Adventure Sports

 

Kashmir is virtually a playground of Himalayas, offering great scope for undertaking adventure activities amidst landscape of breathtaking and rugged beauty to adventure enthusiasts. Trekkers feel victorious conquering snobbish peaks of mighty Himalayas, exhilarated golfers watch golf ball come alive, Skiers become ecstatic zooming down hundreds of miles on soft powdery snow, anglers experience joyous moments catching a rainbow in bubbling river streams famous for trout fishing, bouncing down boisterous rivers in a raft imparts a sense of thrill, paragliding enables you to fly over the most enthralling landscape and waterskiing on tranquil lake is an electrifying experience.

For each sport, there are centers where equipment can be hired and professionally trained instructors and guides are available to assist beginners.

 

Golfing

 

In the lush golf courses of Srinagar and Gulmarg, the layouts are very alluring for the golfers. Srinagar offers an exclusive opportunity for golf enthusiasts to play through an extended summer, from April to November. In Kashmir, you will be able to play golf for longer hours than you can in the plains because of the lower temperatures.

If you plan to play golf regularly during the entire duration of your stay in Kashmir, a temporary membership can be availed, which will enable you to use the course for as long as you are here. The membership will also entitle you to use the clubhouse and restaurant facilities.

 

 Royal Springs Golf Course:

 

 The Royal Springs is the most scenic golf course in the natural environment created against the spectacular backdrop of Zabarwan Mountains at Chashmashahi, the beautiful walled garden built by Mughal Emperor Jehangir. Many prestigious Golf Tournaments are organized here.

Golf at Royal Springs, Srinagar is a truly transcending experience for the golfer and nature lover alike.

 

 Kashmir Golf Club, Srinagar:

 

This professional 18 hole course is laid out between chinar and pines and is the venue of many tournaments. The course has common fairways and a par of 70.

 

Gulmarg Golf Club:

 

Golfing at Gulmarg is enchanting experience. The Golf course at Gulmarg is unbelievably wonderful. Situated at an altitude of 2,650 m, it is the highest green golf course in the world. The layout of the course too is strikingly different from most golf courses– the land slopes and inclines along the complete area of the course, which has a par of 72 and 18 holes. The turf is very soft as it lies buried six to eight feet under snow for five months of the year. The greens have a combination of moss and a thin variety of grass, and natural slopes, which are fast to play on. The high altitude and thin air carries the ball farther. Golf sets are available on hire, pros to instruct one in the game, and temporary memberships, including one-day memberships is offered at a nominal charges. The club was started in 1904 by the British who used Gulmarg as a holiday resort. The Clubhouse reminiscent of a Swiss chalet with its quaintly sloping roof, has a rare old character.

 

Pahalgam golf club:

Pahalgam has a nine holes golf course at 2400 meters above the sea level, currently being up-graded to an 18-hole course. The course is an expanse of relatively large plain area in a relatively narrow valley. The locals would refer to this Golf course simply as the 'plateau'.

There is a golf club on one side of the plateau. Light refreshments, as well equipment and golf caddies could be rented out from there. The flat hill gradually rises up to corn fields, finally into a hill. Mine-golf could also be played at the Pahalgam Club on hourly basis.

 

 

 

Skiing in Gulmarg:

 

Gulmarg is a premier skiing destination in India and the most exotic in the Himalayas. It is affordable as compared to other ski resorts across the globe.

History of Skiing

Two British Army Officers, Major Headow and Major Metcarp established the Ski Club of India at Gulmarg in 1927 with late Peston Ji as its Secretary. Skiing rapidly grew in Gulmarg and became a popular sport among the British Army Officers.

For beginners and intermediate skiers, Gulmarg has the best slopes. Good quality equipment, including skis, snow boots, mufflers, woolen socks, windproof jackets, caps, sticks, gloves and goggles are available on hire on the spot from the Government-run ski shop. There are also trained instructors available for coaching the beginners. The skiing season in Gulmarg usually commences before Christmas (around middle of December) and continues till middle of April.

With the operation of the Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car, it has become all the more convenient for skiing enthusiasts, as they can gain a ski run of nearly 5 kms with the help of this cable car which goes up to the top of Mount Apharwat.

         

 

Highlights:

§  Gulmarg holds a position as one of the highest lift-served ski resorts in the world. It also has the Asia’s longest cable car project which makes this famed ski resort a star attraction among the foreign as well as domestic tourists.

§  The ropeway, which has 36 cabins, ferries about 600 tourists to and from the Apharwat peak and comprises 35 towers and 30 stations. 

§  Earlier skiers used helicopters which was a huge financial burden on the visitors. The ropeway has made skiing a very cost effective venture for tourists. It is the only ropeway in the world that takes skiers to a height of 4,390 meters.

§  The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Poma Glaski.

§  The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering conducts training courses in Skiing at subsidized rates.

 

Fishing:

 

Kashmir offers one of the best fishing beats in the world in snow fed and spring fed streams. There are over 120 fishing beats spread over 40 streams besides; there are 12 high altitude lakes ranging from 8000 feet to 12000 feet above sea level. Among all the fishing beats, these are the most famous and easily accessible beats around the valley.

Pahalgam-Lidder River

Sonamarg- Sindh River

Anantnag- Kokernag & Daksun

The High altitude lakes like Gangabal, Vishensar, Kishensar, etc. are also popular fishing beats.

The best season for fishing is April-September. One has to obtain license for fishing from Department of Fisheries of J&K Government in Srinagar. The Department of Fisheries controls angling in the valley and ensures that there is no diminution of reserve by disorganized fishing, so that anglers can enjoy angling in perfect conditions. For the assistance of anglers the facility of a registered guide is also available at the beat. Fishing Equipment is available on hire from shops in Srinagar.

  

 

 

Trekking:

 

Kashmir is the ultimate destination for trekkers, offering marvelous landscape and a sense of wonder and exhilaration. The mighty Himalayas, 240 kilometer’s long and 400 kilometer’s wide with an elevation ranging from 10,000 to 17,000 feet offers a wide range of trekking opportunities for the heroic and adventurous. There are plenty of trekking routes of different altitudes in the valley. Information about can be obtained from Tourist Officer in Adventure Division at Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar. Trekking equipment, tents, cooks, ponies, porters etc can be easily arranged by private travel agents or department of tourism. Knowledgeable guides escort you to make your expedition comfortable and hassle free.

 

River Rafting:

 

Tumbling down icy waters in a raft is surely the most adventurous way to traverse roaring rivers. Lidder River in Pahalgam and Sindh River in Sonamarg are excellent for river rafting. Rafting facilities including life jackets and rafts are available with guides at nominal rates at both the sites.

 

Water Sports:

 

Facilities for water sports like Water skiing, canoeing, etc. are available at Dal, Nagin and Manasbal Lake. The striking backdrop of mountains makes the experience more pleasurable.