Sonamarg is in the Ganderbahl district of Jammu and Kashmir close to the line of control and is at an altitude of 8960 ft. Best Time to visit to Sonamarg is from April to June. Sonmarg (Son – Gold, Marg- Meadow) means meadow of gold in Kashmiri. The hill station is named because of its large flowery meadows, alpine peaks, and lakes.
Sonamarg is 74 km. from Srinagar by road. National Highway 1 connects Sonamarg to Shrinagar through the Zoji La Pass. It is historically a significant location as it was on the ancient silk route connecting Kashmir to Tibet.
How to reach Sonamarg
The closest airport is Srinagar International Airport is 81 km from Sonamarg. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tabi, 375 km away. You can hire cabs from the airport and railway station.
Buses are available from the airport, Jammu Tawi rail station, and main districts in Jammu Kashmir or you can hire a cab. If you want to travel by car to Sonmarg, you can leave Srinagar on the Kargil-Skardu Road(NH 1D).
Best time to visit Sonamarg
April to June
Best time to visit Sonamarg is from April to June. The weather is nice at this time of year, and nature is breathtakingly beautiful everywhere you turn. The valley is covered in a profusion of flowers of different hues and scents during these months. Between 21 to 29 degrees Celsius are the typical daytime temperatures.
July to August
With an average temperature of about 30°C during the monsoons, the weather is pleasant, although tourists stay away from Sonamarg during this time, with the exception of pilgrims. The main causes are heavy pilgrim flow to Amarnath and the ground gets a little slippery and challenging to navigate.
September and October
The weather is pleasant and average temperature between 23 and 28 °C between September and October. Although now is a fantastic time to travel to Sonmarg, Sonmarg’s natural grandeur is not at its best.
November to March
The weather is cold during 8-16 o C with temperatures going, with temperatures below zero at night. The majority of the land is covered in a layer of snow and all lakes are frozen. The area can be cut off because of avalanches. Several local migrate during the harsh winter. We recommend you do not visit Sonamarg in the winter unless you have a high tolerance for bitter-cold temperatures.
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Top Places to visit in Sonamarg
Due to its high altitude and relative remoteness, Sonamarg is pristine and is known for its spectacular natural beauty. Some of the prominent locations around Sonamarg to visit are :
Thajiwas Glacier
The Thajiwas Glacier is by far Sonamarg’s most popular tourist destination. You do not go to the glacier but trek a 3-kilometer from Sonamarg called Snow Point. You can engage in activities like sledding from there and enjoy a clear view of the glacier.
Vishansar Lake
Vishansar means “Lake of Vishnu” and the lake holds religious significance to Kashmiri Pandits. Krishansagar Lake and glaciers feed the Vishansar Lake, which in turn feeds the Kishanganga River. The beautiful river flows along the line of control. It is a popular trekking destination with its flowery meadows, snowy peaks, and glaciers.
Gangabal Lake
Measuring around 2.5 km x 1 km, Gangabal Lake is a lake. It has religious significance amongst Kashmiris, and they immerse the ashes of the dead after cremation. It is 11,560 ft above MSL and is fed by various glaciers and springs. The waters abound in the Brown trout variety of fish. The waters of this lake flow into the Nundkol Lake which then joins the Sindh River. You can access this lake from Srinagar which is around 25 km from the capital or you can trek to this lake from Sonamarg via VIshansar Lake
Krishansagar Lake.
Adjacent to the Visansar Lake, the Krishansagar Lake means the lake of Krishna in Sanskrit.It is accessible from the Vishansar Lake and forms part of the same trek. This is not an all-weather lake. It is frozen in winter like the Vishansar Lake. The lake is around 115 km from Srinagar. The Gadsar Lake is also close by.
Baltal Caves
Baltal Caves are the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Amarnath Caves. It is 15 km from Sonamarg, and you can also go there via Pahalgam. Baltal is known for its scenic beauty, there are tents available here for pilgrims.
Zojila Pass
The Zojila Pass is at an altitude of 11,575 ft and is around 25 km from Sonamarg. The view of the snow capped mountains is mesmerizing. The drive to the Zojita Pass is thrilling, filled with sharp hairpin bends.
Table Top
Table Top is a 2-3 hour trek from Sonamarg and is a difficult trek. It is called Table Top because the top is flat like a plateau. You get a bird’s eye view of Sonamarg from the top and can spot Thajiwas Glazier,Sind River, and the entire valley. The Table Top looks stunning at sunset.
Things to do
There are several things to do when you are visiting Sonamarg at the best time to visit Sonamarg if you enjoy adventure sports.
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- Trekking : There are several beautiful trekking routes near Sonamarg of various
difficulty levels. - Pony rides: You can hire a pony ride to places like Thajiwas Glacier.
- Sledding: Sledding is another popular activity and is available throughout the year. Places like Thajiwas Glacier have snow throughout the year.
- Skiing: You can try to ski between March and early April near Thajiwas Glacier.
- Trekking : There are several beautiful trekking routes near Sonamarg of various
Ensure you carry warm clothes, even in winter as the temperature dips in case of rain. There are various hotels located in Sonamarg. However, during the winter months, Sonamarg is vacated, so it will be advisable to visit a few days after the season opens so that the facilities operate at an optimum. Sonamarg is remote, and it is highly advisable to travel there only with confirmed reservations.