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Breathtaking Bhutan: The mountainous kingdom is steeped in rich cultural tradition and stupendous natural beauty

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Scenic, captivating and cradled high in the mighty green Himalayas, Kashmir’s all-but-celestial beauty has assumed almost mythical proportions. Replete with snow-capped mountain peaks, lush green valleys, glistening lakes, breathtaking meadows and spectacular Mughal-era architecture, it is a magnificently landscaped valley. It is no wonder that this poet-inspiring paradise has long been deemed India’s crowning glory.
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Particularly worth seeking out is Srinagar, Kashmir’s summer capital, an ancient and venerable city set along the banks of the Jehlum river. With its proximity to the tranquillity of the Dal and Nigeen lakes, this is the ideal destination for those seeking a truly exotic travel experience.
Among its many notable attractions are the array of stationary houseboats from the British era and gondola-type rowboats – Shikaras – that can be found on the Dal’s languid waters. The city is also home to many of India’s most exquisite Mughalage gardens, with Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashm-E-Shahi being particularly fine examples.
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In the case of the latter, located amid the foothills of the Zabarwan range, it has been deemed one of the most elegant of all the Mughal gardens. Its lush green lawns feature epic pools and classic&nbsp;fountains, many of them the abiding legacy of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who commissioned the gardens back in 1632.
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The Verinag Mughal Garden, by contrast, is set at the Gateway of Kashmir, the traditional access point to this remote region, beautifully maintained and eminently serene, its clusters of time-worn Chinar trees amid its endlessly green meadows are never less than breath-taking.
An abiding symbol of eternal love, meanwhile, is the Shalimar Garden, an epically evocative estate built by Emperor Jahangir as a tribute to his much-adored wife. With its neatly terraced lawns, fetching fountains, floral borders and tree-lined pavilions, it celebrates each season in its own unique style.
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For its part, Nishat Bagh – variously known as&nbsp;“The Garden of Joy” or “The Garden of Gladness” – clings close to the eastern shore of Dal Lake. Designed by Asaf Khan, the brother of Noor Jahan, back in 1633, every terrace throughout this truly gorgeous garden hosts a surfeit of beatific blooms – most notably, roses, geranium and lilies. Particularly popular with both couples and families, this stunning hymn to nature’s majesty is surely among the world’s most Instagrammable locations.
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Continuing the tour, the picturesque town of&nbsp;Gulmarg– nestled in the Pir Panjal range of the Western Himalayas at an altitude of 8,690 feet – is another essential stopping-off point. Surrounded by radiant snow-peaked alps, verdant green pastures, enthralling meadows, valleys and pine-covered slopes, it is no wonder it has become so synonymous with winter sports.
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In recognition of this, back in 1927, it was formally accorded ski resort status. Today, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of related activities, including skiing, snowboarding, horse riding, heli-skiing, snow scooter riding and tobogganing. For those preferring something a little more sedentary, there is the Gulmarg Gondola, Asia’s highest and the world’s second-longest cable car ride, which sees up to 600 people per hour able to experience uniquely scenic views of the valleys below.
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Trekking further on, some 80 kilometres northeast of Srinagar is Sonamarg (literally ‘meadow of gold’), a beauteous hill station set some 2800 km above sea level. Renowned for its sow-laden fields, it is encircled by the majestic Kolhoi and Machoi glacier ranges. It is also the perfect base camp for those looking to explore the nearby shores of the lakes of Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar. Be advised, though, it is only accessible from March through to November, with heavy snows rendering it off-limits during the rest of the year.
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Overall, Kashmir is just the perfect place for would be explorers, with its multitudinous trails allowing visitors to savour panoramic views of the mountains, meadows and the clear lakes below.
One of the most popular among such excursions is the 69-kilometres-long Great Lakes trek that allows bold expeditioners to take in seven high-set lakes, five river valley crossings and three lofty passes during the course of its eight-day duration.
Ascending to a height of 4,206 metres at its zenith, the trail more typically flows between relatively gentle ascents and descents, making it relatively easy to navigate.
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Another popular route, one said to be both thrilling and a true visual treat, is the Tarsar Marsar trek. Traversing the verdant meadows that proliferate throughout the Aru Valley, this historic hike also takes in the emerald blue waters of the Tarsar, Marsar and Sundarsar lakes, set some 12,500 ft above sea level, they would prove the highlight of any vacation.
Coiling through a lovingly preserved natural landscape, a number of campsites can be found along its path, any one of which would make the perfect locale for enjoying stunningly clear views of the starscape above.
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While the heavens can fend for themselves in terms of the preservation of their natural beauty, conserving the allure of their more terrestrial counterpart requires more work. Thankfully, this has been taken on board by the government, with many of Kashmir’s forests and wildlife reserves being accorded National Park status.
Among the most celebrated of these is the Kishtwar National Park, which extends across an area of more than 2200 square kilometres and is home to a huge selection of exquisite local flora and fauna. As well as being a highly-regarded snow leopard reserve, it has proven an attractive refuge for many Himalayan bears, musk deer and ibex, as well as 15 other relatively rare mammals and more than 50 species of birds unique to the Himalayan region.
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Also, more than well worth a visit is the Dashigam National Park. Set some 20 kilometres from Srinagar and some 4,300 metres above sea level, its 500 square kilometres of natural beauty comprise India’s most elevated forest reserve.
Home to the critically endangered Kashmir stag, the park is also a refuge for many other rare species of avifauna. The banks of the mighty Dagwan River, meanwhile, which courses through the park, are just about the perfect setting for camping or fishing, while the nearby Sangargulu valley offers a unique opportunity to observe snow leopards and koklass pheasants in their natural habitat.
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Whether it is to explore nature or quietly enjoy the beauty of it, Kashmir is the perfect place for anyone who wants to experience the very nearest any is likely to get to heaven on earth.
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Text: Zaira Abbas

The Natural Wonders of Kashmir sat amid the mighty Himalayas

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Breathtaking Bhutan: The mountainous kingdom is steeped in rich cultural tradition and stupendous natural beauty

The Natural Wonders of Kashmir sat amid the mighty Himalayas