Trekking
Trekkers set up
camp in a valley
Trekkers set up
camp in a valley
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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. Your constant companions would be the nomadic
shepherds - the Gujjars - the tough and sturdy mountain folk who can carry
you on their back and still complete the trek in half the time and who
claim to be descendants of Moses. One can go back-packing on one's own
or take on a 'five star' trek in the Mughal fashion with camp cots, tables
and chairs and bearers in waiting. A num-ber of local travel agencies organise
all inclusive trekking. For those who want to do it in real Alpine style,
equipment is readily available in Srinagar, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, the
main take off points. Choice provisions can be purchased in Srinagar. Mules
and porters can be engaged through the respective tourist offices. One
can hike for a day, or disappear in the mountains for a week, enjoy the
tranquility and serenity, becoming one with the surroundings in a rare
communion with nature.
For tougher treks, Ladakh offers the true rugged Himalayan adventure amid high mountains, lofty peaks and endless glaciers. Treks range from four days to two weeks. In fact, if one combines some of the trails, one can go on exploring the mountains for months together. But one has to be cautious while trekking in Ladakh. The climate and terrain are more demanding, being almost a high-altitude desert with extreme temperature. One has to be self-sufficient in food as the local population has very little food to spare. In some places one may not see any life for days together. The trekking season extends from mid May till mid Oct. Some of the more popular trails are: Base: Srinagar
One important thing to remember while trekking in these beautiful mountains is that one is not the last person to trek here. There will be many more to follow, so keep the mountains clean. No litter, no garbage, no juniper bushes for making fires (kerosene and gas stoves are readily available). Save the lush green forests - they are the only (green) gold left. Re-member in Ladakh, due to an extremely dry climate, a piece of paper may take 20 years to decompose and plastics may survive forever. |
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