sonamarg
Sonamarg gives rise to The Three Sisters. In its vicinity lies the great Himalayan glaciers of Kashmir Valley namely Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier with some peaks of above 5000 meters: Sirbal Peak, Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak and Machoi Peak. Sonamarg an alpine valley is situated at the bank of Nallah Sindh, 87 km north-east from Srinagar, it is a popular tourist destination, nestled with in the imposing Himalayan peaks. It lies at an altitude of 2800 metres above sea level. The drive to Sonamarg is through yet another spectacular facet of country side in Kashmir, this time it is the Nallah Sindh, the largest tributary of the Jehlum River in the valley of Kashmir. It is upwards of sixty miles long valley and deep rock-girt gorge to open grassy meadow land and village-dotted slopes.
Thajiwas Glacier
Thajiwas glacier at an altitude of 9,186 feet is a striking silvery scene set against emerald meadows and a clear blue sky. In summers, you can take a half-day hike to numerous waterfalls around this glacier. The road will be long and the journey hard but the captivating views make it worthwhile. On the way, have a friendly match with the local Gujjar kids who are almost always ready for a friendly snowball fight.
The location offers exotic shots of frozen waterfalls and enchanting surroundings. Be prepared for the tough trek though.
The location offers exotic shots of frozen waterfalls and enchanting surroundings. Be prepared for the tough trek though.
Vishansar Lake
Situated near verdant and flower-carpeted meadows of Sonamarg, Vishansar Lake impresses visitors with its surreal beauty. On translation, its name means 'the lake of Vishnu', which associates it with Hinduism.
This high altitude oligotrophic lake is located an elevation of 3710 metres above the mean sea level. A large area is covered by this beautiful water body, which is about a kilometre long and more than half a kilometre wide. The Neelum River – a tributary of the Jhelum River – originates from this lake that is fed by several glaciers.
The surroundings of Vishansar Lake consist of snow-clad peaks, glaciers, mountain gorges, green pastures and colourful alpine flowers, which make the entire scenery breathtaking. During the winter season, it stays in a frozen state, whereas lush vegetation encompasses it with the arrival of summers.
Brown trout fish are found in abundance in this lake, which make it a perfect location for fishing and angling. It is also a prominent attraction of the trekking circuit in Sonamarg, with many treks and hikes organised to its site.
This high altitude oligotrophic lake is located an elevation of 3710 metres above the mean sea level. A large area is covered by this beautiful water body, which is about a kilometre long and more than half a kilometre wide. The Neelum River – a tributary of the Jhelum River – originates from this lake that is fed by several glaciers.
The surroundings of Vishansar Lake consist of snow-clad peaks, glaciers, mountain gorges, green pastures and colourful alpine flowers, which make the entire scenery breathtaking. During the winter season, it stays in a frozen state, whereas lush vegetation encompasses it with the arrival of summers.
Brown trout fish are found in abundance in this lake, which make it a perfect location for fishing and angling. It is also a prominent attraction of the trekking circuit in Sonamarg, with many treks and hikes organised to its site.
Satsar Lake
Satsar Lake, also known as Sat Sar (the seven lakes), is located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a cluster of seven interconnected alpine lakes and is set in a cascade-like formation. Perched at an elevation of 3600 metres above the sea level, this lake has an expanse of 4 km. This beautiful water body is visited by hordes of tourists throughout the year.
Nilagrad
Nilagrad near Sonmarg is where a mountain river, red in colour, meets the mighty Indus River. The Baltic community that stays here believes that the waters have curative powers. Over the weekend, people swarm the banks of the river for a dip in the healing waters. With picturesque meadows around, it’s also an ideal picnic spot.
Baltal
Baltal near Sonmarg is the camping ground for pilgrims of the Amarnath Yatra. From mid-June to August, approximately 40,000 devotees make their journey to the cave where Lord Shiva revealed the secret of everlasting life to his wife Parvati. The physically fit can trek the distance of 26 kilometres to the holy cave while others can use the helicopter service from Baltal to the Amarnath cave.