Adventure Activities in Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh

Golfing:

Golfing in Kashmir is one of the major attractions of the adventure activities that Kashmir has to offer. This is the place where golf lovers can enjoy the game throughout the summer from the months of April to November. The valley offers an outstanding opportunity to play golf for log hours in the refreshing golf courses of the Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sanasar. Playing golf in Kashmir can be more relaxing and enjoyable experience as compared to the golfing in plains because of its moderately lower temperature. During winter months, the golf courses in Kashmir remain close when the entire valley covered with snow.

There are total of 6 major golf courses in the state of Jammu and Kashmir- Kashmir Golf Club (Srinagar), Royal Spring Golf Course (Srinagar), Gulmarg Golf Club (Gulmarg), Pahalgam Golf Club (Pahalgam) and Sanasar Golf Club (Sanasar, Jammu). The 18-hole golf course in Gulmarg is the highest golf course in the world. All these courses are well equipped to handle the golfer. Golf sets can be hired at very reasonable rates. Visitors can have of the golf club facilities either by seeking daily membership or temporary membership (for those who visit Kashmir for a longer stay).

Heli Skiing

Introduction of Heli skiing in 1987-88 added a new dimension to the adventure tourism of Kashmir. The valley is the second most popular destination for heli skiing in world. This adventure activity requires great energy level along with skills to perform skiing in snow clad mountainous valleys. Heli skiing is an off trail, downhill skiing activity that is performed from summit of high snow capped mountains to slopes using helicopter.

Gulmarg is the place in Kashmir where skiers can perform this activity. It is Asia's highest and world's 2nd highest heliskiing resort, after Canada. The natural gentle slopes and powdery snow of the region make it a paradise for heliskiing lovers. The Best time for heliskiing activity is from the months of November to February.

Angling / Trout Fishing

A network of snow and stream fed rivers and lakes of Kashmir made it a paradise for anglers. These waterways are stocked with numbers of rainbow and brown trout, species of fish introduced by British in 19th century. Angling or trout fishing in Kashmir is quiet popular in the world wide context. The rivers like Sind, Lidder, Doodh Ganga, Ferozshah Nallah, Aharbal, Daksum, Ahlan and Noobug are the ideal places for angling and these places are easily accessible by motorable road. Kokernag, Verinag and Sukhnag are the streams best for fishing. Some of the high altitude lakes like Vishansar, Krishansar also carry bounty of brown and rainbow trout. One needs to trek to reach these two lakes.

There are about 61 beats open for angler throughout the year. Each of the beat is approximately 3 to 4 km long. Kashmir is said to be the cheapest trout fishing destination in the world. The department of fisheries supervises the angling to maintain the ecological balance of the species through scientific measures. Anglers can buy or hire the fishing equipments like a rod, reel, flies, net basket or long boots from the shops at Polo view lane, near the Bund Srinagar. The Ghillees can also be arranged from fisheries dept or the angler's shops. It is mandatory to obtain fishing permits/ license well in advance from J&K fisheries department. Best season for fishing is April to September.

Ice skating

There are immense scopes for adventure tourism in Kashmir, of which ice skating is one of its kind. Winters in Kashmir valley are thrilling as the minimum temperature drop below freezing point. During winters, lakes of the valley transform into the sheer sheet of ice. Outdoor skating rinks are set up in frozen lakes and valleys of Gulmarg, Leh and Kargil in Kashmir where the skating lovers can assemble to either participate in the regional and national level competition or simply enjoy some fun times. The months of January and February are the best time to enjoy the activity in the valley of Kashmir. Skating lovers can get their own equipments for skating or else can hire from local shops at reasonable rate.

Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey has gained popularity in India in very recent years and now it is a new addition to Adventure Tourism in Kashmir. Ice Hockey is a game that involves playing hockey on an artificial ice rink or natural frozen lake, while wearing pair of skates. Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir is a popular place for this sport. Many enthusiasts from other places of the country and abroad flock to Ladakh region to have experience of playing ice hockey in world's some of the highest rinks. To encourage the awareness about the sports and greater participation, every year this game is organized in national level in Ladakh.

Mountaineering

Mountaineering is a popular activity of adventure tourism in Kashmir. There are numerous mountainous peaks and ranges in Himalaya towering from 10,000 to 28,000 feet from above sea level and thus the valley offers huge opportunities of mountaineering in Kashmir. Major mountaineering zones can be divided into four –Kashmir, Kishtwar, Zansakar and Ladakh. The lofty peaks of Himalayas in Kashmir not only attract mountaineer from the country but also from abroad.

Region wise list of mountain ranges suitable for mountaineering activity:

Kashmir: Kolahoi Peak (5425 meters), Haramukh (5148 meters), Sunset (4745 meters), Tattakutti (4742 meters) and numbers of small peaks in Sonmarg and Pahalgam.

Kishtwar: Sickle Moon (6575 meters), Crooked Finger (5630 meters), Eiger (6,001 meters), Brammah-I (6461 meters), Brammah-II(5297 meters), Ca-thedral(5370 meters), Flat Top (6100 meters), Barnaj-I (6100 meters), Barnaj-II (6290 meters), Shivling(6000 meters), Arjuna (6200 meters), Agyasol (6200 meters).

Zanskar: Nun (7077 meters), Kun (7135 meters), White Needle (6500 meters), Pinnacle (6930 meters), Z-1 (6,400 meters), Z-2 (6175 meters), Z-3 (6270 meters), Z-8 (6,050 meters), D-41 (5831 meters), N-8 (6392 meters), Bobang (5971 meters), Bien Guapa (6006 meters).

Ladakh: Saser-1 (7415 meters), Saser-2 (7531 meters), Saser-3 (7495 meters), Stok-khangri (6,150 meters), Gulap Khangri (5,900 meters), Matho West (5,950 meters), Kantak (5,275 meters), Konglacha peak (6,700 meters), Parcha Kangri (6065 meters), Kang Yissay (6400 meters)
The Pir Panjal (Kashmir Valley), Karakoram (Near Nubra Valley) and Zanskar ranges are the mountaineer's delight. The twin peaks Nun-Kun of Zanskar ranges are most frequent climbing destination for the both international and domestic enthusiasts. Mountain peaks of the Kishtwar region are lower but these offer most challenging faces and ridges owing to its ruggedness. Alpine ranges of Sonmarg and Pahalgam facilitate quick ascent and descent. The Stock Kangri Massif of Ladakh region is the most popular climbing zone in India. More recently, some of the restricted ranges of Karakoram (Saser) near Nubra Valley have been opened for both domestic and international climbers.

Foreign climbing expeditions are required to obtain permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation for climbing all listed peaks. Application forms for booking along with other requisite documents can be obtained from the Director, Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Benito Jurez Road, New Delhi-110021. The Climbing season extends from mid May to mid October. However, July/August is the best time to undertake mountaineering when most parts of the Himalayas remain closed.

River Rafting

Kashmir is generously blessed with a number of picturesque rivers and lakes. These waterways are more than just a means of natural beauty but hubs of number of leisure adventure sports like water rafting, riding, water skiing and motor boat, etc. River rafting was introduced quite recently in the Kashmir valley. The best season is August to September. In Kashmir, this adventure activity is played mainly in white waters of Lidder (Pahalgam), Indus (Sonamarg and Ladakh), Suru River (Kargil) and Zanaskar (Ladakh region).

The certain stretches of Lidder River have gentle gradient of water which are more suitable for beginners. The grading scale of Indus River at Sonmarg is upto 4 that offers a challenging spot for the expert rafters. River rafting experience in Ladakh is quiet unique in its river such as Indus River, Suru River and Zanskar. While the Spituk to Karu stretch of Indus River is the most ideal spot for beginners, Zanaskar offers the most challenging spot in stretch from Padum to Nimu.

Skiing

Skiing is one of the attractive winter adventure sports in Kashmir. In winter season, gentle slopes of snow clad landscapes of Gulmarg offer immense opportunities to indulge in skiing activities. Lush green mountains of Gulmarg are transformed from a sleepy agricultural town to a winter wonderland. Other winter activities one can enjoy in Kashmir are ice-skating, ice-hockey, heliskiing and cross country skiing. Gulmarg had been a popular skiing resort from pre independence years. It hosts some winter festivals and carnivals during Christmas and New Year. The best time for skiing in Gulmarg is from mid December to mid April. Quality equipments for skiing activity are available on rent on the J&K Tourism owned ski shop. There are trained instructors available for guiding the tourists. Skiing in Gulmarg is ideally suited for both learner and expert skiers alike.

Patnitop and Madha Top, 5 km away from Patnitop, are other skiing resorts in the state. The gently graded ski slopes of Patnitop are best suits the beginners while Madha Top offers good skiing experience to both beginners and trained skiers.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a winter sport that involves riding on a board that is attached with the feet of the rider by snowboarding boot. This sport is much younger than Skiing and it was evolved out of by an idea to surf snow just like the way of wave surfing. In Kashmir, this activity is commonly practiced in Gulmarg and Khilanmarg where virgin snows are abundantly available during winter season.

Trekking

Kashmir is a true paradise for trekkers with a numbers of natural trails along the mountain ranges, rolling plains, rivers, lakes and landscapes. While Ladakh region has the most challenging and tricky trekking routes with tremendous opportunities of adventure activities, Kashmir boasts of some popular and beautiful trekking trails of the state. In spite of locating in relatively low lying areas, Jammu region also offers tremendous opportunities of trekking in trekking trails in the surrounding areas of mountain peaks like Sickle Moon (6575 m), Eiger (6001 m), Bhrama in Kishtwar region. The Chadar Trek in Zanskar is world widely famous for facilitating thrilling experience of trekking on frozen water of Zanskar River.

Popular Trekking Trails in Kashmir

• Sonmarg-Shekdur-Nichnai-Vishansar-Gadsar-Krishnasar-Satsar-Gangabal-Narang (6/7 days)
• Pahalgam-Aru-Lidderwat-Kolahoi Glacier-Khemsar-Sonmrg-Srinagar (4 days)
• Srinagar-Aharbal-Kungwattan-Mahinag-Kounsarnag (4 Days)
• Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Sheshnag-Amarnath Holy Cave-Sonmarg-Srinagar(4 days)

Popular Trekking Trails in Ladakh

• Leh-Lamayuru-Wanla-Ursi-Tar La-Mangyur-Sapol-Leh (12 days)
• Padam-Mone-Pupila-Thangse-Kargiyal-Zanskar-Sumdo-Manali (12 days)
• Leh-Lamayuru-Wanla-Ursi-Tar La-Mangyur-Sapol-Leh (12 days)
• Padam-Mone-Pupila-Thangse-Kargiyal-Zanskar-Sumdo-Manali (12 days)
• Shargol- Sapi La- Rusi La- Sanko (2-3 days)
• Leh-Digar La- Nubra Valley (2-4 days)
• Sanko to Dras via Umba (3-4 days)
• Leh-Spitok- Rumbak- Yurutse- Ganda La- Markha Valley- Skiu- Nimaling- Chogdo-Hemis (15-17 days)
• Kholai
• Harmukh
• Chaddar Trek

Water Skiing

Water skiing is a thrilling water sport that gives an opportunity to enthusiast to make a splash at the depths of the aqua world. This sport is similar to water surfing in many ways. The riders require great enthusiasm and strong sensory power to perform it. In Kashmir, water skiing facility is available in Dal Lake, Nagin Lake and Manasbal Lake. The Bod-Dal, a basin of Dal Lake has privately owned bathing boats which hire water skies and trained instructors. Bathing boats are also available in Nagin Lake, where a government owned institute of water sports is being operated. Here, water skiers can hire trained instructors as well. At a distance of 32 km from Srinagar, Manasbal Lake offers this activity amidst serene natural beauty. It is counted as one of the favorite water sport resort and offers all necessary equipments and instructors for water skiing.

Paragliding

One of the newest entries in the list of adventure sports in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is Paragliding. The natural factors like excellent wind condition and landscape of the Kashmir are remarkably suitable for this type of aero sport. Jammu, Sanasar, Kud, Batote and Nathatop are the places in Jammu region best suitable for this adventure sport. Tourists can choose to glide over valleys, mountains or lakes.

One can choose to take glide in a Parachute with a pilot or can go solo over the valleys, lakes and mountains of these places. Paragliding in Sanasar can be experienced by taking short flight operating from Sanasar (take off) to Kud (Landing) for the duration of two to three minutes. One can even enjoy a high flying in Nathatop for 8 to 10 minutes at an altitude of 1500 to 2000 feet. Equipments can be hired from tourist office Jammu or any private agencies. The best months to go for paragliding in Sanasar are May-June and September-October.

Mountain Cycling

Cycling in Himalayan terrains is a popular adventure sports in Kashmir. Indeed, it is an inexpensive way to explore natural beauty of mountains and valley of Kashmir. Cycling in Ladakh is most exhilarating experience for enthusiasts from both country and abroad. For cycling in mountain, one needs to hire special mountain cycle that is fitted with appropriate gears. Cycling in Kashmir is one of the most challenging and difficult adventure sports. Enthusiasts need to be physically strong and experienced to indulge in cycling in most rugged and craggy terrains of the Himalaya.

The 64 km road from Leh to Alchi is one of the popular routes for cycling Ladakh. In this route, one would come across with the zig zag course through twisting turns of the high mountainous roads. The Leh-Hemis road with distance of 45 km is another popular cycling trek for the bikers. The best time for cycling starts from mid June to September.

Pony Ride

Pony riding or horse riding is a popular tourist's activity in Kashmir. Tourists can find horse (ponies) in popular holiday resorts especially in those places where some roads are not motorable in highlands. Tourists hire ponies to carry out trekking activity in the highlands of the valley. Places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalagam, Yusmarg in Kashmir valley, Patnitop, Sanasar, Kud in Jammu and Nubra Valley, Zanskar Valley, dras valley are the best known for pony riding.

Camping

The all three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are dotted with numerous trekking sites and these sites offer immense opportunities for activity like camping in Kashmir. The destinations like Pahalgam, Aru, Chandanwari, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Baisaran, Yusmarg, Sanasar, Patnitop, Ladakh region are the ideal places to experience camping on the lap of beautiful nature. Some of the popular camping sites in Kashmir are:

1. Sonmarg, Nichinni, Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Narang (Kashmir Region)
2. Pahalgam, Aru, Lidderwat, Kolahoi, Chandanwari (Kashmir Region)
3. Manasbal Lake (Kashmir Region)
4. Sansar, Patnitop, Kud (Jammu Region)
5. Tsomoriri Lake, Tso Kar, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Shargol (Ladakh Region)

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