Sonmarg

The last valley before Ladakh: the Thajiwas glacier, the Sind river and the road up to Zojila. Most people visit on a long day trip from Srinagar.

Sonmarg sits on the Sind river about 80 km from Srinagar, roughly two and a half to three hours by road. It is the last Kashmiri valley before the highway climbs over Zojila into Ladakh. The name means meadow of gold. Most people see it as a long day trip, but stay a night if you want to walk to the glacier without watching the clock.

The Thajiwas glacier is the main outing. It is a short pony ride or a walk of about two hours, through silver birch with the valley opening out behind you, and snow usually lasts there well into July.

The drive up over Zojila to Zero Point depends on the pass being open and on the weather that day. The road is rough and slow, and it is mostly worth it if you have not seen snow anywhere else on your trip. Sonmarg is also the starting point for the Kashmir Great Lakes trek.

Go between May and October. Earlier in the season there is more snow near the road, and by late summer the valley is at its greenest.