|
|
|
|
|
|
 Trekking
The ideal trekking
months stretch from
April to November;no
special permits are
required,though
registration with
the nearest tourist
office is
necessary.The state
affords some
spectacular
contrasts in nature
with its alpine
pastures,barren
wastelands and
rugged
mountains.Srinagar
is a good take off
point for trekking
in the Kashmir
valley or in
Zanskar(by road to
kargil).In the
Ladakh region,Leh is
the best point for
base camp.Mules and
porters charging
approximately $ 4
per day can be
engaged from the
area's nearest
tourist
office.Guides are
also available and
there are several
specialised agencies
in Srinagar and Leh
dealing in trekking
tours. |
 Mountaineering
Several mountain
ranges through the
state of Jammu &
Kashmir among them
Pir Panjal,Great
Himalayas,Zanskar,Ladakh,Karakoram.
Climbing in these
Himalayas can be
very stimulating and
typically an
expedition can take
a month,Srinagar to
Srinagar.Rich in
flora and fauna,the
summits of most
peaks are an
exhilirating
experience and from
a top them,one can
look beyond to
neighbouring
countries Pakistan
and Tibet.
Off Sonamarg are the
lesser peaks
Kolahoi(5,425 m) and
Harmukh (5,148
m).These are peaks
one can get to
quickly making an
alpine
ascent.Similarly
thhe peaks in the
Kishtwar region are
not too high but
offer technically
dicfficult climbing
with many
challenging faces
and ridges.Some are
still virgin
peaks.The popular
peaks are Sickle
Moon 6,575 m ,Riger
6,001m,Brammah-I
6,416m,Crooked
Finger 5,630m,
Arjuna 6,230m,Katori
6,138m and Flat Top
6,100m.In the
Zanskar region are
the famous peaks of
Nun 7,135m and Kun
7,077m.Around these
are White Needle
6,500m,Pinacle
6,930m and Z-1
6,400m.These peaks
are located at the
head of the Shafat
glacier.The 'Z'
series also cluster
around the Durung
Drung glacier which
is visible from the
Pensita.In the
Ladakh region are
the Stok Kangri
6,153m, Parcha
Kangri 6,065m and
Kanglcha 6,400m.More
recently peaks in
the restricted area
of the Nubra valley
in the Inaian
Karakorams have also
been opened to
foreigners and
Indian. |
|
Winter Sports
With the first fall
of snow the
highlands are
transformed into a
glittering winter
wonderland,the
country's premier
arena for
action-packed
skiing.Gulmarg has
slopes varying
between 8,700 and
10,500 feet with the
highest ski runs in
India.Meant only for
beginners,Gulmarg
ski-lifts and
chair-lifts provide
basic utilitarian
facilities with a
simple link-up.Those
who enjoy the
exhilration of
height will
therefore have to
make their own way
up.But what is of a
particularly high
quality is Gulmarg's
ski-shop with
professional
equipmnet which can
be hired,imported
from Australia and
France. Facilities
are also being
provided for skiing
at Pahalgam and work
on an institute of
mountaineering and
winter sports is
already underway.At
Gulmargh too the
ski-slopes are being
extended for more
ambitious
skiiers.Heli-skiing
too is being
introduced. |
 Water
Sports
Cutting across the
lunar landscapes of
Ladakh,The Indus
triver begins its
2,000 mile long
journey,biting
through a land few
men have seen.Often
called the 'lion
river' the Indus
roars across great
hasms of mounatin
and earth,bridging
both in a roar of
thundering foam as
she plungess across
untamed countryside.
As she passes
through Leh,river
runners congregate
to navigate her
waters,ice-cold,
clear and offering
infinite variations
to occupy all grades
of
enthusiasts.Options
include a half day
scenic run for
amateurs on low
waters from Phey
along fast currents
through canyons and
along spectacular
mountain views to
Niemo, the
confluence of the
zanskar and
Karakoram ranges.Or
combine a scenic and
white trip on the
run from Niemo.Water-skiing
on Dal and Nagin
lakes is a popular
sport and for those
who are trying it
for the first time
ten-day water ski
courses are
available.Canoeing
too may be attempted
at the high
altitudes
lakes,while diving
in the lakes has
still to catch on. |
Golfing
You can golf at the
highest 18-hole
course in the world
at Gulmarg.At 3,730
m the greens are
overlooked by
Gulmarg's
picturesque vistas
and different from
anything you might
have seen before.The
Charming Golf Club
here first opened
its doors in 1904.
At Srinagar the
course has common
fairways and a par
0f 70 and most of it
overlooks the serene
waters of Dal
Lake.And those
interested will find
that Pahalgam too
has a very lovely
golf course.
Visitors can avail
of the golf club
facilities either by
seeking daily
membership or
temporary membership
if in Kashmir for a
longer stay. |
|
Fishing
Kashmir has been
rightly called
angler's
paradise,with a
network of rivers
and streams as well
as high altitude
lakes all abounding
in trout both brown
and rainbow.Trout
fishing in Kashmir
is far,far cheaper
than it is in ant
other part of the
world.And most
importantly,the
Department of
Fisheries,which
controls angling in
the valley,works
hard to ensure that
there is no
depletion of stock
by indiscriminate
fishing whcih means
that you can revel
in angling in ideal
conditions. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
