Sightseeing Highlights:
The mountains around Sonamarg are covered with several glaciers, one of the most famous being the Thajiswas Glacier. This scenic river of ice is set amidst lush meadows and foliage and is a three-km walk or pony ride. The town is also surrounded by numerous lakes, such as Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, Gangabal and Kishansar to name a few; each filled with crystal clear, blue waters and specks of ice, and each more breathtaking than the last. The scenic Nichnai Pass presents an excellent vantage point to see these lakes.
The much-visited Baltic tribe's settlement of Nilagrad is located nearby, at the junction of the Sindh River and a mountain stream. The waters of the stream are reddish in colour, and are believed to have medicinal properties; the locals bathe here every Sunday. The Zoji-la Pass, the main route into Ladakh, is set at an altitude of 3,540 m and offers striking views of the surrounding environs. It is also an exceptionally picturesque spot in its own right, as are Baltal, which lies at its base, and Yushmarg, a popular picnic site close by.
Other Activities:
The strategic location of Sonamarg makes it the ideal base for exploring the surrounding region. Several trekking and hiking trails head out from here, leading into Leh and Ladakh, as well as the dense jungles and lakes covering the nearby mountains. Other adventure activities such as skiing, white water rafting and sledging on glaciers are also plentiful.
The area's many lakes and rivers, especially the Sindh and Kishansar, are teeming with trout and mahaseer, and are great for fishing. The town also serves as a starting point for the yatra to the holy Amarnath Cave, situated a short distance from here. This sacred site attracts many devotees, mainly during the Sawan Purnima festival.
Tourism info:
J & K Tourism Development Corporation Limited,
Tourist Reception Centre,
Srinagar.
Tel: 0194-474060, 475915, 476107, 472644
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and enchanting in its natural beauty, the hill resort of Sonamarg is situated at a height of 2,740 m in the beautiful valley of Kashmir. This charming little town is commonly referred to as the 'Meadow of Gold', a title it is believed to have earned because of the profusion of colours that seem to cover the landscape in the form of alpine flowers, dense forests of silver birch, pine and fir trees, and the clear waters of the Sindh River, meandering through the town. The label could also be traced back to a legend that purports that Sonamarg is home to a secret well whose water turns everything into gold.
While the town itself is extremely picturesque, the drive up to it, via the Sindh Valley is spectacular as well. In addition to its appeal as a scenic destination, Sonamarg also holds a position of geographical significance. It is the main gateway to the fascinating region of Ladakh, and also served as the chief route into Central Asia at one point of time.
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