Sonamarg –A Hill Resort on the Srinagar Leh Highway

Sonamarg meaning pathway to gold is the name given to this beautiful hill resort in Jammu and Kashmir. It seems, this breathtakingly gorgeous valley, enriched with sycamore, alpine flowers, fir, silver birch, and pine trees, got its name due to two reasons - the first one being that there is a well in this valley that is believed to be capable of turning anything into gold. The other reason is that this place leads to Central Asia. Sonamarg is located 2740 meters above sea level and is about 80 kilometers from Srinagar. Like other places of the Kashmir valley this place has got some great adventure sports for you in store.

You can indulge in fishing for trout and mahseer in the river Sind and the Krsihnasar Lake that flows through Sonamarg. You can engage in hiking and trekking if you desire. There are organized trekking camps from Sonamarg to Vishansar, Gangabal, and Krishnasar. There are many places worth sightseeing in Sonamarg. You should make it a point to visit the Nilagrad. There are Baltics in this place. The Sind river that is reddish brown in color is thought of having many curative properties.

Get a view of the graceful Vishansar, Krishansar, and Gangabal lakes of Sonamarg from Nichnai Pass. To satiate your adventurous spirits you can go on an excursion to Baltal. 20 kms from Sonamarg is the Zoji-la Pass, which stands 3540 m above sea level and gives you access towards Ladakh. Amarnath, the sacred place of Hindus lies close by. Don’t miss out on the Yushwang picnic spot and Thajiwas glaciers.

Your Jammu and Kashmir travel deal should include railways (from Jammu), roadways (from Srinagar), or airways (from Badgam) journey to this place, located on the Srinagar Leh highway. You can ask your travel agent to book an airline ticket for you from Badgam. Lodging can be arranged at the government tourism bungalows.