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Himalaya
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LEH ( LADAKH ) |
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Location : State – Jammu & Kashmir (North India) |
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If you ever thought there was no place on earth where you could enjoy the thrill
of long treks in the morning and meditation sessions in the evening, then you
should travel to Leh. The picturesque locales of Ladakh, the highest hill
station in India will teach you the harmony of your body and soul.Ladhak is
favourate haunt of the adventure lovers offereing the best hikes and water
sports. |
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Leh is one of the two districts that constitute Ladakh, the other being Kargil.
It is a part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Leh is situated at an
altitude of 3505 m. age-old monasteries, crowded bazaars and breathtaking views
of the Himalayas make Leh travel a rewarding experience.
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Prime Attractions
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Leh Palace: This 17th century. Singee Palace dominates Leh town. |
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Shanti Stupa : Japanese Stupas made for world peace, sets picturesquely
on the hilltop above Leh. |
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Excursion
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Hemis Gonpa: Hemis Gonpa is considered as the largest and richest
monastery in Ladakh. The famous annual festival day called “Hemis Tsechu” has
been declared as the state holiday.
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Shey Palace: 15 Kms. south of Leh, Shey was the seat of power of the King
of Ladakh. And Three-storey statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is only of its kind in
the region.
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Stok Palace and Museum: Stok Palace was constructed after the Ladakh lost
to Zorawar Singh in 19th century. At present Royal family resides here at Stok.
Stok Palace has museum of Royal dresses, Kings Throne and Thankas.
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Lamayuru Gonpa: Lamayuru Gonpa is the oldest monastery in Ladakh, which
is around 125 Kms from Leh on Leh-Srinagar Highway. Surrounded by picturesque
moonscape Lamayuru Gonpa belongs to Drigung sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Around Nubra Valley: Nubra means “Valley of flowers” situated on Pakistan
Border across Khardongla Pass 18,380 ft, the highest motorable road in the
world. Deskit: Administrative headquarters of Nubra valley, and offers variety
of accommodation to travelers. It has a monastery atop a hillock from where you
can also enjoy panoramic view of the valley. Deskit sand dunes and double-humped
camel ride reminds of silk route tradition.
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Sumur : Sumur is a village across the Shayok River along lush green
meadow. Samstanling monastery of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism with
historical and religious significance attracts both devotees and tourists.
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Pangong : Pangong is approx. 140 Kms. away from Leh, situated at an
altitude of 14,000 ft. above the sea level. The Pangong Lake is around 71 Kms.
long but only 25% of the Lake is in India rest falls in the share of China. The
vast and serene lake displays a spectacular color variation from dark blue to
turquoise green during the day.
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Shopping : Shopping in Leh will be a fascinating experience if you wish
to take home souvenirs and curios from this enchanting land. You will find
exquisite things even from across the border like Burma and Afghanistan besides
the traditional Tibetan items while shopping in Leh. While shopping in Leh, you
will find a range of beautiful carpets and rugs with traditional Kashmiri and
Persian motifs.
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How To Get There
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By Air : Leh is directly connected to Delhi through regular flights and
it takes about 65 mins to reach Leh from Delhi through flight. Direct flights
also operate once a week from Leh to Srinagar and twice a week.
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By Rail : The nearest railway station is in Kalka from where you can take
a bus or taxi to Manali via Shimla. |
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By Road : The two popular routes to Leh are from Srinagar via Kargil on
the Srinagar-Leh Highway and from Manali via Sarchu and Dharchu on the
Manali-Leh Highway. These routes are only open from June to October. The
respective night halts on the two routes are Kargil and Sarchu. There are
regular bus and Tata Sumo services to Leh. Leh Bus Stand is barely a kilometer
from the city itself. Although the roads to Leh are well maintained, it is a
long and tiring journey of two days.
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Srinagar |
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Location : Jammu & Kashmir (North India) |
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The capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city in the state, Srinagar
(1,730m) is famous for its canals, houseboats and Mughal gardens. The city
itself is quite unlike most other large Indian cities for here you are much more
in Central Asia than on the sub continent. It's a city full of intriguing
alleyways and curious buildings. A place where it's very easy to spend a few
hours simply wandering - particularly along the old city streets near the Jhelum
river. |
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Prime Attractions
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Mughal Gardens: The Shalimar Bagh (Garden) were built by Emperor Jehangir
for his wife Nur Jahan, 'light of the world' in 1616. The Nishat Bagh is another
lovely garden with its 12 terraces representing the 12 signs of the zodiac,
which descend gradually and seem to almost merge into the lake. The Chasma
Shahi, or 'Royal Spring', are well up the hillside, above the Nehru Memorial
Park.
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Houseboats : If one is longing for the delights of a houseboat holiday,
then check out lakes of Srinagar to try one. Srinagar is a unique city because
of its lakes - the Dal, Nagin and Anchar. The River Jhelum also flows through a
part of the city.
Most houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhelum are situated on the banks of the
lake, and can be accessed directly from land without the help of a Shikara.
While all those on the Dal require a Shikara to get to and from them. Most
houseboats on the Dal are situated in long straggling rows; some face the
boulevard, Srinagar's exciting address, while others are situated singly or in
groups of two and three.
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A Ride of The Lake: A Shikara ride is one of the most soothing, relaxing
aspects of a holiday in Kashmir. It can be an hour-long ride to see the sights
of the Dal, a shopping by Shikara expedition to visit handicraft shops within
the periphery of the lake; or a whole day trip to visit important city
landmarks.
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Dal Lake : Dal Lake is, initially, one of the most confusing parts of
Srinagar for it's not really one lake at all, but three. Further more much of it
is hardly what one would expect a lake to be like - it's a maze of intricate
waterways and channels, floating islands of vegetation, houseboats that look so
firmly moored they could almost be islands and hotels on islands which look like
they could simply float away.
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Hazratbal Mosque: The most important Muslim shrine of Kashmir, that
commands the reverence of the people beyond measure, is undoubtedly the
Hazratbal Shrine, which is situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake in
Srinagar. This unmatched reverence is anchored in the love and respect for the
Prophet.
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Excursions
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Gulmarg : The valley of Gulmarg, a large meadow about 3-sq-kms in area,
stands at 2,730m, 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.
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Pahalgam : Pahlgam is 86Kms from Srinagar. At an altitude of 2,130m and
about 95-km from Srinagar, Pahalgam is probably the most popular hill resort in
the Kashmir valley.
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Sonamarg : Sonmarg is 87 Kms from Srinagar. At a height of 2,740m,
Sonamarg is the last major point in the Kashmir valley before the Zoji La pass
into Ladakh. Sonamarg is thus not only a good base for treks but also a jumping
off point for trips into Ladakh.
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Amarnath : Amarnath is 143kms from Srinagar. The Yatra (pilgrimage) on
foot to Amarnath Cave, considered one of the holiest naturally occurring shrines
of the Hindu faith, has continued annually for little more than a hundred years.
Extending up 130 feet, the Amarnath Cave is high and shallow.
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How To Get There
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By Air: Various airlines fly to Srinagar from New Delhi, Chandigarh,
Amritsar, Jammu and there are flights operating from Srinagar to Leh and back.
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By Rail : Srinagar's railhead is Jammu, which in turn is connects all
parts of the country, including Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Pune, Mumbai and
Kanyakumari.
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By Roads: A good roadway network connects the different parts of the city
of Allahabad. Varanasi 120Kms, Lucknow 210Kms, Kanpur 200Kms. |
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By Road :Srinagar is connected by an all weather road to Jammu, which in
turn is connected to many parts of North India.
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Gulmarg |
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Location : State -Jammu & Kashmir (North India) |
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Gulmarg “The Meadow Of Flowers” - 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. |
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All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day one can see all the way
to Nanga Parbat is one direction and Srinagar is another. It's a popular day
trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg. The road from Srinagar rises gently towards the
lower slopes of the range, passing through rice and maize fields.
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Prime Attractions
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Skiing & Heliskiing : Asia's one of the most famous Heli-skiing resort is
at Gulmarg, Kashmir. Come December, and the verdant green slopes of Gulmarg are
blanketed with snow, forming some of the finest natural slopes for ski runs of
all levels.
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Golf Courses :Gulmarg also has one of the world's highest green golf
courses, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own
right. For the would-be golfer, there are golf sets on hire, pros to instruct
one in the game, and temporary memberships. Naturally, these facilities are
available to players as well, except that serious golfers usually carry their
sets along.
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Gondola Lift : For a fun filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg's
newly constructed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg, through pine clad
slopes, is exhilarating.
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Excursions
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Khilanmarg :This smaller valley is about a 6-km walk from the Gulmarg bus
stop and car park. The meadow, carpeted with flowers in the spring, is the site
for Gulmarg's winter ski runs and offers a fine view of the surrounding peaks
and over the Kashmir Valley. It's a 600-metre ascent from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg
and during the early spring, as the snow melts.
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Adventure Sports - Gulmarg |
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Skiing: In winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona - that of the country's
premier skiing resorts. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner's skiing resort. One
doesn't requite a heavy woolen wardrobe - slacks or a Salwar Kameez will do
fine. In Gulmarg one will also be able to drift to one of the many Ski shops and
hire skis, sticks and goggles. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the
Gondola cable car, which allows a ski run of 2,213m.
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How To Get There
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By Air :Gulmarg is in Baramula District and is 56-kms from Srinagar
District. The nearest Airport from here is situated in Badgam District, which is
well connected with all the major cities of the country.
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By Rail :The nearest railhead is at Jammu.
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By Road :The journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg takes approximately 2 hours
in bus and may take short time by chartered conveyance.
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Pahalgam |
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Location : Jammu & Srinagar (North India) |
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The Valley Of Shepherds ( Pahalgam) At an altitude of 2,130m and about 95-km
from Srinagar, Pahalgam is probably the most popular hill resort in the Kashmir
valley. Since it is rather lower than Gulmarg the nighttime temperatures do not
drop so low and it has the further advantage of the beautiful Lidder River
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Pahalgam is situated at the junction of the Aru and Sheshnag Rivers and
surrounded by soaring, fir-covered mountains with bare, snow-capped peaks rising
behind them. At the confluence of the streams flowing from the river Lidder and
Sheshnag Lake, Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking
views
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Prime Attractions
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Martand : The lofty plateau, on which the remains of the ancient temple
of Martanda stand, overlooks the modern village of Matan, located at its foot.
Mattan & Martand: Only a few km beyond Anantnag, on the Pahalgam road, Mattan is
an important Hindu pilgrimage point due to its fish filled springs. On a plateau
above Mattan and 3-km to the south, stands the huge ruined temple of Martand.
Built by Lalitaditya Mukhtapida it is the most impressive ancient ruin in
Kashmir and beautifully sited.
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Excursions
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Avantipur :Situated at the foot of one of the spurs of the mountain
Wastarwan, this temple site overlooks the Jhelum, which wends its tortuous way
gently by the side of the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
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Chandanwari & Passage To The Amarnath Yatra: Situated 16-km from
Pahalgam, Chandanwari is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which takes
place every year in the month of Sawan (Rain). The destination is the Amarnath
Cave, believed to the abode of Lord Shiva. Although the road from Pahalgam to
Chandanwari is on fairly flat terrain, and can be undertaken by car, from
Chandanwari onwards the track becomes much steeper, being accessible on foot or
by pony.
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How To Get There
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By Air :Pahalgam is in Anantnag District and is about 96-km from
Srinagar. The nearest airport is Srinagar. |
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By Rail :The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu and from there National
Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India. |
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By Road:The road to Pahalgam can be taken to Khannabal or alternatively
from Bijbehara villages from National Highway NH1A.
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Sonmarg |
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Location : Jammu & Kashmir (North India)
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The Meadow Of Gold (Sonmarg) At a height of 2,740m, Sonamarg is the last major
point in the Kashmir valley before the Zoji La pass into Ladakh. At the pass the
green, lush Kashmiri landscape abruptly switches to the barren, dry landscape of
Ladakh. Sonamarg is thus not only a good base for treks but also a jumping off
point for trips into Ladakh. |
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The name means 'Meadow of Gold' and although this could be due to the profusion
of flowers that carpet the meadow in the spring it is also possible that the
name derives from Sonamarg's strategic trading position in the days when this
was a major route into central Asia. The Sindh River meanders along here and
abounds with Trout and Mahseer.
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Excursions
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Baltal :This beautiful meadow is right at the foot of the Zoji La pass
and thus is the final place in Kashmir. The river from the foot of the Amarnath
glacier meets the Indus near Baltal. It stands at a height of 2,743m and during
the Amarnath pilgrimage there are tents set up here. It is possible to walk to
the Amarnath cave, more usually approached from Pahalgam, in one day.
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Yushmarg: Standing in the Pir Panjal hills, out beyond the airport, at an
altitude of 2,700 metres, the meadow of Yusmarg is reputed to have the best
spring flowers in Kashmir.
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How To get There
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By Air : The nearest airport is Srinagar. |
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By Rail : The nearest Railhead is at Jammu and from there National
Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India. |
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By Road : Sankoo, Panikhar and Parachik are connected with Kargil with
regular bus services, in summer even twice a day. A bus ride from Kargil takes 2
hours to Sankoo, 3 hours to Panikhar and about 4 hours to Parkachik.
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