HELI-SKIING & RAFTING
The Zealous mountaineer, eager to explore
this Shangrila of the east, can hire
tents, camp gear, kitchen accessories, as well as bearers and guides, at
Srinagar.
The
introduction of new adventure sport, called Heli-skiing, in 1987-88, added a
new dimension to the winter tourism of the state. Heli-skiing consists of
being dropped by a helicopter on the summit of a high, snow- covered peak and
then skiing down the slopes. The helicopter transports skiers from the
base (Gulmarg) to heights of over 4,500 m landing on a different peak every day,
whether it is Apharwat, Yusmarg or the Kolahai glacier. In Kashmir there is
already a well - organised central Gulmarg Ski institute conducting ski courses
and competitions - became the second place in the world, after Canada, to offer
large scale heli- skiing. The construction of a 7.5Km long gondola cable
car ropeway from Gulmarg to Apharwat, which began in April 1988, has also
contributed to Kashmir becoming a year-round destination.
Rafting
The Zanskar and the Indus rivers in the Ladakh region offers rafting
expeditions for the experienced rafters as well as the novice.
Zanskar river expeditions in summer is the ultimate for a
rafter which takes one through the one of the most breathtaking gorges in Asia.
Indus river
is one of the most scenic
white water runs anywhere in the Himalayas. The view is breathtaking which takes
one through the Canyons in the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges with various
monasteries or Gompas along the river bank. The icy cold and clear river have
rapids generally of I and II grades and at some places, has grade III rapids.
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