Gulmarg
Trekking
Gulmarg makes an excellent base for trekking in the northern Pir
Panjal Range. Nanga Parbat can be seen to the north from several
view points, including Khilanmarg, west and over 1,500 feet up
the forested hillside from Gulmarg. From a distance, the Pir
Panjal appears somewhat rounded, but when you are actually
walking up its slopes, you will find that its smoother peaks
rise above evergreen clad slopes that seem quite equal in
steepness to those of the main Himalayas.
Golf Courses In Gulmarg :
Situated at an altitude of 2,650 m, Gulamarg has got the highest
green golf course in the world. The layout of the course is
quiet striking and the layout is similar to a normalgolf course
with land slopes and inclines along the complete area of the
course, which has a par of 72. The golf club was started by the
British who used Gulmarg as a holiday resort, and opened it for
golf lovers in the year 1904. At present the Jammu & Kashmir
Tourism Development Corporation manages the club.
Skiing Adventure In Gulmarg :
In winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona - that of the
country's premier skiing resorts. Skiing, to many who watch it
on TV, seems like a very elitist sport, requiring a high level
of training and expensive equipment. They are surprised, when
they visit Gulmarg for a day's expedition to see the snow, that
others with the same level of physical fitness and training are
skiing down slopes.
Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner's skiing resort. One doesn't
requite a heavy woolen wardrobe - slacks or a Salwar Kameez will
do fine. In Gulmarg one will also be able to drift to one of the
many Ski shops and hire skis, sticks and goggles. Just find
yourself a ski instructor and set off down a slope.
Neither does one need to exert oneself climbing up slopes. The
gentlest slope of 200m is linked with a ski lift, which helps
one to go up. When one graduates to intermediate level - which
will happen after the first few days of practice, there are
other slopes, longer and steeper, which are connected by chair
lift. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola
cable car, which allows a ski run of 2,213m.
Sonamarg
The name Sonamarg means 'Meadow of Gold' and although this could
be due to the profusion of flowers that carpet the meadow in the
spring it is also possible that the name derives from Sonamarg's
strategic trading position in the days when this was a major
route into central Asia. The Sindh River meanders along here and
abounds with Trout and Mahseer
Adventure Sports In Sonamarg:
Sonamarg is the starting point of a major trek passing several
mountain lakes - Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and
Gangabal. One trek leads all the way to the Amarnath Cave. The
other reason for Sonamarg's importance lies in the fact that it
is the last halt on the Kashmir side for the drive from Sri
Nagar to Leh.
Thajiwas Trek:
One of the most popular short walks from Sonamarg and a major
attraction during the summer months is the 4-km route to
Thajiwas, a small valley at the foot of the Sonamarg glacier. A
path leads up to the Shakhdar hill, overlooking the glacier from
the northeast. It is dangerous to climb the steep slope leading
up to the glacier. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to
Thajiwas glacier. Often in early summer one will meet groups of
Gujar passing through Sonamarg on their way to the alpine
meadows for the summer.
Trek From Sonamarg To The Valley Via Gangabal Lake: A fine trek
west of Sonamarg is to cross the Nichinai pass to Gangabal Lake.
As always, you would do well to have a local to accompany you.
To reach the trailhead, go 2 miles down valley from Sonamarg
toward Srinagar to the bridge below the tightly clustered houses
of Shitkari village, where the road crosses the Sind River.
Across the river from this small village, begin walking on the
true Right Bank to the lakes called Krishan Sar and Vishan Sar,
and beyond to Gangabal Lake near Haramukh, the highest peak in
the vicinity of the Kashmir valley.
Ladakh Trekking Tours
Ladakh, popularly known as the land of Numerous
Passes, the Land of Mystic Lamas, the Broken Moon and the Last
Shangri La is bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain
ranges, the Greater Himalaya and the Karakoram. Leh, Ladakh's
largest town and administrative centre, lies at the crossroads
of ancient trading routes between Kashmir, Tibet, Central Asia
and the Indian plains. Ladakh's colourful gompas (Buddhist
monasteries) have attracted devout Buddhists, interested
travellers and is known for some of the most picturesque and
challenging treks in northern India. Ladakh is known as a high
altitude cold desert region that includes river valleys, wide
plateaus rolling hills and sharp and forbidding mountain peaks
and passes. The valleys of Drass, Zanskar and Suru Valley on the
Himalayan's northern flank provide opportunities to explore not
only the interior of Ladakh, but to discover cultural styles
hardly affected by the last 30 years of tourism.
Treks in Ladakh
Trekking options within Ladakh include short,
daylong walks up and down mountains to visit remote villages or
monastic settlements. The longer duration Trans-Himalayan treks
involve weeks of walking and camping in the wild and barren
region of Ladakh. Among the high altitude treks is the trek from
Lamayuru in the Indus valley to Darcha in Lahaul across Zanskar
that takes nearly three weeks to come to its conclusion. Most of
the established routes pass through the Zanskar range, which
separates the Indus valley from Zanskar.
The 10-day Lamayuru-Padum trek and the
Stok-Khangri trek are the more popular trek tours among the
numerous options available in this cold desert of Ladakh. In
recent years, parts of the Ladakh range between the Indus and
Shayok valleys have also become available for trekking.Ladakh
offers very interesting trekking routes for trekkers. Trekking
possibilities include short, day -long walks up and down
mountain slopes to visit isolated villages or monastic
settlements, or across a ridge to enjoy the sheer beauty of the
lunar mountainscape. Or long, transmountain treks involving
weeks of walking and camping the wilderness.
Clothes And Equipments
The summer visitors to Leh will need basically
warm- weather clothes, with a sweeter for evenings and mornings
when it may be chilly. Temperatures begin to fall around the 2nd
half of August, and though cottons continue to be worm during
the day until mid September, a heavy sweeter or an anorak or
coat will be needed in the mornings and evenings. Form mid
September it starts getting distinctly cold and woollens are
needed even during the day, though in the sun it is still hot.
Winter visitors- which means November to April- will need to
equip themselves with heavy woollens, anoraks or tweed coats,
gloves, balaclave helmets or equivalent and warm boots.
Reasonably good trekking equipment can be hired
from Private Tour Operators specialised in mountain treks. All
trekkers should remember that nights in the mountains would be
chilly at any time of the year and make sure that they should be
fully equipped for the treks. They must carry enough food for
the whole trek, basic supplies- fruit & vegetables or the
occasional villages enroute will be able to provide local food
if you run out of food stock. It is advisable to keep a good
torch handy during treks and visit to the monasteries because
shrines are often found ill- lit.
Colohai
Glacier
Day 1: Srinagar
On arrival at Srinagar , you will be met by our
representative at the airport and transfer you to Deluxe
Houseboat. Afternoon free for personal activities. Overnight at
Houseboat.
Day 2: Srinagar - Local sightseeing 50 Kms
Half day tour of world famous Mughal Gardens
visiting the Nishat Bagh (The garden of pleasure) and Shalimar
Bagh (Abode of love). Return to houseboat for hot lunch. In the
afternoon Shikara ride on The Dal Lake to enjoy the beauty that
God has graced this city with which is often compared to Venice
. You will get a view of some very interesting places around the
Lake . Overnight at Houseboat.
Day 3: Srinagar - Pahalgam 93 Kms
After breakfast, leave from Srinagar and drive to
Pahalgam 2440 Mtrs (Vale of Kashmir) on the way visit Saffron
fields and Avantipur ruins which is eleven hundred years old
temple. Finally by the lunch time you will reach Pahalgam which
is the most famous place for Indian Film Industry. After lunch
enjoy the nature charm of the valley. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4: Pahalgam - Aru drive - Lidderwat trek 6
Hrs
After breakfast drive to Pahalgam which will took
30 minutes. From Aru, the trail ascends the bridle track behind
the village. The climb is quite steep in places until the trail
reaches a small meadow. From here the track levels out as we
trek through a forest, before reaching an alpine meadow that
forms one of the most picturesque settings in Kashmir. The
meadow is populated by gujar and Kashmiri spepherds who are
fully aquainted with trekkers. We continue our trek until we
passed the confluence of Lidder River and Tarsar River,
origianatting from Tarsar Lake. We than cross the bridge which
leads to Liddereat, our campsite for overnight. At a height of
2730 m.
Day 5: Lidderwat - Kolohia Galicer base trek 6
Hrs
After breakfast leave early for Kolohia Galicer
which will took 6 hrs walking. This is the head of the Lidder
valley and the base of a glacier of the same name. The glacier
has twin peaks at 17,827 ft. It is a spectacular sight and there
are camp sights around 14,000 ft. From Kolahia.Overnight at
Tents
Day 6: Kolohia - Aru trek 6 Hrs - drive to
Pahalgam
After breakfast trek to Aru via Ldderwat and
reach Aru village where our car is waiting and drive to Pahalgam
for overnight at Hotel.
Day 7: Pahalgam - Srinagar
After breakfast leave Pahalgam and drive to
Srinagar at lunch time you will reach into the houseboat.
Afternoon free for personal activities. Overnight at Houseboat.
Day 8: Srinagar - Delhi
Transfer in time to the airport to connect
onwards flight.
Thajwas
Trekking Tours
Day 01: Srinagar - Sonmarg - Thajiwas Glacier 84
Kms
Leave Srinagar by cars/coach and drive through
picturesque village and arrive Sonmarg. Three Kilometres walk to
Glacier. Camp at the foot of the Glacier which is 3000 Mtrs.
Overnight in Alpine Hut/Tents.
Day 02: Thajiwas Glacier - Nichnai 13 Kms
Start trekking steep ascending upto Shokhdari
where from you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Glaciers and
Sonmarg descend towards Nichnai (Shepherds Valley). Overnight in
Tents.
Day 03: Nichnai - Vishnasar - Krishansar Lake 15
Kms
Leaving in the morning and immediately start
ascending to Nichnai pass (13579 Ft) then descend towards
Vishnasar and Krishnasar Lake 5/6 hours walking through the
beautiful natural garden with many different wild flowers and
crossing a stream at the end. Overnight in Tents.
Day 04: Krishansar - Gadsar 16 Kms.
Full day trek 6/7 hours walk towards Gadsar known
as Botanist paradise steep ascending upto Krishansar pass which
is 4080 Mtrs. Overnight in tents.
Day 05: Gadsar - Gangabal Lake 19 Kms.
Leaving Gadsar and easy ascending upto Poshpatri
(The valley of flowers) than a gradual walking upto Megandub.
From here steep and difficult trek to Zagibal peak 4180 Mtrs.
This is the highest and tiring pass on this trek where you can
see beautiful view of the Gangabal lakes and Harmukh peak.
Overnight in tents.
Day 06: Gangabal
Day for leisure or Rainbow Trout Fishing at
Gangabal lakes or full day visit to Lul Gul pass where from you
can see beautiful view of Nanga Parbat. Overnight in Tents.
Day 07: Gangabal Naranag - Srinagar
Leaving Gangabal on the way see Trunkol and
Nunkol two small Gypsies villages than a steep descend towards
Naranag. At Naranag visit Buddhist monastery. It is said that
3rd world Conference of Buddhist was held some where around this
place. Leave by car/coach to Srinagar 2 hours drive. Tour ends
here.