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Route · Kashmir
Srinagar to Sonamarg is about 80–85 km north-east along the Sindh valley via Ganderbal, Kangan and Gund on NH1. It takes 2 h 30 min to 3 h. Since January 2025 the Z-Morh tunnel keeps the last section open for much of the winter.
Photo: Wikiditot · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsEvery way to go
| How | Time | Cost, indicative 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Sumo | 3–3 h 30 min | ₹250–400 per seat |
| JKSRTC bus | 3 h 30 min–5 h | ₹150–500 depending on service |
| Private car | 2 h 30 min–3 h | ₹3,000–4,000 day return |
Shared Sumos run from Srinagar to Kangan and on to Sonamarg, more frequently in summer. Departures are mainly in the morning, and return seats in the afternoon can be scarce. It is a good budget option for a one-way trip, for example to start the Great Lakes trek, but tricky for a same-day return.
JKSRTC runs local buses up the Sindh valley and has operated seasonal tourist buses to Sonamarg from Srinagar. The Srinagar–Leh bus also passes through Sonamarg. Buses are slow, with many stops, but cheap. Check current timetables at the TRC or bus stand before you travel.
A private taxi is the most practical way to do a Sonamarg day trip, with time for Thajiwas and a riverside lunch. In July and August, Amarnath convoys and Baltal traffic slow the road. In winter, drive only after checking snow clearance and carry chains.
At each end
Photo: Fulvio Spada from Torino, Italy · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Houseboats, Mughal gardens and an old city of craftsmen
Photo: Wikiditot · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
The meadow of gold on the old road to Ladakh
Questions
Since the Z-Morh (Sonamarg) tunnel opened in January 2025, the road can stay open on many winter days, subject to snow clearance and avalanche warnings. Check current status before you travel and carry chains.
About 80–85 km along NH1 through Ganderbal, Kangan and Gund, usually 2 h 30 min to 3 h by car. Yatra traffic in July and August and snow in winter can add time.
It is possible by shared Sumo but tight, because return seats in the afternoon are limited. Leave by 7 am and head back by 2 pm. A private taxi is easier for a same-day return.
Short detours lead to the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla and Manasbal Lake. Beyond Kangan, the road follows the Sindh river through narrow forested sections, with roadside trout restaurants near Gund.
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