Literally meaning the valley of Gold, Sonamarg is a famous tourist destination located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of feet above the sea level, Sonamarg is primarily known for Amarnath Yatra. Apart from the annual Yatra it is also visited for its meadows, view points and trekking spots and Sind River. The valleys remains closed from November till March owing to the heavy snowfall but small amounts of snow can be experienced even in March and April.
By Air: Kashmir is connected with all the major cities of India by Air. The Srinagar International Airport (SXR) is located at a distance of 80 kilometers from Sonamarg.
By Train: Kashmir does not have train connectivity with India as of now. You can come to Jammu Railway Station and from there you can hire a cab and reach Banihal. From there you can take a train to Srinagar.
By Road: The most convenient way of coming to Kashmir is through the Road. You can hire a cab from Delhi or more conveniently in Jammu. You can also hire a Self-driving car.
Once you reach Srinagar, the way becomes more comfortable and local. Sonamarg is at a distance of almost 80 kilometers from Srinagar which can be covered in just 3 hours. At some places, the road can be tight and only two ways, but mostly the road is vast and in excellent condition. You can travel through Shared Cab that will take you from Parimpora, Srinagar to Kangan, and then another cab will take you to Sonamarg. However, the best way to reach Sonamarg is through a hired taxi or self-drive car. Because the road is complemented by roadside views and you would want to stop for some sightseeing.
Srinagar > Wayil > Kangan > Gund > Sonamarg
You can hire taxi service from Srinagar that can directly drop you at Sonamarg and will take you back to Srinagar. You can also add the place in your Kashmir tour package and the plan accordingly; this is the most convenient and comfortable way to reach Sonamarg.
Shared Taxi Service is available for Sonamarg. You can board a Sumo at Sumo Stand Parimpora, Srinagar which will drop you at Kangan. Then you have to take another Cab that will drop you at Sonamarg.
Bus Service is available for Sonamarg. You can board a bus from Bus Stand Srinagar that will drop you directly at Sonamarg. However, this bus stop at most places to board on road passengers and can easily take https://tripmore.in/best-kashmiri-food-to-eat/
You can also reach Sonamarg on a Bike. This is always frequented by bikers who want to go Ladakh. The road side view is beautiful with forests, alpine trees, small villages and vast walnut fields. You can also rent a bike of your choice.
Check out Bike Rental in Srinagar
if you want to make of most of your journey to Sonamarg, you can book a 4×4 SUVs like Scorpio or Thar
You can also visit Sonamarg in your own car. If you have a 4×4 SUV car, you can drive and enjoy the roadside view as well
| Srinagar to Sonmarg Taxi Service Price | Price |
|---|---|
| Srinagar to Sonmarg in a Etios Car | Rs 2800/- |
| Srinagar to Sonmarg in a Tavera MUV | Rs 2800/- |
| Srinagar to Sonmarg in a Swift Dzire Car | Rs 2900/- |
| Srinagar to Sonmarg in a Innova SUV | Rs 3300 |
| Srinagar to Sonmarg in a Innova Crysta SUV | Rs 3700 |
Sonamarg has one of the best tourist accommodation systems. There are many 5 star properties that can make your trip more comfortable and beautiful.
Sonamarg also has a multiple 4 Star accommodation system. You can check the following hotels as well.
Sonamarg also has some 3 star properties that are budget friendly and include:
Sonamarg is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kashmir. The best season to visit Sonamarg is Late Spring and summer. The summer season, however, receives the most tourist footfall.
Sonamarg in summer: Sonamarg in summer is one of most famous tourist destinations, arguably, in the world. Sonamarg opens its wide arms open to welcome its guests by the beginning of April. The vast meadows open up; the snow evaporates and thus begins the summer tourism in Sonamarg.
Summer season in Sonamarg is characterized by Trekking, pony rides and a visit to Baltal. Tourists also visit the base of Thajiwas Glacier to enjoy snow. Tourists traverse the meadows of Sonamarg with enchanting Pony rides amongst the greenish meadows Sightseeing and Photography are also enjoyed.
Summer season in Sonamarg is also known for Amarnath Yatra. The Yatra starts during the month of July and moves forward till August.
Sonamarg in winter: Sonamarg is not accessible during the peak of winter. Winter begins here during late November and snow starts to fall. You can visit those places during late November or then in late march and early April onwards.
Sonamarg, as high altitude destination it is, receives its first snowfall in late November or as late as early December. This brings with it the most exhilarating view of the meadows and dense grey forests behind.
Sonamarg has the most variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food in Kashmir. Apart from traditional Kashmiri Cuisine, Sonamarg also has best non-vegetarian food available. Some of the food in Sonamarg is:
Sonamarg is a small hill station in the Ganderbal District of central Kashmir. You can enjoy a couple of day’s trip to Sonamarg and visit all the places. You can enjoy major places trip in one day only.
Thajiwas Glacier: Thajiwas Glacier is situated at an altitude of 9186 feet above the sea level. You cannot visit the glacier per se but you can trek to its base and enjoy some snow as well as flowing water stream. Not far from there are some small eateries where you can enjoy local Chai or Kehwa. You can trek to this place or can take a more entertaining and comfortable trip.
Baltal Valley: Baltal Base Camp is located at a distance of almost 14 kilometers from Sonamarg. It is a vast meadow that acts as a base camp for the Annual Amarnath Yatra. However, the place is also a major tourist attraction, with all the basic enmities available.
Sarbal Village: Sarbal is the last village of Kashmir division from the Sonamarg side. This small helmet is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Sonamarg and is considered an ideal location for camping. You can visit this village and immerse in the local culture. You can also ride a pony to reach this place.
Zojila Pass: Zoji La Pass is one of the most visited places in Sonamarg. This is a high altitude pass that opens the way for Leh. It is mostly covered in snow and you can visit the place to enjoy Snow Mobile
Also see, Book Shikara Ride in Dal Lake
May: May is beginning of summer tourism in Sonamarg. The snow starts to dry up and the nature is born again. The view of the pristine nature, beautiful meadows and peaks is mesmerizing. As a picnic spot, Sonamarg shows its true colors during May when the snow is still available on the peaks nearby.
June: June begins the peak season of summer in Sonamarg. The beauty is at its peak with a view of the pristine nature, beautiful meadows as well as tall and shining Himalayan peaks. This month is ideal for Trekking especially to the Baltal valley and Thajiwas Glacier.
July: July is the warmest of months to visit Sonamarg. The weather is stable and warm to enjoy your trekking, camping and sightseeing. You can also enjoy riding horses to travel between places and engulf the whole view.
August: August is another month with warm and stable weather. This month is best for Camping, Photography as well as trekking and Camping. However, this is the peak month of Amarnath Yatra which can cause you undue stress due to crowd and fragmented facilities.
September: September is the month when the snow has completed evaporated from the nearby hills and gives a more diverse view of the meadows and alpine forests behind. You can also enjoy picnicking as well as outdoor lunch by the river Sind.
March: if the snow is not heavy, you can enjoy some snow as well as some snow activities during this month. Being in Sonamarg and witnessing the snow falling on the bare meadows as well as on trees and mountain peaks is an adventure in itself. Other activities you can enjoy are sledging, snow mobile etc.
Also see, Houseboats in Kashmir
Sonamarg is a heaven for both adventure lovers and those seeking calm and pleasure in the tranquil valleys of Sonamarg. Some of the activities you can enjoy on your trip to Sonamarg are as follows:
Water Rafting in Sonamarg: in Sonamarg you can also enjoy water rafting in the famous Sind River. The rafting is available for most of the year at affordable rates. This is an exquisite service that can give you memories to cherish all your life
We visited Sonamarg in late May. Sonamarg is most beautiful during early onset of summer. We left early in the morning to enjoy the early breakfast in Wayil, next to the fast flowing Sind River. From there, without wasting a single moment, we went directly to Sonamarg. Sonamarg was quite welcoming in the fresh morning air.
The road trip to Sonamarg is an adventure in itself. You can be a part of the roadside view, enjoying the serene view of hills, trees and nearby flowing water streams. We enjoyed the trip so much so that we stopped many times for sightseeing.
We started with a little photoshoot in the meadows of Sonamarg. Sonamarg also is abode to some papyrus trees – the paper of times gone by. After this we started our trek to Thajiwas Glacier. Enjoyed the trek next to the flowing streams; we reached the snow patches beneath the Glacier.
After enjoying the serene view by the Thajiwas, we were all set to trail back when it started to rain. The rains can be very spontaneous in Sonamarg. We had to wait for a good 20-25 minutes before finding our way back. After enjoying our lunch in the meadows of Sonamarg, we rode pony to reach the beautiful village of Sarbal.
Sarbal was most beautiful during this time. We enjoyed our pony ride to Sarbal, engaged in talks with some local residents there. We enjoyed the beautiful nature, astonished by the simplicity of life there, and started to come back.
On our way back to Srinagar, we stopped near Gund to enjoy some River Rafting. River rafting in Sonamarg is one of the most exquisite feelings to enjoy. After immersing in this lovely adventure we made our way back to Sonamarg.
On our way back to Srinagar, we stopped again at Wayil to enjoy some snack. While the night was falling on the valley, we enjoyed tea along with some Paneer Pakoda to mark the end of our journey
Sonamarg is a high-altitude hill station located in the midst of Himalayan peaks. The weather here remains warm, not hot, during summer and slightly dipped during autumn and spring. Winter is Sonamarg is very cold and freezing.
Weather in Sonamarg in summer: during summer, the weather in Sonamarg is pleasant and warm making it ideal for outdoor activities and trekking. The average temperature ranges between 11-25 degrees with not mild clouds.
Weather in Sonamarg in winter: Winter is the coldest season in Sonamarg. The temperature here dips to even -11 degrees and it snows frequently. It is mostly not accessible in winter.
Weather in Sonamarg in spring: Spring is filled with intermittent rain and even sometimes snow. This makes the temperature fall down to even -1 or 0 degrees and can make the trip more beautiful.
Weather in Sonamarg in autumn: Autumn is the season of farewell and golden. As the name suggests, Sonamarg – the valley of gold – is most beautiful in autumn. The temperature dips in autumn, and you can enjoy the most pristine beauty in Sonamarg in autumn
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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
The Sonamarg is located at a height of 8960 feet above sea level. It is a famous tourist location to enjoy during summers.
Sonamarg is located in the central district of Ganderbal in Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for Amarnath Yatra apart from its beautiful landscapes, meadows and forests.
No, you don’t permission to visit Sonamarg.
Sonamarg is best to visit during summers. However, you can also visit Sonamarg in winter.
The upper peaks of Sonamarg have snow throughout the year but the meadows and valleys do not
have snow during summers.
To Book Taxi service for Sonamarg all you have to do is contact Tripmore on 7051909192.
Tripmore is the most trusted taxi and tour package service in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sonamarg is located at a distance of almost 80 kilometers from Srinagar.
Sonamarg is famous for its meadows, trekking and Amarnath Yatra.
Yes, Sonamarg is the most pristine places in Kashmir Valley. It is known for its vast meadows,
trekking and camping.
Sonamarg is known for its special landscapes, meadows, Thajiwas glacier and Amarnath Yatra.
Best Months to visit Sonamarg are May to October. You can also visit in November, February
and March.
Sonamarg is a major tourist destination in Kashmir. It is certainly safe to stay and enjoy your stay
there.
You can easily rent a car to go from Srinagar to Sonamarg.
Sonamarg is also known as the Meadow of Gold.
