Sonmarg

Sonmarg, whose name means meadow of gold, lies at roughly 2,800 metres in the Sindh valley, north-east of Srinagar. The drive in follows the Sindh river through villages, rice fields and steadily narrowing gorges until the valley opens into a wide meadow ringed by snowy peaks and glaciers.

The most popular outing is to the Thajiwas glacier, a few kilometres from the main meadow. You can walk or take a pony to the snow fields at its foot, where sledging is possible well into summer. The river is also known for trout, and short walks along its banks are peaceful in the early morning.

Sonmarg is the last major stop before the Zojila Pass, the gateway to Ladakh, and it is a natural overnight halt on the road from Srinagar to Leh when that route is open. It is also the starting point for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek and close to Baltal, the base for the northern Amarnath Yatra route. With the Z-Morh tunnel now open, Sonmarg has become reachable in winter too, when it turns into a quiet snowscape.

Most visitors see Sonmarg on a day trip from Srinagar, but a night here gives you a calm evening by the river. See our Kashmir guide for combining it with Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Spring (April–May): Snow still covers much of the valley, and the meadow begins to turn green. Snow activities are possible.

Summer (June–August): The best season, with green meadows, flowers and access to the glacier. Busy during the Amarnath Yatra, as Baltal is close by.

Autumn (September–October): Clear skies and golden colours, ideal for photography and quiet walks.

Winter (November–March): Heavy snow and very cold temperatures. Access has improved with the tunnel, but roads can still close after heavy snowfall and many stays shut. Check conditions before planning.

For a first visit, June to September is the safest choice, with open roads, green meadows and snow still lying near the glacier. Leave Srinagar early in the morning to enjoy clear views and avoid afternoon traffic on the highway.

By air: Srinagar International Airport is the nearest airport, around 85–90 km away, with flights from Mumbai and Pune directly or via Delhi.

By train: Srinagar is the nearest railhead on the valley line from Katra.

By road: Sonmarg is around 80 km from Srinagar, roughly 2.5–3 hours by road along the Sindh valley. Local taxis and ponies are used for the glacier trail. The road continues over the Zojila Pass to Kargil and Leh, usually open from around April or May until November depending on snow.

Most visitors treat Sonmarg as a day trip from Srinagar, leaving early and returning by evening. Travellers heading on to Kargil and Leh often spend a night here first, which also helps with gradual acclimatisation before crossing the Zojila Pass into Ladakh.