How long is Khemsar Yemsar?

18.4 km, typically walked in 2 days.

Khemsar Yemsar · Kashmir Explorer

Important to know

High altitudeThis trek reaches 3,805 m. Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,500 m. Gain height slowly and turn back if symptoms start.

WildlifeGraded moderate risk. Keep food sealed at camp and give animals room on the trail.

Route

Play route

Out and back. The walk finishes where it started; part of the way home runs on its own trail, and the rest retraces the way out.

Way out
Shared · both ways
Way back

Directions

AMS zone > 3,500 m

2,140 m18.4 km · GPX-measured3,800 m

Along the route

3 points

Kulan villageStartkm 0.7 · 2,153 mTrailhead near Kolan village, Kangan.
Khemsar LakeCheckpointkm 8.9 · 3,762 m
Yemsar LakeDestination · Turn back herekm 9.2 · 3,776 m

Distances are measured along the track from the road head.

Photographs

Added by walkers, checked before they appear

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What it took others

When people walked it

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4Sep

The last twelve months, October to September. September is still counting.

Drawn from walks recorded in the app since 2026. Nothing here is tied to a name, and yours is only counted once you finish a trek.

Gear checklist

gear

Rucksack 50-60 L with rain cover
Trekking poles (pair)
Headlamp with spare batteries
Water bottles 2 x 1 L or hydration bladder

safety

UV-protection sunglasses
Sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm
Government photo ID
Medical certificate

medical

First-aid kit (ORS, painkillers, blister patches, antiseptic)

0 of 15 packed

About this trek

The Khemsar-Yemsar trek climbs from Kulan village near Kangan, in the Sindh valley, through forest and pasture to two remote alpine lakes at around 3,750 metres. The approach is steep in stretches and the lakes are less visited than Kashmir's better-known trekking lakes, making this a quieter option for experienced trekkers. Most parties camp at least one night near the ridge below the lakes before returning the same way.

Season window

Best windowJuly — September

Getting there

Starting pointKullan villageGanderbal, Kashmir

2,153 mTrailhead

About 36 km from Srinagar as the crow flies — the road is longer.

Directions to the trailhead

Trekker reports

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews

AyaanReviewed September 2026

Wow 😲😲😲😲

Aayash AhmadReviewed August 2026

Waseem DarReviewed August 2026