Sonamarg is a picturesque hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, located 80km north-east of Srinagar. At an elevation of around 2800 km from sea level, Sonamarg is known for its snow-laden fields, surrounded by majestic glaciers and serene lakes which casts subtle spells on the travellers.

Sonamarg is enveloped by the great Himalayan glaciers – Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier – and gives rise to the famous Three Sisters of Kashmir Valley. Towering over this charming hill town are the peaks like Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, Machoi Peak and Sirbal Peak which makes Songamarg a popular place for adventure sports tourism.

Sonamarg acts as the base camp for the trekking routes which leads to the mountain lakes such as Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar. The Sonamarg Valley is divided into two halves by the Thajiwas range – on one side is the fir-covered Thajiwas spur popular for its camping site. The other side houses some stunning waterfalls and the Thajiwas glacier which is the prime attraction of this place. Sonamarg remains inaccessible during winters as the NH1D connecting it to the nearby places closed down due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.

Thajiwas Glacier, Sonamarg Overview

Thajiwas Glacier which lies at a distance of 3 km from Sonamarg in Kashmir is an exquisite beauty situated 3000 m above sea level covered in snow all through the year. The glacier is one of the most significant assets of Jammu and Kashmir and a must-visit for all the nature and trekking lovers. One gets to experience the beauty of the glacier by trekking all the way there from Sonamarg. There is also the option of hiring a pony to get to the glacier. On the way to the glacier, the tourists get to witness the beauty of the silver shining frozen lake along with all the greenery around. The contrast of both of them is what makes it enchanting to the eyes. On the way, the tourists also come across Gujjar tribes who have their camps set up and earn their livelihood here.

In addition to all this, alpine meadows are scattered all over in the Thajiwas Glacier along with numerous waterfalls which make the region appear like heaven on earth. This makes the glacier one of the most famous and most visited tourist attractions of Sonamarg. The tourists get to ride the sledge during the summer season too. The glacier is a perfect spot for trekking as well as camping.

This glacier offers a perfect escape from the scorching heat of the summers along with a peaceful environment to restore all your senses. The beautiful scenes of horses grazing in the grasslands, fir and pine trees growing in the forests nearby, small streams covering the place and local Gujjar kids playing cricket in the vicinity is what makes the glacier a treat to the eyes. It remains covered in snow throughout the year, so winter visitors must not fret. Set up a camp, get some tea and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings.

Zoji-La Pass

Zoji La is a high mountain pass located in the Dras, near Ladakh, at an altitude of 3528 m above the sea level. Connecting Kashmir to Dras and Suru Valley, Zoji La is known as one of the world’s most dangerous mountain roads. Translating to “mountain pass of blizzards”, it remains closed during winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.

Given the altitude and the places it travels to, Zoji La pass is known for its extraordinarily beautiful views and landscapes. Certain parts of the pass, especially, can be a bit of a dangerous ride, hence one must travel down this one, only with a seasoned driver, used to such steep and playful turns and roads.

Vishansar Lake

A little outside Sonamarg, Vishansar Lake is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake. At an altitude of 3710 m, it is a sparkling blue lake surrounded by lush green meadow, alpine flowers and white and silver mountains at a tantalizing distance. Popular as the Lake of Vishnu, the Vishansar Lake is known for the many species of fish it houses, especially the brown tout.

The Vishansar Lake completely freezes during the winter while during the summer it is enveloped by lush green meadows. The scenic lake is a major attraction amongst trekkers in the Kashmir Valley.

White River Rafting

White water rafting is one of the popular things to do in Sonamarg. One can go for a long rafting expedition starting from Baltal and ending at Shutkari Bridge at Sonamarg. With variety of stretches available, one is sure to have a pleasure rafting trip, whether it be a novice, adventure seeker or experienced rafter.

Nilagrad River

Nilagrad River is a highly revered river, located 6km from Sonamarg. The reddish water of the river is believed to have medicinal properties which make it a popular tourist attraction. A lot of locals come here every Sunday to take a dip into its waters. The scenic beauty around the river is soothing.