Sonmarg is one of the most visited places in Kashmir. There are many reasons for it being a highly preferred location among tourists in Kashmir. This destination hosts spectacular natural beauty, peaceful environment, rich natural resources, and spiritual locations. Sonmarg provides the only route to Ladakh region from the state of Jammu and Kashmir through the Zojila Pass. Sonmarg is located around 80 kilometres away from the Srinagar city in the Ganderbal district. Its elevation is 2,730 meters and it lies in the Greater Himalayan Range. It becomes one of best locations for a vacation in Kashmir.
Also check out our best Kashmir tour package.
Sonmarg hosts many luxurious staying options that will be more than enough for your peaceful stay at the natural surroundings of Sonmarg. Some options are “Raddison Hotel Sonmarg,” “Country Inn and Suites,” and “Lemon Tree Hotel.”
Cheap and comfortable stays are also available in Sonmarg with satisfying services and facilities. Some options are “Footprints Sonmarg,” and “Hotel Mughal India.”
You can find many purely vegetarian places in and around Sonmarg like “Dogra Vaishno Bhojnalay” restaurant. “Glacier Heights Restaurant,” and “Manoranjan Dhaba” are some other options among the many that you can find in and around Sonmarg.
There are lots and lots of places for non-vegetarian food lovers in Sonmarg. Some options among many include “Glacier Heights Restaurant,” “Zeeshan Hotel and Restaurant” and “Lolabi Kashmiri Wazwan.” You will be licking your fingers after tasting the rich cuisine of Kashmir
Thajwas Glacier Trek: Thajwas Glacier overlooks the Sonmarg Valley and beatifies the whole area. When you reach Sonmarg, you will see a large snowcapped mountain on your right side. This is the mighty Thajwas. It is not far from the main Sonmarg area and trekking to the place takes only few hours.
Gadsar Lake Trek: Gadsar Lake is a high altitude lake in the upper reaches of Sonmarg. It is a serene lake covered with wild flowers and appears to be a wonder of nature. Trekking to this lake takes nearly 3 days from Sonmarg.
Gangabal Lake Trek: Gangabal Lake is a sacred lake for Hindus in the upper reaches of Sonmarg. This lake is the largest alpine (high altitude) lake in the Kashmir Valley. It is a marvellous lake that stirs the soul of the person in front. This beauty is 3 to 4 days away from Sonmarg
Sonmarg’ is a Kashmiri word that breaks into two words, ‘Son’ and ‘Marg.’ The former translates to ‘gold’ and the latter means ‘a meadow.’ This is why it is sometimes called the ‘Golden Meadow.’ Some say that when the sun sets and rises in Sonmarg, the sunrays fall on the rugged mountains here, creating a golden landscape that cools the eyes
Sonmarg has a rich history attached to it. It has been a part of the historic Silk Route that would enable people to visit Tibet from Kashmir. It has also served a strategic location for Indian army in terms of relations with China. Sonmarg was a known destination from a long time. The Mughal Emperor Akbar is believed to have visited the area for hunting purposes. Sonmarg has remained a delightful location for tourists from a long time and still sees increase in tourist footfall every year.
Sonmarg serves as a high priority area for India because it falls on the only way to Ladakh from Kashmir. It is also in close proximity with the border Indo-Tibetan Border. The Army has set up the High Altitude Warfare School in Sonmarg for training of the special forces for high altitude warfare. The Baltal area in Sonmarg serves as another base camp for the Amarnath Yatra which gives it more importance. The biodiversity of the area is also diverse and many rare species have their home in the area. There are abundant natural resources in the area including forests, grasslands, lakes, glaciers and streams. The Sindh River in Sonmarg is one of the largest tributaries of the Jhelum River.
You must be familiar with the annual Amarnath Yatra that takes place every year between the months of June and August. The Yatra or pilgrimage is done by the Hindu community to the Amarnath Cave in the higher reaches of Sonmarg in Kashmir. The cave is considered holy and people take blessings at the cave near the ice lingam, which is a miracle to see. You can check the details of the yatra, like how to register and the schedule for the same on the website of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board
Sonmarg is not only an appealing place but it is a place that reconnects you with nature and your inner self. People get healed in the tranquil environment of Sonmarg and regain strength, courage and hope to tackle their problems in life. Overall, Sonmarg is a must-visit location in Kashmir and we should always keep it clean and green.
Both places have their own charm and both are best to visit. I recommend you to visit these both I you have extra time
There is proper network connectivity in Sonmarg. You can buy new simcards also from the Sonmarg market
There are a Jammu and Kashmir Bank ATM in the Sonmarg market which are accessible easily
There is a petrol pump in the Sonmarg market area which caters to a lot of vehicles daily
To protect yourself both physically and financially, you can impart certain practices while in Sonmarg. Keep your identity proofs with you all the time. Check weather before moving out. You will also need to check government rates of the tourist services to be safe from scammers
