Sonmarg is a gorgeous valley located close to Srinagar that is often compared with destinations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg for its sea link beauty in summer as well as winter. The town itself is heaven for nature lovers who are looking forward to spending a few days in traditional Kashmiri hamlets. Surrounding Sonmarg are several destinations famous among visitors, trekkers and adventure sportspersons. The places to visit near Sonmarg include lush green meadows, mossy rocks located upon secluded alpine lakes as well as the dry valleys of Ladakh that act as a gateway to one of the highest deserts in the world. Travelling to Sonmarg can never be a complete experience unless we include at least a few of these destinations in our itinerary.
When To Visit Sonmarg?
Located at a challenging altitude and surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine grasslands, most locations near Sonmarg remain closed during winter because of heavy snowfall.
The best time to visit Sonmarg is between April to June and by this time all the snow in surrounding fields, trails and valleys has melted leaving a hill station that is accessible in every sense. The average temperature during these months is 15°C to 30°C.
Monsoons can be heavy in Sonmarg. However, if you are excited to experience Himalayan autumn or the first snowfall of the year, October is another great time to visit this beautiful village and tourism destination.
Tourist Places Near Sonmarg You Should Give A Try to Add Magic to Your Kashmir Itinerary
1. Gulmarg
A tough competitor for snow tourism, winter treks and adventure sports, it is one of the most famous places to visit near Sonmarg. Gulmarg is home to the finest skiing resorts, golfing grounds, traditional wooden cottages etc. In the summers, the whole Valley is covered with exotic beds of Himalayan flowers from which Gulmarg gets its name. Here you can also take a ride on the highest cable car in the world and reach the snowy landscape of Apharwat Peak. Close to Gulmarg is the charming meadow of Khilanmarg, dotted with ponies, sheep and random pine grooves. The Drung Waterfall and Alpather Lake are two destinations one simply cannot miss while one is here.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 7 to 8 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
2. Thajiwas Glacier
Love yourself some short winter treks to unbelievable locations? You will do yourself a favour by adding this to your list of tourist places near Sonmarg. Walk through uninhabited pine forests and catch glimpses of wild pony’s grazing on mountain tops before making your way to the Thajiwas viewpoint. On the way, hikers stop at the banks of Sind River in Ganderbal, a shining, golden Kashmiri village. You can add an overnight stay at the Thajiwas Glacier, where you will find many nomad huts belonging to local shepherds in the summer months. The bowl-shaped meadows against a cloudy, mysterious sky and the dense glacial backdrop definitely act as heaven to photographers.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
3. Great Lakes of Kashmir
Hands down one of the most coveted trekking journeys of Kashmir, the six bodies of water are all unique in their own way. The journey to Great Lakes of Kashmir takes travellers through a 360° route covering meadows, sandy slopes, open pastures and subalpine coniferous forests all surrounding these majestic, celestial locations. These lakes include Krishansar Lake, Vishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Satsar Lake, Gangabal Lake and Nundkol Lake. It is a simple athletic feat and usually only involves gentle landscapes with rare climbs. Travellers get to camp in the open, photograph rare nature and enjoy sports like paragliding and fishing in some villages on the way.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 7 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
4. Nichnai Lake
While most lakes of Kashmir have their separate fan bases, only a few know about the unique banks of this magical water body. Nichnai Lake is surrounded on all sides by dry, dark pebbles and boulders, most of which have nothing growing on them except for moss. You can clearly see the mountain peaks of surrounding ranges that feel so close that you might as well touch them! The mysterious waters of Nichnai are close to the adventurous Nichnai Pass. Some Great Lakes of Kashmir packages actually include this 7th lake as a part of the journey! If possible, do not miss out on the ruins of Naranag on the way.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 1 to 2 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
5. Baltal Valley
How can a list of tourist places near Sonmarg not include this precious, serene valley. The best time to visit Baltal Valley is from April to September after which it closes due to heavy snowfall. Baltal is home to picturesque cliffs, pastures and sandy river banks and this is counted as one of the best places to visit near Sonmarg. Several camping spots in this otherwise difficult to access valley have created quite a stir among lovers of raw nature. You can take a walk through the pine forests, sit down on clean, soft meadowgrass and photograph the golden snow-capped peaks at sunset. Baltal is known for its uniquely chiselled mountain peaks and uneven rocky slopes. Wild mountain cows are a common site here.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 1 to 2 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
6. Zoji La Pass
Connecting Sonmarg to Ladakh via Kargil runs one of the most dangerous passes in the world and one of the best places to visit near Sonmarg during your Kashmir Exploration. It is a column of high-altitude narrow roads that wind across a sharp, rocky slope. The view from here is mesmerizing and on a clear day you can spot a horizon of unending snow peaks on one hand and a series of high-altitude plateaus on the other. Zoji La Pass also has historic significance; it was the site of one of the first-ever Indo-Pakistan wars that took place in the years of 1947 to 1948. The place is also known as the Mountain Pass of Blizzards because this destination is hit with speeding snow storms each year in the months of December to February.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
7. Amarnath Caves
Kashmir is known for its soulful religious destinations. However, none of them are quite as popular as the holy caves of Amarnath. Every year between August and September, tens of thousands of devotees from all over the world walk from Sonmarg to the Amarnath temple. Travellers start from the village of Sonmarg and travel towards Baltal Valley, beyond which the true landscape of Amarnath starts. If you are not comfortable walking, you can easily choose to ride a pony or even a helicopter straight to the caves. The distance between these two locations is about 20 km. Amarnath is located at a height of 3888 m and only opens for 2 months a year.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 3 to 5 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
8. Kolahoi Glacier
This icy glacier can be accessed from both Pahalgam and Sonmarg. A once in a lifetime venture, the walk to Kolahoi Glacier includes trekking along the sparkling Lidder River, spending hours at the picture-perfect Aru Village, engaging in paragliding at Chandanwadi and finally climbing up to the most famous hollow Glacier of Kashmir. An unparalleled destination for nature sightseeing near Sonmarg, Kolahoi can be visited by tourists of any age over 10. It is a short trek, and you can travel to an altitude of 4700 m and back within 12 hours. Geographically, this is the largest glacier in Kashmir but also the most affected by climate change.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 12 hours to one day
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
9. Draupadi Kund, Dras
Located close to the Zoji La Pass, this underrated addition to the top places to visit near Sonmarg is straight out of childhood mythological tales. This magical lake is believed to be the location where Draupadi bathed before entering heaven. It is said that bidding in this lake or even touching its chilling waters can increase the chances of infertile couples to conceive. A small Shiv temple is located on the banks of this little, mystical body of water. The surroundings are nothing but dry slopes of mighty mountain peaks, which can be expected from a village like Dras. While here, don’t forget to visit the Kargil War Memorial!
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 3 to 4 hours
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
10. Shutkari Bridge, Nilagrad River
Sonmarg does not come second to any postcard-inspiring Valley of Switzerland, Germany and Austria. This is further proven by the clear, grassy banks of Nilagrad River, on which is situated the Shutkari Bridge. In winter the banks of the river as well as the bridge itself are covered in thick, spongy blankets of snow that make this one of the top places to visit near Sonmarg. For the rest of the year, however, the bridge is home to the best white river rafting experience in Sonmarg. This addition to the tourist places near Sonmarg is strategically located at a place that is close to the most thrilling drops, rising and bends on the river for a full enjoyment of hardcore river rafting.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Time taken to visit: 1 to 2 hours
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. The distance between Pahalgam and Sonmarg in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is approximately 85 kilometres (about 53 miles) by road. The actual travel time can vary depending on road conditions and traffic. It typically takes around 2 to 3 hours to drive from Pahalgam to Sonmarg, or vice versa, through the picturesque and mountainous terrain of the region. Keep in mind that road conditions may be subject to change, so it’s a good idea to check for the most up-to-date information before you travel.
A. Sonmarg is a hot spot for trekkers and acts as a base camp for more journeys than any other location in the Kashmir Valley. The Great Lakes of Kashmir, Thajiwas Glacier, Lidderwat Walk, Naranag Gangabal Trek, Marchoi Valley Trek etc all start from Sonmarg. So does the famous devotional journey to the eternal Amarnath caves.
A. Sonmarg is located approximately 80 kilometres (about 50 miles) northeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The journey from Srinagar to Sonmarg usually takes around 2 to 3 hours by road, depending on road conditions and traffic. It’s a scenic drive that takes you through the beautiful landscapes of the region, including the picturesque Himalayan mountains. Travel times may vary, so it’s a good idea to check for the most up-to-date information when planning your trip.
Conclusion!!
None of the destinations listed above can compete against the other when it comes to novel experiences, challenging adventures and heart-winning natural wonders. Want to solve this issue by creating your own Customized Kashmir Tour Packages? Contact our travel experts at TRISOJ that make sure you know longer have to choose among your favourites!
