India - Trekking and mountaineering lovers - a must visit 19.10.2013

TREKKING & MOUNTAINING

The State has a visibly varied terrain and offers spectacular contrasts in nature, with its alpine pastures in Kashmir and barren wastelands & rugged wastelands in Ladakh.

The State has a visibly varied terrain and offers spectacular contrasts in nature, with its alpine pastures in Kashmir and barren wastelands & rugged wastelands in Ladakh. Treks can be set for a week or even for a day and the ideal trekking months spread from May to October. Most treks in Kashmir have lakes as their focus and your companions would be the nomadic shepherds (Gujjars). Ladakh offers tougher treks with true rugged Himalayan adventure amid lofty peaks and endless glaciers. Equipment can be hired from the J&K Tourism Hire Shop at Srinagar, while officers at resorts provide guidance to trekkers

Some Popular Treks:

Sgr-Aharbal-Kungwattan-Mahinag-Kounsarnag (4 Days)
Pahalgam-Chandarwar-Sheshnag-Amarnath Cave-Sonamarg-Sgr (4 days)
Pahalgam-Aru-Lidderwat-Kolahoi Glacier-Khemsar-Sonamrg-Sgr (4 days)
Sonamarg-Vishansar-Gadsar-Krishansar-Satsaran-Naranag-Sgr (7 days)
Mountaineering

With the mighty Himalayan ranges towering from 10,000 to 28,000 ft, mountaineering options in Kashmir are myriad. Pir Panjal, Great Himalayas, Zanskar, Ladakh & Karakoram mountain ranges run through the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Off Sonamarg are the lesser peaks, Kolahoi and Harmukh; one can get to these peaks easily making an alpine ascent.

Popular Peaks (Kashmir )

Kolahoi (5425 m)
Harmukh (5148 m)
Tattakutti (4742 m)
Sunset (4745 m)


Ladakh

Trekking

Trekkers crossing a foot bridge on Padum-Manali route
The trekking options range from short, day-long walks up and down mountain slopes to visit monuments or monastic settlements (or across a ridge to enjoy the sheer beauty of the lunar landscape), or long, trans-mountain treks involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness. For example, the trek from Lamayuru in the Indus Valley to Darcha in Lahoul, across Zanskar Valley, takes nearly three weeks and crosses 2 major mountain ranges. Most of the established routes traverse the Zanskar range, which separates the Indus Valley from Zanskar. The 10-day Markha Valley trek, the 11-day Lamayuru- Padum traverse and the 4/5-day Stok-Khangri round trek are the more popular ones. In recent years, parts of the Ladakh range, which lie between the Indus and Shayok valleys, have also become available for trekking.

The trekking season normally extends from early June to mid-October. But short, localised treks within the central Indus valley can be undertaken even in May. On the other hand, some routes are suitable only for the late autumn as during the summer the tracks are submerged due to excessive flow of water, as is in the case of the Hemis-Markha-Padum trek. The winter access to Zanskar is actually along the frozen surface of the Zanskar River called Chaddar route. This route, though difficult and highly demanding in terms of arrangements, is perhaps one of the most exciting and memorable foot journeys in the world.

Leh-Lamayuru-Wanla-Ursi-Tar La-Mangyur-Sapol-Leh (12 days)
Padam-Mone-Pupila-Thangse-Kargiyal-Zanskar-Sumdo-Manali (12 days)
Leh-Lamayuru-Wanla-Ursi-Tar La-Mangyur-Sapol-Leh (12 days)
Padam-Mone-Pupila-Thangse-Kargiyal-Zanskar-Sumdo-Manali (12 days)
Kholai
Harmukh
Mountaineering

The area most frequented by foreign climbers is the Nun-Kun massif in the Great Himalayan Range. Its easy accessibility from the Kargil-Padum road and the shortest possible approach march to the base camps makes this massif the most attractive climbing destination in the Great Himalayan, necessitating advance booking years ahead. Among its six known peaks accessible from the Suru Valley, Nun (7,135 m) and Kun (7,087 m) are the highest summits.

The area nearest to Leh is the Stok-Khangri massif in the Zanskar Mountains, south of Leh. The base camp for the various peaks of this massif is about two days' trek from the Stok village. Among its known peaks, Stok- Khangri (6,150 m) is the highest. It offers a spectacular perspective to the central expanse of the Indus Valley, which it dominates. Other peaks in the area include Gulap Khangri (5,900 m), Matho West (5,950 m) and Kantaka (5,275 m). The much higher Konglacha Peak (6,700 m) lies southwest of Leh and is reached via Rumbak on the first leg of the Markha Valley trek from Stok. Besides there are many unnamed peaks in the altitude range of 5,500 m to 6,400 m available for climbing.

North of Leh, across the Ladakh Range and the Nubra Valley, lies the Karakoram Range. It soars to a number of known peaks which are, however, within the restricted area and so not freely accessible to foreign climbers except with special permission from the Government of India. The most prominent summits in this range, which are accessible from various parts of the Nubra Valley include, Saser-I (7,415 m), Saser-II (7,513 m) and Saser-III (7,495 m).

The climbing season extends from mid-May to mid-October, the ideal period being from June to September because during this time only Ladakh remains unaffected by the monsoon, which holds sway over most of the Himalayas. Foreign climbing expeditions are required to obtain permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation for climbing all listed peaks. A booking fee, based on the height and popularity of the allotted peak, is charged and a Liaison Officer is assigned to every climbing team. The minimum period required for processing applications for permission is six months. A list of peaks available for climbing and application forms for booking along with other requisite documents can be obtained from the Director, Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110021

The notable mountain peaks include:

Nun Kun
Stok Kangri
Saser Kangri


Jammu

Trekking

A range of soft trekking options is available in the Jammu area. Summer is the season when all the routes are open, but some trekking routes are open in winter as well. There are excellent camping sites in the wilderness. Contact the adventure wing of the office of the Director Tourism, Jammu Province, for information and brochures.

The Tourism Department has shops that hire out trekking equipment at Jammu and Kud.

Popular Peaks ( Kishtwar)

Sickle Moon (6575 m)
Eiger ( 6001 m)
Bhrama I
Bharma II
Some travel agencies in the city can also organise trekking expeditions in different parts of Jammu. Details are available with the Tourist Office in the TRC.