About Adventure Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with an incredible topography, marked by fast flowing rivers, high altitude passes, fabulous mountain slopes, lovely forests and mountains that make it possible to enjoy various kinds of adventure activities like trekking, skiing, paragliding, river rafting, mountaineering and angling. Trying these incredible adventure activities in Jammu and Kashmir gives you the ultimate feeling of thrill and adrenaline rush that you are always on the lookout for.
Trekking in Jammu and Kashmir
Trekking is a great and exciting way of exploring the magnificent beauty of Kashmir, with its meadows, lakes, valleys, orchids and remote villages. Some of the popular short treks in Jammu and Kashmir are from Gulmarg to Ningle Nallah, Sonamarg to Thajiwas Glacier & Pahalgam to Aru.
One of the most famous treks in Kashmir is the Great Lakes Trek, which covers the lakes of Gangabal, Kishansar and Vishansar. Two treks popular in Jammu are Kishtwar to Srinagar and Kishtwar to Padum. Two famous spiritual treks are Amarnath Yatra from Baltal/Pahalgam and Katra to Vaishno Devi treks.
River Rafting in Jammu and Kashmir
Rafting is one of the most incredible adventure activities in Jammu and Kashmir that you can try during your holidays in Jammu and Kashmir. In Pahalgam, you can battle the rapids of the Lidder River, which presents enough challenge and is exciting.
The river stretches from Langabal to Ganeshpora, with rapids ranging from Grade I to Grade IV. While the Lidder Joy Ride, from Varganpal to Yaneer Bridge is perfect for beginners and amateurs, the stretch from Langabal to Ganeshpora is perfect for experts.
Skiing in Jammu & Kashmir
Skiing is one of the most enjoyable adventure activities that you can enjoy during your holiday in Jammu and Kashmir. The hill station of Gulmarg is famously known as one of the best skiing destinations in India, and Asia as well. From January to mid-February, it attracts enthusiastic skiers from India and all over the world.
The famous Gondola cable car ride takes you up to Apharwat Peak, and lets you descend from an incredible height of almost 2,000 meters. For expert skiers, Shark Fin, located on the back of Mount Apharwat, is the best place for powder skiing. If you are a beginner skier, the modest slopes at Patnitop are great for skiing.
Paragliding in Jammu & Kashmir
Paragliding is a famous aero sport adventure activity in Jammu and Kashmir that lets you admire its valleys, meadows & splendid beauty. One of the places to enjoy paragliding is the hill station of Nathatop. Batote and Sanasar are other places where you can enjoy paragliding, from May-June and September-October. Astanmarg, a little village located close to Srinagar, is also famous for paragliding.
Mountaineering in Jammu & Kashmir
The Pir Panjal Ranges of Indian Himalayas provide wonderful opportunities for mountaineering in Jammu and Kashmir, as they are home to some of the best mountain peaks. You can try mountaineering from the Kishtwar region, where the famous peaks are Tupendo & Cerro Kishtwar.
Other peaks where climbing expeditions are done are Sickle Moon, Cathedral, Brammah I and II and Namtse. In the Kashmir Valley, the famous mountain climbing peaks are Harmukh, Tattakuti, Sunset & other smaller peaks in Sonamarg and Pahalgam
Mountain Biking in Jammu & Kashmir
Pedalling your way through the mountains of Kashmir dotted with rich pine and deodar trees & across its fabulous landscape combines adventure and thrill. The best mountain biking sports in Kashmir stretches from Srinagar to Gulmarg, Gulmarg to Pahalgam, Pahalgam to Srinagar and Sonmarg to Manasbal Lake. Advanced bikers can also try the route from Srinagar to Pahalgam and back. You can also camp at the Lidder River while biking in Kashmir.