Hike To Thajiwas Glacier – Sonamarg, India – Exploring The Thajiwas Glacier

I took an amazing trip in India with my father and we started in a less travelled part of this amazing country: the state of Kashmir. While staying there on Lake Srinagar, we undertook a hike to the Thajiwas Glacier. What an impressive area I thought that was. It was the first time for me to walk among the high mountains of the Himalayas.

Hike to Thajiwas Glacier – Sonamarg, Kashmir

My father and I had been invited by Latif whom I knew from a previous trip in India. Naturally, I gladly accepted that invitation. Among other things, we visited this amazing Thajiwas Glacier in that first week!

Latief invited us to his home to celebrate the festival Eid Ul Adha with his family.

Then check out this amazing, serene view from our houseboat on Dal Lake in Srinagar

The houseboats could do with a lick of paint or some new wood at times but maybe that’s also why I really felt like staying very local. I thought it was pretty neat and a very fine hotel to live in for almost a week 🙂

Wonderfully peaceful with super views of the high mountains of the Himalayas around Lake Srinagar. The mountains naturally beckoned and so we headed into the Himalayas for a day. Latif arranged for us to do a hike to the Thajiwas glacier near Sonamarg.

Driving Srinagar toThajiwas Glacier – Sonamarg

On the way to the base camp in Sonamarg at the bottom of Thajiwas Glacier, we passed the beautiful Sindh River. We had been driving past it for a while and I thought the colour of the river was really beautiful to see among the high mountains. You can just see the coldness radiating off the water, it obviously comes straight from the high mountains. It’s ice cold, super fast, flowing water.

A huge amount of water flowing through here with tremendous force.

The intention, of course, is that this wonderful natural area should also remain clean…. Though I don’t know if the Indian people themselves are working so hard on that now….

First we drive a bit through Kashmir’s quite rugged landscape and towards the huge mountains. Great sight, of course! But a little later, we drive between those same mountains and can only really see how high they really are. What amazing views already from the car. The snow peaks already visible in the distance. Knowing we would go there, I loved it!

The trek was 87 km from Srinagar to Sonamarg; it took us about 2 hours. At one point, you drive through a valley. In this valley, the raging river Sindh dominates. I really had to stop the car for a moment to enjoy this view and take in the moment.

The water looked icy cold, almost blue! It came right out of the high mountain peaks.

Hidden Jewel of Kashmir

The area in which Thajiwas Glacier is located is also called the Hidden Jewel of Kashmir. Then look at the beautiful mountains in the background by the horses at Sonamarg base camp at the bottom of the glacier? Isn’t it beautiful?

The horses of Sonamarg – Kashmir

How high is the Thajiwas Glacier?

Thajiwas is a mountain in the Himalayan mountains in the state of Kashmir, India. The glacier is located 2,700 metres above sea level.

How big is the place Sonamarg?

Sonamarg is the small town at the bottom of glacier Thajiwas where the base camp is located. From this base camp you start the hike to the glacier. About 1050 people live in Sonamarg village ( 2011 census )

Did you know that Sonamarg means ‘Meadow of Gold’?

How to reach Thajiwas glacier?

Thajiwas glacier is accessible only on foot, by horseback or by 4WD vehicle. Do you go hiking or by horseback? Then take your time, we were busy all afternoon 🙂

How long does it take you to hike to Thajiwas glacier?

We were on the road for about 4 hours. We didn’t walk very fast but didn’t take long breaks either. So half a day is definitely lost on the hike to the Thajiwas glacier.

Is the Thajiwas glacier trek difficult?

I certainly didn’t find it a difficult hike. The paths were very good, you can take several breaks along the way. If you have doubts about your own fitness or body, hire a horse then you can always finish the trek on its back.

Sonamarg base camp – Thajiwas Glacier

Arriving at the base camp in Sonamarg, the many horses were ready, we both picked a horse after explicit advice and were accompanied by a guide who would accompany us.

I hadn’t read much on this hike to Thajiwas glacier, at altitude. Hiking I wasn’t much into then either. We were assured that we really needed one. We were going to do a substantial hike up the altitude to Thajiwas Glacier. As we were not used to the altitude, we would be tired and out of breath sooner. We took the advice to heart.

The guide was a nice young guy, 15, and said he was still going to school. This was a side job for him. He walked up at least once every day. After sitting on the little horse for 5 minutes, I thought about walking first and that if it was really that tough I could always sit on my horse.

In this area then, you hardly came across any European tourists, those what you see coming from China, Pakistan or India itself. My father and I were here in October 2014.

Hike to Thajiwas Glacier – Kashmir, India

What amazing views during the hike at Sonamarg!

The high Himalayan peaks in the background are beautiful! I was just barely walking with my mouth open looking around me. For me, it was the first time I had walked among such high peaks, with snow on them. You can’t even imagine walking all the way there then.

The sun was shining, I was walking and getting nice and warm. And then the sight of snow still gives a nice and distinct contrast.

The further we got, the more beautiful the views of the peaks and valleys became. I walked in front and my father along with the guide walked some distance behind me. Sometimes at a turn-off, I had to wait a while for the young man’s directions but walking at this altitude went super.

The paths in the area were good and it wasn’t that steep either. At the first stage, we walked on to the second stage anyway.

3 Stages from Sonamarg to Thajiwas

The tour is divided into stages. They have laid these out for you and after each phase there is a stop/pause place to sit for a while. You can sit there and relax for a while.

Enjoying the view…

and consider whether to go further up.

At that second-to-last stop, my father stayed seated. My father did get some pain in his butt sitting on that thin hard saddle. There he went to have a cup of tea at a tent that was there. He stayed behind there with the two horses and I walked up with the young guide. I was definitely going to hike to the Thasjiwas glacier. So I ended up walking the whole way, I could have known beforehand of course….

I am sporty and loved running back then too, of course I walk up!Well … the little horse that came along before me had a nice relaxing day like this 🙂

The stop just before stage 3 is here. And so here too, my father went for a nice cup of tea and struck up a conversation with the man sitting there. And I walked on in good spirits.

The higher we got, the more beautiful and grand the view became of the mountains and valleys around us. Looking ahead I saw the high mountain where the Thajiwas glacier is located and looking behind me I saw the huge valley I came from. In the background those huge mountains with snow-capped peaks.

What an amazingly powerful sight! Himalayas near Sonamarg – India

At a nice point I figured it was time to do a yoga pose of course! The young man who was along made this one with great pleasure! He started thinking along and giving pointers on how best to stand for the background 🙂

Yoga Pose on Thajiwas Glacier – Sonamarg

He enjoyed being out and about together. I saw a bird, a butterfly and some flowers and he joined me in the search, admitting that he had never done this before. Normally they walk alone and not much time was taken for this. So he couldn’t tell me which little bird this was either. Other animals besides the bird and the butterfly, unfortunately, we did not see either. There are animals walking…but you might have to be at dusk or early morning.

Climbing the Thajiwas Glacier – Kashmir, India

Mountain village on the way Thajiwas glacier

Along the way, we came across another settlement.

The vegetable garden they had neatly built in against the animals, little else grows here and I imagine that if you don’t do this it will definitely be gone before any vegetables are fully grown. There was another cheerful wave from the residents and we walked on up the hill.

I can’t imagine living here anyway. There is nothing. Walking to a village takes at least 2-3 hours, driving is impossible. With a horse maybe a bit faster…. You’re just cut off from civilisation.

Living in a mountain village Sonamarg

far away of the civilization!

The oven they use to prepare food

Thajiwas Glacier

Coming to the top, we arrived at the spur of ice, this was the ancient glacier Thajiwas. I, of course, stood on top of it, I had a piece in my hand…. We walked around it for a while. Enjoying the incredibly beautiful view. Enjoying being somewhere in the world where not many people go…

Hike to the Ancient Old Thajiwas Glacier
Sonamarg – Kashmir – India

Another look back at those amazing snow-capped mountains before I started the long way back with a satisfied feeling.

Hike to Thajiwas Gletsjer – Sonamarg, Kashmir – India

Share Hike to Thajiwas Glacier on the social media!

Want to read more of my visit to Kashmir?

Srinagar and the gorgeous Dal Lake, Kashmir – India

Sacrificing sheep at the Eid Ul Adha Festival, Kashmir, India

Safe Travel in Kashmir – India

Or travelling in the rest of India?

10 days journey through former Kingdom of Sikkim

The Complete Guide to visit Mumbai

Or can I inspire you to go travel solo? Read this tips I shared especially for women!

Tips for Women – Safe Travel in India