Tag: Jammu and Kashmir
India’s longest road tunnel to open on April 2
April 1 (TravelAndy): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India’s longest road tunnel – the 9km Chenani-Nashri Tunnel – tomorrow.
Situated on the NH-44, which connects Jammu with Srinagar, the tunnel will reduce travel time between the two cities by around two hours by reducing road distance by 31km.
It is a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35m carriageway and a vertical clearance of 5m. Continue reading India’s longest road tunnel to open on April 2
AirAsia India starts flights to Srinagar
February 19 (IBNS): The first AirAsia India flight touched down at Srinagar, capital of north India’s Jammu and Kashmir state, today.
The troubled mountainous state, which is a bone of contention between the nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan, attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists with his incredible beauty — because of which it has often been referred to as “heaven on earth”.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti waved the flag “as a landing signal” to the first AirAsia India flight today. Continue reading AirAsia India starts flights to Srinagar
Srinagar mulls city forest safari
November 22 (TravelAndy): To attract wildlife enthusiasts, Srinagar, the capital of India’s Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) state, has decided to start safari services in the city forest area, said reports.
“The introduction of wildlife safari buses in Srinagar will help restrict the movement of private vehicles to such eco-friendly areas and the tourists and locals would get the best possible view of the areas, their wildlife and habitat,” reports quoted Choudhary Lal Singh, the state’s minister of forest, ecology and environment, as saying.
The development of the city forest area in Srinagar is also aimed at promoting eco-friendly tourism. Safari services will also restrict movement of private vehicle along the green area. Continue reading Srinagar mulls city forest safari
Australia travel advisory against India
November 3 (TravelAndy): Australia has recently issued a travel advisory against travelling to India, following a similar advisory issued by the US, on November 1.
“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India because of the high threat of terrorist activity, civil unrest and crime, and the high rate of vehicle accidents,” said the advisory.
“We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks in India, including in regions frequented by Westerners. We assess that attacks could occur anywhere at any time with little or no warning, including in locations frequented by Australians,” it added. Continue reading Australia travel advisory against India
J&K organises ‘Climbathon’ in Kargil
August 28 (TravelAndy): In a venture to promote adventure tourism, India’s Jammu and Kashmir state has recently organised a trekking program in the state’s Kargil region, said reports.
A total of 40 national and international trekkers participated in the climbathon, which took place in Nun Kun Massif summit located in Kargil’s Suru valley.
The trek had officially begun on August 4 and was successfully completed on Saturday, said reports. Continue reading J&K organises ‘Climbathon’ in Kargil
Hunder in Ladakh, India, will leave you speechless
WHY I WENT
I was flying into Leh and staying in the region for six days (I had a wedding to attend). So, I didn’t have much time for acclimatisation. I had two day to spare before the wedding and the choice was between Pangong lake and Nubra valley (where Hunder desert is situated). The latter made sense because it was at a lower altitude than Leh and it decreased the chances of me getting ill with altitude sickness.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO
First, Hunder has the coolest out-of-the-world landscapes. It’s this cold desert of white sand surrounded by the incredible Karakoram mountains. Second, this is the only place in India where you get to see (and ride) the double-humped Bactrian camels.
Continue reading Hunder in Ladakh, India, will leave you speechless
Indian army to organise Siachen trek for civilians
July 20 (TravelAndy): Adventure tourists and trekkers are in for some very exciting news, as the Indian army is organising a 13-day trek to the mighty Siachen glaciers, for civilians, said reports.
A team of 45 trekkers will be selected for the expedition by the army, who will be guided to a 60 km journey along the highest mountain passes in the Karakoram Range. Continue reading Indian army to organise Siachen trek for civilians
Amarnath yatra resumes from Pahalgam
July 18 (TravelAndy): After a week-long suspension following the violence in Kashmir on July 9, the Amarnath Yatra resumed from its traditional Pahalgam route today, said reports.
Over the past week, the Amarnath pilgrims were taking the Baltal route.
The Baltal route in Kashmir is a longer route that is generally avoided by pilgrims because of its high-altitude passes. Continue reading Amarnath yatra resumes from Pahalgam
Chandigarh-Leh road trip to get shorter
June 21 (TravelAndy): Road trip from Chandigarh to Leh in India’s Jammu and Kashmir state is going to get faster.
Several road tunnels are going to be developed along this route, which is expected to reduce the journey time by approximately 3 hours, reported The Business Standard.
Along this route, the 310 kmvstretch between Chandigarh and Manali will be reduced by 30 Km. This will be made possible by construction of five tunnels across Kiratpur in Punjab and Ner Chawk in Himachal Pradesh. Continue reading Chandigarh-Leh road trip to get shorter
Ladakh more accessible to foreign tourists
June 18 (TravelAndy): India has made the beautiful Ladakh region of its Jammu and Kashmir state more accessible to foreign tourists.
According to reports, the government has eased the process of seeking protected area and restricted area permits.
Now, both solo foreigner visitors and groups can get protected area permits in just 10 days, instead of the earlier situation when it took a month. Continue reading Ladakh more accessible to foreign tourists
Delhi-Leh bus service begins
June 8 (TravelAndy): This summer, road trip enthusiasts can benefit from the most cost-effective means to reach the beautiful Ladakh in India’s Jammu and Kashmir state.
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) started operating a bus service between Delhi and Leh on Monday, with one way tickets priced at INR1353 per person.
This nonstop journey of 1050km, across the some of the highest motorable mountain passes of the world, will take approximately 33 hours. Continue reading Delhi-Leh bus service begins
Ladakh’s polo festival to begin from July 11
March 13 (TravelAndy): In a bid to attract adventure enthusiasts, Ladakh is all set to start its first polo festival, which will be held from July 11-17, this year.
The festival will be set in Ladakh’s Chushot village, in an attempt to place it on the tourism map of India’s state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chushot, is located along the bank of Indus river, in the Leh district. Continue reading Ladakh’s polo festival to begin from July 11