Sonamarg

Sonamarg is the last stop in Kashmir before the road climbs over Zoji La into Ladakh, and the drive up along the Sindh river is half the experience. The meadow itself opens out at around 2,700 m with the Thajiwas glacier hanging above it.

Most visitors come as a long day trip from Srinagar and ride a pony the last stretch to the glacier snout. The road is only open from roughly May to September — earlier than that the pass is still under snow. Carry a layer even in July; it gets cold the moment the sun goes behind the ridge.