Adventure Adventure Adventure Adventure sports sports sports sports in Kashmir.in Kashmir.in Kashmir.in Kashmir.

The most popular tourist activities in Kashmir include whitewater rafting, fishing, skiing,

hunting, backpacking, kayaking, bicycling, canoe trips, snow skiing, water skiing, camping,

surfing, rock climbing, hiking, white water rafting, snowboarding trans-Himalayan jeep safaris

and paragliding.

RIVER RAFTINGRIVER RAFTINGRIVER RAFTINGRIVER RAFTING

Tourists can enjoy the ultimate white water rafting experience at reasonable prices. In India

white water rafting activities is almost confined to the north Himalayan Rivers and Jammu and

Kashmir is one of the most popular regions where rafting on a full scale takes place. The

budget for rafting packages offered by several tour operators is usually all inclusive of

equipment, life jackets, food, helmets and accommodations.

The best time to go river rafting on the north Himalayan Rivers is summer, as during the winter

months most of these waters are frozen. In certain areas river rafting can be done only after

obtaining special permits from the state government.

White water rafting is done on the Zanskar, Indus, Beas, Chenab, Teesta, Sutlej, Spiti and the

Kali Ganga.

An activity that definitely attracts sports lovers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir is kayaking

and canoeing. Several kayaking expeditions are organized on a regular basis on the River

Chenab. Kayaking races are held on the Dal Lake.

Trekking is also a favorite adventure sport that most travel and tour packages to the state

of Jammu and Kashmir offer. There are amazing trekking trails in Zanskar, Ladakh, Kargil,

Jammu and the Kashmir valley.

FISHINGFISHINGFISHINGFISHING

Fishing Tours Kashmir is one adventure sport that has universal appeal. Tourists can enjoy the

pleasure of fishing in the streams and lakes of Kashmir. Pahalgam is one of Kashmir's important

fishing retreats. The water bodies in area are rich in trout.

Though one requires a permit to go fishing, the experience can be a once in a lifetime

experience. This region is aptly known as a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. The streams and

lakes have plenty of brown and rainbow trout.

Fishing on the high altitude lakes can be a learning experience. Though one is not allowed to

catch more than six fishes in a day. Tourists have to get their fishing permits from the

Directorate of Fisheries, Tourist Reception Center, at Srinagar.

Fishing on the Dal Lake is an interesting activity. In fact local guides accompany amateur

fishing enthusiasts on Shikaras and teach them how to net fishes. Fishing on the Jhelum River is

also a popular activity.

MOUNTAINEERING MOUNTAINEERING MOUNTAINEERING MOUNTAINEERING

The mountains in Kashmir may be categorized as Alpine and Himalayan. The four important

mountaineering zones in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are Kashmir, Zanskar, Kishtwar and

Ladakh. Mountain climbing is a very popular adventure activity in this region. Proper

expeditions have been conducted in the past and are still being conducted by professional

mountain climbers to climb their way up to peaks that lie at great heights in the shortest

possible time period.

There are a number of tour and travel packages that provide ample opportunity for amateur

mountain climbers to enjoy mountaineering trips and expeditions.

There are a number of trekking trails from Kishtwar to a number Himalayan peaks that are not

at a very great altitude. In fact these treks can be completed within a weeks’ time. Most of these

trekking tours offer packages that include all the trekking and camping equipment.

Several joint trekking expeditions have been conducted in the Karakoram ranges. Every Foreign

mountaineering expedition in the state of Jammu and Kashmir requires the issuance of a

written permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.

The popular peaks of Ladakh and Kashmir where mountaineering expeditions are organized

on a regular basis are Apsarasas, Chong Kumdan, Teram Kangri Group, Tughmo Zarpo and

Saser Kangri. Places like Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg serve as base camps for trekking

tours to mountain peaks.

PARA GLIDING PARA GLIDING PARA GLIDING PARA GLIDING

hot air ballooning and paragliding activities in Kashmir. Jammu and Sanasar are two centers

where these activities are carried on, on an organized scale. Training camps for parasailing and

paragliding are organized at Sanasar. These packages usually comprise of lunch, ground

training and actual paragliding.

Batote that is located at a distance of 125 kilometers from Jammu is also a center for

paragliding. Hot air ballooning in the Suru valley and the Zanskar area is a challenging

activity.

The equipment for paragliding is easily available at the tourist office in Jammu. This equipment

is also available at the local agencies in Jammu and Sanasar. The best months to go paragliding

in Sanasar are May-June and September-October.

Kashmir Hub aims to provide you with all the relevant details regarding the scope,

arrangements and facilities for adventure sports in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

TREKKINGTREKKINGTREKKINGTREKKING

There are a number of trekking trails from Kishtwar to a number Himalayan peaks that are

not at a very great altitude. In fact these treks can be completed within a weeks’ time. Most of

these trekking tours offer packages that include all the trekking and camping equipment.

Interested tourists may have the pleasure of trekking through the woods and hills. It is an

experience of a lifetime. Kashmir Hub provides information on travel packages that offer

trekking trips to visiting tourists.

The trekking trip to the Amarnath shrine is one of the most popular trekking trails in Kashmir.

The state government authorities due to security reasons strictly regulate the different stops of

this yatra.

Gulmarg is also an important trekking base for those interested in trekking up the trails in the

Pir Panjal ranges. The long trek from the Ferozepur Nala to Danwas, Tejjan to Samaidan is one

of the most enjoyable walks.

The three-stage trek from Gulmarg to Tosamaidan is an experience that tourists cannot forget.

Sonamarg is a starting point of a trekking trail that passes through several mountain lakes, viz.

Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. These trekking trips are extremely

fascinating for more reasons than one; the tourist gets the feel of the natural beauty of the

mountains and lakes.

The Zanskar ranges are known for its spectacular heights and extremely cold temperatures.

The popular remote Zanskar trek passes through the Cha Cha La pass and the ancient Karsha

Gompa.

WINTER SPORTSWINTER SPORTSWINTER SPORTSWINTER SPORTS

Gulmarg and Khilanmarg are the skiing hot spots in Kashmir, India. Skiing here usually begins

around the beginning of December and goes on till the end of March. Gulmarg has earned the

distinction of being the best ski resort in the Himalayas. This resort was established in the year

1927 by two British Army officers who set up the first skiing club in Gulamarg, Kashmir.

Festivals like Christmas and Easter are occasions for organized skiing races. The first National

Winter Games were held in Gulmarg in the year 1998. Gulmarg is situated at a distance of 56

kilometers from Srinagar. Gulmarg has the reputation of being the highest lift-served ski resort

in India. Ski lifts and chair lifts take skiiers up to the top of the ski slopes from where skiiers

can choose the beginnners, intermediate or more advanced slopes.

Gulmarg also offers heliskiing for winter sports lovers. It is Asia's only heliskiing resort and in

fact after Canada, Kashmir is the best option for those inclined towards heliskiing. Heliskiing

comprises of being dropped by a helicopter on the summit of a high, snow-covered peak and

then skiing down the slopes. Heliskiing in Kashmir can be a breathtaking experience.

Heliskiing is the ultimate winter sports thrill for the adventure sports lover. This extreme

winter sport has some element of risk but the thrill experienced while indulging in heliskiing is

said to be unequalled by any other winter sport.

Other activities you can enjoy in Kashmir are ice-skating, ice-hockey and cross country skiing.

Pahalgam and Srinagar in Kashmir are extremely popular sites for ice-skating. Ice skating and

ice-hockey which involves playing hockey while wearing skates on an ice-rink or on the

frozen surface of a lake, is a popular winter sport played by two teams who try to manoeuvre a

smooth puck, (instead of the ball used in ordinary hockey) to score goals against the opposing

team. A game of great swiftness and dexterity, ice hockey is a popular spectator sport among

winter sports in Kashmir.

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