Sonmarg

Sonmarg — the Meadow of Gold — lives up to its poetic name. Sitting at 2,730 metres at the edge of the Kashmir Valley, where the mountains grow steeper and the air sharper, Sonmarg is one of the last major settlements before the world transforms into the high-altitude wilderness of Ladakh.

The Thajiwas Glacier, a short pony-ride or hike from town, is Sonmarg's signature attraction — a vast river of ancient ice that has carved its way down from the high Himalayas. It is accessible to anyone, requiring no special gear. The Sindh River, flowing through Sonmarg, is among the best trout-fishing rivers in all of Asia.

For serious trekkers, Sonmarg is a launching point for some of the most rewarding high-altitude routes in Kashmir — through passes above 4,000 metres to pristine glacial lakes like Vishansar and Krishansar, virtually untouched by mass tourism. And for those simply passing through on the way to Ladakh, the drive along the roaring Sindh River gorge is one of the most dramatic road journeys in India.