Sinthan Top
Destinations  /  Sinthan Top

Sinthan Top

A 3,748-metre mountain pass connecting Kashmir to Kishtwar — 30 hairpin bends, three Himalayan ranges in view, and almost no tourists.

📍 120 km from Srinagar (approx 4 hours) from Srinagar

About Sinthan Top

The Sinthan Top is a 3,748-metre mountain pass that connects the Kashmir Valley to the Kishtwar district of Jammu. The drive up involves approximately 30 hairpin bends. On both sides of the road, the slope drops hundreds of metres. At the top, there is a granite plateau, cold air, and a panoramic view that takes in three separate Himalayan ranges simultaneously. This is not a drive for those uncomfortable with mountain roads. But for those who make it, the experience is genuinely exceptional. The pass is typically open from June to November. In June, the surrounding meadows are still partially snow-covered and the snowfields on either side of the road make the drive feel otherworldly. In September, the sky is deep blue and the visibility is extraordinary. The Sinthan Pass road was historically a trade route between Kashmir and Jammu. The chai stalls at the summit have been there for decades, run by families from the Kishtwar side who carry everything up by horse in early season. The tea they serve — thick, milky, slightly smoky from the wood fire — is one of the best cups of tea you will ever drink.

Things to Do

Summit Drive and Walk

The drive to the summit is the experience. At the top, a short walk to the viewpoint gives a 360-degree panorama of the Great Himalayan Range, Pir Panjal range, and Kishtwar Himalayas simultaneously. Our driver Jamsheed has taken this road over a hundred times.

💰 Arranged as part of Trivilio day trip
Summit Tea

The chai stalls at the summit — at 3,748 metres — serve the most atmospheric cup of tea in Kashmir. Sitting in the cold with a hot cup, surrounded by mountains in every direction, is a simple but unforgettable experience.

💰 Approximately 20 rupees per cup
Photographic Stop at Every Bend

The hairpin bends below the summit give successive views of the valley below and the peaks above. Each bend is different. We stop at four or five on the way up.

💰 Free

Best Time to Visit

Early Summer
June to July

The pass opens after winter. Snow still visible on both sides of the road at the summit. Wildflowers beginning in the lower meadows. The most dramatic visual experience of the year.

Late Summer
August to September

Fully accessible. Very clear skies. The best photography conditions of the season. The meadows around the pass are fully green.

Autumn
October

The pass typically closes after mid-October. A October visit — if the weather holds — gives extraordinary autumn colour in the forests below the pass.

🚗 How to Reach Sinthan Top

Drive from Srinagar south toward Anantnag, then turn toward Daksum — approximately 120km, taking around 4 hours depending on the road and stops. The road from Daksum to the pass climbs through dense forest. A 4WD vehicle is essential for this trip. Our vehicles are specifically maintained for mountain road driving.

Plan Your Sinthan Top Trip

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