Main Info
Sonamarg
Visit Sonamarg to admire the fields laced with flowers under a blanket of snow in the winters. The surrounding glaciers and pristine lakes will only make your experience more serene.
Sonamarg is the ‘land of gold’, quite literally. It is located in the valley of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of 2800 m above sea level. The place is home to exquisite natural beauty. The majestic glaciers and the lakes that surround it also make for popular tourist attractions. One popular tourist destination is Nilagrad. It is the colony of Baltics and offers stunning landscapes. Make pristine lakes can be found in Sonamarg. Some of these mountain lakes in and around Sonamarg are Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar. Of all, Vishansar is best known for the scenic views. Kishansar is located at a height of 3801 m above sea level and is best known for trout fishing activities.
An Adventure Hub
The landscapes in Sonamarg are stunning, for sure, but this place has much more to offer. Adventure sports are fairly common in this area as well. The serene hill station of Sonamarg has become popular amongst adventure enthusiasts.
Whitewater River Rafting
Sonamarg is also host to an annual rafting competition. This is a great way to keep the tourists coming back. The river famous for whitewater rafting is Indus. With hills, on either side, it is a one of a kind experience. Beginners can go for rafting under guidance too.
Camping
There could be no better place to set up camp under the stars than Sonamarg. By the banks of the river, you can even light a bonfire at night. The Baltal valley is a popular camping place amongst tourists. From here you get a view of the beautiful landscapes amidst dense forests.
Trekking
Sonamarg offers long and short trekking trails. The trails that go to Vishansar, Krishansar, Gangabal, Satsar and Gadsar lakes are mostly taken up by experienced trekkers. This trail is the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. Depending on your health conditions, you can ever consider trekking to nearby places like Leh via Zoji-La Pass.
Skiing
Winters see Sonamarg turn into a skiing heaven. The snow-covered Himalayas around Sonamarg are a sight to see. This is where the skiing activities are conducted. Otherwise, you also have the option to just sit and relax with your family and friends. Do make sure you spend a few days vacationing in Sonamarg during the winters before it melts away.
Restaurants and Local Food in Sonamarg
You can find menu options from a diverse Kashmiri cuisine. The local food choices mostly include Syoon Olav (meat cooked with potatoes in spicy gravy), Nadir-Haaq/Monji/Gogji, Marcha-Wangan, (lotus stem with radish or spinach), Modurpulaav (Sweet pulao, generally served as a dessert),MujGaad (fish with radish), Kaanti (lamb cooked in hot gravy, normally served as a snack and not a part of the main course) & Matschgand (lamb meatballs in spicy gravy)
