Travel
Leh ladakh Tour.
Set like a jewelled crown on the map of India, Kashmir
is a multi-faceted diamond, always extravagantly beautiful.
Two major Himalayan ranges, the Great Himalayan Range
and the Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the
north and south respectively.
The Mughals aptly called Kashmir ‘Paradise on
Earth’ where they journeyed across the hot plains
of India, to the valley’s cool environs in summer.
Here they laid, with great love and care, Srinagar’s
many formal, waterfront gardens, now collectively known
as the Mughal Gardens.
Kashmir is a land where myriad holiday ideas are realised.
In winter, when snow carpets the mountains, there is
skiing, tobogganing, sledge-riding, etc. along the gentle
slopes. In spring and summer, the honey-dewed orchards,
rippling lakes and blue skies beckon every soul to sample
the many delights the mountains and valleys have to
offer. Water-skiing in the lakes and angling for prized
rainbow trout, or simply drifting down the willow fringed
alleys of lakes in shikaras and living in gorgeous houseboats
are some of the most favoured ones.
GULMARG
Gulmarg's legendary beauty, prime location
and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the
premier hill resorts in the country. Originally called
‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name
was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah,
who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned
with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of
Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties
of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a
mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the
highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude
of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier ski resort
in the winter.
The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching
there. Depending on the season, nature's colours could
be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich
emerald, or autumn’s golden hues. After Tangmarg,
the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides.
At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers
generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and
look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost
within touching distance.
Places of interest
Gondola ride to Apharwat (cable car), Khilanmarg, skiing,
horse riding. Splendor of nature and Snowy Mountains
Srinagar – The Lake City
Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir
valley, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The
Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting,
while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious
climate ensures that the city is equally attractive
to visitors around the year.
Today Srinagar is a resort for the tourist who can experience,
at first hand, the peculiar beauty of the valley that
has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the British
to it.
Its waterways with their own quaint lifestyle, the unique
Houseboat, the blossoming gardens, water sports activities,
shopping for lovingly hand-crafted souvenirs and the
nearby resorts make it a cherished spot among those
looking for a memorable holiday.
Places of Interest
Nagin Lake - Mughal Gardens: Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh,
Nehru Garden, Char Chinar - Floating Gardens, Cheshma
Sahai, Shankaracharya Temple - Shikara ride in Dal Lake
- Hazratbal mosque - Hari Parbat Fort.
SONAMARG - The Meadow of Gold
The drive to Sonamarg is through the Sindh
Valley which presents yet another spectacular facet
of countryside in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of
2730 m, Sonamarg (‘The meadow of gold’)
has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean
sky. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas
glacier, which is a major local attraction during the
summer months.
Places of Interest
Thajiwas Glacier, Gadsar Lake, Satsar Lake.
Shri Mata Vaishnodeviji – Katra
Katra Town, lying in the foot of Trikuta Mountains,
48 kms. from Jammu, serves as the base camp for visiting
the famous shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, which is
approachable on foot along a 13 kms long well laid footpath.
Every year, more than 4.5 million pilgrims pass through
Katra on their way to the holy shrine.
The cave shrine of Mata Vasihnodeviji (alt: 5,200 ft.)
has been a beacon of faith and fulfilment to millions
of devotees from all over the world. The pilgrimage
to the Shrine holds great significance for the pilgrims.
Places of Interest
Mataji Bhavan - Adh Kuwari (Garbh Joon) - Bhaironath
Temple
PAHALGAM - The Valley of Shepherds.
Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing
from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river, Pahalgam (2,130
m) was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking
views. Now it is Kashmir's premier resort, cool even
during the height of summer when the maximum temperature
does not exceed 250C.
Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because
the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is
worth hiring a pony rather than walking. Pony fares
are posted at prominent locations.
The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating
meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests
of pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic
spot for a picnic.
Places of interest
Nagin Lake, Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens: Nishat Bagh, Shalimar
Bagh, Nehru Garden, Char Chinar, Floating Gardens, Cheshma
Sahai, Shankaracharya Temple.
LADAKH LEH
Ladakh is a land abounding in awesome physical
features, set in an enormous and spectacular environment.
Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges,
the Karakoram in the north and the Great Himalaya in
the south, it is traversed by two other parallel chains,
the Ladakh Range and the Zanskar Range.
Today a high-altitude desert, sheltered from the rain-bearing
clouds of the Indian monsoon by the barrier of the Great
Himalaya, Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake
system, the vestiges of which still exist on its south-east
plateaux of Rupshu and Chushul, in the drainage basins
or lakes of Tso-moriri, Tso-kar and Pangong-tso. But
the main source of water is winter snowfall.
Ladakh, together with the neighbouring province of Baltistan,
was incorporated into the newly created state of Jammu
& Kashmir. Just over a century later, this union
was disturbed by the partition of India, as a result
of which Baltistan became part of Pakistan, while Ladakh
remained in India as part of the State of Jammu &
Kashmir.
Places of Interest
Ladakh(Shanti Stupa) – Drass – Suru Valley
– Sankoo – Ranqdum – Zanskar –
Padum – Phugthal – Sani – Stongdey
– Zangla - Zongkhul
Monasteries: Basgo Monastery - Chernrey Monastery -
Matho Monastery - Mulbekh Monastery
Rizong Monastery- Bardan Monastery - Karsha Monastery
- Phuktal Monastery
Rangdum Monastery - Sani Monastery - Tonde Monastery
- Zangla Monastery
KARGIL
The western parts of Ladakh comprising the
river valleys, which are drained and formed by the Himalayan
tributaries of the high Indus, constitute Kargil district.
Prominent among these are the spectacular valleys of
Suru and Zanskar, which lie nestled along the northern
flank of the Great Himalayan wall.
ZANSKAR
About 20 kms south-east of Rangdum stands the Panzila
axis, across which lies Zanskar, the most isolated of
all the trans-Himalayan valleys. The Penzila pass (4,401m)
is a picturesque tableland surrounded by snow-covered
peaks. Zanskar is surrounded by high-rise mountains
and deep gorges.
It remains inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due
to heavy winter snowfall resulting in closure of all
access passes, including the Penzi-la. This geographical
isolation and the esoteric nature of Buddhism practised
here have enabled its inhabitants to preserve their
identity. Closer observation of the lifestyle evokes
admiration for a people who have learnt to live in perfect
harmony with the unique environment.
Within the mountainous ramparts of this ‘Shangri-La’
are a number of ancient yet active monastic establishments.
Some of these foundations have evolved around remote
mountain caves, which are by legend associated with
famous Buddhist saints. These are in fact the main places
of attraction for the visitors in the area, in addition
to the haunting beauty of the spectacular landscape
and the ancient culture.
Places of Interest
Jo-khang Buddhist temple - Sankar Gompa - Ladakh
Shanti Stupa - Leh palace - Stok Palace
(Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Alchi, Likir, Spituk Monasteries)
JAMMU
Nestled against the backdrop of the snow-capped
Pir Panjal Mountains, the region of Jammu constitutes
the southernmost unit of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
This is the region of the Middle Himalayas comprising
several upland valleys of great natural beauty such
as Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Poonch and higher parts of Rajouri
district. The mountains here are covered with thick
forests of oak and chestnut, and higher up with deodar
and pine. The majestic Chenab drains this beautiful
landscape, carving spectacular gorges in its long and
serpentine course.
The city of Jammu, the winter capital of the state,
is the epicentre of all socio-economic activities in
the Jammu region. It is also the base for visiting various
centres of tourist and pilgrimage interest in which
the region abounds. The most important pilgrimage centre
is the shrine of Mata Vaishnodeviji situated in the
Trikuta hills at a distance of 60 kms from Jammu.
Places of Interest
Peer Khoh - Ranbireshwar Temple - Raghunath
Temple - Bahu Fort & Gardens - Mahamaya Temple Mubarak
Mandi Palace
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