Sonmarg Travel Guide – Thajiwas Glacier & Zero PointDuke Kashmir Travels
Sonmarg is an alpine valley on the Sindh river in Ganderbal district, Kashmir, India. It lies 80 km north-east of Srinagar at about 2,730 m (8,950 ft), and it is the last Kashmiri town on the road to Ladakh.
The two things people come for are the Thajiwas glacier, reached by pony or on foot from the meadow, and Zero Point, further up the Zojila road, where snow lies for most of the year.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- Distance: 80 km from Srinagar, about 2.5 hours up the Sindh valley.
- Altitude: about 2,730 m (8,950 ft) at the meadow; Zojila pass is 3,528 m (11,575 ft).
- Best time: May to September. The Zojila road and Zero Point close with winter snow.
- Time needed: a full day trip from Srinagar, or a night if you want the glacier unhurried.
- Local transport: Thajiwas is pony or foot; Zero Point needs a local vehicle from Sonmarg.
What is Sonmarg known for?
The Thajiwas glacier, Zero Point and the road to Ladakh. Sonmarg is a base rather than a town: a meadow between snow peaks with the Sindh running through it.
Thajiwas sits about 3 km from the meadow and is reached by pony or on foot. Zero Point is roughly 25 km further up the Zojila road, seasonal and weather-dependent. Beyond it the highway crosses into Ladakh, which is why Sonmarg is the overnight stop on the Srinagar–Leh drive.
Higher up, the trekking country begins: Krishansar and Nundkol are on the Great Lakes route, with Naranag as the other trailhead.
Can you visit Sonmarg in a day from Srinagar?
Yes, and most people do. Leaving Srinagar by 8 am gives you the meadow by late morning, time for Thajiwas by pony, and a return before dark. Adding Zero Point makes it a long day, and in peak season the Zojila road can be slow with traffic.
Your Srinagar vehicle reaches Sonmarg itself. The glacier is pony or foot, and Zero Point requires a local vehicle hired at Sonmarg — the same local-union arrangement described in the Kashmir travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Sonmarg?
Late May to September, once the Zojila road opens. Sonmarg closes down in winter: heavy snow shuts the pass, hotels shut with it, and the road beyond Gagangir can be blocked for days.
Sonmarg by season.| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Late April – May | Meadow greening, snow still on the glacier, Zojila usually reopening |
| Summer | June – August | Peak season, all routes open, trekking to the Great Lakes |
| Autumn | September – October | Clear skies, thinning crowds, first snow on the passes |
| Winter | November – April | Zojila closed, Zero Point unreachable, most hotels shut |
How do you get to Sonmarg from Srinagar?
80 km up the Sindh valley, about two and a half hours. The road runs through Ganderbal and Kangan, past Naranag and Gagangir, climbing gently the whole way. It is open all year to Sonmarg itself in normal conditions, but the stretch beyond, over Zojila, is seasonal.
Book Sonmarg with Duke Kashmir Travels
We are a J&K Tourism-registered agency (JKTA00003978) running our own vehicles in Kashmir since 2011. Sonmarg is a day trip in most of our itineraries and an overnight on Leh routes. Ready-made trips are on the Kashmir tour ideas page.
Insider tip from our local team
Leave Srinagar by 8 am for Sonmarg. The Sindh valley road carries army and Ladakh-bound traffic later in the day, and Zero Point can be turned back at short notice on weather, so an early arrival gives you a second option. Settle the pony rate for Thajiwas before you mount, not at the glacier.