Jammu and Kashmir

Located at just 9 km from Sonmarg, the famous Zoji La pass connects Ladakh and Kashmir. The pass is nothing but a thin line amid the mountains. However, the location is not just about the rocky roads or the hairpin bends, it is a gift of nature with its high altitude peaks that often seem to touch the clouds.Its beauty only gets richer during winters with its snow-clad mountains; however, the route remains closed due to heavy snowfall. Zoji La pass is also replete with historical significance as it was the site of the indo-Pakistan war in 1947-48. For people who define adventure in terms of challenging road trips with treacherous highways and high-altitude passes, Zoji La can be a pleasantly unforgettable experience.As you drive through, you catch sight of the mesmerizing valley, streams, and the spectacular Himalayan mountain range covered in green, which is an absolute feast to your eyes. The best time to visit the pass is from mid-October to April. For all the adrenaline Junkies, Zoji La is a must-visit among tourist places in Sonmarg.

As picturesque as it can get, Zero point is a winter spot, especially for travelers looking to experience snowy holidays. Situated 15,300 km above sea level and close to the border of India and China, the magnificence of Zero point is elevated by the stream created by the confluence of three rivers, its breathtaking valley view, snow capped mountains crowned by clouds, and its vegetation consisting of maple trees. However, the road to Zero point is dangerous with narrow and rocky roads that are quite adventurous on their own. The destination is covered in snow most of the year; therefore the best time to visit is between February and June. However, be warned that it might get a little nauseous on the way to Zero point due to a drop in oxygen level. However, a cup of tea as you treat your eyes to lush greenery and floating pale orange and yellow clouds will instantly make you feel light. While you visit Zero Point, you can also tour some of the popular attractions near the location such as Lachung Monastery, Chungthang, Yumthang, and the like. One of the most recommended Sonamarg tourist places, visit zero point to soak in what natural beauty looks like.

The prime attraction in Gulmarg is its Gondola cable car ride, the second highest and second longest of its kind on earth. It is an absolutely enthralling experience and one that cannot be given a miss when you plan your travel itinerary. Divided in two phases, the ride will ferry you from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdoori Station which is the central point, in the first phase and from Kongdoori Mountain to Apharwat Peak in the second phase.In Phase 1, it starts at a height of 2,990 m following which there is a vertical rise of 400m.In Phase 2, it makes a further ascent of 1,330 vertical meters and takes you to a total height of almost 4,000 m. Each hour, the Gondola ferries about 1500 passengers to a height of 3,100 m in the first phase. At this height you can access some of the easier skiing expeditions while in the second phase, the ride carries around 600 passengers per hour to a height of almost 4,000m. Once here, you can trek a further 30 minutes and reach the top of the mountain to catch a glimpse of the Line of Control (LOC) which is visible from here. Apart from the LOC, you can also catch magnificent views of the Nanda Devi and the Pir Panjal Range here as well as enjoy other activities like horse riding and skiing.Click Here to Book: Kashmir Trip Packages from Kolkata

Spanning across an area of 180 sq km, this biosphere reserve is home to myriad species of flora, fauna and birds, including some very rare species. It lies at a distance of about 48 km from Srinagar and the main attraction here is the musk deer. You can however, also spot brown bear, leopard, hangul, serow, black bear and red fox as you venture into the deeper ends of the forest apart from a rich array of avifauna like upland birds and pheasants. You may also spot an occasional griffon, monal, vulture, European hoopoe, jungle crow, Kashmir roller, blue rock pigeon, koklas and snow cock among others, making it a veritable haven for ornithologists. The vegetation here is largely dominated by towering conifers apart from green herbs that lend a verdant scenic appearance to the place. It remains open for tourists and visitors every day from 10am to 4pm and adventure seekers can also opt to stay in close proximity to the reserve in camps provided in its vicinity. The beauty and appeal of the reserve grows many fold around the months of March through May when the flowers are in full bloom and it becomes a birdwatcher’s paradise. Planning to Visit Kashmir, Checkout & Book: Kashmir Trip Packages

Trek lovers take note! Thajiwas glacier situated just 3 Km from Sonmarg is one of the most striking and thrilling places you will witness. A treasure trove of Jammu and Kashmir, this glacier only gets exciting with activities like hiking, sledding, and pony rides. Unsure if a camera could do justice to the sheer magic of this place, its frozen lake, mountains covered in a thicket of snow, its fir and pine trees, and alpine meadows are inexplicably stunning. Thajiwas glacier is also surrounded by waterfalls that can be reached via a hike. The beauty of this glacier is only enhanced by small streams that embed the place. Tourists can also camp near the glacier besides spending a leisurely evening creating a snowman or indulging in a snowball fight. The best time to visit the glacier is between April and October when it is blessed with an ideal climate. Thajiwas Glacier is one of the most popular destinations in Sonmarg and the ideal way to cover this wonderland is by trekking to the top. Rightly called the “Jewel of Kashmir” , the spot is one of the best winter places to visit in Sonmarg.

The verdant green meadows with bright red fruits dotting the entire area and clear blue skies above, is a sight straight out of a picture book and one you would certainly not want to miss. The Strawberry Valley in Gulmarg, situated “right behind a hill” as most locals would point out when you are exploring the area, is a little off the beaten path. This largely explains its unspoiled beauty of the place, as it is still free from a heavy descent of tourists. Summers are when the valley is at its busiest, being the harvesting time. Ripe red strawberries everywhere make a visit to the veritable garden of Eden, a supremely enthralling one. Tourists are allowed to take a walk along rows of strawberry plantations to soak in the crimson beauty of the surrounding area. You can also carry a basket along and after taking a stroll amid nature’s bounty, enjoy a quiet picnic in the shade of a tree. The sheer charisma and vibrancy that this place exudes had also made it one of the most popular Bollywood shooting locations of the yesteryears.Planning to Visit Srinagar, Checkout & Book: Srinagar Trip Packages

Often a spot where the Bollywood star cast breaks into a romantic song at gushing waters of river Sindh, Baltal valley might be one of the most tranquilizing places you will have visited. Located 15 Km from Sonmarg, the valley never stops mesmerizing with its waterfalls, thicket of trees, snowy mountains, and glaciers. Among the tourist places in Sonmarg, the valley is famous for some of its greatest treks. Camping is especially a highly recommended activity besides trekking. Most often tourists camp near the valley on their way to Amarnath cave, to sleep under the star-studded sky with the sound of the gushing stream. Amarnath cave is yet another exciting place to indulge in trekking for the ones visiting Baltal Valley. The drive to the valley along the Sindh river located on the Srinagar-Leh highway is also one of the high points of the destination. The best time to visit the valley would be between April and September when the weather is pleasant and chilly. For tourists who can hire helicopters, the scenic view of the absolutely majestic Baltal valley will never be erased from our memories. If serenity is what you are looking for, Baltal Valley is one of the most ideal places to visit in Sonmarg.

Perched on a hillock near Kongdori, Seven Springs is a great stream that has seven different outlets of water. This is also the reason behind the moniker Seven Springs. The site of the Seven Springs is primarily popular for the majestic views of mountains and valleys that it offers. You can also view both Srinagar as well as the Gulmarg Valleys from here. You can easily reach the enchanting Seven Springs by taking a Gondola cable car ride from the base of the Apharwat Mountain, which in itself is a major attraction. With vistas of snow clad mountains around and a booming valley below, the fascinating ride to Seven Springs is a journey to cherish. It is one of the best ways to enjoy the adventures and natural views of Gulmarg.Suggested Read: Best Places to See Near Jammu