Nichinai Pass - High Altitude Trekking in Sonmarg

Sonmarg, Jammu and KashmirADVENTURE

A challenging high-altitude mountain pass near Sonmarg, offering stunning Himalayan views on the famous Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.

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ADVENTURE

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Nichinai Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass located near Sonmarg, standing at an elevation of approximately 4,140 meters (13,500 feet). It is a significant landmark and a challenging section of the famous Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. The journey to the pass involves a steep and sustained climb, testing the endurance of trekkers, but the reward is an exceptional panoramic view of the Himalayan landscape. From the summit, you can see the lush meadows of the Vishansar valley below and a series of rugged, snow-dusted peaks surrounding you.

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Location & Address

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Sonmarg, Himalayan Range, Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, India

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Best Time to Visit

The only window to visit Nichinai Pass is from mid-June to mid-September. July and August are the ideal months when the pass is relatively free of snow, and the surrounding meadows are lush green and carpeted with wildflowers. The weather during this period is generally stable during the day, though afternoons can bring showers. Before June, the pass is inaccessible due to heavy snow. After mid-September, temperatures drop sharply, and the risk of early snowfall increases, making the trek hazardous.
Peak Crowd: July and August, which is the main season for the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.
Moderate Crowd: Late June and early September, at the start and end of the trekking season.
Low Crowd: Not applicable as the pass is inaccessible from October to early June.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest airport is Srinagar International Airport (SXR), about 80 km from Sonmarg. From the airport, a taxi to Sonmarg takes approximately 3-4 hours.

Train

Jammu Tawi Railway Station (JAT) is the nearest major railhead, located around 350 km from Sonmarg. From Jammu, you would need to travel to Srinagar by road (a 7-8 hour journey) and then proceed to Sonmarg.

Road

Sonmarg is connected to Srinagar by National Highway 1 (NH1). Taxis, shared cabs, and some buses are available from Srinagar for the 3-hour journey. The trek itself starts from a trailhead near Sonmarg.

Local Transport

Within Sonmarg, local taxis are available for transport to the trek starting point at Shitkadi. Beyond that point, the entire journey to Nichinai Pass and further is on foot.