Some of the main adventure sports in Kashmir valley of India are: Fishing, Golf, Mountaineering, Skiing, Trekking, River Rafting, Paragliding in Kashmir, Aero Sports, Backpacking, Canoe Trips, Camping, Kayaking etc.

Trekking in Kashmir

Kashmir is a land of outstanding scenery which forms stunning mountain peaks to deep valleys with fast flowing streams. Above all Kashmir offers walkers peace and tranquility - No overcrowding and no pollution. Rural village walks bring a primitive and a preserved cultural heritage to light and walking through apple orchards, almond groves, rushing streams and alpine pastures is mesmerizing.

Trekking in Kashmir is one of the highlights of tourism in the Kashmir valley. Some of the popular and famous routes for trekking in Kashmir valley of India are: Amarnath Yatra, Gulmarg, Sonamarg etc.

Mountaineering in Kashmir

For mountaineering in Kashmir, you need to take permission from the Government of India through the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). The relief and terrain of Kashmir offers exciting opportunities for mountaineering in the state. High peaks of the Himalayas attract thousands of adventure sports lovers to the state.

These mountains can be categorized as Alpine and Himalaya. The four important mountaineering zones in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are Kashmir, Zanskar, Kishtwar and Ladakh. With the mighty ranges of the Himalayas towering 10,000 to 28,000 feet above the sea level, mountaineering options in Kashmir are almost unlimited.

The Pir Panjal, Karakoram and Zanskar ranges are the mountaineer's delight. Add to that the charm of the green pine forests, the rich plants and animal life on the mountains. The peaks of Sonamarg facilitate quick ascent and decent, while the lower peaks of Kishtwar are more challenging owing to their ruggedness.

Skiing in Kashmir

Snow skiing in Jammu and Kashmir is like a dream come true to any adventure sports enthusiast. The snow capped mountains in Kashmir offer great opportunities for snow skiing. The best place for skiing in Kashmir is Gulmarg. Infact, Gulmarg is the best ski resort in the Himalayas.

Gulmarg offers some magical skiing. A new Gondola takes skiers to the heights where crisp snow makes skiing a delight. Some of the best slopes in the country for beginners and intermediate skiers are available at Gulmarg. Skiing equipment is available on hire from the Ski-Shop. In winter Gulmarg's natural slopes and inclines turn into the country's premier skiing resort. Not all tourists who visit in winter come for skiing. Tobogganing, the most popular among them requires no skill. No skill is required - a flat wooden board is taken up the hill and is allowed to descend downhill. There are also snow scooters and snow bobbing.

In fact if one talks about skiing in J&k, it is only about Gulmarg as it has one of the most renowned skiing resort in Asia, when it comes to facilities and surrounding ecstasies. It also has the distinction of being the highest lift served resort in the world. Gulmarg is a great place for total beginners. They can learn to ski on the two Poma ski-lifts on the snow covered golf course. There are slopes that are apt for people with all levels of skills. You will see even young kids skiing on relatively easier slopes using a wooden board and professionals swarming on tougher looking tracks. Gulmarg was also the host to the first winter games in the year 1998.

To start your skiing pleasure, you can choose the height from which you are comfortable. If you think you are good enough, step into the gondola lift and roll up to the top of Apherwat mountain at about 13000 ft from where you can slide down. As and when you reach the top of the mountain, you will notice the instant difference, the place is unimaginably quiet, exquisitely lonely and chillingly cold. The winds exaggerate the feeling of biting in the air. But you probably won't mind it as you will be looking at the most spell-bounding scene you would have ever seen. Right in front of you are the twin peaks of Nun and Kun and to your left is an 8000 m plus mountain which is either K2 or Nanga Parbat. After being satiated just slide down the gentle but unpredictable slopes of Apherwat.

Fishing in Kashmir

One of the major attractions for tourists in the Kashmir valley is fishing. With the ending of the winter season starts the season for fishing in Kashmir, India. However, for fishing in the valley, one requires to get a permit. There are a number of other restrictions also like only artificial flies are permitted, you can keep only 6 fishes a day, etc. The best time for fishing in Kashmir is from April to October.

One of the major attractions for tourists in the Kashmir valley is fishing. With the ending of the winter season starts the season for fishing in Kashmir, India. However, for fishing in the valley, one requires to get a permit. There are a number of other restrictions also like only artificial flies are permitted, you can keep only 6 fishes a day, etc. The best time for fishing in Kashmir is from April to October.

Kashmir valley has a number of lakes, rivers, streams, etc, where you can go for fishing. There are two main fishing resources in Kashmir:

• Rivers (Jhelum, Sindh, Liddar, Wangat, etc)
• Lakes (Dal, Krishanshar, Vishanshar, Gangabal, Nunkhol, etc)

Golfing in Kashmir

Golf tourism is one of the main attractions of the Kashmir valley in summers. The peak season for golf in Kashmir is from April to November. One advantage that the game of golf in Kashmir has over other golf courses that the weather here is quite refreshing & the shade of the bordering Chinar & Pine trees enables the play to go on longer.

River Rafting in Kashmir

Kashmir is quite famous for a number of picturesque lakes and rivers. These water bodies of Kashmir not only serve as delight to the eyes, but are also a hub of a number of activity-oriented leisure sports. The less adventurous people go for the quiet Shikara boat rides on the Dal Lake and Nagin Lake of Srinagar. The Shikara rides offer peace and serenity as well as the option of sightseeing some of the beautiful places on the embankments. Other options include riding motorboats or going for water skiing.

However, what takes the cake is white water rafting in Kashmir Rivers. River rafting tourism was introduced quite recently in the Kashmir valley. The best season for River rafting in Kashmir is from August to September. The following rivers of the Kashmir valley are quite popular from the river rafting point of view:

• Lidder River
• Sindh River
• Drass River
• Suru River
• Indus River
• Zanskar River
• Chenab River
• Jhelum River

Paragliding in Kashmir

Aero sports are a rage amongst those visiting the Kashmir valley. Amongst the numerous aero sports, paragliding is the most popular in Kashmir. Also, it is one of the latest adventure sports that are picking up fast in the Kashmir valley. Para gliding takes you on a tour of the green valleys and majestic mountains of Kashmir. Looking from above, you will find the sight of the valley almost breathtaking. There are a number of adventure clubs in Jammu, Sanasar and Batote that offer paragliding facilities. At Jammu and Sanasar, proper training camps for both paragliding as well as parasailing are organized. Paragliding equipments are easily available at the tourist office in Jammu and the local agencies in Jammu and Sanasar. The best time for paragliding, especially in Sanasar, is the period of May-June and September-October.