Adventure
Sports in Kashmir
Trekking
For
trekkers, Kashmir is the ultimate paradise. The
terrain from the Shivalik hills of Jammu to the
rugged mountains of Ladakh is a geographer's
delight. Nowhere in the world can one see so much
change in geography in such a small distance:
flora and fauna; Alpine pastures saddled among
snow clad peaks with pure oxygenated air;
high-altitude lakes of Kishensar, Vishensar and
Gangabal full of trout. Your constant companions
would be the nomadic shepherds - the Gujjars - the
tough and sturdy mountain folk who can carry you
on their back and still complete the trek in half
the time and who claim to be descendants of Moses.
One can go back-packing on one's own or take on a
'five star' trek in the Mughal fashion with camp
cots, tables and chairs and bearers in waiting. A
number of local travel agencies organise all
inclusive trekking. For those who want to do it in
real Alpine style, equipment is readily available
in Srinagar, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, the main take
off points. Choice provisions can be purchased in
Srinagar. Mules and porters can be engaged through
the respective tourist offices. One can hike for a
day, or disappear in the mountains for a week,
enjoy the tranquility and serenity, becoming one
with the surroundings in a rare communion with
nature.
Trekkers set up camp in a
valley
For tougher treks, Ladakh
offers the true rugged Himalayan adventure amid
high mountains, lofty peaks and endless glaciers.
Treks range from four days to two weeks. In fact,
if one combines some of the trails, one can go on
exploring the mountains for months together. But
one has to be cautious while trekking in Ladakh.
The climate and terrain are more demanding, being
almost a high-altitude desert with extreme
temperature. One has to be self-sufficient in food
as the local population has very little food to
spare. In some places one may not see any life for
days together. The trekking season extends from
mid May till mid Oct.
Some of the more popular
trails are:
Base: Srinagar
- Srinagar-Aharabal-Kungwattan-Mahinag-Koun-sarnag
(5 days)
- Srinagar-Erin-Poshpathri-Sarbal-Kundsar-Ganga-bal
(7 days)
Base: Pahalgam
- Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Sheshnag-Panchtarni--Amarnarh
Cave-Sonamarg-Srinagar (7 days)
- Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Sheshnag-Rangmarg-
-Humpet-Kanital-Lonivilad-Panikhar-Kargil
(9 days)
- Pahalgam-Aru-Lidderwat-Kolahoi
Glacier-Yem-her Pass-Khemsar-Kulan-Sonamarg-Srinagar
(9 days)
Base: Gulmarg
- Gulmarg-Khilanmarg-Apharwat-Alpather
(4 days)
- Gulmarg-Danwas-Tejjan-Tosha
Maidan (4 days)
- Gulmarg-Kantarnarg (4
days)
Base: Sonamarg
- Sonamarg-Thajiwas
Glacier (2 days)
- Sonamarg-Nichnai Pass-Vishansar-Gadsar-Krish-ansar-Satsaran
Pass-Mangadub-Zojibal Pass-Narang--Srinagar
(11 days)
Base: Leh
- Leh-Lamayuru-Wanla-Ursi-Tar
La- Mangyur - Sa-spol-Leh (7 days)
- Leh-Stok-Zachan-Rumbagh
Pass-Gandala Pass--Shingo-Skiu-Shaluk-Markha-Nimaling-Longmaru
La-Churkirmo-Shang-Hemis-Leh (14 days)
Base: Padam
- Padam-Ichar-Fuktal-Purne-Thangse-Kargiya-
Shingola-Zampo-Darcha-Manali (9 days)
- Padam-Mone-Pupila-Thangse-Kargiya-
Lakong--Zanskar-Sumdo-Darcha-Manali (9 days)
- Padam-Pishu-Pidmu-Snertse-Linshat
Gompa-Chila-Lamayuru-Leh (12 days)
- Padam-Tungri-Ating-Huttra-Buswas-Machail-Athole-Galhar-Kishtwar
(7 days)
Base: Kishtwar
- Kishtwar-Palmar-Ekhala-Sonder-Sirshi-Hanzal-Yourdu-
Sarkandu-Inshan-MarganPass-Lahinwan-Daksum-Srinagar
(13 days)
- Kishtwar-Galhar-Shashu-Athole-Ishtiari-Dharwas-Kilar-Brindabani-Sach
Pass-Satrundi-Bhanodi-Trele-Tissa-Chamba (14
days)
Base: Doda
- Doda-Bhaderwah-Jai-Kansar-Gandho-Kilhotran-Kanti
Dhar-Kanthi-Bhal Padri-Padri Pass-Bheja-Bhaderwah-Doda
(12 days)
No permits are required for
trekking anywhere in Kashmir or Ladakh in open
areas. However, certain areas close to the border
are restricted zones. Entry into these areas
delineated by an imaginary line drawn one mile
north of Zojila-Kargil-Leh road and one mile west
of Leh-Upshi-Manali road is forbidden. Violation
may result in arrest and prosecution. Should one
be going for very long treks in these high
mountains, it is advisable to register with
tourist authorities and also inform them on
return.
One important thing to
remember while trekking in these beautiful
mountains is that one is not the last person to
trek here. There will be many more to follow, so
keep the mountains clean. No litter, no garbage,
no juniper bushes for making fires (kerosene and
gas stoves are readily available). Save the lush
green forests - they are the only (green) gold
left. Re-member in Ladakh, due to an extremely dry
climate, a piece of paper may take 20 years to
decompose and plastics may survive forever.
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