Sonamarg Travel Tips: 16 Things to Know Before You Go

No. For sightseeing, private and outside vehicles stop at Sonamarg, according to the Ganderbal district administration. You hire a local union taxi at the stand near the market for Zero Point, Zoji La and Baltal. It is priced per vehicle, about Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500 for the return trip, and seats four to six people. Only vehicles going on to Kargil and Leh continue on NH 1 as through traffic.

Expect about Rs 500 off-season to Rs 1,500 in peak season per pony for a return ride with waiting time, and more on crowded weekends. Check the rate board at the pony stand, agree the price and how long the handler will wait before you mount, and pay at the end in cash. The trail is only about 3 km, so fit walkers can skip the pony.

There are very few, and they often run out of cash or go offline in peak season. Withdraw enough in Srinagar, where ATMs are easy to find. Ponies, union taxis, sledge pullers and most dhabas take cash only, and UPI fails wherever the signal drops, which includes most of the Thajiwas trail.

Yes, in the main market, but it is slow and fades quickly beyond it. Expect no signal on parts of the Thajiwas trail, the Zojila road and the Great Lakes trek. Postpaid Jio, Airtel and BSNL work best. Prepaid SIMs from outside J&K do not work in the union territory, so download offline maps and save key numbers before you leave Srinagar.

Layers in every season. From April to June wear a fleece and a windproof jacket with waterproof shoes. July to September needs light layers and a rain jacket. From October bring a heavy jacket, and from December to March thermals and woollens. Sunglasses and sunscreen matter all year because of the snow glare, and you can rent gumboots and a long coat near the Thajiwas stand.

By 6 or 7 am. You reach the market by about 8:45 am and can take the union taxi to Zero Point straight away, because in past seasons traffic police have stopped light vehicles heading up to Zojila from about 1 pm. Do Thajiwas in the afternoon and start back by 5 or 5:30 pm so you clear the Sindh gorge in daylight.