Thajiwas Glacier — the ice above Sonamarg and how people reach it
What it is
The Thajiwas Glacier is the glacier above Sonamarg that most visitors come to see. The way to it starts in the Thajiwas valley, about 5 km and 6 minutes by road from the meadow on our routing. Wikipedia says ponies can be hired for the trip in summer.
Photos: Gannu03 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Madhrakangri (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Safety first
Wikipedia records two incidents in 2024. On 25 May a section of ice near the glacier collapsed and two tourists fell into a cavity in the snow, one of them dying. On 2 June another section collapsed, three tourists were trapped and rescued, and a labourer was killed. Stay off snow bridges and cavities, keep to the route your guide uses, and ask locally about the day's conditions.
Getting there
We have no verified walking time, distance or ascent for the climb, and our trail checks did not pass it, so ask locally how long it takes and agree the price of any pony first.
Combine it with
The one-day plan pairs the glacier with the road to Zoji La. Read when to visit Sonamarg and things to do in Sonamarg.
Plans that include this
All 1 plans that stop here →
Nearby places
All of Sonamarg →
Nearby destinations
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Questions people ask
What is the Thajiwas Glacier?
The glacier above Sonamarg that is the area's main day outing. Wikipedia says ponies can be hired for the trip up to it in summer. The Thajiwas valley, about 5 km and 6 minutes by road from the meadow on our routing, is where the way up starts. We have no verified walking time or distance for the climb.
Is the glacier safe?
Not without care. Wikipedia records that a section of ice collapsed on 25 May 2024, dropping two tourists into a cavity and killing one, and that another section collapsed on 2 June 2024, trapping three tourists and killing a labourer. Keep off snow bridges and cavities, follow local guides, and ask about the day's conditions.
When can you go?
In summer. Sonamarg is cut off by snow and avalanches in winter, and ponies run to the glacier in summer, by Wikipedia's account. Snow lingers into early summer, so the way can be icy; carry warm and waterproof layers, go in the morning, and check the weather and the road before you travel.