The Creamy White Peaks and Luxuriant Meadows of Sonamarg, Srinagar

Sonamarg is a premier tourist destination nestled at an elevation of 2,740 meters above the sea level in Ganderbal district of the Northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The natural beauty of this heavenly place is crowned with several snow carpeted peaks, sapphire sky, exciting Sindh River and vast tourist places of interest along with number of adventurous activities which makes it a top tourist destination for travelers in the valley of Jammu and Kashmir.  

Major Attractions:

Thajiwas Glacier: Covered with thick forests comprising of pine and birch trees, Thajiwas Glacier which rests at the foot of the Sonamarg Glacier, about 7 km away from Sonamarg remains covered by snow all round the year making it ideal to enjoy sledge ride even in the mid summer. The nearby area of this glacial side which is adorned with emerald surroundings offers an excellent site for camping.     

Gadsar Lake: Beautifully set at an elevation of 5,000 meters above the sea level, Gadsar Lake is one of the highest altitude lakes of Kashmir region owing to its location in the Himalayan range. Brown trout fishing is a popular activity that is enjoyed by visitor visiting this lake apart from being a trekking base which starts from the alpine trek.

Nilagrad River: Meeting point of the Indus River and mountain rivers, Nilagrad River, about 6 km from Sonamarg is supposed to have curative powers in its reddish water. The further beauty of this place is maintained by the picturesque lakes and emerald meadows which makes it an ideal picnic spot.   

Zoji-La Pass: Popularly referred as the gateway to Ladakh, Zoji-La Pass at a height of 3,465 meters above sea level is considered as one of the most dangerous in Kashmir valley. The pass is open only in the late spring months as it remains closed for the rest of the year owing to heavy rains. Located about 20 km east of Sonamarg, it connects the Kashmir valley with the paradise of Ladakh. Make sure to visit this place to relish the immaculate scenic beauty and high passes.    

Adventurous Activities:

Trekking and White River rafting are the two most popular activities to relish while in Sonmarg. Sonamarg serves as a base for moderate as well as hard level trekking to Gangabal, Vishansar, Satsar, Kishansar and Gadsar which are all set at very high elevation. On the way, you will witness the most amazing gifts of nature from snow covered peaks and exotic natural beauty.  

The river of Sindh offer visitors with ample amount of stretches in its water to enjoy the thrilling rafting. Visitors can go for long rafting starting from Baltal and ending at Sonamarg’s Shutkari Bridge.   

Sonamarg is also the trekking route for the holy Yatra of Amarnath Cave which is supposed to be the dwelling of Lord Shiva. 

Best time to Visit: April to October is the best time to visit Sonamarg or you can visit during the winter season (November to March) to relish winter sports.  

Accommodation: Sonamarg offers a unique combination of luxury, mid range and budget hotels and resorts in and around it vicinity to the tourists. Almost every of the staying option in this place are nestled at a heightened elevation and in an unspoiled environment which makes it possible for the guests to relish some astonishing views along with staying in serene ambience. Some of the hotels of Sonamarg which are festooned with all the required amenities are Sonamarg Glacier, Hotel Snow Land and Hotel Rah Villas.  

How to Reach:

By Air: Srinagar airport is the closest airport to Sonamarg at an expanse of about 70 km.  

By Train: The nearest railheads are placed in Udhampur (246 km approx) and Jammu (about 301 km).

By Road: Once you reach Srinagar, you can get on a routine bus/luxurious bus or hire a taxi to reach this hill beauty.