Sonamarg means Meadow of Gold, and it is the last major stop in the Kashmir valley before the road climbs over Zoji La towards Ladakh. The setting is more alpine and more rugged than Pahalgam or Gulmarg: glaciers hanging above the valley, the Sindh river running fast and cold through it, and some of the finest high-altitude trekking in India starting from its edges.
- Altitude
- About 2,730 m
- Best season
- Late April to October; the road closes through deep winter
- Getting there
- About 80 km from Srinagar, roughly 2 and a half hours by road
- Ideal trip length
- A long day trip, or 1 to 2 nights to trek
Thajiwas Glacier
The main attraction and an easy outing. Thajiwas sits in a side valley a few kilometres from the road, reached on foot or by pony in an hour or so, with waterfalls coming off the cliffs on the way in. Snow lies here well into summer, which is why it draws crowds in June and July. Go early to walk in before the ponies and the day-trippers arrive.
Zoji La
At over 3,500 m, Zoji La is the pass that links Kashmir with Ladakh, and the drive up is one of the more dramatic stretches of road in India — narrow, exposed and cut into the mountainside. It is the point where the green of the valley gives way to the bare rock of the Ladakh side. The pass is closed by snow through winter and is usually among the last routes to reopen in spring.
Gadsar Lake
One of the alpine lakes on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, Gadsar lies at around 3,800 m in a bowl below snowfields, fringed with wildflowers in high summer. It is not a day trip — reaching it means several days of walking — but it is among the most striking places in the entire region and the reason the Great Lakes route has the reputation it does.
The Nilagrad River
A short distance from Sonamarg, the Nilagrad joins the Sindh and is locally held to have healing properties on account of its reddish, mineral-carrying water. People bathe here through the summer months. It is a brief and worthwhile stop on the way in or out.
Adventure and Trekking
Sonamarg is the classic starting point for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, and Naranag on the same side of the valley opens the route to Gangabal. Shorter options include the walk to Thajiwas and day hikes into the surrounding meadows. White-water rafting runs on the Sindh through the season, and there is trout fishing along the river.
Before You Go
- The road over Zoji La is seasonal and can close at short notice in bad weather. Check conditions before travelling on to Ladakh.
- Sonamarg is often done as a day trip from Srinagar. Staying a night makes far more sense if you intend to walk.
- Pony and sledge operators at Thajiwas quote high and negotiate. Fix the price and the turnaround point before starting.
- Weather turns quickly at this altitude. Carry a waterproof and a warm layer even in July.
- The Great Lakes and Gangabal treks need a registered guide, proper equipment and a reasonable level of fitness.
Plan Your Trip to Sonamarg
We arrange transport, stays, permits where they are needed and a local driver who knows the route. Tell us your dates and we will put together an itinerary.