Sonmarg
~2,800m · the "Meadow of Gold," and the gateway to Ladakh over the Zoji La.
The last stop before the road climbs into Ladakh.
Sonmarg sits at the point where the Kashmir valley gives way to the high mountains — the Zoji La pass just beyond it is the gateway on the Srinagar–Leh highway. The Thajiwas Glacier, an easy pony ride or walk from town, is the main draw for a day visit, alongside a handful of high alpine lakes further in on trekking routes.
It's as much a staging point as a destination — the natural overnight before or after crossing into Ladakh.
A glacier by pony, lakes by trekking boot.
- 01Thajiwas GlacierA short pony ride or walk from Sonmarg — snow underfoot even in the height of summer.
- 02Vishansar & Krishansar LakesTwin alpine lakes reached on multi-day treks from Sonmarg.
- 03Zoji LaThe high pass connecting Kashmir to Ladakh, seasonal like most passes at this altitude.
Best time & getting here.
Best Time to Visit
April–October. Zoji La typically closes with heavy winter snow.
Getting Here
Roughly 80km, about 2–3 hours, from Srinagar — the first leg of the Srinagar–Leh highway.
Activities
Glacier visits, pony rides, multi-day treks to the alpine lakes further in.
Good To Know
If Sonmarg is part of a route into Ladakh, we build the Zoji La crossing around current road and weather conditions — it's genuinely weather-dependent.