Sonamarg is about 80 km from Srinagar, a drive of 2.5 to 3 hours up the Sindh valley. A taxi for the day trip costs roughly ₹3,300–3,800 in a sedan or ₹3,900–4,200 in an Innova in 2026. At Sonamarg, the pony to Thajiwas Glacier and the union taxi to Zero Point are paid separately.

It is the most mountainous of the three classic day trips from Srinagar: a glacier, high peaks on every side, and, since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, a place you can now reach in winter too. This guide covers the route, every fare you will pay, and how the trip changes through the year.

Srinagar to Sonamarg at a glance

  • Distance: about 80 km.
  • Drive time: 2.5–3 hours.
  • Route: Srinagar – Ganderbal – Kangan – Gund – Gagangir – Z-Morh tunnel – Sonamarg.
  • Altitude: Sonamarg is at about 2,730 m.
  • Taxi, day trip: sedan ₹3,300–3,800; Innova ₹3,900–4,200; Tempo Traveller about ₹6,000.
  • At Sonamarg: pony to Thajiwas about ₹1,500 per person return; union taxi to Zero Point ₹2,400–4,500 per vehicle.

The route

Leave Srinagar north past Hazratbal to Ganderbal, where the road meets the Sindh river and follows it the rest of the way. Beyond Kangan and Gund the valley narrows, the forest closes in and the river gets louder. At Gagangir the road enters the 6.4 km Z-Morh tunnel, which replaced a stretch of avalanche-prone hairpins and now keeps Sonamarg open through the winter. You come out into the Sonamarg meadow.

Worth a stop on the way:

  • Kheer Bhawani at Tulmulla, near Ganderbal: a spring temple sacred to Kashmiri Pandits, a short detour.
  • The riverside dhabas around Kangan and Gund, for tea and trout.
  • Manasbal Lake and the Naranag temples: not on the way, but close enough to combine on a longer day. See the 7-day itinerary for the offbeat version.

Taxi fares from Srinagar to Sonamarg (2026)

Typical ranges across Srinagar operators’ published 2026 rates, for a return day trip including fuel, driver, tolls and parking:

  • Sedan: ₹3,300–3,800, up to 4 passengers.
  • Innova: ₹3,900–4,200, up to 6 passengers.
  • Tempo Traveller: about ₹6,000, up to 12 passengers.

Our Kashmir 4N/5D and Classic Kashmir 5N/6D include the Sonamarg day with a private car and driver.

Fares at Sonamarg

Pony to Thajiwas Glacier

Thajiwas Glacier is about 3 km from the road head, up a gentle valley. The pony ride runs to about ₹1,500 per person return on the union rate, a little less for shorter rides or children. Walking takes about an hour each way and is easy going; you will be offered a pony every few metres, and a polite no is fine.

Thajiwas was one of the sites closed after April 2025, and reopened to visitors in February 2026.

Union taxi to Zero Point

Zero Point is a snowfield beyond the Zojila pass on the road to Ladakh, open roughly from June to October, depending on snow. Your Srinagar car does not go there; the Sonamarg taxi union does. The union card runs from about ₹2,400 for a van to ₹4,500 for an Innova, per vehicle, return, with waiting time included. It is a long, rough road and a half-day outing.

Other costs

  • Snow gear in winter and spring: boots and coats for a few hundred rupees.
  • Sledges in winter: a few hundred rupees per ride; agree the price first.
  • White-water rafting on the Sindh runs in summer, priced by stretch.

What to see at Sonamarg

  • Thajiwas Glacier: the main sight, with snow and ice for most of the year.
  • The Sonamarg meadow: the "meadow of gold", with the Sindh river along its edge and peaks above it.
  • Zero Point: in summer, the closest most visitors get to the high Himalaya.
  • Nilagrad: where a red-tinged stream meets the Sindh, near Baltal.
  • Baltal: the northern base for the Amarnath Yatra. Busy and controlled during the Yatra.
  • Vishansar and Kishansar lakes: the start of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, a multi-day walk from Shitkadi near Sonamarg, July to mid-September only.
Families sledging and building a snowman at Sonamarg in winter, below snow-covered peaks
Sonamarg in winter: reachable since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025.

Sonamarg in winter

Until 2025, Sonamarg closed for the winter. The Z-Morh tunnel changed that: the road from Srinagar now stays open apart from short closures after heavy snow or avalanche warnings, and Sonamarg in winter is a snowfield with sledges and snowmen rather than a glacier walk. Zero Point and the Zojila pass beyond remain closed. Check the road status the evening before; your driver will know.

A good Sonamarg day trip

  1. 8:00 Leave Srinagar.
  2. 9:30 Tea by the river at Kangan or Gund.
  3. 11:00 Sonamarg: pony or walk to Thajiwas.
  4. 13:30 Lunch at Sonamarg.
  5. 14:30 The meadow and the river, or Zero Point by union taxi in summer (this takes the whole afternoon).
  6. 16:00 Leave for Srinagar, back by about 19:00.

Sonamarg through the year

  • December to February: snow everywhere; sledging and snow play. Road open through the tunnel, with occasional short closures.
  • March to May: deep snow at Thajiwas, the meadow appearing from mid-spring.
  • June to August: green meadow, glacier walks, Zero Point open; rafting season. The Amarnath Yatra makes the Baltal side busy in July and August.
  • September to October: clear and quiet, the best light, Zero Point closing with the first heavy snow.
  • November: cold and calm, the first snow arriving.

Practical tips

  • Leave by 8. It is the longest drive of the three classic day trips, along with Pahalgam.
  • Carry cash for ponies, union taxis and dhabas.
  • Pack warm layers and sunglasses: the glacier is cold and bright.
  • Carry ID for checkpoints on the Zojila road.
  • Food is basic at Sonamarg; bring snacks for children.

Plan Sonamarg with us

MIRHA Tour & Travels is based in Srinagar. For the other day trips, see our guides to Srinagar to Gulmarg and Srinagar to Pahalgam; to see what is open each month, the best time to visit Kashmir.

See the Kashmir tour packages, or tell us your dates and we will tell you what Sonamarg will look like that week.