Adventure & Winter Sports in Kashmir

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.

Kashmir' fabled natural beauty needs no introduction here.Crisscrossing the state are the well-known Sind and Lidder rivers,their tributaries and a silvery network of smaller rivers and streams.The geographical variation along the course of each river is immense,affording endless possibilities for the angler.Nearer the source of each river,the gradient is steeper and the waters faster flowing.The landscape is generally hilly,with dark brooding pines towering all round.As the river runs its course,the gradient evens out and the flow of water loses its torrential force.You are now in open countryside where the horizon is wide and sweeping and where trees are willow poplar and walnut. Do not be deceived into thinking that fishing in Kashmir is the somewhat somnolent sport that it is elsewhere for the trout is a crafty fish and you will have to practise all your skill to get him to bite. Early mornings and late evenings are the best times for fishing and in these quiet hours,the illusion that the world is yours will be heightened.If using one type of fly does not meet with success,you will have to experiment with another type.And cast and recast repeatedly.To increase your chances of sucess you might like to shift to another spot after all,your permit allows you to wish at any point in one beat which measures two kilometres.And it ensures that nobody else is allowed the use of that beat for the days alloted to you.But in case you need information or assistance you are not alone.Our beat guards-there are two per beat-are familiar with the habits of the fish and are there to advise you,should you wish.

Rivers and streams are divided into approximately 100 beats,most of which are within a two hour drive from Srinagar.Most beats have nearby a Department of Fisheries or a J & K Tourism hut,at which you can stay overnight.You require a permit to fish and not more than one permit is given on any beat.One permit allows you to catch six fish.And as experience has shown reels and flies are all that are needed.Spoons and spinners are not allowed.

Six days a week permits are issued only to tourists.Residents of Kashmir are allowed to fish only on sundays.And to ensure that nature's bounty remains plentiful always,the Department of Fisheries has collaborated with a danish firm for large scale trout breeding.This ambitious project at Kokernag will eventually result in the induction of fish into the streams;meanwhile it is being used for the supply of table fish.

If you are more adventurous,you can fish in one of many high altitude lakes(14,000 ft.above sea level)which are reached by a trek.One trek in particular starts from Sonamrg and goes on to Vishansar,Kishansar,Satsar,Gadsar and Gangabal all alpine lakes.The trek alone takes eight days-you will need a tent,waterproof coat,ground sheet,trekking boots and provisions for as many days as you intend to trek as no food is available on the way.But you will be rewarded by the spectacularly lovely lakes,each wiyh their own character cradled by snow clad mountains.When their surface is frozen over during the winter,the fish(mainly brown trout) keep close to the bottom of the lake,rising nearer the surface as the ice melts. In these lakes,the use of spoons and spinners is allowed. The trekking season is from July to October while the fishing season extends from March to October.

At the Tourist Reception Centre,Srinagar is the fishing counter.Inforamtion on equipment,location of beats,transport and nearby accommodation can be had here.Also in the Tourist Reception Centre on the first floor is the department of Fisheries.Permits are to be obtained from here on payment of a small fee and as most of the officials are keen anglers themselves,you can get the most detailed information from them.Accomodation for overnight stay too can be booked from here.Should you require a rod,reel or flies,there are shops in Srinagar where these can be had on hire and the Department of Fisheries will be happy to give you their name and addresses.