Menu

Jammu & Kashmir

Sonamarg Jammu and Kashmir india
§ 01

Welcome to Jammu & Kashmir

The insider's travel guide to Jammu & Kashmir

Crossing over from Ladakh into Jammu & Kashmir, the landscape transforms slowly but dramatically. Leave the browns of Ladakh’s cold desert to enter a postcard of alpine forests overwritten with glacial streams, a land that was famously deemed ‘paradise’ in Sufi poet Khusro’s immortal lines. And paradise it is indeed, for there is something about the landscape, its people, and culture, that I have not experienced in other parts of the Indian Himalaya. If it weren’t for its politically volatile situation, Kashmir would be a world-leading trekking destination.

§ 02

Ask our Jammu & Kashmir experts

Real questions, answered by the people who know it

15 Feb 2026

India
S
Asked by: Shelley

We're looking for something on a par with Everest or Annapurna but in India. We're looking for a challenge over 5,000m. We're drawn to Sikkim and Kashmir, but what would you suggest?

Shikha Tripathi
Answered by: Shikha Tripathi

Keeping all your criteria in mind, I'd actually suggest Ladakh. It offers grand landscapes, a dose of Buddhist culture, and is somewhat close to travel standards in Nepal and should live up to your expectations. While Kashmir is beautiful as well (more alpine and lush) it's a bit more complex with its permits and other things, especially for foreigners, because of it being slightly politically volatile. The better alternative in that case would be Sikkim, but my first recommendation would be Ladakh.

Shikha Tripathi

Ask a question

Get answers from our independent Jammu & Kashmir experts.

Ask a question →
§ 03

The Jammu & Kashmir atlas

2 picks Places & Experiences You Won't Find Elsewhere
Where
What

  • Difficulty: ModerateMax Elevation: 3,700 metres Duration: Seven daysStart/end point: Tosa Maidan / Yusmarg Accommodation: Camping A good alternative to Kashmir’s stunning (but increasingly popular) Great Lakes trek, this is a hidden gem of alpine meadows, coniferous forests and lakes. Close to Gulmarg, a place that draws the winter skiing crowd, Tosa Maidan in the Pir Panjal range is your quiet gateway to the still untouched beauty of Kashmir that I was privy to when I first went there a decade ago. It is also away from the Amaranth pilgrim trail that attracts crowds of domestic pilgrims in the summer. Another major advantage is that you still get to see some gorgeous glacial lakes, but without toiling across high passes. Need to know Kashmir is a special place for its unmatched natural beauty, but it comes with plenty of political baggage. Check your insurance covers travel here, and get an update on its latest situation to find a peaceful window for your travel to the region. For this trek, you can fly to Srinagar and then drive two hours to the trailhead.

  • Crossing over from Ladakh into Jammu & Kashmir, the landscape transforms slowly but dramatically. Leave the browns of Ladakh’s cold desert to enter a postcard of alpine forests overwritten with glacial streams, a land that was famously deemed ‘paradise’ in Sufi poet Khusro’s immortal lines. And paradise it is indeed, for there is something about the landscape, its people, and culture, that I have not experienced in other parts of the Indian Himalaya. If it weren’t for its politically volatile situation, Kashmir would be a world-leading trekking destination.

  • Tosa Maidan trek

    Tosa Maidan trek

  • Jammu & Kashmir

    Jammu & Kashmir

Find a travel specialist
Plan my trip →
Independent experts to plan your trip

Trusted specialists

India

SnowFox Escapes

Curated travel to the Indian Himalaya
Learn more
India

Himalaya Shelter

Guided treks in the Indian Himalaya
Learn more
More on Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir Experiences
Things to see and do
Jammu & Kashmir Itineraries
Multi-day routes
Jammu & Kashmir Trips
Organised tours and packages
Jammu & Kashmir Travel Companies
Independent specialists

Loading...