Zero Point in Sonamarg is the spot where the road runs out and the mountains take over. It sits close to the base of the Zojila Pass, the route that eventually leads into Ladakh, and it's one of the few places in Kashmir where you can stand in snow in the middle of summer.
Most people add Zero Point Sonamarg to their itinerary as a half-day trip from Sonamarg town, and it's usually the furthest point travellers go on a standard Kashmir tour. This guide covers what the place is actually like, how to get there from both Srinagar and Sonamarg, when to go, and what else is worth knowing before you make the holiday.
What is Zero Point | High-altitude viewpoint at 4,200 metres, just before the Zojila Pass |
Why Visit | Snow year-round, even when Sonamarg below is green |
Distance from Srinagar | Around 100 to 105 km total |
Srinagar to Sonamarg | ~80 km, 2 to 3 hours via the Z-Morh tunnel |
Z-Morh Tunnel | 6.4 km, opened January 2025, 15 minutes to drive through |
Sonamarg to Zero Point | 24 to 25 km, 1 to 1.5 hours by local union taxi |
Private Cab Rule | Srinagar cabs not permitted beyond Sonamarg bazaar |
Local Taxi Cost | ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 return depending on vehicle type |
Best Time to Visit | April to June for clear roads and reliable snow |
Snow Activities | Sledging, snow biking, ATV rides, confirm rates on arrival |
Entry Fee | None |
Permit Required | No permit needed |
Altitude Warning | Go slow and hydrate, breathlessness is common at 4,200 metres |
Zero Point vs Thajiwas | Thajiwas is closer and easier; Zero Point takes a full half-day |
Accommodation | Stay in Sonamarg, no overnight options at Zero Point |
Cash | Carry cash, UPI and cards unreliable beyond Sonamarg |
Time Needed | Plan a full day, not a quick add-on |
What Is Zero Point in Sonamarg?
Zero Point is a high-altitude viewpoint on the Srinagar-Leh highway, sitting at around 13,780 feet, just before the road climbs over the Zojila Pass into Ladakh. It marks roughly the furthest point most vehicles can go on this side, which is where the name comes from. Because of the altitude, snow sits here through most of the year, even when Sonamarg town below is green and mild.
Why visit Zero Point:
- Walk on year-round snow: Snow stays here for much of the year, even when Sonamarg below looks green.
- See the Sindh River valley: Bare mountain slopes frame the valley carved by the river below.
- Try snow activities: Walk across the snow or try a sledge and snow bike ride.
- Stand near the Kashmir-Ladakh divide: The spot feels like a natural edge before the highway continues towards Kargil and Leh.
How to Reach Zero Point Sonamarg
It takes two separate legs to reach Zero Point. The first is to Sonamarg, then a local leg to Zero Point itself. Door to door, it's roughly 100 to 105km from Srinagar.
Srinagar to Sonamarg
Basic | Information |
Distance | About 80km |
Time | 2 to 3 hours by road |
Options | Private cab, shared Sumo via Kangan, self-drive |
Route | NH1 via Ganderbal and Kangan, through the Z-Morh tunnel |
The Z-Morh tunnel, opened in January 2025, has made the journey to Sonamarg much easier. The 6.5-km tunnel cuts through a previously difficult road stretch and takes around 15 minutes to drive through.
Sonamarg to Zero Point
Basic | Information |
Distance | About 24 to 25km |
Time | Around 1 hour, one way |
Cost | Roughly ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 return per vehicle depending on vehicle type |
Note | Private cabs from Srinagar are not allowed beyond Sonamarg bazaar |
This second leg is where most people get caught out. Once you reach Sonamarg, your Srinagar cab cannot continue to Zero Point. You need to hire a local union vehicle from the taxi stand in the bazaar, and rates are set per vehicle rather than per person, so it's worth teaming up with other travellers to bring the cost down.
Best Time to Visit Zero Point Sonamarg
Season | Months | What to Expect |
Best overall | April to June | Roads clear, pleasant daytime weather, still enough snow for activities |
Good, greener | July to September | Warmer in Sonamarg, meadows are lush, Zero Point still holds snow at altitude |
Heavy snow, limited access | December to February | The most dramatic scenery, but the stretch beyond Sonamarg often closes |
Best avoided | October to November | Cold, road conditions less predictable, many activity operators wind down |
If snow activities are the main reason you're going, April to June gives the best mix of accessible roads and reliable snow.
Things to Do at Zero Point
- Sledging: sit on a wooden sledge and slide down a short slope, no experience needed, around ₹1,000 per ride
- Snow biking: motorised rides across the snowfield, roughly ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 depending on route length
- ATV rides: shorter guided rides across the snow, around ₹1,200 per ride
- Snowball fights and photography: the open snowfield beside the parking area is where most casual visitors spend their time
- Short treks: local guides lead walks toward nearby ridgelines for those with more time
- Kahwa breaks: roadside stalls sell hot saffron tea, worth stopping for given how cold it gets even in summer
Where to Stay Near Zero Point
There's no accommodation at Zero Point itself; it's a day-trip destination, not somewhere to stay overnight. Sonamarg town, about an hour away, is where almost everyone bases themselves.
- Budget: guesthouses and basic hotels in Sonamarg bazaar, generally under ₹2,500 a night
- Mid-range: hotels such as Hotel Sonamarg Inn or Kongposh, usually ₹3,500 to ₹6,000 a night
- Higher-end: a handful of resort-style properties with valley views, upward of ₹8,000 a night
Most visitors treat Zero Point as a half-day excursion from Sonamarg, leaving the rest of the day free for Thajiwas Glacier or a walk around town.
Zero Point vs Thajiwas Glacier
These two get mixed up often, since both involve snow near Sonamarg.
Zero Point | Thajiwas Glacier | |
Distance from Sonamarg | 24 to 25 km | About 7 km |
How to get there | Local union taxi | Pony ride or short trek |
Altitude | Around 13,780 ft | Around 9,186 ft |
Best for | A longer scenic drive, snow biking, standing near the Ladakh boundary | A quicker, easier outing, good for families |
If you only have time for one, Thajiwas is faster and easier to reach. Zero Point takes longer, but the drive itself, along the Zojila Pass, is part of the experience.
Practical Tips for Visiting Zero Point
- Carry cash: Keep cash with you after Sonamarg, as card and UPI payments may not work reliably along the route.
- Dress in layers: You can leave Sonamarg in mild weather and reach freezing conditions at Zero Point, even during summer.
- Rent snow gear in Sonamarg: Snow boots and gloves usually cost around ₹200–₹300 a set, so you can rent them before heading uphill.
- Start early: Leave Sonamarg in the morning to avoid heavier traffic on the narrow, single-lane sections of the route.
- Take the altitude slowly: At around 13,780 feet, you may feel breathless or lightheaded. Slow your pace and keep drinking water.
Final Thoughts
Zero Point Sonamarg isn't a place you visit for a single photo; it's the drive, the altitude and the fact that you're standing at the edge of Ladakh that make it worth the holiday. Time it for April to June if you want the easiest road conditions, and build in a full day from Sonamarg rather than rushing it as an add-on.
If you'd rather have the logistics handled, Holiday Tribe has ready-made Kashmir holiday packages that include Sonamarg and Zero Point, or we can build a customised itinerary around exactly how much time you want to spend in the mountains.
