Sonmarg literally means ‘a meadow of gold. It is located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. The valley is indeed gilded in gold every evening when all the gigantic peaks surrounding Sonmarg take on a shining golden hue in the setting sun. If not anything else, watching sunsets and sunrises from this secluded hill station is a prominent enough activity to do in Sonmarg to make your trip feel worth it. But the truth is, even though this journey has little to offer in terms of monuments and architecture, the wild ponies, towering mountain tops, meadows and chilling lakes are enough to offer you unending things to do in Sonmarg during the trip to Kashmir.
Hidden Activities in Sonmarg in The Lap of Ancient Himalayas
1. Trek to the Kashmir Great Lakes
while to most laymen the existence of these massive Himalayan Lakes is unknown, to avid travellers these lakes have a mesmerizing quality. The Kashmir Great lakes trip is an eventful trekking journey that is completely beginner friendly and can take you through a trail of varied topography and picture-perfect hamlets on the way. Even though this trek takes 7 days, it is totally one of those things to do in Sonmarg that can easily replace the more crowded destinations.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 7 days
2. Get lost in the most Underrated Valley
If you are a fan of untrodden Himalayan and Tibetan valleys, get ready to find the perfect underrated mix on your journey to Sonmarg. The Baltal Valley is a peaceful open expanse that welcomes refreshing winds and mysterious thunderstorms. There are unending activities to do in Sonmarg Baltal Valley, and the gently coursing Sindhu River further adds to the possibilities. Baltal Valley is also the best camp for the ones on a lifetime pilgrimage to Amarnath.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: minimum 1 hour, but you can plan a whole day of activities here.
3. Trek to Gangabal Lake
There is no end to the number of stunning lakes that exist near Mount Harmukh. The Gangabal Lake is one such Lake formed out of a river of the same name, that draws its eternal flow of water from nearby glaciers and springs. If you trek your way to this lake in the summer, you will be able to experience the alpine wilderness of the Himalayas, along with beautiful flora which includes tiny colourful blossoms. Gangabal Lake trek is a prominent choice among many other religious things to do in Sonmarg.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 4 to 5 hours
4. Eat Maggi at the Table Top viewpoint
Maggi tests the best when you have it on top of the world. There is just something awesome about steaming hot Maggi and coffee in the chilling Himalayan temperatures! Tabletop is a viewpoint in Sonmarg where tourists set up tents and warm their food of choice only to take a look at the shining stars at nighttime and the brilliant blue valley during the day. While this is definitely an exciting option among all activities to do in Sonmarg in itself, can also follow up this wonderful camping experience with the Kashmir Great Lakes trek itself.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 1-hour minimum, but you can easily spend the night here.
5. White River Rafting
who would not count rafting as an advantage of sightseeing in Sonmarg? White river rafting is a fast past popular adventurous water sport that you must try at least once in your life. You can go rafting as a part of a group, or with a single guide. In case you are well-versed in this sport, Sonmarg is an excellent place for solo rafting as well! Rafting and similar activities to do in Sonmarg can be booked in advance, though same-day bookings are equally appreciated. Sonmarg has a long-distance rafting option for water sports lovers which starts at Baltal and ends at Shutkari.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Time taken to visit: 1 to 1.5 hours
6. Visit the Frozen Gadsar Lake
Is it a surprise that alpine lakes freeze in the winter? While the phenomena itself is well known, very few places in India offer such a broad and diverse experience of frozen lakes as Sonmarg does. Visiting the high-altitude Gadsar Lake located at a height of 5000 m is a slow yet charming experience in sightseeing in Sonmarg. This lake is also known as the lake of flowers, although the real translation refers to it being a ‘Lake of Fishes’ instead. Both alpine wine flowers and endangered brown trout fishes are found in these chilling waters.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
7. Take a peek at Mount Harmukh
Visiting places like Sonmarg means getting an opportunity to view up close those mountain peaks which have remained hidden from the rest of the world for centuries if not millennia. Mount Harmukh is a stunning mountain peak that has been given the name of ‘Kailash of Kashmir’. It is surrounded by river Sindhu in the south and river Kishanganga in the North. It is believed that not only many unnamed enlightened saints pay a visit to these mountains even today, but also that Lord Parshuram himself meditated on the shows of the lakes near this peak. Seeing Mount Harmukh face to face is the most important of things to do in Sonmarg.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: visit Gangabal Lake, 4 to 5 hours.
8. Picnic and sport by the Nilagrad
Sightseeing in Sonmarg can never be complete without bestowing some time on the Nilagrad river. There are many safe yet uninhabited regions on the open shores of this river where you can sit down with your friends and family and play or eat all day long. According to many tourists, visiting a hill station is never complete without a proper picnic. Happily, Sonmarg offers a number of areas where you can finally experience this! Simple activities that you can engage in here include kite flying, soccer, photography etc.
9. Fishing at Krishnasar Lake: Sightseeing in Sonmarg
does not give you many fishing opportunities as most of the fish found in these lakes are endangered and must be protected. But at Krishnasar Lake, fishing is a common activity. This hill station and its nearby regions are famous for trout, so it is no wonder that trout fishing is one of the most popular things to do in Sonmarg. The beautiful expanse and brilliant skies around this Lake also make it a wonderful place for photography.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening or closing timings
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
10. Experience snowfall in Sonmarg
Winter activities to do in Sonmarg are endless, but the view of the place makes the snowfall itself look exquisite. The pir panjal ranges are known for heavy snowfall, and the fog settles beautifully on the white-carpeted valley that Sonmarg becomes during this time. Light snowfall during the early months of winter is the best experience here as Sonmarg travelling can get a lot more dangerous as winter progresses. The open lands around Sonmarg hill station are great for children who want to play with snow or build snowmen.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 1 to 2 hours
11. Ride a pony to Thajiwas Glacier
Riding a pony to the icy Thajiwas Glacier is one of the most exciting things to do in Sonmarg. There is always an option to trek as well, but the pony ride is smooth and luxurious – and always a delight for children! You can meet many descendants of the Gujjar tribes here and learn about their culture. This Glacier is considered to be uniquely beautiful in its own way because of how enveloping the green vegetation feels all around The white slab of ice.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. It is best to avoid the Thajiwas Glacier during the winter months. This is why the ideal time to visit Thajiwas Glacier is between April and October.
A. The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is recommended for beginners as much as avid trekkers as long as the individual is medically fit enough to carry on the journey for the whole 7 days.
A. There are many places where you can enjoy a picnic in Sonmarg. These include the Yusmarg meadow, the banks of Nilagrad, Baltal Valley etc.
Conclusion
The perfect Sonmarg travel package is exactly what you need to escape from the tiring responsibilities of everyday life. Visiting Kashmir is now a reality with our comprehensive Kashmir travel packages and guides that will help you keep this trip affordable, safe and happening at all times! Contact our agent today to get an estimate for your next Kashmir journey.
