then road or train to Srinagar | 15–20 hours in all | ₹1,500–3,500 |
| Road all the way | 16–20 hours | Not worth it for this trek |
The group meets at the Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar, at 12:00 noon for the 85 km, 3-hour drive to Shitkadi. The shared cab costs about ₹8,500 per 5–6 seater vehicle for the round trip (Srinagar to Shitkadi, and Naranag back to Srinagar), so roughly ₹1,400–1,700 per person. Trekkaro arranges it and you pay the driver.
Total cost from Delhi: Trekkaro vs other operators
| Cost per person | Trekkaro | Other operators (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Trek fee (incl. 5% GST) | ₹20,475 | ₹21,525–22,050 |
| Shared cab Srinagar–Shitkadi–Naranag–Srinagar | ₹1,600 | ₹1,600–1,800 |
| Trekking gear | ₹200 (washing charge) | ₹2,500–4,500 (rental) |
| Delhi–Srinagar flights, return (booked early) | ₹9,000 | ₹9,000 |
| Insurance and food on the way | ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Total | ₹32,275 | ₹35,625–38,350 |
Other operators' Kashmir Great Lakes fees we found in October 2026 were about ₹20,500–21,000 + GST, usually for an 8-day plan with transport charged separately. Free gear comes with a ₹3,000 deposit that is refunded after the trek. Flights, a hotel night in Srinagar and backpack offloading cost the same whichever operator you choose.
How Trekkaro compares, beyond price
| What matters | Trekkaro | Ask other operators |
|---|---|---|
| Group size | Maximum 20 trekkers, one leader or guide per 8 | How many per batch and per leader? |
| Health checks | SpO₂, pulse and BP every day | Daily checks, and who does them? |
| Bad weather | Optional buffer day at ₹2,500 per person, only if it is used | Is the buffer day charged in advance? |
| Cancellation | Free rescheduling, or a 100% TrekCash voucher, up to 7 days before departure | Only cash refund slabs? |
Before you pay any operator, ask: Is the Srinagar cab included? How many days is the plan, and is a buffer day charged even if unused? Is gear included or rented? What happens to my money if I cancel 10 days before?
Optional add-ons
| Add-on | Cost | Worth it if… |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack offloading (up to 9 kg) | ₹3,000 + GST | You want to cross Gadsar Pass (4,206 m) and the 14 km day with only a day pack |
| Single tent occupancy | ₹2,000 + GST | You sleep lightly or want privacy on a solo trip |
How to keep the cost down
- Book flights early. Delhi–Srinagar fares can double in July and August. Booking 6–8 weeks ahead saves more than any discount.
- Take the free gear. Renting for 7–8 days elsewhere costs ₹2,500–4,500. See buy, rent or free gear: what it really costs.
- Fill a cab. Book with 4–5 friends and the Srinagar cab works out to about ₹1,400 each per person for the round trip.
- Spread the fee with EMI. About ₹1,003 a month over 24 months on eligible cards. Choose EMI at checkout on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek page.
See Kashmir Great Lakes dates and book | Kashmir Great Lakes: the complete guide | Hampta Pass trek cost
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kashmir Great Lakes trek cost?
With Trekkaro it is ₹19,500 + 5% GST, which is ₹20,475 per person for 7 days, Shitkadi to Naranag. It covers camping, meals, permits, the trek team, horse support and free trekking gear. The full trip from Delhi, with flights and the shared cab, comes to about ₹32,275.
Is transport from Srinagar included?
No. The shared cab from Srinagar to Shitkadi and back from Naranag costs about ₹8,500 per vehicle for the round trip, or roughly ₹1,400–1,700 per person. Trekkaro arranges it and you pay the driver directly.
Is Trekkaro cheaper than other Kashmir Great Lakes operators?
Other operators we checked charge about ₹20,500–21,000 + GST, often for 8 days, and rent out their gear. With free gear, Trekkaro's total trip usually works out ₹3,000–6,000 cheaper.
Can I pay for Kashmir Great Lakes in EMI?
Yes, on eligible credit cards. On a 24-month plan the fee works out to about ₹1,003 a month; the exact amount depends on your bank's interest rate.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. Beyond the trek fee you pay only for travel to Srinagar, the shared cab, insurance, the ₹200 gear washing charge, any add-ons you choose and the ₹2,500 buffer day only if bad weather means it is used. The ₹3,000 gear deposit is refunded after the trek.
