Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar

Srinagar, the crowning glory of hill stations, is the celebrated capital city of Jammu & Kashmir. Srinagar is called the city of lakes, which has facinated tourist's from centuries, with its beautiful picturesque Himalayan backdrop, glittering lakes that are surrounded by houseboats and Shikaras and the grandeur of Mughal architectural. This summer capital of the state Jammu & Kashmir is also a business centre and a favourite oliday resort.

With a mixed Hindu, Mughal and Sikh past, the city is bunch of various cultures. Srinagar is one of the major tourist and honeymoon spots of Kashmir or India owing to its pleasant weather and many tourist attractions, which include the majestic Dal Lake & Nagin lake, with floating luxurious and budget houseboats, Nishat and Shalimaar the Mughal Gardens, Chashmashahi Bagh, the Heritable Shrine, Shankaracharya Temple and many more.wns, fountains and water bodies - an evergreen picnic zone in the heart of central Delhi.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there-- roads bordered by avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature's colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer's rich emerald, or autumn's golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. 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.

Golfing Holidays - It is for golfing that Gulmarg has long been famous. Situated at an altitude of 2,650 m, it is the highest 18-hole green golf course anywhere in the world. The historic Gulmarg Golf Club was started in 1911 by the British who used the place as a holiday resort. The payment of a daily fee entitles one to play 18 holes on course maintained by the State Tourism Department. For the would-be golfer, there are golf sets on hire, professionals to instruct one in the game, and short-term memberships.

Jammu

Jammu is situated on a hillock, on the bank of river Tawi and is bound by Udhampur district in the north and northeast , Kathua district in the east and southeast, Pakistan (Sialkote) in west and Rajauri district and POK (Bhimber) in the northwest. Its skyline was once dotted with glittering spires of temples. These spikes are no longer visible as most of these are hidden behind multi storyed buildings. The city has numerous shrines for Muslims, Sikhs & Christians also. Jammu also serves as base camp for the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. Jammu is also the Railhead of the state.

Jammu is located 74 degree 24' and 75 degree 18', East longitude and 32 degree 50' and 33 degree 30' North latitude. It is approximately 600 Kms away from National Capital, New Delhi and is linked with a National Highway.

Sanasar

Endowed with natural scenic beauty, the picturesque landscape of Sanasar provides the tourists to enjoy a plethora of adventure sports. One of the prominent itineraries of the Jammu and Kashmir adventure tourism, Sanasar is frequently visited by those tourists who want to explore their latent sporting spirits and sportsmanship.

Sanasar is a well known tourist destination of the beautiful state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sanasar is particularly famous for the wide range of sporting activities offered by the place. Some of the most exciting and interesting sport events of Sanasar are paragliding and parasailing.

One can enjoy the aero sports of parasailing and paragliding in the midst of beautiful nature. Supported and trained by professionals, the tourists can enjoy sailing in the sky with help of a huge balloon filled with gas. Dressed in the attire of water proof jacket, sunglasses, running shoes and helmet like a professional sportsman, the tourists enjoy the sporting activities of parasailing and paragliding.

Pahalgam

Pahalgam, a world famous hill station is 45 Kms. from the District Head Quarter at Anantnag and located on the banks of river Lidder at an altitude of 7200 ft. from sea level. Once a great tourist puller and favourite place for shooting of Bollywood films is perhaps the best health resort in the country. Pahalgam also serves as base camp for the famous Amarnath Ji Yatra. The Pahalgam Valley presents glamorous look due to its pine forests, snow clad mountains, healthy climate and vast meadows and pastures. Pahalgam skirts Lidder river and torrential flow of water in Lidder river enriches the awesome beauty of the Valley.

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. The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine.

Sonamarg

The name Sonamarg means 'Meadow of Gold' and although this could be due to the profusion of flowers that carpet the meadow in the spring it is also possible that the name derives from Sonamarg's strategic trading position in the days when this was a major route into central Asia. The Sindh River meanders along here and abounds with Trout and Mahseer

Sonamarg is the starting point of a major trek passing several mountain lakes - Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. One trek leads all the way to the Amarnath Cave. The other reason for Sonamarg's importance lies in the fact that it is the last halt on the Kashmir side for the drive from Sri Nagar to Leh.

Leh

Leh is breathtaking. Towering over the city is the tall nine storeyed palace built by Ladakh's ruler Sengge Namgyal in the early 17th century. It is said to have served as the model for the Potala palace in Lhasa. Another palace in Lhasa. Another palace built by King Tashi Namgyal in the 16th century stands above it on the Namgyal Tsemo peak.

Within the town of Leh itself there is plenty to see and do. An easy walk away through the interesting coppersmith's quarter, past the Moravian Church, the Ladakh Ecological Centre and across the fields, is the Sankar Gompa. In the colourful bazaar are fascinating little shops with everything from semi precious stones - Lapiz, Coral, Turquoise and Pearls to fine curios and artefacts. It is a marvellous shopping experience. Eating out is fun at open air garden and sidewalk restaurants that offer Tibetan, Indian and even Continental cuisine.

Zanskar

The Zanskar valley is noted for its high ranges, fine Gompas and gentle people. The most isolated of all Himalayan valleys inaccessible for 8 months in a year, it is now a popular destination with trekkers.Close to the town are a set of ancient rock carvings and two picturesque monasteries, the Stagrimo and Pibiting Gompas. Other interesting monasteries include the castle like Gompa at Sani, the splendid Stongdey perched on a rocky outcrop, Bardan and the spectacularly located Phugthal just off the Padum-Manali trail.

The Lahaul plateau nourished by the Chandra and Bhaga rivers and the Spiti valley linked to it by a high pass the Kunzam la, are together a district in Himachal Pradesh - another region where nature can be seen at its wildest. Lahaul is glacier country and some of its most dramatic glaciers include the Bara Shigri, Chota Shigri, Samundari and Sonapani glaciers.

Kargil

Kargil, the headquarter of Kargil district, is around 204 Kms. to the east of Srinagar and 234 Kms. to the west of Leh.It was a transit point of caravans on their way to and from China, Tibet, Yarken and Kashmir till 1949, but since 1974 with the influx of tourists the region has been replaced as centre for tourism related activities. Tourists traveling between Zangskar, Leh and Srinagar have to make a night halt here, before starting for the second day of their journey.

Kargil is located on the bank of the Suru River which flows at around 10,000 ft. high. Here people were followers of Buddhist religion till the 14th century AD. Presently, Kargil is inhabited by Muslims of Shia sect.