Visit Sanasar: A Place for the Adrenaline Junkies in Jammu & Kashmir (2024)
The name Sanasar is a combination of two names. Sanasar is the name given to the two small villages of Sana and Sar in Jammu province, India. It is located at a distance of 119 km from Jammu and only 17 km from Patnitop. Sanasar is named after small local lakes, ‘Sana’ & ‘Sar’. These two lakes are located 17 km west of Patnitop. It is located on the national highway 1A, in the Jammu province of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India. Sanasar is a beautiful town located at an altitude of 2050 meters.
Sanasar is the hub for adventure sports activities in the entire state. You will see a lot of people visiting Sanasar for the adventure activities it has to offer along with the marvelous beauty of nature. Nathatop, which is located at a distance of 11 km from Patnitop offers scenic views of the mighty western also known as Kishtwar Himalayas, and the lower Shivalik range. The Bramha Massif, with its prominent peaks of Brahma 1 and 2 & Flat Top, is visible from Natha top. Image Source:
Sanasar is eight kilometers down the road, from Natha Top with Matha top falling en route. You can enjoy many activities in the area including paragliding, rock climbing, rappelling, and trekking. The area is built in a cup-shaped meadow surrounded by huge conifers that add to the beauty of this place. Sanasar is also visited by tourists who want to enjoy the quieter side of the valley. On the outskirts, you will be able to enjoy adventure sports and have the time of your life. The twin villages of Sana and Sar are heart throbbingly beautiful and visited by tourists who want to spend some quiet time in the beautiful hills and lush green meadows away from the hustle-bustle of the town. It is also called an ecofriendly village with sustainable practices in every means of life.
Places to Visit and Things To Do In Sanasar
One must visit Sanasar to experience the beauty and nature.
1. Paragliding
This is one of the most famous things people visit Sanasar for. Paragliding is an adventure activity that is being offered at a few places in India and Sanasar is one of the most famous places in India offering this adventure activity. Tourists from all around the country and outside visit Sanasar to enjoy Paragliding. The best and most interesting part about the paragliding is that the major amount of the time during the flights is over a beautiful lake and you land in the meadows. The gliders are well trained and after the take-off, you get to fly in the air for more than 20 minutes seeing the entire valley and the mesmerizing view of the lake and enjoying the view of the lush greenery with your eyes. This is a sight to behold and a moment to behold your entire life. It is one of the most beautiful sites one can see while flying in the mid-air along. It is also fun to see other people flying along with you at a distance which makes it even more attractive There is no feeling like this when you can just open your arms mid-air and feel the fresh air in your lungs, feel alive and forget all the stress in life. You can also experience high flying if you are interested at Nathatop for 20 minutes. You take off from a hill and enjoy the scenery while you are flying with a hot air balloon and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty and the lush green mountains and valleys. This is a sight to behold and a moment to behold your entire life. It is one of the most beautiful sites one can see while flying in the mid-air along. The ride is conducted at a 2 km landmark, Dawariyai, situated on Sanasar-Sanasar Road, also known as Billoo Di Powri point.
One can reach the point by ascending through 400 plus steps. In addition to a thrilling and adventurous ride, you will get a chance to get a video made for yourself while you are paragliding to keep it as a memory. Make sure you do not miss paragliding while in Sanasar.
2. Wilderness Adventure Camps (WAC)
WAC-Sanasar was started 4 years ago by “Extreme Himalayan Adventures” and is dedicated to promoting and providing wilderness adventure camping and adventure sports experiences to the general public. People can enjoy staying at camps at this location out in the wilderness without having to worry about the necessities as the host takes care of all things. You just need to go and enjoy the camps and life in the wilderness, and you will get everything else ready for you. This is an extremely amazing way to spend time in the camp and enjoy the wilderness without having to worry about the arrangements etc. The camp can accommodate around 100 participants. It is run by “Extreme Himalayan Adventures” in collaboration with the Dept of Tourism, Jammu. Camping is the best way to enjoy your time in the lap of nature in the wilderness. You will get to stay amidst the lush greenery if you are planning to camp here. Do not worry if you do not have any camping equipment with you to carry. They provide camping services at the best prices and you can make most of it. They provide you with all the equipment like tents, sleeping bags, and other necessary equipment. They arrange a bonfire for you to stay warm and enjoy the outdoors as well. It is a one-of-a-kind experience. Do not miss camping while you are in Sanasar.
3. Trekking
There are many famous trekking trails around Sanasar which are famous for the views the valley has to offer. One can enjoy a solo hike or with friends and family. The hikes are easy to moderate difficulty hikes which can be taken easily if you have a decent fitness level and availability of time. Several trekking and hiking routes start from Sanasar which can be taken by the tourists. You can see some of the best views of pine forests and mountain tops. You will be able to see the majestic and awe-inspiring mountain ranges while you are hiking in this area. You can hike on the trekking trails of Ladoo Ladi which is a modest nature walk of about 4km from Madhatop. One can also trek their way to Shanta Gala which is a pass on the Shanta ridge and offers the view of the Panchari valley, on the other side of the ridge.
4. Naag Mandir
The Naag Mandir is close to Sanasar and it is a 600-year-old temple. Naag Mandir is visited by thousands of tourists every year. It holds a special place for the locals, and you will see locals praying here when you visit the temple. During the famous Naag Panchami festival, you will see tons of devotes of Lord Shiva coming here to seek blessings and to pay their respects. An interesting fact about the temple is that it is made with solid wood that has withered for several centuries. Although the construction is not very strong, and it is a conventional construction of the bygone era, but you will be surprised by the landscape around the temple. The place has a very peaceful aura with the lush greenery around the temple. Make sure you come to seek blessing to this temple when you are in Sanasar or Sanasar. You will see many Shiva devotees, who visit this temple to pay respects and worship the snake King Cobra.
This temple is mainly made of wood and has weathered several centuries although it is not a conventional solid temple construction. The main attraction of the temple is the surroundings. It is standing amidst lush green meadows and majestic mountains. The temple is not only a significant religious center for the area but also a site that leaves its visitors fascinated by the beautiful landscape.
5. Shank Pal Temple
Shank pal temple is an architectural marvel and a delight to watch. It is located on the Shank Pal ridge, at an altitude of 2800m, this temple is 400 years old and a 5-hour trek from Sanasar. Its unique feature is that no mortar has been used to join the stones of the temple. People who love unique architecture love to visit this temple. The lush greenery around the temple is also bewitching. You will be surrounded by lush greenery and the beautiful meadows and will have some time to spend with yourself, thinking in the lap of nature. Make sure you visit this place to enjoy your time in the wilderness.
6. Skiing
It is a famous destination for Skiing enthusiasts in India. Sanasar and the adjoining Sanasar receive huge snow in winters and that makes it favorable for skiing here. It is an excellent place for skiing in winters. Sanasar beats all other skiing destinations at being a highly preferred location for skiing. The fact that Sanasar is rather untouched and less crowded makes it a more favorable destination to try skiing than others. The place remains covered in snow all through the winter season and is quite an experience to try skiing here. You must not miss the opportunity to try Skiing if you are visiting Sanasar or Sanasar during the winter.
7. Rappelling
You can test your shoulder and arms strength with rappelling and rock climbing. In addition to the strenuous part of this activity, it is fun and thrilling. You can have a really good time doing these activities in the hills in Sanasar. It feels a little difficult when you are going to try it, but it gets really exciting when you are doing rappelling and you would feel like doing it again and again.
8. Shopping in Sanasar
Sanasar is a very small city but is a very famous tourist destination and a beautiful hill station. The place is famous for its shops and even street shopping. There are many things that one can buy from Sanasar for friends and family and cherish the memories forever. The city is popular for its dry fruits, Kashmiri handicrafts, and Pashmina shawls. The sweets here too have a unique taste and should not be missed out on. One can purchase local souvenirs and handicrafts near the Naag Temple in Sanasar. The Naag Temple is ancient, one can easily find souvenirs here belonging to the bygone era. You should know how to haggle if you are visiting these markets. It is a nice place for a day out where you can enjoy the famous street food as well while enjoying shopping.
Best Time to Visit Sanasar
Sanasar is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and can be visited at any time of the year. However, the best time to visit this beautiful town is during summers as summers are well suited for all activities that you can enjoy here at Sanasar. April to June is the best time to visit Sanasar. However, every season has its charm in this town that invites you to visit at any time of the year. Many tourists come for the winter festivals during the season. Winters are considered to be the honeymoon season in Sanasar. Winters are very chilly in Sanasar but that does not stop tourists from visiting this beautiful place. As the summer starts, when the snow starts to melt, you will start seeing the greenery and flowers all around which makes the place look like heaven. You can enjoy paragliding and skiing also early in the summers at Sanasar. The weather is pleasant in summers and is considered the ideal time to spend in the lap of the Himalayas.
There is a huge rush of tourists to Sanasar from March to May and the temperature is pleasant compared to other parts of the country where it is brazenly hot. You can decide when you want to get away from the hustle-bustle of the city and want to stay and rejuvenate your cluttered mind in the lap of the Himalayas.
How to Reach Sanasar?
Sanasar is well connected and can be reached easily from all major cities. There are several means of transport available to travel to Sanasar. You can choose from air travel, trains, buses, or taxis to reach this heavenly town in this beautiful valley.
Air Travel to Sanasar: The Nearest airport is Jammu airport and is connected to most of the major cities in India. The local airlines and carriers like Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo, Spice Jet, and others have direct flights from Delhi. You can take a taxi to Sanasar which is 110 km from Jammu airport. To reach Jammu, you can also take connecting flights from other local airports in India if a direct flight is not available from your nearest airport. You can hire a taxi from the airport to reach your destination in Sanasar or the nearby cities if you are planning to go anywhere else.
Rail Travel to Sanasar: The Nearest railway stations are Udhampur and Jammu Railway stations. There is a train specially named after the station. The railhead is connected to most of the major cities in India. It is also a good way to reach Jammu city. Jammu Tawi or Udhampur railway station is directly connected to prime cities of the country, including Delhi, Bhatinda, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Jodhpur via several superfast, express, and mail trains. You can take a taxi or take a shared cab from outside the railway station to reach your destination. Public transport is also readily available outside the railway station. You can take a taxi or take a shared cab from outside the railway station to reach Sanasar.
Road Travel to Sanasar: This is the best way to reach Sanasar as you will be able to enjoy the views on your way to the city while traveling by road. Sanasar is connected through Jammu to all major cities by a network of roads to Chandigarh, Jammu, Sonamarg, Delhi, and Pahalgam. Bus service is also available from all the nearby major cities in the north that connect to Sanasar via Jammu. You can also choose to hire a taxi if you want to travel at your own pace to reach Sanasar directly.
Places to Stay in Sanasar
You can find places to stay in Sanasar for all budgets. There are both luxurious and budget hotels you can choose based on your pocket size. Sanasar has some of the best hill-style cottages that are converted to Hotels or homestays for you to rent for your vacation. A vacation to Sanasar is the ideal way to unwind and relax in the lap of nature away from the city crowds. There are many warm and cozy places to stay in the town for all budgets including hostels, resorts, homestays, etc. There are luxurious 5-star hotels, mid-range hotels, homestays, bed and breakfast, and other budget hotels in the main town and nearby places. Make sure you book your accommodation before visiting the place as the possibility of finding a good or any accommodation gets difficult during the peak season if you just drop by. You can also find many homestays which are quite famous among families as well as young people and adventure seekers as you can have the entire area to yourself and enjoy there as per your comfort. And if you are staying with a landlord at your homestay, you get to enjoy the local Kashmiri food that any restaurant in the city would not do any justice to. Some of the luxurious hotels and budget hotels you can choose from are Vardaan Hotels, Hotel Trinetra Resorts, One Earth Heritage, Poonch House, The Apricot Holiday Home, Cedar at Poonch House, Willow at Poonch house.
Things to Eat in Sanasar
Everyone city or town in the state of Kashmir has something very famous to eat in addition to the delicious Kashmiri food. There is a variety of food available at Nathatop if you want to try street food and snacks Do not miss eating chocolate Barfi, Sund Panjeeri, Rajma with Rice, Kalaadi which is a type of cheese found locally in the state, Pickles specific to the state like Kasrod, Girgle, Mango with Saunf, Zimikand, Tyaoo, Seyoo, and Potatoes pickles, Khatta Meat which is mutton cooked with Pomegranate or lime juice. You will find famous restaurants and roadside eateries both serving delicious food. You will also find the famous Kashmiri dishes here that are a trademark of the state. The most famous dishes in the area are Rogan Josh, Modar Pulao, Matschgand, Shab Daig, Haakh, Yakhni, Nader ki Gaad, Kashmiri Naan are among the few. Make sure you try all the food during your visit. Like all the places, the food is also a unique specialty in Sanasar and the nearby places.