Switzerland of India: Kashmir

• Blessed with natural beauty, Kashmir offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, with trekking and skiing top of the agenda. Spectacular mountainous scenery and high-altitude ski resorts with some of the highest gondolas in the world provide unforgettable experience. Attractions in Kashmir include an abundance of religious sites known for their syncretism between Buddhism and Hindu religions, as well as a large number of Muslim religious sites. Ethnic villages, nomadic encampments, and raft rides down gorgeous river valleys are among the area's other highlights, with numerous urban gardens and wild flowering meadows providing great relaxations spots. Fascinating animals, such as ibexes, blue sheep, snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, and Eurasian lynxes all call Kashmir home. Kashmir is in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Where heaven and earth actually meet, mountains cradle the valleys in their green bosom and the shikara (houseboat) communities practically never set foot on earth! No traveller’s journey is complete without experiencing the ‘Paradise on Earth’- Kashmir.

• Touring Kashmir feels as if you’ve entered a Van Gogh painting where you see one beautiful vista after another. Whether it’s the famous floating market on Dal Lake or feasting on surreal views from atop the gondola ride in Gulmarg, the feeling of elation will be consistent.

• Although safety was once a concern in Kashmir, an extended period of peace in the Valley has seen tourism booming in the region. Kashmir, like a majestic phoenix, has gloriously risen from the ashes of insurgency.

• The roads, namely the Manali-Leh-Srinagar highway, leading to Kashmir are as famous for their enchanting and scenic sights as they are for the friendly army presence along the way. If a refreshing break is what you need on your road journey, indulge in a conversation with the guardians of peace.

• Kashmir has something to offer everyone – the Tulip Festival in Srinagar for nature lovers, skiing at Gulmarg, white-water rafting in Sonmarg and camping in the green valleys of Pahalgam for adventure enthusiasts. For epicureans, a wazwan meal (traditional Kashmiri cuisine comprising 36 courses) with Kashmiri kahwah (saffron infused green tea) in the end is a must try. Kashmiris take immense pride in creating these dishes which are considered an art!

• The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been a symbol of eternal natural beauty since time immemorial. The once mountain retreat of Mughals, abode of Buddhist Lamas and Alps of India for the British rulers, was rightly termed as Jahangir's valley of paradise.It has been one of the most beautiful, attractive, serene, and most talked about yet most controversial tourist destination in India.

• Kashmir is home to some of the highest and most beautiful parts of the Himalayas. It is necessary to dispel a doubt here that the entire Kashmir is not violent or affected by the insurgency. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is comprised of three major parts; the largely Hindu Jammu, a Buddhist dominated Laddakh and the Muslim majority Kashmir valley.

• The most beautiful city in the entire Kashmir valley is Srinagar. The scenic views of the valley vary according to the location you are at. The mountain peaks look heavenly from a distance, the sunlight and the clouds appear to be out of this world and deep blue sky makes us feel at peace and rejuvenated. Srinagar is also called the city of lakes. It is famous for enchanting Dal Lake, HazratBal shrine (Dargah) and the Mughal Gardens referred to as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh. Pahelgam is another beautiful valley with a wildlife sanctuary, ropeways and wonderful tracking routes. Gulmarg is known for its exemplary scenic beauty, ski resorts and the highest golf course in the world.