Plan your trip · Sonamarg
Best time to visit Sonamarg
Sonamarg's season used to end with the first heavy snow. Since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in 2025, winter visits are possible too, though the pass beyond still closes.
❄️ Winter
Oct – Mar
Cold, with snow on the higher ground and some high passes and roads closed — beautiful, but pack and plan for it.
Pack: heavy insulated layers, gloves, a warm hat and waterproof boots.
Shines now: Zoji La Pass
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
RecommendedApr – Jun
The prime window — comfortable days and the higher roads open again, though pre-monsoon haze can hide the far peaks by May and June.
Pack: light layers by day and a warm jacket for cool evenings and altitude.
Shines now: Zoji La Pass
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
RecommendedJul – Sep
Warm days and the valley's busiest months — the monsoon reaches Kashmir only weakly, with occasional showers and afternoon thunderstorms; mornings and the higher valleys stay cool.
Pack: light layers by day, a warm jacket for evenings and higher valleys, and a light rain shell.
Shines now: Vishansar Lake
Plan a monsoon day →Late spring: May to June
The snow melts off the meadows in May, the Sindh runs high and fast, and the valley turns green. Snow still lies thick at Thajiwas Glacier. Zoji La usually opens to civilian traffic sometime in spring, though the date varies widely: in 2025 it reopened on 1 April after its shortest-ever closure, while in 2026 an avalanche on 26 April shut it for several days. June is often the best month overall: long days, snow on the heights and green below.
High summer: July to August
This is trek season: the Kashmir Great Lakes trek to Vishansar Lake runs from about July to mid-September. It is also the Amarnath Yatra; in 2026 it ran from 3 July to 28 August. Baltal turns into a large pilgrim camp, security is heavy, the highway has convoy timings, and Sonamarg's hotels fill. Showers are common but short.
Autumn: September to October
After the Yatra, Sonamarg is quieter and clearer. The meadows turn golden, the birches yellow, and the first snow dusts the peaks by October. Nights are cold. It is one of the best times for photography.
Winter: November to April
Since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, the road from Srinagar to Sonamarg stays open in winter, weather permitting. Snow covers the valley, and a winter tourism scene is starting, with snow play and some hotels staying open. Zoji La is usually closed by heavy snow for part of the winter; the 2025–26 winter was unusual, with the pass kept open longer than ever before closing in late winter. Thajiwas and the treks are not accessible in deep snow.
So when should you go?
For green meadows and glacier snow, go from late May to June. For trekking, go in July or August, avoiding Yatra crowds if you can by starting mid-week. For colour and quiet, go in late September or October. For snow, go in winter, checking the road first. See what's on in Sonamarg for dated events.
Questions
Sonamarg — FAQ
Is Sonamarg open in winter?
The road to Sonamarg is kept open in winter since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, weather permitting. Zoji La beyond usually closes in heavy snow.
When does Zoji La open?
It varies each year, usually sometime between late March and May. In 2025 it reopened on 1 April. Check the latest highway status before travelling.
When is the Kashmir Great Lakes trek season?
Usually from July to mid-September, when the passes are clear of deep snow.
Should I avoid Sonamarg during the Amarnath Yatra?
If you are not a pilgrim, the Yatra weeks bring crowds, convoy timings and full hotels. June or September are calmer.