Trip to Kashmir this winter

                          

                             Trip to Kashmir this winter

Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory of India locked in Himalayan Mountains. Jammu and Kashmir is home to several Valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Chenab Valley, Sindh Valley and Lidder Valley. Some major tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are Srinagar, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Patnitop and Jammu.

                                                   SRINAGAR

Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies in the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes. The city is known for its natural environment, gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits. The gondola-type rowboats, Shikaras are used by the tourists to see attractions like the Floating Vegetable Market, and the Mir Bahris – a lively community of people who live on the lake itself. Known as the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar is home to some of the most exquisite Mughal-age gardens in India, with the top draws being Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashm-E-Shahi Garden. Kashmiri cuisine is famous all over the globe, so when in Srinagar, trying out the local dishes, which are rich in unique fragrant spices, is a must. 

                                              GULMARG

Gulmarg is a town, a hill station, a popular skiing destination and a notified area committee in the Baramulla district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal Range in the western Himalayas. Among one of the top honeymoon locations, Gulmarg boasts of being a beautiful town without the crowd like Manali and Shimla. Gulmarg has also been developed as an adventure hub as Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering is located here. A lot of courses on trekking, mountaineering, skiing, etc. are offered by IISM at great prices here. However, if you are planning to do a course, it is advisable to book it well in advance. Surrounded by snow-covered lofty Himalayas, meadows of flowers, deep ravines, evergreen forested valleys, Gulmarg also has the world's second-highest Gondola ride.

                                               PAHALGAM 

Pahalgam is a tourist town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination and hill station. Its lush green meadows and pristine waters attract thousands of tourists from all over the world each year. You will be wonderstruck by the sumptuousness of Pahalgam the moment you arrive at this pristine land. Little houses, green fields and farms of saffron, the valleys are green and very beautiful. You can go on fishing trips or trek on one of the plenty mountains that cover this place.

                                               SONMARG

Sonmarg is a hill station in Ganderbal district in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir about 80 km north-east of Srinagar. Sonmarg, which means 'meadow of gold' has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. The Sindh meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer, snow trout can be caught in the main river. In late April when Sonmarg is open for road transport, the visitors can have access to snow which is furnished all over like a white carpet. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during the summer months. The climate of Sonmarg is very bracing; but the rainfall is frequent though not heavy, except for two or three days at a time in July and August with fine spell in between. From Sonmarg, trekking routes lead to the Himalayan lakes of Vishansar Lake, Krishansar Lake, Gangabal Lake and Gadsar Lake, stocked with Snowtrout and Brown trout and Satsar, glacier-fed and surrounded by banks of alpine flowers.

                                                 KARGIL

Kargil is a town in the Kargil district of the union territory of Ladakh in northern India. It is the Joint Capital of Union Territory Ladakh and is the second largest town after Leh.It is located 60 km and 204 km from Drass and Srinagar to the west. It is the home to the famed Nun Kun Peaks and has excellent potential for skiing, mountaineering and trekking. Kargil rests on the banks of River Suru and also offers unique opportunities for river rafting. An amalgamation of Buddhist and Turkish architecture, Kargil has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Kargil was the location of the Indo-Pakistani border war of 1999, also known as the Kargil War.