How to Reach Sonamarg – The Meadow of Gold

A pristine hill station in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is Sonamarg. It is located around 80 km from Srinagar towards the northeast. The hill station sits at an elevation of around 2800 km from sea level. The place is known for its snow-laden fields, enclosed by majestic glaciers and serene lakes. These will definitely leave you mesmerized. Sonamarg literally means ‘the meadow of gold’ and with snow-covered mountains, it is as close to heaven as it can get. Also, the Sindh River flows through the valley.

The great Himalayan glaciers like Kolhoi and Machoi envelope the hill station. This gave rise to the famous Three Sisters of Kashmir Valley. Also, one can’t miss out on the towering peaks like Kolhoi, Amarnath, Machoi and Sirbal which makes Sonamarg a popular place for adventure sports tourism.

The hill station is also a base camp for many trekking routes. These treks will lead you to the mountain lakes such as Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar. The valley of Sonamarg is divided into two sections by the Thajiwas range. One section is the Thajiwas spur popular for its camping site. The other side houses some stunning waterfalls and the Thajiwas glacier, which is the most breathtaking attraction of the place. Horses and ponies can be hired to reach the Thajiwas glacier.

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However, Sonamarg remains inaccessible during winters. The NH1D connecting it to the nearby places is shut down due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.

Sonamarg is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit the hill station is from April to June. During this time, you are likely to find wildflowers carpeting the valley. Also, during this time there is heavy pilgrim traffic for the Amarnath Yatra.

Suggested Read: Places to visit in Sonmarg

How to Reach Sonamarg by Air

( Tourist riding horse in Sonamarg Valley during winter, Snow covered Himalayan Mountains with pine trees and river, Sonmarg, Kashmir, India )

The state of Kashmir has an airport in Srinagar, which is the closest to Sonamarg. The Srinagar International Airport is connected to most Indian cities and also hosts international flights. It is most convenient as well to reach Sonamarg because from Srinagar airport the valley of Sonamarg is just 102 km away. The state also has an airport in Jammu but it is not convenient to travel from Jammu to Sonamarg. From Srinagar, you can book a taxi that will take you to Sonamarg.

Suggested Read: Kashmir Tour Packages

How to Reach Sonamarg by Rail

( Starting point before 2 hours of Sonamarg Horse Ride to summit, Sonamarg, Kashmir, India )

The nearest railway station to Sonamarg is located 360kms away in Jammu. There is another railway station in Udhampur, which is 293kms away but it is not very well connected to the major cities of India. Most popular trains from major cities in India come to the Jammu Tawi Railway Station. To reach Sonamarg in Kashmir, there are private buses and cabs available just outside the railway station.

How to Reach Sonamarg by Road

( Horses Grazing on a Hill of Sonamarg valley, Srinagar, India )

Sonamarg is accessible from Srinagar with ease. It is a short 87kms drive. You can either hire a car or take a bus journey to the hill station. If you want to drive from your base destination then you can do that too. Check out the accessible routes and plan your trip accordingly. The Jammu-Srinagar highway is in fair condition for a drive. The route is picturesque and the magnificent mountains will keep you company.