Unbelievably diverse with a beauty that remains unparalleled, Kashmir is one of the ideal destinations for adventure lovers and thrill seekers who visit the place to explore its breathing landscapes and views and get closer to nature. No matter if you indulge in camping, rafting, trekking, safari or paragliding, adventure sports in Kashmir get a new dimension here. Bike Ride to Leh and Srinagar from Manali and enjoy the sight of lush green meadows, snow-capped majestic mountains and icy glaciers on your way.
Don’t forget to go on a jeep safari to Leh and Kargil and explore the tranquil to Moriri and Pangong lake. You can also trek along a fairly inclined trail past the Markha village and head to the Markha valley, experiencing the stunning views of the Himalayas.
Adventure Sports In Kashmir
The majestic mountains and hilly terrains and landscapes beckon tourists to visit Kashmir to experience all that the place has to offer. If you too are an adventure enthusiast, wait no more. Plan and discover the northernmost edge of India and experience the following activities:
- Golfing
- Skiing
- Trekking
- River Rafting
- Mountain Biking
- Shikara Ride
- Wildlife Safaris
Golfing
Golfing in the verdant valleys of Kashmir is an absolute delight. The Kashmir valleys are perfect spots for enjoying elegant sports like golf. The evergreen valleys offer the best scope to golf lovers to take pleasure in golfing on sunny mornings in Kashmir. Gulmarg’s golf course is located at an elevation of 3730 meters and is considered to be the highest golf point in the world. The golf course is situated amidst land slopes and hills.
In addition to the ambiance, the pleasant weather makes Kashmir an ideal destination for golfing. Snow filled mountains serve to be the best picturesque backdrop to the Gulmarg valley. For golfing, tourists can borrow golf balls and sets from local professionals with permission from the tourism department. The Gulmarg golf course is luxurious enough to offer you an unforgettable experience. Never miss visiting Gulmarg and enjoy golfing if you are in Kashmir. This experience won’t disappoint you for sure.
Location: Srinagar / Gulmarg – Price: Starts from INR 1000
Skiing
Another popular activity, especially in winter, is skiing in Kashmir. However, this sport doesn’t remain restricted to only winters. It is an adventure that can be enjoyed all around the year. The lofty summits and the shimmering snow provide tourists with the ideal setting to enjoy a winter delight like skiing. Gulmarg is the perfect place for such sport and relishes the game with your heart’s content. Equipment necessary for skiing like skis, sticks, boots, goggles, and gloves is all available in the local Gulmarg ski shops.
The ideal time to ski is between December and mid-April. Beginners can get trained by professionals and then set out for skiing. Apart from Gulmarg, one can also enjoy skiing in Pahalgam. Adventurers here can enjoy the winter sun and snow. Tourists can take part in various skiing activities like snowboarding, hockey skiing, and ice skiing. The crystal clear snow-capped hills and the tranquillity of Kashmir calls tourists to visit and explore this abode of snow and ice.
Location: Gulmarg – Price: Starts from INR 5,600
Trekking
One of the major adventure sports offered by Kashmir is trekking. The sport provides adventurers with abundant opportunities of discovering the rugged terrain and mountains and landscapes of the Himalayas. The snow-covered peaks, the cascading streams, the deep, lush green valleys make for the perfect trekking destination. The Shankaracharya hill on the Zabarwan hills offers ideal spots for trekking. The lofty glaciers, the valley filled with rich flora and fauna make your trekking experience even more exciting and engaging. For beginners, there are several mountaineering and trekking clubs to train and to guide them. Tourists can hire guides to make the entire journey interesting and informative.
The ideal time for trekking starts from July to September. Necessary equipment can either be hired or bought. While trekking, adventurers can explore the interiors of Kashmir, filled with its diverse cultural heritage, thrilling history, hilly topography and the scent of deciduous trees. Trekking in Kashmir uncovers the less explored territories of Kashmir, hence adding a new perspective to the journey altogether.
Location: Kashmir Alpine Lakes Trek – Price: Starts INR 6750
River Rafting
The soothing mountain zephyrs blowing over the mossy green valleys and the soaring snow-covered cliffs reflecting on the blue waters of the lakes are flawless instances of the natural union that make Kashmir one among the breathtaking escaping places in the Himalayan region. One can visit Kashmir for a leisure gateway and indulge in adventure sports. The region has emerged into a hub of adventure sports. River rafting is one such sport which undoubtedly will fulfill your thirst for adventure.
River rafting in Kashmir has emerged as one of the popular adventure sports following the rise of adventure tourism in Kashmir. Raft through the gorgeous rivers, tackling several whirlpools surrounded by deep green valleys, which make your journey goosebump challenging. The invigorating mountain river rafting in Kashmir involves manoeuvring rapids from grade 1 to grade 3. Some areas, however run-through grade 4 rapids. Nevertheless, the rapids in Kashmir are moderate, making rafting an easy adventure. During river rafting, teamwork and coordination are very important and one must abide by the instructions of their instructors.
Location: The Lidder river in Pahalgam – Price: Starts from INR 7750
Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers keep looking for trails and never-ending trails. All-terrain bikes or mountain bikes characterise a rugged framework. Since, tackling the trails require physical stamina, strength and Strong mountain bike. Their frames are constructed of aluminum, so they are lightweight, which makes them efficient to ride.
The Srinagar Leh highway provides the adventure enthusiasts with an opportunity to explore the majestic Himalayas through ten mountain trails. equipment needed for mounting biking include a geared motorcycle, biking helmet, shoes, gloves, insulated and lightweight bottles to store alcoholic drinks, water bags, first aid kit, sunscreen lotion, and sunglasses. It’s advisable to carry a repair kit containing non-toxic degreaser, tubes, grease tubes to grease bearings and an aero spray to clean bike, tool kit, bike pump, speedometer, batteries, maps, etc.
Location: The main areas to go mountain biking include Gulmarg to Pahalgam, Srinagar to Gulmarg, Pahalgam to Srinagar, Srinagar to Sonamarg and then to Wular and then back to
Shikara Ride
Amid the tranquil yet sensuous world of Kashmir, lies something heavenly, shikara, a pretty wooden carved boat. The shikhara is one of the stunning attractions of Kashmir. Capturing the vintage charm, the shikhara offers a unique feel of experiencing the everlasting charm of Kashmir. The shikara ride is a relaxing and rejuvenating one, captivating experience and worthful pleasure that Kashmir has to offer.
Shikara boats can also be boarded for sightseeing like Shalimar garden, Nishat garden, Hazrat Bal mosque, etc. The most attractive use of the shikara boats is as floating markets. Varieties of flowers and handicrafts are sold on these shikara boats. The sight of shikara boats floating full of vibrant blooms is definitely worth watching. Shikara boats are also used for birdwatching.
Location: Dal lake, Srinagar
Wildlife Safaris
Kashmir remains unbeaten not only in terms of scenic beauty but also exotic flora and fauna. The wildlife of Kashmir has too played an important role among all other adventure sports towards resulting in the growth of Jammu Kashmir tourism. From the exotic snow leopard to the jeopardised Kashmir stag, Kashmir shelters a wide range of animal species that are rare and unique and native of the Himalayas.
The city has several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks such as the Hemis national park, Dachigam national park, etc. The state of Jammu and Kashmir houses 5 national parks, 38 protected reserves, and 14 wildlife sanctuaries. No matter if you are a wildlife enthusiast or not, never miss going on any of the wildlife tours in Kashmir to make your vacations interesting and exciting. Get to spot animals like red fox Himalayan black bear, markhor, bharal, leopard, shapu, etc. Besides animals, the state has an amazing collection of avian species too.
Location: Dachigam National Park
Kashmir will entice you with captivating evergreen meadows, pastures and majestic Himalayan peaks. These adventure sports in Kashmir will transport you to a different world. You’ll get to gaze at snow-capped mountains, mesmerising gardens, green fields and feel the ever-fascinating shikara rides on Dal lake in Srinagar. So, what are you waiting for? The fun is waiting for you so plan a holiday in Kashmir right away and live your dreams!
