Lidder Valley

Lidder Valley:

Lidder Valley, inarguably the best of the Kashmir valleys, forms the north-eastern corner of the Kashmir vale. The valley, for its mild looks, serene air and the lush meadows, glaciers and snow-covered peaks dotting its 40 mile stretch, has been often compared with Scotland in appeal. The Lidder starts at Kolahoi glacier and along its length, encompasses other tourist hot spots like Amarnath Cave, Pahalgam, Mattan and Aishmuqam. It is a trekker’s paradise as well.

One can also take a solitary walk along the virgin pine forests and get lost in one's dream world. Watching the pristine waters of the mountain brooks amidst the sublimity of the Lidder Valley will surely make one rediscover one's soul.

Lidder Valley is also very close toAmarnath Shrine.

The entire valley is astounding for its mesmerizing beauty and hence has a large tourist inflow in the seasons. Lidder Valley is situated on the way to Pahalgam from Khannabal. There are regular bus services from Srinagar and Anantnag to Pahalgam. Nearest rail head is Jammu (96 km). Closest airport is Srinagar Airport.

PAHALGAM TO KOLAHOI GLACIER

PAHALGAM TO KOLAHOI GLACIER (J&K):

Mt.Kolahoi situated in the lidder valley of Kashmir is the highest peak in this division.It is also known as the Matterhorn of kashmir.This is the trekker’s favorite route and is one of the most extensively traveled one. This trek involves camping en route, as hotels etc. will be not easily available. Tents and other camping equipment should be got along.

On the 1st day from Pahalgam, the route goes to Aru, a small village on the banks of the Lidder River.

Day 2 sees you at Lidderwat, a beautiful campsite with breath taking scenery. Here, the Glacier stream meets the stream from Tarsar Lake. There are a couple of rest houses around for those interested.

The 3rd day is to walk up to the lake and back to Lidderwat. The Glacier is situated at 4000 meters and is quite a steep climb.

Day 4 is utilized in walking straight back to Pahalgam, covering the whole distance in a one-day trek.

One can extend the trek by a day by going to the Tansar Lake and back from Lidderwat.

One can also go to the Kulan valley in Sonemarg, if there are a couple of days to spare.

Day 1 Pahalgam to Aru 12 km

Day 2 Aru to Lidderwat 12 km

Day 3 Lidderwat/Kolahoi GlacierLidderwat 13 km

Day 4 Lidderwat to Pahalgam 24 km

Day 5 Sekiwas to Khemsar 10 km

Day 6 Khemsar to Kulan 10 km

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Stok Kangri 20,130ft or 6000m trekking peak.......

Stok Kangri Peak:

It's a very challenging trek traverses the Ladakh mountains on a little-used route high above the Indus Valley,

and offers a chance to ascend Stok Kangri, a 20,130ft/6114m peak. 

The track approach from the west of Leh, climbing steeply from the Zanskar River towards the rugged Ladakh 

and Zanskar Range. 

This stark region of high passes and wild mountains is softened by the immense charm of the Ladakhi villages and their inhabitants. Trackkers cross one high pass after another, including the seldom-used Kang La where they have chance to ascend Palam Peak, a warm up for Stok Kangri. 

They can continue towards the spectacular scenery of the Stok Range, where we begin our ascent. The tough, but optional and non-technical climb provides stunning views extending across Ladakh to the Karakorams, the Himalaya and into Tibet.

How Reach Stok Kangri:

1.) Fly to Leh from Delhi or By Bus or Taxi.

2.) Drive to Choksi. Steep ascent to Kang La (5260m) and optional climb of Palam Peak (5360m) for superb views of the mountains.

3.) Cross Ganda La and Stok La to Stok Kangri Base Camp (5100m)

4.) Optional ascent of Stok Kangri (6114m) The route is non technical, but there is a short, exposed section near the summit. Those not attempting the peak can trek up to the glacier for stunning views.

Markha Valley...........

Markha Valley :

The Markha Valley is between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges, behind the Himalaya. The wild and barren, yet hauntingly beautiful landscapes of this hidden land are often likened to Tibet - Ladhakh used to be known as 'Little Tibet'. 

Several monasteries and ruins are scattered along the trail to Markha. After Umlung the valley narrows and becomes a gorge just before Markha. This large village has a fort and a monastery perched on the northern hill. The gompa is reputed to be one of the oldest in Ladakh.

Skiu - Markha (13,078 FT/4,878M) : A very pleasant walk up one of the loveliest sections of the markha valley. Markha is one of the biggest in this valley. The way through woody bushes thickly along the river which is a spanned by several small bridges over which the trail marches to thinlespa. 

Zanskar Valley............

Zanskar Valley:

The western parts of Ladakh comprising the river valleys, which are drained and formed by the Himalayan tributaries of the high Indus, constitute Kargil district. Zanskar is a subdistrict or tehsil of the Kargil district, which lies in the eastern half of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The administrative centre is Padum. Zanskar, together with the neighbouring region of Ladakh, formerly belonged to Guge or Western Tibet.

Prominent among these are the spectacular valleys of Suru and Zanskar, which lie nestled along the northern flank of the Great Himalayan wall. The smaller lateral valleys of Drass, Wakha-Mulbek and Chiktan constitute important subsidiaries. 

Thus, while the Mons are believed to have introduced north-Indian Buddhism to these valleys, the Dard and Balti immigrants are credited with introducing farming and the Tibetan nomads with the tradition of herding and animal husbandry.

Geography:

Zanskar is a tri-armed valley system situated between the Great Himalayan Range and the Zanskar mountains, the three arms radiating star-like towards the west, north and south from a wide central expanse. Here the Zanskar River comes into being by the confluence of its two Himalayan tributaries, the Stod/Doda and the Lingti-Tsarap rivers. It is mainly along the course of this valley system that the region's approximately 14,000 strong, mainly Buddhist population, live.

Spread over an estimated geographical area of 5000 sq kms of mountainous territory, Zanskar is surrounded by high-rise mountains and deep gorges. 

It remains inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due to heavy winter snowfall resulting in closure of all access passes, including the Penzi-la. This geographical isolation and the esoteric nature of Buddhism practised here have enabled its inhabitants to preserve their identity, so that to-day Zanskar is the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh. Closer observation of the lifestyle evokes admiration for a people who have learnt to live in perfect harmony with the unique environment.

Flora and fauna:

Much of Zanskar's vegetation is found in the lower reaches of the valleys, and consists of alpine and tundra species. Most impressive are the meadows covered with thousands of edelweiss. At the foot of the Gumburanjon mountain blue poppies can be found. Domesticated animals such as the yak, dzo, sheep, horse, and dog are found in the region.

Zangla:

Lying deep in the northern arm of Zanskar at the end of the 35 km long road from Padum, Zangla was being ruled by a titular king till his death a few years back. The old castle now in ruins except for a small chappel, occupies a hill, overlooking the desertic valley below.

Stongdey:

The monastery of Stongdey lies 18 km to the north of Padum, on the road leading to Zangla. An old foundation associated with the Tibetan yogi, Marpa, Stongdey is now the second largest monastic establishment of Zanskar, inhabited by the resident community of about 60 Gelukpa monks. The sprawling white-washed complex has a number of temples, each a repository of the region's rich monastic legacy. 

Panikhar:

Panikhar is an important place in the Zanskar Valley that is the border of the Suru Valley. At Panikhar the fort of Zorawar Singh is a major tourist attraction 

Penzella Pass:

Penzella Pass that divides the Zanskar valley with the Suru Valley. Besides being the excellent camping site the Penzella Pass is a vintage point offering excellent views of the majestic mountains and the captivating countryside.

Kargil........

Kargil : 

Kargil district is in the Himalayas, giving it a cool, temperate climate. Summers are warm with cool nights, while winters are long and cold with temperatures often dropping to −40 °C with recorded temperatures of −60°C in Drass, especially in the tiny town of Drass which is situated 56 km from the Kargil town. The Zanskar plateau is even colder, thus making it a near-uninhabitable place for humans to stay, except for the hardy Khampas. The entire Kargil district is spread over 14,086 km². The Suru River flows through the district.

National Highway 1D connecting Srinagar to Leh that also passes through Zoji La, cuts through Kargil. This highway is open for traffic only from June to mid November every year due to heavy snowfall at the Zoji La (but in recent years it has been opened much before june, april ending.). Kargil is located 120 miles (204 km) from the capital city of Srinagar. There is a partially paved road ( the first 40 km or so) leading from Kargil south to Zanskar which is a distance of nearly 220 km, which is only open from June to September each year. 

The name Kargil is said to be derived from the words Khar and rKil. Khar means castle and rKil means center thus a place between castles as the place lay between many kingdoms. The competing theory is that Kargil has been derived from the words "Gar" and "Khil". Gar in local language mean ‘Any where’ and Khil means a central place where people could stay.

A popular attraction of Kargil is the archery contest held in the month of May every year. Kargil is quite well known for its delicious dry apricots and the apricot jam. For the shoppers, the town offers Pashmina shawls, local carpets and woolen handicrafts. The Buddhist monastery of Mulbek Gompa, situated 45 km from Kargil. It is an architectural beauty with magnificent murals and amazing statues. 

Zanskar (Penzila to Padum Karsha and Zangla)

Two small, turquoise, high altitude lakes with camping sites, and views of the surrounding permafrost mountains are the highlights of the Penzi La pass, which is 160 Km from Kargil and at an altitude of 4,401 to 4,450 meters, the highest point on the Kargil – Zanskar road. This pass is more of a table land and, unlike the Zojila, has plenty of flat spaces and things to see, the Drang-Drung, for instance. Kishtwar is behind the mountains of the right.

Sani :

Emperor Kanishka (Aka Kanika) had got 108 chortens constructed in the first century AD. One of them is in Sani. The holy site at Sani is called Turtot Gyat and is one of the 8 holiest Buddhist sites in the world. That is why most of the Luminaries of Himalayan Buddhism including Padma Sambhava, Naropa and Marpa have visited Sani. This venerable monastery had ancient and medieval frescoes.

Rangdum Monastery : 

Rangdum: (3,657 meters, 130 km from Kargil town, 65 Km from Panikhar). The Rangdum monastery has tiny “museum” with interesting Tibetan and other artifacts. Around forty monks live in the gompa. It is difficult to agree with accounts that date the Gompa to the 8th century. 18th century is more likely. The villagers who live near the Gompa are basically the agriculture shrifts of the monastery, a guidebook informs us.
  
Zongkhul :

This monastery is built in a spectacular cave, lies on the Padum-Kishtwar trekking route, just before the ascent to the Omasi-La Pass begins. Situated like a swallow's nest on the rock face of the Ating Gorge, the monastery is associated with Naropa, a famous India Yogi. The two caves around which the present monastery has developed are said to have been used by Naropa for solitary mediation. The frescos on the cave walls are very old and reflect a high degree of artistic achievement.

BY ROAD - Regular buses of the state road transport of Jammu and Kashmir ply between Srinagar and Kargil. You may even hire cars or jeeps for road transportation. Local buses like the mini coaches make the other options for travel. It is the capital city of Srinagar that connects the major cities of India with Kargil through air.

Siachen Glacier.........

Siachen Glacier :

The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya Mountains along the India border at about 35.5°N 77.0°E. The word 'Siachen' ironically means 'the place of wild roses', a reference some people attribute to the abundance of Himalayan wildflowers found in the valleys below the glacier, but which specifically refers to the thorny wild plants which grow on the rocky outcrops.

India controls all of the Siachen Glacier itself, including all tributary glaciers. At 70 km long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second-longest in the world's non-polar areas. It falls from an altitude of 5,753 m (18,875 ft) above sea level at its source at Indira Col (pass) on the China border down to 3,620 m (11,875 ft) at its snout.

The glacier's melting waters are the main source of the Nubra River, which drains into the Shyok River. The Shyok in turn joins the Indus River, thus the glacier is a major source of the river Indus.

The Siachen Glacier lies south of the great watershed that separates China from the Indian subcontinent in the extensively glaciated portion of the Karakoram that is sometimes called the "Third Pole." The glacier lies between the Saltoro Ridge immediately to the west and the main Karakoram range to the east. The Saltoro Ridge originates in the north from the Sia Kangri peak on the China border in the Karakoram range.

The crest of the Saltoro Ridge's altitudes range from 5,450 to 7,720 m (17,880 to 25,330 feet). The major passes on this ridge are, from north to south, Sia La at 5,589 m (18,336 ft), Bilafond La at 5,450 m (17,880 ft), and Gyong La at 5,689 m (18,665 ft) The average winter snowfall is 10.5 m (35 ft) and temperatures can dip to -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit). Including all tributary glaciers, the Siachen Glacier system covers about 700 square kilometers.

The world's highest helipad, built by India, is located in the Siachen Glacier at a height of 21,000 feet (6400 m) above the sea level.

Since September 2007, India has opened up mountaineering and trekking expeditions to the forbidding glacial heights. The expeditions are also meant to show to the international audience that Indian troops hold "almost all dominating heights" on the important Saltoro Ridge and, to show that Pakistani troops are not within 15 miles (24 km) of the 43.5-mile (70 km) Siachen Glacier.

To Reach : Siachen Glacier can be Reached via Skardu in Ladakh.

Gulmarg........

Gulmarg’s legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country, in addition to Pahalgam and to some extend Sonamarg in Kashmir.

The valley of Gulmarg, a large meadow about 3-sq-kms in area, stands at 2,730 metres, 56-km south west of Srinagar . The name means ‘Meadow Of Flowers’ and in the spring it’s just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colourful Bluebells, Daisies, Forget Me Not’s and Buttercups. The valley itself is about 3-km long and up to a km wide.

Gulmarg's gondola, designed by France's Poma Group, ascends from the resort at 2650 metres, via a mid station and restaurant at 3050 metres, to an elevation of 3980 metres, providing lift served access to 1330 vertical metres of vast snowriding terrain.

Gulmarg is located 52 km from Srinagar. It is located at 34.05°N 74.38°E[1]. It has an average elevation of 2,690 m (8,825 ft).

Air : The nearest airport to Gulmarg is in Badgam district. 

Rail : The Jammu railway station is the closest in the vicinity.

By Road : Gulmarg is 56 kms from Srinagar. Jammu & Kashmir SRTC operates regular deluxe and ordinary bus services from Srinagar. In winter, the buses operate up to Tangmarg (11 kms from Gulmarg), the remaining distance being covered with smaller vehicles. Tourist taxis also operate between Srinagar and Gulmarg.

Leh........

Leh : 

Leh is at an altitude of 3505m (10,500 ft), and you'd be flying in from Delhi which is at roughly 0. The altitude of Leh is quite a lot for the human body to handle. Even with a gradual ascent, I know that beyond 2700m, the air feels perceptibly thin. So it is generally recommended that the first day should just be spent walking around Leh, getting acclimatised. Some people feel it perceptibly i.t.o. dizziness, vomiting, etc. In our case, there was no problem beyond initial drowsiness (which could well have just been owing to the pain of catching a 5:40a flight).

There are numerous firms in Leh who do full-services trekking support. They supply guide, cook, horses, equipment, everything. The price tag works out to roughly Rs.10,000 for a four-day trip for two. As the number of pax goes up, the price comes down somewhat.

Trekking is much harder in winter. There is one famous trekking route which works in winter. But it involves walking on a frozen river, where ponies slip, so there are more porters hired to carry stuff and the cost goes up substantially.

Hotel Lharimo
P. O. Leh 194101
Ladakh, India

Phones 52101 (off)
01982-53345 (fax) Is open May-Oct.
Rates -- Rs.2350/day for two and Rs.1950/day for one -- all inclusive including meals.
Camp Lharimo North is Rs.2000/day for two, all inclusive.

Auli........

Auli :

Is a city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Its 6 kms. from Joshimath is an ideal winter resort run by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN).

A 3 kms. long slope ranging from a height of 2519 mts. to 3049 mts. is a major attraction.

The Auli resort run by GMVN has snow beaters which beat the snow to keep the slopes fit for skiing at all times. A 500 mts. long ski-lift carries skiiers back to the slope top, thus saving them the trouble and time to bridge up wearing long skis.

Season : End December to March

Equipment : GMVN provides modern ski equipment. Participants are advised to bring heavy woolen clothing like caps, socks, gloves, mufflers, pullovers, trousers, wind proof jackets, dark glasses, gum/snow boots and a torch for personal use.

Package Tours : GMVN conducts 7 and 14 days skiing courses at Auli and special provisions for day tourists are also available. Ski training is given by qualified ski instructors. 

Skiing Courses At Auli :

While experienced skiers are likely to enjoy the slopes of Auli for the excitement it offers of unexplored terrain and the spectacular beauty of the surrounding Himalayas, for those who want to learn how to ski there are numerous skiing facilities available at Auli.GMVN conducts a 7-day as well as a 14-day skiing courses in the months of January-March.

The course participants are also provided that basic ski equipment and lift facility, boarding and lodging. available to the skiers are also available at competitive rates.

One thing that adventure lovers should keep in mind is that Auli's season is short starting from January to March, so its better to pre plan your ski trip to this snow skiing heaven.

General Information (GPS) : For Google Maps. 

Longitude : 77° 34' 27" E to 81° 02' 22" E  ;  Latitude : 28° 53' 24" N to 31° 27' 50" N

Total Area : 53,484 sq. km ; Total Forest Area : 34,434 sq. km.

Hilly Area : 92.57% ; Plains : 7.43%.

KINNAUR

KINNAUR 

Location: Himachal Pradesh

Altitude: 2670m

Places Of Interest: Reecong Peo, Kalpa, Sangla Valley, Puh

Best Time To Visit: May to October

Located in the dizzying heights of the Himalayas, with passes that remain closed for six months linking them with the rest of the world, Kinnaur, is the land of fairytale and fantasies. Today, this area has been opened for the daring and adventurous, to discover what had been hidden from the world for centuries.

Kinnaur has got the spectacular terrain of lush green valleys, orchards, vineyards, snow clad peaks and cold desert mountains. This border district of Himachal Pradesh is also rich in flora and fauna and its culture and languages is different from other parts of the state. Also known as the tribal district of Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur is situated 250-km away from Shimla and is situated on the National Highway No.22.

The landscape varies from the luxuriant green orchards of the scenic Sangla valley to the stark magnificence of the of the Hangarang valley. The massive snow clad ranges that provide a regal dignity to the scene, are dominated by the peak of Kinner Kailash and Kalpa is one of the biggest and beautiful villages of Kinnaur district.

The gushing rivers of Kinnaur abound in Trout-the angler's prize catch, their waters have over the centuries chiseled beautiful gorges across this picturesque land and nurtured one of the most unique societies on there banks. In the lush land live the descendants of the Kinners- the demi-gods of the Hindu pantheon, whose deeds have been immortalized in epics and the poems of ancient Sanskrit poets.

There are thirty-three Buddhist monasteries and temples in Kinnaur's breathtaking beautiful setting. The Nyingma-pa, Drug-pa sects are all well represented over here.

Baspa/Sangla Valley: This valley starts 57-kms short of Kalpa, which has been named after a beautiful & populous village Sangla. Sangla is situated on the right bank of Baspa river 17-kms from Karcham. Journey from Karcham onwards is enjoyable and adventurous throughout the valley. The natural scenery all around and the eternal snow view are picturesque and charming. It is also known as Baspa Valley since Baspa river flows through this area. This is the most charming valley in the entire District of Kinnaur.