The Kashmir Valley

As of 11/27/08, The U.S. State department currently advises U.S. citizens to not travel to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir with the exception of the Ladakh region and its capital Leh.  This warning is also echoed for the Pakistani-controlled Azad Kashmir. However, based on the recent terrorist incident in Mumbai, all of South Asia is at increased risk for terrorism.

This being said, the region of Kashmir is much more safe now than it was in the 1990s. In particular, the devastating Kashmir earthquake in 2005 brought India and Pakistan closer together through joint relief and aid efforts.  Domestic tourists are returning back to vacation in the Kashmir Valley. This is of course very important for the Kashmiri people who depend on tourism as a significant industry. If you plan to travel to the Kashmir Valley, please check the latest situation regarding security and terrorism. Please click here to visit an excellent website regarding tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.

              
              

                                                       Houseboats in Srinagar

The first main attraction is the city of Srinagar. The capital of the region known as the Valley, visitors come to see the natural beauties of the many lakes (including the Dal Lake), the gardens that were constructed during the Mughal dynasty, as well as the various religious sites of the historic old town.

To get to Srinagar, there are daily flights from New Delhi by any of various domestic airlines. To get around Srinagar and the nearby valley, it is recommended to obtain a chartered taxi which can arrange for chartered tours to the various sites. It is important to once again realize that the Indian army has a heavy presence in Srinagar and at times there are tourist-imposed curfews for security reasons.Regarding staying overnight in Srinagar, renting a Victorian houseboats on the Dal Lake is the most popular option.  There are others hotels which are more traditional and luxurious, including Hotel Paradise and the Grand Hotel.

Notable sites to visit include the following:

Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh gardens - Beautiful Mughal gardens

Hazratbal Mosque - Enshrines a piece of hair of the Prophet Mohammed

Shankaracharya Mandir - Ancient Shiva temple perched on a hill 

                                                                      Amarnath Shrine

There are several other sites worth seeing in the Kashmir Valley.  In particular, for any skiers or snowboarders Gulmarg  it is worth visiting. It is the premier ski resort in India and has many operating ski lifts.  Amarnath as shown as above is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Shiva, where 500,000 pilgrims travel every year.

 Jammu, Winter capital

 
Jammu, the winter capital of the Indian state of Jammmu and Kashmir, is known as the city of temples and shrines.  The population is predominantly Hindu and Sikh but has a significant Muslim community.  Jammu while geographically resembling neighboring Punjab can also serve as a gateway to the entire region. Unfortunately militant attacks do occur here too, so please check the latest security updates before planning your trip.

 Region of Ladakh

 
The forgotten of region of Ladakh in the northeast portion of Kashmir should not be forgotten.  Bordering Tibet and nearly untouched from the recent insurgent movement, Ladakh is the epitome of Himalayan culture. As the center of Buddhism in Kashmir, the scenic views, many hiking and backpacking possiblities, and friendly people make this place an absolute essential visit. The best place to begin exploring this region is the capital Leh.  Ladakhis have their own historic culture and customs. 

Regarding Azad Kashmir, there is not as much information concerning tourism outside of the main government page.  The government heavily restricts travel along the Line of Control of which there is a heavily military presence.  The city of Muzaffarabad , while still recovering from the 2005 earthquake, has some very scenic views and historic sites and is a worthwhile place for the adventurous traveler.  The Northern Areas part of the region is famous for the many daring mountaineers that have climbed and unfortunately perished in the attempt.  The town of Gilgit is the base from which to explore the region. The famous mountain peaks in this region is K2 (the second highest mountain in the world, featured in the movie Vertical Limit) and Nanga Parbat.