Adventure
Sports in Kashmir
In
times of yore, before the development of
modern communications, even getting to
Kashmir was an adventure. Cupped within some
of the highest mountains in the world
ranging in altitude from 5,000 to 7,000 m,
some unnamed and unclimbed, the remote
beauty of Kashmir has become comparatively
more easily accessible only since it came
under the umbrella of modern Jet travel.
Following
contemporary holiday tradition, Kashmir
extends an invitation to breathtaking
adventure. Climbing sheer ice-walls and
vertical granite slabs, trekking the
beautiful forest trails to glaciers and
mountain lakes, angling in swift flowing
trout streams, golfing on some of the
highest courses in the world, rafting down
rapids and narrow gorges, hang-gliding and
hot air ballooning, skiing down some of the
finest slopes and ski-mountaineering across
range upon range of mountains are among some
of the exciting sports Kashmir has to offer.
In Kashmir, you can even be a pioneer in
what you do - if you're daring enough. It's
the adventure playground par excellence.
 Watersports
Kashmir's
two major natural advantages are its mountains on the one hand, and lakes
and rivers on the other. These waterways enhance the beauty of the land
and are one of the chief sources that attract tourists to its verdant
valleys. But more than just a means of pleasure, the water-ways are an
activity oriented way of discovering new leisure sports.
>>>
|
|
 Fishing
Kashmir
has often been referred to as an 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 any other part of the world.
>>>
|
|
|
|
 Cycling
While
our capital city, Srinagar, is too sprawling to be explored on foot, taxis
may be thought a trifle 'insulated' for some. Cycling, therefore, remains
a popular, not to say inexpensive, way of experiencing the flavour of the
city.
>>>
|
|
 Mountaineering
Kashmir's
mountain ranges are both Alpine and Himalayan and can be grouped into four
distinct regions: Kashmir, Kishtwar, Zanskar and Ladakh.
>>>
|
|
|
|
 Skiing
People
think of mountains only in the summers, reflecting on their cool shade and
lovely breezes. The meadow of flowers, Gulmarg is about 50 km from
Srinagar,
situated at an altitude of 2,730 m. It turns into a meadow of romance in
winter, a small ski resort where everyone knows everyone else. >>>
|
|
 Golfing
Kashmir
offers a unique opportunity to play golf all through the summer - from April to
November - in invigorating surroundings where the wind whispers through trees of
chinar and pine.
>>>
|
|
|
|
 Trekking
For
trekkers, Kashmir is the ultimate paradise. The terrain from the Shivalik hills
of Jammu to the rugged mountains of Ladakh is a geographer's delight. Nowhere in
the world can one see so much change in geography in such a small distance:
flora and fauna; Alpine pastures saddled among snow clad peaks with pure
oxygenated air; high-altitude lakes of Kishensar, Vishensar and Gangabal full of
trout.
>>>
|
|
 Wildlife
Dachigam
National Park amidst forests of silver birch and conifer roams the hangul.
Rare and on the verge of extinction till a few years ago, the national
park at Dachigam contains the last viable hangul population in the world. >>>
|
|
|
|
Caving
There are many caves in different parts of
the state which have remained unexplored so far. It is said that the Kalaruss
caves of Lolab extend upto Russia. People have explored the caves for up to two
days and then given up due to the darkness. >>>
|
|
Hang
Gliding and Hot Air Ballooning
Though some trials for hang gliding have
been held in the valley, the sport still continues to be rare. The
location of a flat valley surrounded by high mountains is an ideal terrain
for hang-gliding. Higher up, the meadows at the foot of mountains such as
Yusmarg, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are idyllic spots to try hang-gliding. >>>
|
|
|
|
 A
Picture Gallery
|
|
|
Acknowledgments
|
