Sonmarg - Jammu & Kashmir

Tourism

In the summer months this hillstation area is visited for the day by many down country tourists from the various parts of Northern India. Sonamarg is a place of enthralling beauty. Three lakes viz Kishensar, Vishensar and Gangabal can be viewed from Nichnai Pass. 20 Kms east of Sonamarg is Zoji-La Pass at 3540 m. which leads into Ladakh Plateau. It is also an exciting place for adventure sports.

Nilagrad

Amongst the many spots worth visiting is the Nilagrad. Nilagrad is a colony of the Baltics where a small stream meets the Mountain River Sindh. It is 6 kms. away from Sonmarg. The water of the river is reddish in colour. The Baltics believe that the reddish color of water is due to its curative power of many diseases. So, inhabitants of the colony visit this river every Sunday.

Nichnai Pass
Nichnai Pass is the vintage point to view the breathtakingly beautiful lakes of Vishansar, Krishansar and Gangabal. Adding to the beauty of Sonamarg is the Bisansar Lake & Krishnasar Lake. There is walking distance from west of Sonamarg to cross the Nichinai pass to Gangabal Lake.

Sind River and Haramukh

First to reach the trailhead, go 2 miles down valley from Sonamarg toward Srinagar to the bridge below the tightly clustered houses of Shitkari village, where the road crosses the Sind River. Across the river from this small village, begin walking on the true Right Bank to the lakes called Krishan Sar and Vishan Sar, and beyond to Gangabal Lake near Haramukh, the highest peak in the vicinity of the Kashmir valley. From the Shitkari Bridge, follow the trail up the ridge into a pine forest where you have last views of Sonamarg. Alternate routes to haramukh can also be taken. One good approach route begins by taking a bus from Srinagar to Bandipur. At Bandipur change vehicles or walk to Erin village, and hike up the Erin valley. At Ishrantar village the valley divides, and you must take either the northern fork, keeping Haramukh to your right, or the southern valley to Sarbal Lake, south of the Haramukh. Either way you can get around Haramukh peak to reach Gangabal Lake.

Kishanganga

Kishanganga from the Shitkari Bridge keep climbing the ridge around 5,000 feet up, mostly through forest, to the Nichinai pass. The western slopes of the Nichinai pass will have patches of snow into July, attesting to kashmir’s heavy winter snowfall. Here you are at the head of a tributary of the Kishangangaj; to the south lie needle peaks and small glaciers.

Bisansar Lake & Krishnasar Lake

There is a lake in every corner of the Himalayas and there is one at Sonamarg also. The road proceeds from Sonamarg to Bisansar Lake via Nichinai Pass. Crossing the river at Nichinai Pass stands the Bisansar Lake at an altitude of 4,084m, with its lovely natural beauty. Beside the lake is the Krishnasagar Lake at an altitude of 3,801m, popular for Trout fishing. Krishnasagar is head of a tributary. If you walk downward through Kishanganga, then angle up to the west across the valley floor to reach as yet unseen two lakes. Vishan Sar is found at just over 12,000 feet and is slightly larger than Krishansar at 12,500 feet. From Krishan Sar, the trail toward Gangabal continues via a zigzag route northwest up to the near ridge.

Satsaran lake

As you cross the ridge northwest of Krishan Sar, move down to Gad Sar, cross a snow bridge, then rise again to a high ridge that holds the Satsaran lake, where you have excellent views northward.

Zajibal Pass

Zajibal pass is also known as gateway to Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. Here you can have a clear view of Gangabal Lake 2,000 feet below, 16,872-foot Haramukh above. For this alpine trek over the Nichinai to Gangabal Lake and down the Wangat valley, you will need about seven days. This is the most dangerous pass in the region.

Sonamarg - Adventure Travel (Trekking and River Rafting)
Gulamarg and Sonamarg are not just two hill resort destinations of Kashmir; they also make the ultimate adventure zone of the Kashmir valley. Sonamarg mainly offers lots of recreational activities like trekking and hiking trails, which attract the adventure-seeking tourists. Trekking can be undertaken to Thajiwas, a small valley at the foot of the Sonamarg glacier which is very beautiful. A path leads up to the Shakhdar hill, overlooking the glacier from the northeast. It is dangerous to climb the steep slope leading up to the glacier. Sledging at the frozen Glaciers is also offered by locals. The adventure seekers may opt for trekking trails from Sonamarg to lakes of Vishansar, Krishansar and Gangabal. You can  also do Angling but a license is required for this. You can take long walks in the jungles and explore rich flora and fauna. Sonamarg is also the base camp to Amarnath Cave for the route of Bal Tal. Alpine Skiing is also available at high altitudes. A Popular trek from Sonamarg to Pahalgam can also be undertaken. Prior arrangements can be had from JKTDC at Srinagar or various tour operators in the valley. Some probability of white water rafting is also available downstream from Sonmarg.

Excursions to Sonmarg

Baltal
This beautiful meadow is right at the foot of the Zoji La pass and thus is the final place in Kashmir. The river from the foot of the Amarnath glacier meets the Indus near Baltal. It stands at a height of 2,743m and during the Amarnath pilgrimage there are tents set up here. It is possible to walk to the Amarnath cave, more usually approached from Pahalgam, in one day. Check about conditions before departing, though. The weather can be treacherous and at other times melting snow and ice make the route very dangerous. There's now a jeep road most of the way to the cave. The turn off to Baltal is at 94-km on the Leh road, and then it's 3-km or so downhill.

Yushmarg

Yushmarg is another picnic spot in close proximity to Sonamarg. If one can take some time out, then take tour of Yushmarg in daytime. Buses on conducted tours run to Yushmarg thrice a week. 47-km southwest of Srinagar amidst pines and firs lay the vale - Yushmarg (2,700m) at the slope of the Pir Panjal ranges. It is a beautiful pasture as well as a nice picnic spot.

Thajiwas

Thajiwas is one of the most popular short walks from Sonamarg and a major attraction during the summer months. It is 4-km route to Thajiwas, a small valley at the foot of the Sonamarg glacier. A path leads up to the Shakhdar hill, overlooking the glacier from the northeast. It is dangerous to climb the steep slope leading up to the glacier. The miniature plateaus, snowfields, pines and islets add to the charm of Thajiwas. Thajiwas is a short and interesting walk from Sonamarg in Jammu Kashmir. During daytime one can take the 3-mile horseback ride west, then south, to the Thajiwas glacier.

How to reach Sonmarg

By Air: The nearest Airport is in Badgam Distt. This Airport is connected with major cities of India.

By Rail: Sonamarg is in Srinagar District on the Srinagar Leh Highway approx.110 Kms from Srinagar.The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu and from there National Highway (NH-1A) connects the Kashmir valley with India.Assistance is available at Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar.

By Road: Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis plies on this Highway.It takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountainous road which crosses some beautiful spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel linking Kashmir Valley with India. Bus service is available from Srinagar which leaves at fixed time from the Srinagar Bus stand. Taxis and other sort of transport can be hired from Srinagar at pre-fixed rates.