Thajiwas Glacier is a snow-covered mountain glacier located in the Sonamarg region of Ganderbal district in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The glacier is popular for its amazing natural beauty, lush greenery, pristine landscapes, snow clad peaks which attract thousands of nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
Located at an altitude of 9,186 feet and just 3 km from Sonamarg bus station, Thajwas is a magnificent glacier overlooked by Tajiwas mountain and surrounded by alpine meadows, frozen lakes, and conifer trees.
About Thajiwas Glacier Sonmarg
Famously called as “Hidden Jewel of Kashmir”, Thajiwas glacier is one of the most renowned places for trekking in Jammu and Kashmir and is one of the top most visited tourist destinations in Sonamarg.
This snow glacier offers a range of activities for adventure lovers such as trekking, camping, and skiing. You can trek through Sonamarg bus stand which is a short trek of 3 km and will take 2 hours to complete. This short trek is a beautiful and scenic experience, offering eye-catching views of surrounding mountains and valleys, and green pastures and ends at a viewpoint where you can clearly see Thajwas glacier.
The glacier remains covered with a thick blanket of snow throughout the year and tourists can enjoy various activities like sledding rides, ice skating, skiing, and building snowmen.
Apart from its natural beauty, Thajiwas Glacier is home to a diverse variety of flora and fauna. Tourists can spot a range of rare and endangered species such as Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, and Musk deer.
Things to do at Thajiwas Glacier Sonmarg
Thajiwas Glacier is the most visited tourist attraction in Sonamarg. The glacier is famous for its snow beauty and offers a range of activities to enjoy
Trekking- that was a trekker’s dream destination. The glacier offers a short trek which starts at Sonamarg and ends at the glacier. this trek will take you to the frozen lake of Thajiwas through green pastures and pine and fir trees along the way.
In summer, you can come up along the local Gujjar tribes there and experience their lifestyle and culture. The climb up to the Sindh River is what makes the Thajiwas glacier trek more thrilling and enjoyable.
Photography- Thajwas is famous for its unique beauty of frozen glaciers and lake. The pristine beauty of the glacier offers amazing opportunities for photography lovers. You can capture every bit of glaciers’ s beauty in your camera.
Skiing and snowboarding- winter provides excellent ground for skiing activities. The glacier remains covered with snow making it an ideal place for snow skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding.
Best time to visit Thajiwas glacier
The best time to visit Thajiwas Glacier is in the summer season from June to September. In this period the weather is warm and sunny providing the best opportunities for trekking and outdoor activities.
Also during this time, the glacier comes to life with lush greenery and colorful wildflowers making it a breathtaking view to enjoy.
The road to Thajiwas Glacier also remains open during summer month making it easily accessible for tourists.
Winter- mostly in winter, the road to the glacier remains closed for six months due to heavy snowfall and frozen conditions. However, if the road conditions are suitable and you are a winter sports lover, then you can visit the glacier between October to April and enjoy skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding here.
How to reach Thajiwas Glacier
To reach Thajiwas glacier, you need to travel to Sonamarg, which is a beautiful meadow in Ganderbal district.
From Srinagar- sonamarg is situated approximately 80 km away from Srinagar. You can book a taxi or public transport like buses or jeeps from Srinagar to reach Sonamarg. This journey will take 2-3 hours to complete and after that, you can trek and reach Thajiwas Glacier.
From Sonamarg- Thajiwas glacier is just 3 km away from Sonamarg. Tourists can take a pony ride from Sonamarg base and enjoy the beautiful views along the way.
You can also trek which will take 2 hours to reach Thajiwas from Sonamarg.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Thajiwas Glacier from Sonamarg?
Thajiwas Glacier is located approximately 3 kilometers from Sonamarg. Visitors can reach the glacier by pony rides, trekking, or 4×4 vehicles from Sonamarg.
What activities can I enjoy at Thajiwas Glacier?
Visitors to Thajiwas can indulge in a range of activities including trekking, photography, pony rides, skiing/snowboarding (during winter), bird watching, camping, and exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
Is Thajiwas Glacier accessible throughout the year?
the Glacier is generally accessible during the summer months from May to September. Winter snowfall may block roads leading to the glacier, making it inaccessible by vehicles. However, winter also offers a unique experience for snow sports enthusiasts.
Are there accommodations?
Sonamarg, being the nearest town to Thajiwas offers various accommodation options ranging from hotels, guesthouses, and campsites. Visitors can find accommodations suiting different budgets and preferences in Sonamarg