Sonamarg

"Around 80 km, taking roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by road along the Sindh Valley. It's a common day trip from Srinagar, though the drive plus glacier visit makes for a long day. The route is genuinely scenic, following the river for much of the way."

"Access is limited. Heavy snowfall typically closes the higher reaches and the Zojila pass from around late autumn until spring, and the Srinagar–Sonamarg road itself can close temporarily during heavy snow. Opening dates shift year to year with conditions, so confirm access before planning a winter visit."

"Thajiwas Glacier is the main attraction, reached by pony ride or a walk of roughly 3 km from the main point. The Sindh River, the meadows around the town and the drive itself are the other draws. Sonamarg is also a trailhead for treks including the Kashmir Great Lakes route."

"May to September, once the snow has cleared and the meadows are green. May and June often still have accessible snow near the glacier, which is why they're popular with families wanting snow without a winter trip. July and August are warmest; September brings clear air and fewer visitors."

"Yes - Sonamarg is the last major stop in Kashmir before Zojila pass on the Srinagar–Leh highway. Travellers driving to Ladakh commonly overnight in Sonamarg or nearby Kargil. Zojila is typically open roughly May to October, though exact dates vary with snow clearance each year."