Golf Courses:

Gulmarg also has one of the world's highest green golf courses, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own right. For the would-be golfer, there are golf sets on hire, pros to instruct one in the game, and temporary memberships. Naturally, these facilities are available to players as well, except that serious golfers usually carry their sets along.

Gondola Lift:
For a fun filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg's newly constructed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg, through pine clad slopes, is exhilarating.

Established in the early days of the British rule by Sir Neville Chamberlain, K.C.B., the Gulmarg Golf Club has attracted golfers for almost a century. It .is almost as if god intended a golf course at Gulmarg when he created it: a lush green bowl covered with a variety of alpine flowers and crises crossed by snow fed streams and rivulets; gently undulating slopes carpeted with a natural mossy turf, and a crisply cool bracing weather! What more could a golfer ask for? 

Redesigned by the famous golf architect, Peter Thompson, Gulmarg now has a 6,760 yards, par 72, 18 hole golf course. The highest course in the world, it also boasts of India's longest hole, a par five, 610 yards. Unlike most of the other par-fives on the Gulmarg course, the eighth plays much longer than its 610 yards because of the uphill factor. The green course includes not only the pre-defined rivulets, streams and ponds, but also herds of sheep which eliminate the need for lawn mowers and keep the fairways in top condition. A golfer at Gulmarg also has to beware of the local crow which does not hesitate before taking off with a ball from the fairway, presumably mistaking it for an egg. 

The most interesting and trying hole on the Gulmarg course is undoubtedly the 17th. Although not very long, it calls for some precise hitting to land on the green which is precariously placed on the edge of a cliff. The 18th hole, a par five, is an exhilarating experience. It's downhill travel from St. Mary's Church to the club house, a drop of 300 feet. The Gulmarg Golf Club is well equipped to handle the holiday golfer and arrange for the services of caddies and coaches; golf sets can also be hired at very reasonable rates. Amenities at the club include a bar, library, lounge, table tennis, lawn tennis and a putting green. The Gulmarg course is usually open between April and November, as it is covered by snow for the rest of the year and its gentle slopes are transformed into mini ski runs for beginners

River Rafting in Ladakh

River rafting in Ladakh is quite unlike anywhere else in the world. It provides the best opportunity to enjoy and experience the natural beauty of the spectacular landscape with deep gorges, towering snow-capped peaks, hilltop monasteries, hillside villages, and glimpses of the unique wildlife. Ladakh offers a range of rafting options on the Indus and its major tributaries. The best stretch for professionally guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and Nimu or Saspol, which rates 2 to 3 in the international river grading scale of 1 to 6. Upstream of Spituk, the Indus has the easiest stretch up to Karu, which is ideal for basic training or "scenic floating". In recent years, running the Indus has become an attractive option to complement with sightseeing, and features on the itinerary of most visitors. Several travel agencies offer all-inclusive rafting packages. Ask for details at the Tourist Office at Leh.

The most difficult but exciting rafting option is available on the Zanskar River, along its spectacular course through a gorge in the Zanskar Mountains, between Padum and Nimu. This is suitable only for well-organized white-water expeditions, prepared for about a week of rafting and camping in absolute wilderness. Participants are required to be trained rafters themselves while the arrangements should be assigned to a dependable professional agency. Adequate arrangement for rescue back-up is an essential prerequisite for embarking upon this white-water expedition.

Mountain & Climbing  in Himalayan

The area most frequented by foreign climbers is th Nun-Kun Massif in the Great Himalayan Range. Its easy accessibility from the Kargil-Pudum road and the shortest possible approach march to the base camps makes this massif the most attractive climbing destination in the Great Himalayas, necessitating advance booking years ahead. Among its six known peaks accessible from the Suru Valley, Nun (7,135m) and Kun (7,077m) are the highest summits.

The area nearest to Leh is Stok-khangri Massif in the Zanskar mountains, south of Leh. The base camp for the various peaks of this massif is about two days trek from the village of Stok. Among its known peaks, Stok-khangri (6,150 m) is the highest; it offers a spectacular perspective to the central expanse of the Indus valley, which it dominates.

Other Mountaineering Options
Other peaks in the Ladakh area include Gulap Khangri (5,900 m), Matho West (5,950m) and Kantak (5,275 m). The much higher Konglacha peak (6,700m) lies southwest of Leh and is reached via Rubak on the first leg of the Markha Valley trek from Stok. Many un-named peaks in the altitude range of 5,500 metres and 6,400 metres are also available for climbing in the same region. This entire area falls well outside the Inner Line, or restricted area.

North of Leh, across the Ladakh Range and the Nubra Valley, lies the Karokoram range. It soars to a number of known peaks which are, however, within the restricted area and so not freely accessible to foreign climbers except with special permission from the Government of India. The most prominent summits in this range which are accessible from various parts of the Nubra Valley include, Saser-I (7,415 m), Saser -II (7,513m) and Saser III (7,495 m).

Best Time To Climb
The climbing season extends from mid - May to mid -October, the ideal period being from June to September because during this time only Ladakh remains unaffected by the monsoon, which holds sway over most of the Himalayas. Foreign climbing expeditions are required to obtain permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation for climbing all listed peaks. A booking fee, based on the height and popularity of the allotted peak, is charged and a Liasion Officer is assigned to every climbing team. The minimum period required for processing applications is six months. Every authorized expedition is provided with adequate rescue coverage in the events of accidents and illness.

Mountain Trekking Routes

Heli Skiing

One of the major attractions for adventure loving tourists is skiing in the Himalayas. Gulmarg, the best ski resort in the Himalayas, was first established by the British in 1927, when two British Army Officers, Maj. Metcarp and Maj. Hadow had setup the Ski Club of India at Gulmarg.

Skiing had become very popular during the pre-independence years and Gulmarg used to host two main events, one each during Christmas and Easter. In 1938-39 about 500 skiers are reported to have participated in the Christmas and Easter ski races. Gulmarg's atmosphere can generally be identified with 1940's and 50's European skiing—‘the Alps of good old days’. It has good sunshine as well as good snow.

Water Skiing

Skiing is considered to be one of the major extreme sports in the sport, but water skiing is something that gives a water sport lover the opportunity to make a splash at the watery depths of the sea world. Similar to surfing in many ways, you do get to balance on the ski board in here too, but a strong a sensory power is also required over here too.

Water sports are the 'fun' aspect of Kashmir. The Dal and Nagin lakes in Srinagar and the Manasbal Lake, 32-km from Srinagar are the best places for water-skiing!

The largest expanse of the Dal, the Boddal, has privately owned 'bathing boats' which hire out motor launches, water-skies and trained instructors. There are more bathing boats at the Nagin Lake and also a government run Institute of Water Sports. The Nagin lake too has trained instructors and is more popular because of its clean water.

A Natural Treasure Located In Isolation
Manasbal Lake, approachable from Srinagar by road, is secluded from the rest of the world by the hills that surround it.
Serene, with a mirror like sheen on its surface makes Manasbal an attractive water sports resort. Not only one can hire the latest water-skiing equipment but also specially trained instructors impart lessons to the initiated. Throughout the summer season in Kashmir - from May to the end of August - the water of the lakes is pleasant for water sports. The Tourist's huts and bungalows are available on all the above resorts to make it an overnight getaway