Sonmarg is a hidden gem in Kashmir that only a few avid travellers actually end up experiencing. It is 70 km away from the heart of Srinagar and is located at an altitude of 2800 m. Most of the regions in and around this little hill station town are barren of human civilization – visitors reaching Sonmarg are almost always taken aback by the untouched natural beauty of this place. And it is indeed true; almost all of the places to visit in Sonmarg are gems hidden in the boughs of nature; lakes, meadows and grooves of alpine vegetation.
Sonmarg gets its name from the golden sunset hour of the high peaks that surround its valley. The name Sonmarg translated to English literally means ‘golden meadow’.
Famous Tourist Places in Sonmarg That Will Leave You Awestruck
1. Great Lakes of Kashmir
Kashmir treks are famous all around The World. Several trekkers from far-off lands come especially to this hill station to experience sightseeing in Sonmarg by diving right into the Kashmir Great Lakes journey. The sunny, rocky mountain ranges and alpine grasslands that surround these Great Lakes make for a fascinating view of the hidden Himalayan vistas. There are many exciting activities that you can take part in at the Kashmir Great Lakes, including hiking, rock climbing, river rafting etc.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 7 days
2. Narang
This little Kashmiri Hamlet often acts as a base camp for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, but it is also an amazing spot for sightseeing in Sonmarg. Narang used to be an ancient pilgrimage location for Hindu devotees, and the famous Narang temple of Kashmir is located here. In this village, you will find the most traditional Kashmiri experience, for everything from sheep herding to cuisine and clothing. Narang is a photographic heaven for many tourists.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening or closing timings
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
3. Zoji La Pass
This awe-inspiring pass is one of the most important and yet the most dangerous places to visit in Sonmarg. Zoji La Pass used to be an ancient pathway during the silk route trade, and today acts as a crucial part of the national highway that connects Srinagar to the Suru Valley. This pass is located at a great height, and if you go a bit for that you will reach the extremely dangerous Zoji La zero point.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 1 hour
4. Baltal Valley
there are some values in the world that transport the viewer to some sacred, heavenly place. Baltal Valley is such a mesmerizing choice among the many places to visit in Sonmarg, and it looks just like the foreign, uninhabited valleys of Tibet and Nepal. There are many exciting activities that you can take part in while visiting this valley too – you can ride a pony to reach this valley or you can trek your way to this destination. Moreover, you can move forward towards Panchtarni from this Valley by booking a fascinating helicopter ride!
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 1 to 2 hours
5. Krishnasar Lake
if there is anything more captivating among the tourist places in Sonmarg than trekking to the Great Lakes of Kashmir, that has to be the view of the lake itself. The Krishnasar Lake simply means ‘the lake of Lord Krishna’. It is surrounded by dense alpine forests on all sides, and the rocky shores are almost always covered by either grass or snow. The waters of this Lake are dark, as is fitting for a lake named after the breathtaking Lord Krishna. The most interesting thing is that you can even fish in this lake!
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
6. Thajiwas Glacier
A glacier indeed has to be the most important of all tourist places in Sonmarg, if not the whole of Kashmir. It is true that Kashmir is home to some of the most stunning glaciers in India – and yet there is none that could compare with the Thajiwas Glacier of Sonmarg. It is not only a frozen slow-moving slab of ice intermingled with a frozen lake, but it is also a cultural fascination for tourists, as it brings them closer to the unknown lifestyle of traditional Gujjar tribes.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 3 hours
7. Amarnath cave
Remember the Baltal Valley that we just talked of? Baltal Valley is also the fabled base camp from where devotees can start their pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave. In fact, this is one of the most popular Amarnath Yatra routes in Kashmir. Even though Amarnath can technically not be counted among the tourist places in Sonmarg, you can easily merge your Sonmarg trip with Amarnath Yatra and experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey with your loved ones.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Opening and closing timings: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Time taken to visit: 3 to 4 hours
8. Satsar Lake
Who doesn’t want to catch a glimpse of the famous confluence of 7 lakes in Kashmir that can compete with any enchanting lake in the world? The word Satsar refers to this conflux, and the alpine meadows surrounding these lakes make the experience even better. The seven lakes are connected to each other in a cascading type formation, and if you climb up to a little higher spot, you can see this formation yourself!
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
9. Yusmarg
Have you ever heard of the meadow of Jesus? Did you imagine that this place would be located nowhere else but in Kashmir? Yusmarg is one of the most underrated places to visit in Sonmarg, but if you listen to us this is not a destination you can possibly miss. This alpine meadow surrounded by a dense coniferous forest is located at the height of 7500 feet, and it is located in the very centre of the Pir Panjal mountain range.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
10. Banks of Nilagrad River
this foaming blue river quite lives up to its heavenly name. Nilagrad River is famous for its beautiful pebbled shores that quickly blend into the bright green valley grass. Groups of pine trees decorate the small, well-trodden trails that accompany this youthful river. Spending some time in the peace of the majestic mountains and the noisy, happy Nilagrad is prehistoric therapy that no modern medicine can compare to! You can visit the banks of this river at night and experience some of the finest stargazing moments of your life.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 1 hour
11. Vishansar Lake
if you look closely at the different tourist places in Sonmarg, you will be surprised to see so many lakes named after the prime Hindu gods. The Vishansar Lake follows the same pattern and is named after none other than Lord Vishnu himself. You can see the blessings of Lord Vishnu at this lake and also take in the unrealistic natural glory of Sonmarg at the same time by walking up to this lake. This lake places a great part in the religious and cultural heritage of not only Kashmir but the whole of India. It is a famous oligotrophic lake that is of interest to disciples of science as well!
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. Excluding the time taken to travel to Sonmarg from your hometown and vice versa, the number of days it will take to explore Sonmarg properly is around 7 to 8.
A. The name Sonmarg literally translated to English means ‘meadow of gold’. This name has been given to the place because during sunset almost all the giant peaks surrounding this hill station turn golden and the light is reflected by the valley itself.
The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is open for anyone who wants to visit this place, but only so during the summer months. Because of the harsh conditions of this region, this trek is closed during winter.
Conclusion
No Kashmir travel package can be completed without a dedicated visit to Sonmarg. Sonmarg is undoubtedly as close as you can get to the highest ranges of the Himalayan mountains. Make sure to choose a Sonmarg travel package for Family that can take into account your personal health restrictions, trip expectations and time constraints. There are many Places to visit in Sonmarg where you can get involved to enjoy all the activities and tourist sightseeing of this beautiful destination of Kashmir. So what are you waiting for? Talk right now to our team they will provide you with complete details about it.
