Kashmir360

14/04/2024

Of all the Tourism Guest Houses in Kashmir the one at Reshawari is surely one of the best.

How about spending a few Nights at this fabulous location ?

Be a part of our Gurez Bangus Keran Tour and discover hidden Gems like this this one.

For details please Message on Whats App no 98712 92288

10/04/2024

Just a Month to go for our High Pass Challenge JK Edition 2024.

The THPC JK editions takes you across almost the whole length and breadth of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. We start off from Basohli in the Kathua District and make our way into the heart of the Pir Panjals and come to Bhaderwah in the Doda District after crossing the remote Chattargala Pass.

From Bhaderwah we move along the Chenab River to the Kishtwar district and from the town of Kishtwar we move towards the Sinthan Pass in the Pir Panjals which gets us into Kashmir.

We then explore the Passes around Kashmir like the Margan Pass and Razdan Pass in the Great Himalayan Range and the Sadhna Pass, the Z Gali and the Pharkiyan Gali in the Shamsbari Range.

And end after crossing over Pir Panjals via the Pir Ki Gali on the old Mughal Road and ending in Jammu.

This Drive is not just an Overlanding Expedition but a lesson the Geography of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Which takes you along lesser know Routes in the UT with beauty than cannot be justified in words.

The Itinerary

May 10 : Arrival in Basohli. Basohli is located around in Jammu and Kashmir around 60 kms from Pathankot in the Kathua District. Located on the banks of the Ranjit Sagar Dam. Night stay at the Lake View Resort

May 11 : We have an early Morning start and take the Road to Bani. And then to the beautiful meadows of Sarthal. From Sarthal we climb up to the beautiful Chattargala Pass and descend into scenic Bhaderwah in the Doda District. Night Stay at Bhderwah Resort

May 12 : We do a trip to Padri Pass which connects Bhaderwah with Chamba and then we head towards Kistwar along the Chenab. From Kishtwar we climb up the Sinthan Pass and descend into the Kashmir Valley. Stay at Daksum Hotel.

May 13 : We start the drive up the thrilling Margan Pass which connects Kashmir with the magical Warwan Valley. Return to Srinagar later in the day. Stay at the Khanda Kothi / Saffron Hotel

May 14 : From Srinagar we drive upto the Wular Lake and then we climb up the Razdan Pass which was once a part of the Route which connected Kashmir with Gurez and beyond to Gilgit. From Razdan Pass we head to Chandigam in the Lolab Valley in Kupwara. Night Stay at Chandigam TRC Guest House

May 15 : Today we will do the Shamsbari Passes of Zamindar/ Z Gali which connects to Machil and the the Pharkiyan Gali which connects to Kerna. Return to Chandigam in the Afternoon. Night Stay at Chandigam TRC Guest House

May 16 : We head to the Sadhna Pass today again in the Shamsbari Range and which further connects to the Karnah Valley and Tithwal. Return to Srinagar in the Afternoon. Night Stay at the Khanda Kothi

May 17 : The last day we head to the old Mughal Road and cross the historic Peer Ki Gali and then the adjoining the Dera Ki Gali and head through the Rajouri District and finally arrive at Jammu. Night Stay at the Hari Niwas Palace.

May 18 : Everyone heads back Home.

We have Two Slots left for anyone who is interested. Please get in touch with me on Whats App no 98712 92288 in case you are. Thanks

21/03/2024

My Article in the Scroll about one of my favourite Forgotten Ancient Monuments of the Pir Panjals.

Its now been a few years I visited the site and published the Story and Photos on the Internet quite widely.

But in all this longwhile I have had only One Person call me and get details on how to get to Site and options to Stay as she was conducting some research for the University of Los Angeles.

It seems rather strange to me such a significant Monument to the Past invokes no interest by the General citizens or anyone else for that matter.

Largely unknown to the outside world, these sentinels have been around since ancient times.

16/03/2024

On a Flight of Fancy to Leh

A flight to Leh from the Plains gives you an actual chance to view the awesomeness of the mightiest Mountain Range on the Planet especially just as Winter gives way to Spring and the Peaks have the maximum amount of Snow which accentuates the appearance of the Mountains.

The endless Plains first give way to the lower Hills and the Shivaliks. Its just ahead and coming out of these lower Hills are a number of Rivers as they enter the Plains. And the effect of man's work is also visible as you see the Reservoirs of various Dams appear once into the lower Hills.

The lower Hills give way to the Lesser Himalayan Ranges like the Dhauladhar and the Pir Panjals. These appear as big mountains with craggy tops and snow higher up with a some small Glaciers.

Once across this suddenly you see an elevation in the lay of the land and suddenly till the eyes can see are visible craggy Peaks all white with massive Glaciers between the Massifs. This is the sign that you are now on the Great Himalayan Range itself. The main and the highest Spine of this Mountain Range. And it goes without saying this appears as the most dramatic part of the Range as its a virtual Ocean of thousands of Spires.

But like all good things must end so does this this.And then you start noticing that the landscape gets browner with lesser Snow and the Mounatins appear to be rounder rather than craggy. These are the Trans Himalayas. And also making their appearance are certain large water bodies that exist on this Trans Himalayan desert.

In the pic below you can see the dramatic change as you cross from the Great Himalayas over to the Trans Himalayas with a River acting like a border. The Mountains to the right of the River are craggier and whiter than the ones to the left. Also in the left corner you see a large water body which is the Tso Moriri Lake.

However the Trans Himalayas dont last long as soon appearing on the horizon are Mountains ever craggier than the Great Himalayan Range. These are the what were called in Turkic language as the Black Rock Mountains and even today we use that term for them, the Karakoram, arguably the most impenetrable Range of the whole system. From the Leh flight as it starts its descent on the first view of the Karakaorams they appear even more formidable till they disappear behind the Ladakh Range and the plane lands along the Indus River.

However if by some luck we were able to continue to fly northwards we would cross the first line of the Karakorams and come across the formidable Deosai and the Depsang with the Changthang of the Tibetan Plateau further afield on the right alongwith Changchenmo. Soon we would be flying over the mighty K2 and the Trans Karakoram Tract. But the fun doesnt end until you run into the spires of Kun Lun and the Pamirs at the point they meet and converge. Another great Mountain vista awaits you you cross another of these Great Mountain barriers which seperate the Indian sub-continent from Central Asia. And finally our imaginary flight would land at Yarkand at the edge of the Tarim Basin.

You have just flown over the most formidable Mountain barrier on the Planet. Now think of the Men who crossed these barriers on foot. And let me know if a chill passes down your spine when you are told their stories

Do walk the Mountains someday instead of flying or driving over them

Pic from April 2018. Delhi to Leh flight.

12/03/2024

We plan to have a peep into this amazing part of the Himalayas if all goes well during our THPC JK Edition 2024

The Last Inner Himalayan Wilderness

In the Inner Himalayas lies a beautiful Region so remote that most people haven't even heard of it forget about going there. Kishtwar itself is remote and always under the shadow of Kashmir but this part of Kishtwar which lies next to Kashmir on one side and the Suru Valley of Ladakh on the other side is probably one of the last great wildernesses in the Inner Himalayas. This is the Warwan- Marwah - Dachchan belt lies along the Maru Wadwan River or as its also known Warwan / Marwah (Marev) / Marsu Dhar River along different parts of its course, which is a major tributary of the Chenab. These three sub parts of this Region all lie along the same River and offer a rare insight into how people lived maybe many years ago. Sandwiched between the Pir Panjals and the Great Himalayan Range this is a Region few outsiders have set foot.

My romance with this area began in 1989 when I was a student in Class 9 in the Burn Hall School, Srinagar. We were supposed to Trek from Daksum in Kashmir to Kishtwar via the Sinthan Pass. But at the last moment the original Trek was changed. Now we were to go from Daksum to Pahalgam via the Warwan Valley. None of us had even heard of Warwan Valley before but of course we had little choice in such matters. So off we went and on the second day we climbed up the Margan Pass and started to descend into Warwan Valley towards Inshan.

It was like walking into a lost World. The Houses were still made all of wood and the people still held that innocence. Of course the whole Village was excited as we were around 30 people. Technically though Warwan is in Kishtwar the people here speak the purest and the oldest form of Kashmiri. We happened to Trek for a few days in the Valley headed North and after reaching the head of the Valley we turned right and went over the Gulol Pass and descended onto the Sheshnag Lake to join the Amarnath trail. And of course we didnt take any pics at that time. But the memories were still there. And even today pics of these areas are very hard to come by.

For more read the Article Link in the First Comment

Pics Courtesy D K Dogra

08/03/2024

A special 6 Night 7 Day Tour to introduce you to the Offbeat side of Kashmir.

A Trip to the enchanting Land of the Shina, the beautiful Valley of Gurez which lies across the Razdan Pass and as such untouched by the modern ways. As beautiful as Gurez are its people who still hang on to the traditional ways of life.

After spending a couple of Nights in Gurez you move to another beautiful Offbeat part of Kashmir ie North Kashmir and its beautiful attractions. We will visit the beautiful Lolab Valley with its idyllic Villages and idyllic Mountain views.

The crowning glory of North Kashmir is the fabulous High Altitude Meadow of Bangus which till a few years back was Off Limits to outside Civilians. Its the largest Meadow of the Kashmir Valley and its beauty is unparalleled.

Dates :

Batch 1 : May 7 to May 14

Batch 2 : May 21 to May 28

Batch 3 : June 4 to June 11

Batch 4 : June 18 to June 25

Batch 5 : July 2 to July 9

We can Customize the Trip for Groups of 8 in May / June / July / August

Minimum Batch Size would be 6 and Maximum would be 10.

*We can arrange Customized Tours for Groups of 6 or more.

For further Details Connect with 9796222555 over What's App Messenger

01/03/2024

And the Final Route Map of our High Pass Challenge JK 2024 Edition starting from the historic Town of Basohli near Pathankot on May 11.

A unique Drive that takes you thorugh the diverse regions of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir across a series of 10 Passes and into areas few outsiders venture into.

From Kathua to Doda to Kishtwar to Kashmir to Poonch / Rajouri we got it all covered in this Drive like no other.

Get out of your comfort zone. And go for a unique Adventure.

You an get in touch with me over Whats App number 98712 92288 for more details.

15/11/2023

Kashmir Winter Experiential Tours

If Snow and Cold is what you yearn to see than there is no better place than the Kashmir Valley with a myriad of destinations which get a lot of Snow starting usually in December all the way to the end of March when Spring arrives in the Valley. Places like the Famous Ski Resort and one of the favorite Winter Destinations in India, Gulmarg which gets an extreme amount of Snow fall every year.

Kashmir is transformed into a scenic paradise during the winter season. With snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes, and charming valleys, this Experience promises an unforgettable journey, filled with thrilling adventures and serene moments.

This Winter Experiential Tours have has been specially crafted to give you an authentic Winter experience with lots of Snow and Winter activities thrown in. And we ensure that at the same time you get to Stay in Warm Cosy places and taste delicious Kashmiri Cuisine and get a great overall Cultural Experience as well.

As you arrive in Kashmir, you will be greeted by a picturesque landscape covered in a pristine white blanket of snow. The mighty Himalayas, including the mesmerizing views of Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, will leave you spellbound. The panoramic vistas, surrounded by towering pine trees and frozen waterfalls, create a dreamlike ambiance.

Group dates:
January' 24
Jan 13- Jan19
Jan 26- Feb 2

February' 24
Feb 10- Feb 16
Feb 23- Feb 29

We organize Customized packages as well. For more details get in touch with us on Whats App on 9871292288 or 9796222555

05/11/2023

The Saffron Fields of Pampore, Kashmir

05/09/2023

The Great Himalayan Range is a formidable barrier with its monumental Mountains but Humans for centuries have endured to cross this Range to go beyond this Range into Ladakh and Tibet and beyond into Central Asia. And one of the most elusive Passes is the Kaobal Gali.

The Pass stands at an Elevation of 4167 metres (app 13600 ft) on the main Great Himalayan Range has traditionally connected the Tulail and Gurez Valleys with the Mushkoh Valley in the Drass Region. Interestingly people on both sides of the Pass are Shina and speak Shina language just like their fellow Dardic Shina people in Gilgit. This is a peculiarity as usually when you cross a Pass on the Great Himalayan Range the Culture Language and People change.

The Pass itself is set in a spectacular location. The Kaobal Peak and the Kaobal Glacier loom over the Pass and there is a beautiful Alpine Lake at the foot of the Pass called the Kaobal Sar but also more commonly referred to as the Draupadi Kund. The setting of the Lake is so beautiful that you cant help but give it a celestial connection. On one side are the Greens of Tulail and on the other side are the Trans Himalayan browns of Mushkoh in Drass. The Contrast is quite stunning.

The Pass also marks the Border between the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. At the time we were there we had gone from the Tulail side and had initially planned to descend the other side of the Pass into Drass but that was not to be as there was a Landslide on the other side and the Road was shut for all kinds of traffic. Also the Road onwards from Chakwali Village which is the last Village on the Jammu and Kashmir side is extremely Rough and can only be attempted in clear Weather with proper 4x4 Vehicle.

16/08/2023

Bangus Valley
Located at an altitude of 10000ft and spread over 300 square kilometres, it offers you some mesmerizing views, streams flowing all around valley, lush green forests covered with snowcapped Mountains.

15/08/2023

Enroute Tulail Valley, Gurez

14/08/2023

Hazratbal Dargah is a holy Muslim shrine located at Hazratbal locality of Srinagar city. Popularly called Dargah Sharif, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in India, and among the best places to visit as part of the Srinagar tour.

13/08/2023

Habba khatoon peak, named after poetess/queen Habba Khatoon wife of then Emperor Yusuf shah chak of Chak dynasty who reigned kashmir from 1578-1576.

13/08/2023

Join our last group of 2023 in oct, that will take you to the land of "shina" The Gurez valley along with Bangus valley and Keran sector.

10/08/2023

Picture from our recent Kashmir Great Lakes trek group

26/06/2023

The Pandethran Temple, Kashmir

Pandrethan is about 4 miles from Srinagar. It was originally an old capital of Kashmir, founded by Emperor Ashoka. The word is a corrupt form of `Purana`, meaning `old` and `adhishthan` meaning `capital`. There is now a military cantonment in the place. The chief attraction for tourists, is however a handsome stone temple, located not far from the road in a very low spring. The roof of the Pandrethan temple has been chiselled out from a single piece of stone, inventively carved.

The Pandrethan temple was built by Meru, minister to King Partha who ruled Kashmir from 921-931. The temple was dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was named Meru Vardhana Swami. The design and evidences illustrate that the temple must have been a popular seat of pilgrimage in ancient times. Pandrethan finds proud mention in the Amar Nath Mahatmva, but now has lost its sacred associations.

The Temple is Off Limits for Civilians as its located in an Army Cantonment.

Pic Courtesy : Manu Sangx.

18/06/2023

Another Video from the Razdan Pass

Driving up the Razdan Pass which connects Kashmir Valley with Gurez.

The Razdan Pass stands at an altitude 3556 meters and remains closed in the Winters and this year though it opened ealry it was closed on and off due to late Winter Snowfalls.

This Video is from May this year after a fresh bout of Snowfall.

16/06/2023

The LoC Drive in Kashmir

Most people are eternally confused about the location of the LoC in Kashmir. And Tourists are shown the LoC from almost everywhere. Even the Pahalgam side.

Anyways this is a simple Map which explains the LoC in Kashmir. The LoC kinda plays around the Kishanganga aka Neelam. The Kishanganga originates in the "Great Lakes" Region of Kashmir and comes down into Tulail and then onwards to Gurez and at Bagtore in Gurez is where it enters PoK or the LoC and becomes the Neelam.

From there on both banks of the River run through PoK and has places like Taobat and Kel and of course the very beautiful Village of Arang Kel (Google Arang Kel). The Indian side pushes very close to the Neelam in Machil sector.

And then again India manages to take one side of the bank in Keran. And again the Kishanganga emerges. Further on again both sides are in PoK and it becomes the Neelam.

But again at Teethwal in the Karnah Valley the Indians managed to take one bank of the River. The Battle of Tithwal was an epic Battle and it was in this Battle that Piru Singh and Karam Singh won Param Vir Chakras.

But again after Teethwal the Kishanganga forever becomes the Neelam till it meets the Jehlum at Domail.

The Loc below this area lies around the Uri sector on what used to be the Jhelum Cart Road. Uri itself used to be connected to Poonch via the Haji Pir Pass but that was taken by the other side.

So this August we are doing an LoC drive where we will start from Uri and the road to Haji Pir and then onto Tithwal. Then Keran. The Machil. Then we would enter Gurez and go till Bagtore and then in the other direction all the way to Tulail and hopefully across the Kaobal Gali into Drass and then return to Srinagar.

You can bring your own SUV (4x4) or we could provide a 4x4 in Kashmir or you could just come along for a Ride. We have limited Slots though. So get in touch over Whats App number 98712 92288

14/06/2023

Driving up the Razdan Pass which connects Kashmir Valley with Gurez.

The Razdan Pass stands at an altitude 3556 meters and remains closed in the Winters and this year though it opened ealry it was closed on and off due to late Winter Snowfalls.

This Video is from May this year after a fresh bout of Snowfall.

Blacktop & Beyond

09/06/2023

Glimpses from the Kashmi Great Lakes Trek.

Join us for one of the most beautiful Treks in the Western Himalayas this Year !

04/06/2023

Presenting the probably the most scenic Trek in the Western Himalayas now called the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.

We are resuming our Trekking Operations with the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. Our Team is led by one of the leading Mountaineer/ Trekker in Kashmir.

We don't follow the Fixed Camp Janta Model of Trekking. Instead we put our Tents up in the Evening and take them Down in the Morning. Like Trekkers are supposed to do old school style.

We have no hidden Costs and include all the essentials.

And of course we follow the Guidelines set by JK Tourism.

We have fixed Dates in July / Aug / Sept. We can Customise the Dates for bigger Groups

In case you need more details please connect with us on 9871292288 or comment on the Post.

27/05/2023

Overlanding along the LOC.

Coming in August.

19/05/2023

The beauty of the Tulail Valley in Gurez is hard to put into words.

Come Experience Gurez with Kashmir 360

11/05/2023

At the Rajdhan Pass with the stunning Mt Haramukh

10/05/2023

On the Razdan Pass

10/05/2023

When you suddenly get a Snow Fall in May on the way to the Pharkian Gali day before yesterday.

08/05/2023

The beautiful Lolab Valley today

07/05/2023

On the Road to the Sadhna Pass