Gangabal and Nundkol
Twin lakes below the Haramukh glaciers.
The sacred lake below Haramukh
Gangabal Lake
A large alpine lake at about 3,570 m at the foot of Mount Haramukh, sacred to Kashmiri Pandits and the high point of the trek from Naranag.
Ganderbal districtAbout 3,570 mAbout 2 days’ trek from Naranag from Srinagar
Gangabal lies under the glaciers of Haramukh, one of the most revered mountains in Kashmir. Its twin, Nundkol, sits just below. For Kashmiri Pandits, Gangabal is sacred, and pilgrims have long carried the ashes of the dead here.
The usual approach is a steep two-day trek from Naranag, through forest and open meadows to the lake. It is also the final lake of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek from Sonamarg. Brown trout swim in the cold water; fishing needs a permit.
Trekking notes
The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is a high-altitude route of about a week, crossing passes above 4,000 m. It needs fitness, a registered operator with guides and ponies, and full camping gear. Check registration and permission rules at the time of booking — they change from season to season.
Things to do
What to see in Gangabal Lake
Trout fishing
Permit-only, in season.
Best time to visit
July to September.
How to reach
- From Srinagar — about 50 km to Naranag, then two days on foot.
Tour packages
All packagesAdd Gangabal Lake to a Kashmir package
Best Seller4N / 5D
Kashmir 4N/5D — Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg & Pahalgam
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
The complete valley circuit with deluxe stays on MAP plan, a private vehicle throughout and an hour on Dal Lake by shikara.
- Dal Lake Shikara
- Gulmarg
- Sonamarg
- Pahalgam
Starting from₹27,200total, all inclusive
Houseboat Stay5N / 6D
Kashmir 5N/6D with Pahalgam Stay & Deluxe Houseboat
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam · Dal Lake
Adds a night in Pahalgam and a night aboard a deluxe Dal Lake houseboat to the classic valley circuit.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Pahalgam Stay
- Shikara Ride
- Private Sedan
Starting from₹29,700total, all inclusive
Budget Romance4N / 5D
Glimpse of Kashmir — 4N/5D Honeymoon
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
Deluxe houseboat, shikara ride, candlelight dinner and cake across the four main valley stops.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Shikara Ride
- Candle Dinner
- Cake
Starting from₹36,645total, all inclusive
Questions
Visiting Gangabal Lake
Close to Srinagar: Doodhpathri, Yusmarg, Manasbal Lake and the Naranag temples. In the south: Kokernag, Verinag, Aharbal and Daksum. In the north, in summer only: Gurez, Bangus and the Lolab Valley.
Large numbers of tourists visit Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg every season, and the main tourist circuit is well policed. Conditions can still change at short notice, so before you book, check the latest travel updates from J&K Tourism and any advisory from your own government if you are travelling from abroad. We are based in Srinagar and on these roads every day. If a road closure, weather or a local restriction affects your route, we will tell you before you travel and adjust the itinerary.
Absolutely. Every Kashmir tour package we offer can be customised to match your preferences, group size, budget and travel dates. Simply contact us with your requirements and we will design the perfect Kashmir itinerary for you.
Ganderbal district
All destinationsMore places to visit in Ganderbal
- SonamargMeadow of Gold
- Thajiwas GlacierSummer snow above Sonamarg
- BaltalAmarnath base camp near Sonamarg
- Manasbal LakeKashmir’s deepest lake
- Kheer Bhawani TempleThe spring that changes colour
- Vishansar LakeTrout lake of the Great Lakes trek
- Krishansar LakeThe twin above Vishansar
- NaranagTemple ruins and trailhead
Nearby
Other places in the valley
Temple ruins and trailhead
Naranag
Trout lake of the Great Lakes trek
Vishansar Lake
The twin above Vishansar
Krishansar Lake
Kashmir’s deepest lake