Sonmarg Tourism

Located about 4km from Sonmarg, amidst River Sindh, is the Island Retreat Park. The park is apt for nature lovers who can spend hours here amidst blissful surroundings and enjoy the cool breeze from the river. There is a popular restaurant in the park too. 

Located about 6.8km from Sonmarg on the Srinagar-Leh Highway, this park has been built by the Forest Department to promote Eco-Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The park is located at a beautiful spot and you will find plenty of breathtaking views here. 

There are no museums in Sonmarg as is it relatively small and is renowned mainly for its natural beauty. However, if you club Srinagar into your itinerary, you will come across several museums which are testament to India’s rich culture and heritage.

Visit the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum and the Tribal Museum, both of which are in vicinity.

This beautiful lake is located 36.7km from Sonmarg in the foothills of the Harmukh Mountain. It is a serene lake with breathtaking surroundings. This natural lake is fed by springs, rain water and the melting glaciers around it. It is also home to a wide variety of fish and brown trout. The lake is considered sacred by the Hindus and a pilgrimage is organised every year in September to this holy lake. 

This is the only monument in Sonmarg. Avantipur was an ancient town that existed during the Varman Dynasty. The ruins are actually of two temples built by King Avanti Varman dating back to the years between 883 and 885 AD. The bigger of the two temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and about 800 metres away from it lies a smaller temple devoted to Lord Vishnu. Both the temples are remnants of the actual structures, however, the smaller Vishnu temple is better preserved than the Shiva temple. The architecture of temples is uniquely Kashmiri, a splendid example of Indian culture and heritage.  

Sonmarg has several exciting activities which would interest children. Besides playing in the beautiful parks, children can ride mules and horses which are available at most places with a rough terrain. Children could also enjoy camping out and fishing in Sonmarg with their parents. There are no amusement parks in Sonmarg, but the natural beauty and the snow can be a great attraction for children. Children can go snowboarding, ride sleds and indulge in the age-old practices of making snowballs and snowmen. 

This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is situated amidst a spring. It is located about 69km from Sonmarg near Dangerpora. You can visit the temple by taking a small detour en route to Srinagar. The temple is highly revered by most Kashmiri Pundits (Hindus) who offer milk and rice pudding (Kheer) to the deity.  A legend says that the waters around the temple turn black in the face of an imminent natural catastrophe. The temple is also famous for its striking architecture. 

Most restaurants serve Indian and Kashmiri cuisine. The Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Roghanjosh, and Yakhni Pulao are dishes which must be tried. You should also drink the local beverage, Kahwa, which is tea made with spices and almonds to bear the cold weather. 

There are several dhaba-style restaurants in Sonmarg where you get hot and fresh food. The most popular one is the rustic Narendar Dhaba which serves mostly North Indian cuisine. The Island Retreat restaurant located in the Island Retreat Park, is famous for its delicious snacks. Further ahead near Marmara on the Srinagar – Sonmarg Road is the Tourist Cafeteria which offers tasty food.

There are no pubs in Sonmarg. To spend an evening out partying, it is advisable to head towards Srinagar. 

There are no clubs or discos in Sonmarg. To spend an evening out partying, it is advisable to head towards Srinagar. 

The local street market suffices to provide people with their daily requirements, relics and souvenirs. 

Sonmarg does not have any departmental stores. People generally buy all their requirements from small shops in the street market. 

There are no flea markets in Sonmarg. The nearest flea market is in MunshiBagh, Srinagar called the Sunday Market. However, there are some make shift shops which sell souvenirs and local handicrafts at reasonable prices.

There are no live bands which play music in Sonmarg but you may be lucky to hear the local Kashmiri folk songs from the residents of the valley. On a camp site you may even hear other tourists strumming the guitar and singing in the evenings. 

The serene and tranquil environment of Sonmarg provides enough relaxation. However, if you would like to visit a spa, it is best to head to Srinagar.

Sonmarg is a hub for adventure activities. It is one of the most popular camping sites in Jammu and Kashmir and there are several hair raising treks in the area. The Sonmarg-Gangabal Trek is a 15 km nerve-wracking trek which is renowned for its breath-taking views and natural beauty. You may also try the 23 km trek to Gadsar Lake. Another popular trek circuit is via the Satsar Lake which is 17 km long and takes you to the Gangabal Lake in the foothills of the Harmukh Peak. Most treks have several camping sites in scenic settings. You can also river raft in the Indus river in Sonmarg. 

Surrounded by snowy mountains, the Amarnath Temple is a Hindu shrine located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is 141kms away Srinagar, the summer capital of the state. The cave is located at an altitude of 3,888 m. The cave is open to the public once a year during the Shravan month in the Hindu calendar and attracts lakhs of pilgrims from all over the world. It is said to be one of the most difficult and holiest pilgrimages in the country for the Hindu community. 

Highlights of Amarnath Temple:

• It takes about 1-2 days or 5-6 days to make a round trip to the temple and base, depending on the path you choose. 
• It is only open to the public for 1.5 months (mainly in July). The last day of every yatra is on the Raksha Bandhan (a Hindu festival in August). 
• Everyone needs a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) to embark on the yatra. 
• The Shiv Linga or lingam inside the 40m-high Amarnath cave is made of freezing water droplets that fall from the roof onto the floor. 

Recommended for Amarnath Temple:

Amarnath yatra is considered one of the toughest Hindu pilgrimages in the country. Children below the age of 13 and those above the age of 75 are not allowed to trek past the first base. While it is recommended for healthy people between the ages of 14 to 74, there are many restrictions in place. People who fail their medical examination, have a heart condition and women who are more than 6 weeks into their pregnancies are not allowed to go on the trek as well. 

Legend of Amarnath temple:

The story of the Amarnath temple is an interesting one. Legend has it that lord Shiva made the climb to the Amarnath temple with his wife, goddess Parvathi, to tell her the secret to his Amar Katha. As no one should know the secret of life and death, he took the goddess Parvathi to the cave leaving behind everyone, including his ride, Nandi the bull, the moon on top of his head, his snake and even lord Ganesha – his son on the way. He chose the place as the trek was so difficult that only Gods themselves could make it to the top. Now, Hindu devotees from all over the world come to the shrine to pray and take Baba Amarnath’s blessings in the Shravani Mela. It is also believed that the lingam or Shivling grows and melts with the lunar cycle during the summer. 

Address : Baltal Amarnath Trek, Forest Block, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir-192230

Dates : Every year the yatra is opened for a period of 2 months approximately during the Shravani Mela. In 2019, the yatra took place between 1st June to 15th August, lasting for 1.5 months. Next year, the yatra is expected to take place between 28th June to 3rd August. The final dates are still unknown. However, registrations will open in March, so anyone who is interested should register as soon as the lines open, otherwise you may miss your chance in 2020. 

Interesting facts about Amarnath temple:

• Only a predetermined number of people are allowed to visit the Amarnath temple each year. In 2019, only 7,500 registrations were allowed every day. This depends on the weather conditions, infrastructure, route conditions, accommodation available and many other things. 
• According to Hindu beliefs, Amarnath Cave is the place where Lord Shiva told his divine consort, Goddess Parvathi the secret to immortal life. 
• Legend says that 2 pigeon eggs overhead the conversation between the two gods and became immortal as well. People believe that the pair of white pigeons is still around and anyone who sees them is very lucky. 

How to get to Amarnath temple:

Hiking, Ponies and Dandies

There are two routes to reach the Amarnath cave via Pahalgam and Baltal. Both these routes have different terrains, which affects the amount of time it takes to climb to the top. 

The first route is the northern route via Baltal, Domial, Barari and Sangam. The trek is about 14 kms and takes about 2 days to make a round trip to the cave and back. It is the shorter route and is also the steeper one. People with any medical conditions are not advised to take this route. Only young people seeking an adventure take this route. You will not find ponies on the entire route, however, there are dandies that go to the cave. The weather conditions are unpredictable, which means that it can take a turn for the worse anytime. The pilgrims prefer this route for their descent from the shrine, as opposed to making the ascent.

The second route is through Pahalgam. It is the longer route and ranges from 36 to 48 kms. It takes around 3 to 5 days to trek to the top via this route and, you can either hike or ride ponies and dandies. The route is wider than the first one and slopes gradually. 

On both these routes, you will find the best facilities one can find in such extreme conditions. There are many resting camps and food stalls spread across the area. The government, army and many other private organisations are responsible for all the food and safety around the camps. 

Helicopter : If you do not want to walk the entire length to the shrine, there are helicopter services available on both the routes. The helicopter will drop you off at Panjtarni, which is 6 kms away from the cave. From there, the pilgrims can either walk or hire ponies or dandies to complete the rest of the trek. Do keep in mind that the ponies will drop you off 2 kms before the cave due to the extreme weather and slight slope. Himalayan Heli Services Pvt. Ltd is one of the helicopter services operating in Amarnath. The one-way ticket is around Rupees 3000 and is different every year. 

Want to make one of the most holy pilgrimages in India? Explore our travel packages to Kashmir to make the trip! 

The remains of Buddhist temples are located in Naranag, which is at a 17km descent from GangabalLake. The temples were built by Emperor Ashoka’s son Jaluka and King LalitadityaMuktapida of the Kashmiri Karkota Dynasty. 

Sonmarg’s resplendent natural beauty has made it possible to have some of the best campsites in the area. You can set up a tent and spend a night by the bonfire at these campsites. You can also choose to go fishing for trout in Sonmarg as there are several places where fishing is allowed. 

The population is predominantly Muslim and speaks the Koshur or Kashmiri language. People in Sonmarg also speak and understand Hindi and rudimentary English. Besides Muslims, there are Hindus in the region who are called the Kashmiri Pundits. The women dress in colourful garments and attractive jewellery. The culture is influenced by the central Asian and Persian cultures. This in turn gives rise to a lot of cultural events and festivals and has a wide impact in the music and art in the region.

Visit the Art Today Galler Tiling Art Gallery and Sahib Singh Gallery among others that are located nearby to Sonmarg. 

Nilagrad is the place of the confluence of Indus or Sindh river with the Nilagrad river. Located 6km from Sonmarg, the Nilagrad River is famous amongst the locals for its reddish waters which supposedly have curative and healing powers. 

This Lake is located 18.6km from Sonmarg and will leave you awestruck with its surreal beauty. Vishansar Lake is a natural freshwater lake which is fed by several glaciers. The lake is surrounded by mountain peaks, green meadows and alpine flora. Trout fishing is also possible in the lake. The lake finds a place in most trekking circuits in the area.

At 5,000 metres above sea-level, this is one of the highest lakes in Kashmir. This beautiful lake, which is situated 23.5km from Sonmarg, has pristine waters and breathtaking scenery surrounding it. It is a major camping site and trekking base of the area and is also a very well-known trout fishing centre. The lake is a fantastic spot for photography enthusiasts. 

Located 4.8km from Sonmarg, this is one of the most accessible glaciers in the valley. This picturesque location is a famous camp site and has magnificent views of green waters and snow-peaked mountains. It is covered in snow even during the summer months and makes for a fabulous trekking route. 

Also known as the Gateway to Ladakh, the Zoji-La pass is located about 9km from Sonmarg. At 3,528 metres above sea-level, this is the second highest and one of the most dangerous mountain passes in the Kashmir Valley. The pass has some of the prettiest views of the surrounding areas, especially those of the Dras Valley and the snowy Himalayan peaks. The pass is only open during late spring; it is closed for the rest of the year due to heavy rains and snowfall. 

Besides Srinagar which is 81km from Sonmarg, there are several places nearby which you may want to include in your itinerary. Baltal,a beautiful valley, is 15km away from Sonmarg and is also the base camp for the famous Amarnath Yatra. It attracts devotees and campers alike. You may also consider including Yusmarg in your itinerary which is at a distance of 126km from Sonmarg. Yusmarg has breath-taking and serene landscapes accentuated by the presence of the sparkling Doodh Ganga river. 

Located about 4km from Sonmarg, amidst River Sindh, is the Island Retreat Park. The park is apt for nature lovers who can spend hours here amidst blissful surroundings and enjoy the cool breeze from the river. There is a popular restaurant in the park too.