Jammu & Kashmir

India's fascinating northern most state is a wide cultural and geographical contrast. It consists of three regions differing in topography and culture - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

The region of Jammu includes the city of Jammu, situated on the north Indian plains, a short distance from the Shivalik Hills. North of the Shivaliks, the rest of the Jammu region is drained by the Chenab River whose vast catchment area includes several narrow valleys that extend deep into the high Himalayas. Jammu was the stronghold of Hindu Dogra kings and abounds with popular temples and secluded forest retreats.

The Kashmir Valley, north of Jammu, is s fertile verdant region enclosed by high snow-capped ridges of the Pir Panjal range to the west and south and the main Himalayan range to the east. Its population is predominantly Muslim with a rich Islamic history that can be traced to the 14th century. The Mughal rulers were always happy to retreat here from the heat of the plains. They developed their formal garden style art to its greatest heights in Kashmir. The State's summer capital Srinagar is located in this valley.

Ladakh, the Land of Passes, is the northernmost province of the State and lies beyond the Kashmir Valley over the famous Zozi-La Pass. It marks the boundary between the peaks of the western Himalayas and the vast Tibetan plateau. It is a magical land completely different from the green landscape of other parts of the Himalayas with barren mountains, lush-green river valleys, deep blue skies, fascinating monasteries and numerous lakes full of bird life. It has become one of the most popular summer destinations; the area remains virtually monsoon free due to the great barrier of the Himalayas. It is the abode of rare Kiang (wild ass) and highland Yak. Ladakh is one of the best living traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Leh, the main city of the region lies at the Tri-junction of the historic silk route from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India.

Srinagar
Founded in the 6th century and beautifully located around a number of lakes, Srinagar the 'Beautiful City' is divided in two by the Jhelum River, which is crossed by a number of bridges. The lush greenery of the valley with its terraced rice fields, fruit orchards and swirling waterways spills into the city via the Dal Lake and the great avenues of the popular Chinar trees. It is a city with a distinctly Central Asian flavour. The old city is in the vicinity of the Hari Parbat Hill and includes the labyrinth of alleyways, mosques and houses that constitute the commercial heart of the city. The more modern part of the city is farther up the Jhelum River, above its famous seven bridges.

This fresh natural atmosphere combined with the commercial clamor of the old city's twisting medieval streets gives Srinagar a distinctive and vitalizing flavour. Walking down the roads you will see the half-timbered houses and brick churches surrounded by magnolia trees in the garden. The water world of the Dal and Nagin Lakes can be explored in the almost decadent comforts of Shikaras, the hand paddled water taxis.

Houseboats have been a part of Kashmir's aquatic culture for centuries. Houseboats of all sizes and costs range the banks of the busy Dal Lake and the quieter, clearer Nagin. Most houseboats on Nagin and the Jhelum are situated on the banks of the lake can be accessed directly from the land, while those in the Dal Lake require a Shikara to get to and from them.

Srinagar’s Accessibility

By Air: Srinagar has an airport, which is serviced by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines with regular flights to Jammu, Leh and Delhi.

By Rail: the nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, 305 kms from Srinagar, where trains arrive from Delhi, Kolkata. Pune, Mumbai, Kanyakumari, Ahmedabad, etc. During the holiday season, additional trains operate to and from various parts of the country.

By Road: National Highway 1-A, connecting Srinagar with Jammu, is a good, all-weather road with several sharp inclines and hairpin bends. The famous Jawahar Tunnel that connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley across the Pir Panjal range falls en route.

Hotels in Srinagar

Heritage Hotels: Intercontinental The Grand Palace

Deluxe Hotels: Broadway, Centaur Lake View

Houseboats: these provide the unique experience of living on the water in a cedar-panelled elegant bedroom, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel.

Ladakh’s Accessibility

By Air: Leh, the capital of Ladakh has an airport, which is serviced by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways with regular flights to Jammu, Srinagar and Delhi. The flight route to Leh presents the visitors with a spectacular panoramic view of snow-capped ranges spread out below, and the thrill of identifying particular landmarks like the twin peaks of Nunand Kunstand out high above the others. Tso-moririlies intensely blue among bare brown hills. The Zanskar Riversnakes through the mountains, and one route of flight takes you directly above the Zanskar valley, with villages and gompas clearly visible.

By Road: There are two ways to approach Leh – one from Srinagar and the other from Manali. The main overland approach to Ladakh is from the Kashmir Valley through the 434-km Srinagar-Lehhighway,which follows the historic trade route, also known as the ‘Treaty Road’. It generally remains open for traffic from early June to mid-November. The 473-km Manali-Leh Road is open for about three months in the year from early July to September. For much of its length, it passes through areas so barren that it is entirely void of habitation.

Hotels in Leh-Ladakh

Heritage Hotels: Welcom Heritage Shambha-La

Standard Hotels: Khangri, K-Sar Palace, Singge Palace, Mandala