Kashmir treks and excursions for our houseboat guests

We can arrange any of the following day trips, treks and excursions for you while staying at the Ajanta Group of Houseboats on Dal Lake:

Pilgrimages

Amarnath Yatra - July and August

• Pilgrimage can be undertaken on foot, horse, palanquin, or helicopter
• Visit the ice lingam inside the holy Amarnath Cave
• Accessible from either Pahalgam (42 km - 3 days) or Sonamarg (14 km-1 day) or travel from one location to the other
• Eco-friendly 

Vishnu Devi Yatra - Vaishnodevi

• One-day (12-hour) journey to Katra (240 km from Srinagar)
• Vishnu Mata (Shara Wali)
• Eco-friendly

Water Trekking

Shikaras can be hired for water trekking from Dal Lake to Wular Lake, one of the largest lakes in Asia

• 5 days of water trekking, camping, freshly-cooked meals
• Interact with villagers along the Jhelum River and visit the fishing villages of Wular Lake
• Eco-friendly travel

Mountain Trekking

Lidder Valley (Pahalgam mountains):  Dramatic Himalayan peaks, glacier streams, undulating meadows, terraced emerald valleys, pine forests, trout fishing and more! A popular place to begin the sacred Amarnath Yatra.

Sindh Valley (Sonamarg mountains) : "The Meadow of Gold", carpeted with flowers in the spring, is a lovely place for trekking, trout or mahseer fishing, or simply admiring its beauty.  Also a popular place to begin the sacred Amarnath Yatra.

Ladakh: Trek through the magical Buddhist moonscapes, multi-hued mountains, monasteries, and hamlets (Hemis Darcha via Rupshu, Kang La, Lamayuru-Alchi, Shyok, or Nubra Valley)

Zanskar Valley:  Trek through one of the most remote and least interfered Buddhist cultures left from old Tibet, visiting ancient yet active monastic establishments and meditation caves along the way

• Treks tailor made for you, typically from 2-14 days
• Freshly-cooked meals
• Horse-trekking available
• Highly knowledgeable guides
• Fishing - trout fishing in glacier water streams
• Eco-friendly travel

Excursions

These sites can be visited in a single day or as part of a longer journey.

Gulmarg (The Meadow of Flowers) (56 km): Boasting beautiful trekking, skiing, horseback riding and more, Gulmarg can be easily visited as a day trip or as part of a longer trip.  Parbat can be seen to the north from several view points, including Khilanmarg, west and over 1,500 feet up the forested hillside from Gulmarg. Gulmarg also has the highest golf course in the world.  Gulmarg is at an altitude of 2730 metres and is only 56 km from Srinagar. The approach through towering poplars reaches you to expanses of undulating slopes, lush green in summer and pristine white in winter. It offers a magnificent view of the mountains and is frequented by skiers, golfers and trekkers. The shrine of Baba Reshi, a saint revered by both Hindus and Muslims, lies close to Gulmarg.

Sonamarg (Golden Meadow) (86 km): Sonamarg, only 3 hours away from Srinagar, is a is a tranquil mountain retreat wooded with sycamore, silver birch, fir and pine trees. It is a very popular destination for trekking to several nearby mountain lakes.  One of the most popular short walks from Sonamarg and a major attraction during the summer months is the 4-km route to Thajiwas, a small valley at the foot of the Sonamarg glacier. A path leads up to the Shakhdar hill, overlooking the glacier from the northeast.   It is also the shorter of the two starting points of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath in July and August.  Sonamarg is at an altitude of 3000 metres. Just 20 kms east lies the Zoji-La Pass at 3,540 metres, leading to the moonscape-like deserts of Ladakh. The Nichnai Pass offers a stunning view encompassing the lakes of Kishensar, Vishensar and Gangabal. Angling and skiing are popular pastimes here.

Pahalgam (The Valley of the Shepherd) (96 km): Pahalgam, famous for its scenic beauty, is the jewel of the picturesque Liddar valley located in the high Himalayas. This idyllic village on the banks of the Lidder River provides an ideal setting for activities like hiking, trekking, and fishing. Pahalgam also has camping facilities, ponies for short rides, skiing equipment for the winter and white water rafting in the Lidder. It also serves as base camp for the famous pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath in July and August. At Kolahoi Glacier close by, it is possible to have a sledge ride on the ice. The surrounding pine forests are home to the Himalayan brown bear.

Wullar Lake (62 kms): The largest fresh-water lake in India, spread out over 125 km, it is fed by the Jhelum River. This large water body, constantly turbulent and shimmering with the force of the winds, attracts several migratory and indigenous bird species.

Khir Bhawani Temple and Manasbal lake (45 kms): This shrine dedicated to the goddess Ragnya Devi was built in 1912 by Maharaja Pratap Singh and later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. The deity is placed within a spring amidst chinar trees.

Yusmarg (47 kms): Yusmarg is approximately 47 km from the Srinagar and lies in the Badgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. The two-hour drive to the place is an enjoyment in itself. Grassy pastures stretching to acres of land, the dense forests full of pine trees, with the backdrop of splendid snow capped mountains leave you almost speechless. Within commutable distance from Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, Yusmarg is the perfect place to go for a picnic.

Amarnath Cave (138 kms): One of the most popular and sacred pilgrimage sites, this cave, at a height of 3,888 metres, with a unique naturally formed ice lingam (Lord Shiva's phallic symbol) draws thousands of devotees on a demanding annual trek on a route that normally takes five days to and fro.

Bird Watching, Hokersar (48 kms)