15/04/2026
The Vishansar Lake is an alpine, high-altitude oligotrophic lake situated in the vicinity of Sonamarg at an elevation of 3710 meters. It has a maximum length of 1 kilometer and a maximum width of 0.6 kilometers. Vishansar, which means 'the lake of Vishnu' in Hindi, is home to many types of fish, among which is the brown trout. The lake freezes during winter. During the summer season, it is surrounded by lush green meadows where local shepherds graze their flocks of sheep and goats. With its scenic beauty, snow-covered mountains, and gorges filled with small glaciers and alpine flowers, the lake is an attraction for trekkers in the Kashmir Valley. It is fed by the Krishansar Lake and glaciers. The Vishansar Lake is the source of the Neelum River, which flows northwards up to Badoab and then westwards through Gurais along the Line of Control. The Gadsar Lake lies approximately 9 km to the west, crossing the Gadsar Pass. The Vishansar Lake is situated 115 km northeast of Srinagar and 35 km from Sh*tkadi Sonamarg. It can be accessed from Srinagar or Srinagar Airport, 80 km by road NH 1D up to the village Sh*tkadi, from which ponies can be hired to cover an alpine trek of 35 km that takes a complete day of trekking, requiring one to cross the Nichnai Pass, which is 4100 meters above sea level. The best time to visit the lake is from June to September. Fed by Krishansar Lake and glaciers, the lake is the main source of the Neelum River. During winter, the lake freezes, while in summer, the lush green meadow surrounding the lake provides a truly amazing sight. A high-altitude lake, it can be reached through trekking or pony ride. The lake is also accessible from the Nichinai Pass, another high-elevation tourist spot.
