About Sonamarg
Sonamarg is situated at a height of 2740 m in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sonamarg is a small and beautiful hill resort. Sonamarg literally means the ‘Meadow of Gold’ and is known so due to the flowers that wrap the meadow in spring. In the earlier days, Sonamarg lies on the main trading route into central Asia. Sonamarg is the last major point in the Kashmir valley before the Zoji La pass into Ladakh. At the pass, the green and lush Kashmiri landscape changes to the barren and dry landscape of Ladakh.
The drive to Sonamarg is through the Sindh Valley, which presents another face of the countryside in Kashmir and has snowy mountains in its backdrop. Sonamarg is the main base for the treks that pass along several mountain lakes like Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, and Gangabal. Sonamarg is also the major point for the drive to Ladakh across the Zoji La pass. Sonamarg is also a base for undertaking the yatra to the holy Amarnath cave. The Sindh River that meanders through the valley abounds with trout and mahseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier, which is a major local attraction during the summer months. The best time to visit Sonamarg is from April to June.
Adventure Activities in Sonamarg
The Sindh River that flows through Sonamarg is bountiful with trout and mahseer. So here, one can enjoy trout and mahseer fishing. In Krishnasar Lake, you can also enjoy trout fishing. Sonamarg also offers various trekking and hiking trails, which attract adventure lovers. The adventure seekers may opt for trekking trails from Sonamarg to lakes of Vishansar, Krishansar, and Gangabal.
Tourist Attractions in Sonamarg
Sonamarg offers various places of interest to tourists like Nilagrad, Bisansar Lake & Krishnasar Lake, and Nichnai Pass.
Nilagrad
Nilagrad is a Baltic colony, situated about 6 km away from Sonamarg, where a mountain river meets the Indus river. The water of the river is reddish in color and is believed to have curative powers for many diseases. Many people visit this place on Sundays to bathe in the river.
Nichnai Pass
Nichnai Pass is the vantage point to view the breathtakingly beautiful lakes of Vishansar, Krishnasar, and Gangabal.
Thajiwas
Thajiwas is located after a short and interesting walk from Sonamarg. Thajiwas is known for its glaciers. The miniature plateaus, snowfields, pines, and islets add to the charm of Thajiwas.
Bisansar Lake & Krishnasar Lake
Bisansar and Krishnasar are the two beautiful lakes that add to the beauty of Sonamarg. The Bisansar Lake is situated at an altitude of 4084 m, while crossing the river at Nichinai Pass, with its lovely natural beauty. Beside the lake is the Krishnasar Lake situated at an altitude of 3801 m and famous for trout fishing.
How to Reach Sonamarg
Sonamarg is situated on the Srinagar-Leh Highway, about 84 km from Srinagar. The National Highway NH1A connects Srinagar and Anantnag with Sonamarg.
Sonamarg Itinerary
The way to reach Sonmarg or the Meadow of the Gold is from the Sindh Valley. This valley also shows more amazing facets of Kashmir. Sonmarg is located at an altitude of around 2730 meters from sea level; it has Snow Mountains as its backdrop against the sky.
Arrival at Srinagar
On arrival at Srinagar, you will meet our representative and proceed for Mughal Gardens visiting Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh. All the gardens are situated on the bank of Dal Lake with the Zabarwan Mountains in the background. The distance from Srinagar to the said gardens is about 12 and 15 km, respectively. Enroute, visit a carpet-weaving factory and the old Srinagar city. Overnight stay at a hotel/houseboat.
Srinagar to Sonamarg
Sonamarg day trip- After breakfast, drive to Sonamarg. Full-day excursion to Sonamarg. Sonamarg is known as the “Gateway of Ladakh.” In the evening, return to Srinagar for an overnight stay at a hotel/houseboat.
Srinagar to Gulmarg
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed towards Gulmarg. Enroute, you get to see the beautiful Tangmarg town and drive ahead on a scenic drive of 14 kilometers to Gulmarg. Arrive in Gulmarg early in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel. Later, begin a short tour, boarding the Gondola cable car system (the 08 minutes ropeway, at your own cost). Descend back to Gulmarg after an hour and later indulge in some horse-riding. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Gulmarg to Pahalgam
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Pahalgam via Pampore, Avantipura, and the village of Bijbehara, which remains famous as the breadbasket of Kashmir. We switch from the national highway 1A at Khanabal and drive through the second-largest city of Anantnag. From here, the road turns scenic as we drive parallel to the Lidder river flowing from the opposite direction. In Pahalgam, check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Pahalgam to Srinagar
After breakfast, check out from Pahalgam and drive to Srinagar. Overnight stay at a hotel/houseboat.
Drop at Srinagar Airport
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Srinagar Airport for your onward journey with all those memories of Kashmir.