Kashmir enticing tourists with trekking expeditions

Mountains of the Kashmir valley are attracting a good number of adventure-loving tourists and locals this summer. While many trekking expeditions have already been undertaken earlier, the Tourism Department will now be promoting adventure tourism in a big way by organising more such treks.
“We are promoting adventure tourism majorly as we are getting a great response from the tourists as well as locals. Besides organising an ultramarathon and a cycling marathon to the Seven Lakes, the Jammu and Kashmir Mountaineering and Hiking Club (JKMHC) organised numerous treks this year, including the ones to the Sunset Peak (on July 4), Harmukh (June 12) and Bungus valley (on July 31),” Director Tourism, Kashmir, Mahmood A Shah said.
Pertinently, Sunset Peak is the second highest peak in the Pir Panjal range and as per the JKMHC, this year they conducted the first recorded expedition to the mountain since 1971.
The club also conducted treks from Ganderbal to Tragbal valley and Marchoi, besides Mahadev peak and a super trek from Naranag to Throndkhol. Shah said many more expeditions were on the cards.
Even as the JKMHC expeditions witnessed good participation by local mountaineers, tourists, too, have started showing interest in mountaineering. As per the Tourism Department, around 500 domestic trekkers have already registered for the ‘Great Lakes’ – a hike to seven lakes from Shitkari in Sonamarg to Naranag.
A Tourism Department official said the first batch of 41 hikers’ trek to the Great Lakes was flagged off from Sonamarg on the Kashmir-Ladakh axis yesterday.
“The trekkers will hike to seven lakes from Shitkari in Sonamarg to Naranag that will be completed in five days,” he said.
The trek is being organised by the Youth Hostel Association of India.