Fondly known as the Meadow of Gold, Sonmarg is among India’s most-favourite hill stations. Snow-clad peaks, shimmery rivers, and rivulets, alpine meadows, thrilling treks, adventure sports, ancient temples, and deep green valleys. That’s Sonmarg for you. Endowed with unmatched picturesque beauty, Sonmarg is a must-visit hill station for all nature and travel lovers. Here are the top things to do in Sonmarg. By Karan Kaushik
Things to do in Sonmarg
Thajwas Glacier Trek
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Visiting the Thajwas Glacier is a quintessential Sonmarg experience. You can either do the short 3-km trek on foot or hire a pony. The trek takes you through gorgeous pastures, and lush forests, and culminates at a stunning viewpoint from where one can see magnificent snow-clad glaciers and mountains. On your way, you’ll also find little shops and eateries selling knickknacks. You can even hire a sledge to reach up to the snow point, which makes for quite an adventurous experience. These sledges are pulled by locals, who are extremely hospitable.
Gangabal Lake Trek
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If you are the kind who loves spending their vacations fishing and camping, Gangabal Lake Trek is for you. An oligotrophic lake, Gangabal offers fantastic opportunities for trout fishing. The lake also feeds Nundkol lake and merges with the Sindh River through Wangnath Nallah. You may fancy a night of camping amidst nature at either Nundkol or Gangbal.
Also Read: Here’s What Makes Dhak Bahiri Cave Trek The Most Thrilling Trek In Maharashtra
Vishansar Lake
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The pristine Vishansar Lake allows you to combine your love for angling, camping, birdwatching, and trekking. No wonder, it’s one of the most-loved attractions in Sonmarg. The oligotrophic lake sits at an elevation of 3,710 metres and lies at a distance of 20km from Sonmarg. Encompassed by mammoth jagged mountains on one side and splendid lush meadows on the other, the lake also offers nice opportunities for mahseer and trout fishing.
Satsar lake
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This cluster of seven inter-connected alpine lakes must not be missed when in Sonmarg. A part of the Great Lakes trek, Satsar is fed by melting glaciers. Snuggled amidst a narrow alpine valley, the lake and its surroundings are endowed with alpine vegetation that includes geum, blue poopy, gentian, potentilla, and Hedysarum flowers. If you wish to camp near the lake, Narang is the nearest settlement, which also serves as the basecamp for trekkers.
Gadsar Lake
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Perched at a height of 13,750 ft, this stunning lake is located 8km from Sonmarg in the Gandarbal district. The turquoise waters of the lake offer amazing reflections of the floating clouds and snowy mountains. The word gadsar stands for “lake of fishes”. The lake is home to a large number of brown trouts and makes for a great angling destination. The lake is also a part of the Great Lakes Trek. Thanks to the presence of alpine and flowery meadows that surround the lake, it is also known as the valley of flowers. The lake remains frozen from November to April.
White River Rafting
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Yes, you read that right. Sonmarg is a paradise for rafting enthusiasts. White river rafting began in Sonmarg in 2011 and currently, there are three stretches of wild water where you can raft. These are 3km, 10km, and 15km long. You can start at Bhatkal and raft up to Sonmarg’s Shutkari Bridge. River Sindh offers great opportunities for beginners as well as experts. The tourism department of Sonmarg also organises rafting competitions here.
River Nilagrad
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Located 91km from Srinagar in the Gandarbal district, the Nilagrad River is a prime attraction around Sonmarg. It is the meeting point of the mighty Indus River and a small mountain river. Locals believe that Nilagrad’s water has curative properties. The riverbed is flocked by tourists and locals in the droves, who come here to take a dip in its healing waters and enjoy a picnic amidst the picturesque surroundings.
Kheer Bhawani Temple
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Most tourists travelling to Sonmarg from Srinagar make sure to take a quick break at the fascinating Kheer Bhawani Temple, also spelt as Ksheer Bhawani Temple. Located 25km from the Tulip Gardens in Srinagar, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhawani. The temple is named so because devotees offer kheer, an Indian pudding to the Goddess. The quaint temple features a small natural spring pond, in which the idol of the deity is placed. This pond is surrounded by tall chinars, which add to the serenity of the temple.
Baltal Valley
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Known for its unparalleled and untrammelled scenic beauty, Baltal Valley is one of the most popular attractions in Kashmir. Nestled 15km north of Sonmarg, this pristine valley is blessed with snow-capped peaks, enchanting waterfalls, and massive glaciers. The valley is fed by the gurgling Sindh River. The drive to the valley from Sonmarg takes you along alpine forests while the Sindh River is a constant companion. From Baltal, one can also witness incredible views of the Zoji La Pass and the stunning mountainscape that surrounds it. Baltal valley also serves as the basecamp for the Amarnath Cave shrine pilgrimage. Moreover, the valley even offers amazing opportunities for camping.
Zoji La Pass
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Embark on a mountain drive of a lifetime from Sonmarg to the mighty Zoji La via Zero Point. Zero Point is one of those few places in India which receive snowfall throughout the year. When here, you can ski, take a sledge ride, or drive a snow scooter. The drive from Sonmarg to Zoji La also introduces you to the majestic Amarnath parbat. If travelling from Srinagar, it’s best to start early and make it Sonmarg by 10am, so you have ample time to spend at Zero Point. Zoji La is a high mountain pass which serves as the gateway to Ladakh and connects Srinagar with Kargil. It’s the second-highest mountain pass in India and must not be missed when in Sonmarg.
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