If there is a land that is pure gold, it is Sonamarg! Located in Kashmir, Sonamarg is a trekker’s paradise. Attractive beyond our mind’s reach, Sonamarg tourist places are filled with lush green meadows, valleys that bloom with a variety of flowers, alpine trees, mountains that touch the skies, glaciers, stunningly azure lakes, and streams.
During the winter when the thick of snow sets in, tourists can indulge in skiing, sledding, glacier trekking, and the like. The tourist places in Sonamarg, are also popular for white water rafting. For adventure enthusiasts who wish to experience the beauty of its valleys and meadows as they float their way, there are places to visit in Sonamarg for rafting.
Surrounded by Himalayan peaks and mountain ranges for trekkers of all levels, the place is also common among campers en route to Ladakh. Sonamarg is also a base for tourists who undertake the Amarnath Yatra. An ideal destination for nature lovers, enjoy some quiet as you cool your feet in the white water streams and watch the clouds moving over the mighty Himalayas, it is sure to take your breath away!
Must Visiting Places
1. Nilagrad River
Nilagrad River is a fascinating place that Sonamarg has to offer. Everything – right from the coniferous pine trees to the swiftly flowing rivers, and from the greenish pastries(alpine meadows) to the never-ending hills, the ambiance of Nilagrad River is undoubtedly a magical memory. It would leave no stone unturned and is sure to cast an enchanting and splendid spell on anyone visiting it. It is located beautifully in the Gander Bal District, Sonamarg.
2. Yusmarg
It is located magnificently, near the Chanapora Bypass Road. Yusmarg is one of the must-visit places in Sonamarg since it is more than a beautiful place to offer solace and peace to the body and mind. Renowned as the “Meadow of Jesus,” it assures one to stay calm and stately, far from the hustle and bustle of normal life. Thus, it is a perfect place for an individual who wishes to be surrounded by peace and quietness all the time.
3. Thajiwas Glacier
The glacier is a perfect spot for trekking as well as camping. 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. There are also the 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.
4. Baltal
Set at an altitude of 2743 m, Baltal suffices as a halt destination just about perfectly for all the religious Amarnath Cave pilgrims. At a distance of 14 km from Amarnath, this place serves as the base camp for devotees with adequate arrangements of pitch tents to spend the night. Apart from this, Baltal is also renowned for its picturesque environment. It is near renowned towns like Srinagar, Paha gam and Sonamarg.
5. Satsar Lake
Located in the Gander Bal district of Kashmir and at an enthralling elevation of 3,610 meters, Satsar Lake is one of the best places to visit in Sonamarg. Literally translating into seven lakes, this beautiful conflux houses seven clustered alpine lakes that are interconnected to each other in a cascading formation.
6. Gadsar Lake
Set at a stunning height of 5,000 meters with the breathtaking Himalayas in the backdrop, Gadsar Lake is one of the best places to visit in Sonamarg in April for those who want to witness a frozen paradise. Much famed as the Lake of Flowers or the Yemsar Lake, it literally translates into the lake of fishes as it is serves as a proud home to not only the endangered brown trout fishes but also the breathtaking alpine meadows, wild flowers, and floating icebergs.
7. The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is an eight-day trek that takes you through some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the Kashmir Valley. Starting with temperate forests of pine and spruces, firs and deodars to vast lush green meadows and grasslands, the entire trek is accompanied by snow – clad peaks and pristine blue lakes. The gushing streams, rocky terrains and villages will make this trip all the more unique and memorable. The trek is for those, who want to explore the hidden valleys and nature’s raw beauty of Kashmir.
8. Nichinai Pass
The route is also the major road to numerous destinations around the valley, like the Nilagrad River, Zoji La Pass, Thajiwas Glacier, Baltal Valley, and many more. The glory and charisma of the lakes nearby are blessings to mankind. Travelers can use various low-lying areas at Nichinai Pass for camping and relaxing. However, you must hire a tourist guide to get to this location. After an hour of trek, a luncheon spot welcomes you with a panoramic view of the Nichinai waterfall, enclosed by lovely vegetation. Enjoying delicious cuisine while seeing a white water line falling flawlessly into the river below is the perfect combination.
9. Zojila Pass
It provides its travelers, some of the beautiful and most magnificent views of the snowy and mighty Himalayas. It is an enlightening journey, too. It is because it doesn’t only offer mere scenic beauty but also a harsh history. The pass has bone-chilling winters, but the spring season welcomes the travelers with the blooms and greenery engulfs of the season spread over the entire topography of Zoji La. The beautiful views of the Himalayas and Ladakh from Zojila Pass, make it one of the highly popular tourist destinations in Sonamarg and India, too.
10. Gangabal Lake
A cascading river at the foothills of Mount Harmukh, Sonamarg sightseeing is so not complete without including a visit to the mesmerizing Gangabal Lake. Drawing its resources from the natural springs and glaciers, Gangabal Lake is one of the best places to visit in Sonamarg in June for those who’re looking forward to enjoying the best of trekking in the heart of Kashmir.
11. Trekking in Sonamarg
With plenty of trekking trails traced on the map of this town, Sonamarg is a delight for trekkers. Challenging mountain ranges, pristine lakes, and plateaus make the region of Sonamarg suitable for all types of treks. Machoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, Sirbal Peak, and Kolahoi Peak are popular peaks for trekking.
12. 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. Shutkari Bridge, is well-known for its white-water rafting. The adventure begins here with a long rafting journey from Baltal to Shutkari Bridge, where you can get a burst of adrenaline thrills. One of the most intriguing and exciting ways to see Sonamarg is by exploring this bridge. Although rafters of all skill levels can have fun here, the beauty of the bridge is what captures their attention.
13. Vishansar Lake
Renowned as the “Lake of Vishnu,” the Vishansar Lake reflects the cultural heritage of Kashmir and India, too. It is one of those best places; one must visit Sonamarg for the great significance it possesses. Located at the mean sea level of about 3,710 meters, near Nichinai Pass, it is one of the most popular oligotrophic lakes. Oligotrophic lakes are the ones that contain a large quantity of oxygen, which should be the must-visit of a Kashmir holiday.
14. Walnut orchards
The walnut orchards are exciting destination in Sonamarg. Walnut Orchards pleases its visitors with their lovely blossoming and ripening of walnuts from its flowers. Vibrant in their rustic beauty, a visit to this green place is the most excellent way to feel as close as possible to nature. Local people as well as foreigners love these orchards alike. The scenic beauty of Sonamarg, adds on and on, continuously with such destinations making it more enjoyable.
15. Krishnasar Lake
Krishnasar Lake is located in the Gander Bal district of Jammu and Kashmir. This pristine waterbody is surrounded by lush green meadows, snow-capped mountains, and dense forests, this lake is a popular tourist destination for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and photographers alike. The lake is a popular spot for camping under the stars, picnicking, and fishing in crystal-clear waters.
The lake is also home to a variety of fish species, including brown trout and rainbow trout, making it a popular spot for anglers. It is surrounded by breathtaking views of the Himalayan Mountains and the pine and deodar forests that are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and visitors can spot a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, bearded vultures, and Himalayan monals.
16. Hung Park
Situated amid the Sind River, Hung Park is one of the excellent transit halt locations on the way to Sonamarg. The park lies 6.8 km from Sonamarg on the Srinagar- Leh route and was constructed by the Forest Department to foster ecotourism in Sonamarg. A perfect place for spectacular vistas, the park is an ideal picnic spot that also has a play area with a trampoline for toddlers. There are beautiful cafeterias available in the park that offer a wide variety of food. Covered with a thick blanket of snow, winters are an ideal time to visit the place.
17. Buddhist Temples
Buddhist Temples are found in destinations in a smaller radius – close to Sonamarg. These beautiful shrines are located in regions in and around Sonamarg, just like the sacred Hindu temples. Tourists from various parts of India visit the temples since they are in their original state and are ambiently surrounded by nature. It is a surreal location that is hidden in Sonamarg. It is a little hideout for peace, solace as well as relaxation. It is of no doubt that Sonamarg offers various natural wonders, that humans irresistibly fall in love with. Meanwhile, the landmarks like the Buddhist temples, add to the aesthetic as well as sacred value for Sonamarg.
18. Kheer Bhawani temple
Kheer Bhawani temple, a holy temple that wins the heart of its visitors by its flamboyant style of being winsome yet straightforward, is dedicated to the Goddess Kheer Bhawani. Located gently and quietly in the center of a natural spring, it attracts a large number of tourists who are curious to know it links, and it’s a contextual reference in Indian mythology. The architecture is simple yet appealing. Wholly made of gray stone, it is enchanting and alluring.
19. Naranag Temple
Naranag Temple is a group of temples built to worship Lord Shiva. They are skillfully and beautifully made, and thus it’s sure that they will leave you mesmerized. The surrounding ambiance is also great and is a visual delight that photograph enthusiasts couldn’t resist, but come back again and again for more photos.
