The Kashmir valley stretches along 129km in length and has a width of 40km which is surrounded by snow-covered peaks. The ‘Pir Panjal' in the south-western region rises up to a height of 5000m above sea level at certain places and keeps the plains separated from the valley. The Banhial Pass is the main passage for flow of vehicular traffic from Jammu. The north-eastern side of the region is guarded by Pangai range whose principal summits include Mahadeo and Harmukh- both these peaks are located extremely close to Srinagar. The northern face is covered with Ladakh with the Lidder Valley secured by ‘Kolahoi massif'.

Trekking for Backpackers in Kashmir:
Kashmir trekking does not only involve mountain walks since it also includes learning more about the culture of the locality and its nature. The landscape keeps changing with higher altitude for the trekker. At the lower parts you will find Chinar trees and with height you will reach oak, fir and pine trees; at the highest point you will find Burch trees, wild flowers and alpine meadows. Moreover, the villages, the paddy fields and fruit orchards get replaced with herdsmen and Gujjars/ Nomads.

Area for Trekking and Camping:
The major camping and trekking areas in the Kashmir valley include Lidder and Sind Valleys that overflow with ‘high altitude' meadows. Both Pahalgam and Sonamarg townships are important trekking heads for short as well as long treks (with camping) in the Himalayan region.

Camping in Sonamarg:
Sonamarg means ‘Meadow of Gold' and is a major and the final township in this Sind Valley of Kashmir on way to Ladakh. It is also a staging point for popular camping and trekking in high altitudes. The most famous trekking from the Sonamarg region initiates from the Kashmir Lake. The trek covers the Kishanasar, Vishansar and Gangabal Lakes and ends at the ‘Harmukh peak. The trails initially covers the ‘Nichinai Pass' (at 13,387 feet), entering the ‘alpine' valleys to lead to the ‘Gangabal' Lake. Vishnu's Lake, ‘Vishansar', lies over 12,000 feet and happens to be larger than Kirshna's Lake, ‘Kishansar'. The trek's highlight is ‘Gangabal' Lake which remains secured by three main ‘Harmukh' peaks. Its circumference covers 5 miles offering the best of trout fish available in Kashmir.

Pahalgam Trekking:
Pahalagam stands for ‘A Village of Shepherds' and is located on the river Lidder's banks at an impressive altitude of around 7000 feet offering a picturesque landscape view. This place also acts as staging point for trekking in the Kashmir valley. The ‘Pahalgam-Kolahoi Glacier-Pahalgam' trekking expedition with camping facilities is covered in 6 days with a distance of 60km. The ‘Kolahoi' Peak at 5,734m is an amazing view that you can get from the ‘Kolahei' glacier. You can also view the river Lidder's source from this glacier. The Marsar and Tarsar lakes excursions in the ‘Upper Dachigam' region also start from herewith two additional days. Palagam via Lidderwat, Aru, Khemsar, Kulan and Sekiwas up to Sonamarg trekking is also completed within four days.

Amarnath Camps:
30,000 and above pilgrims undertake the ‘Amarnath Yatra' each year with the tradition continuing over 300 years. ‘Amarnath' is located in the ‘Amravati' valley and can be reached through Pahalgam.

With all these options available for camping and trekking in Kashmir you should have no problem in making an adventure trip to this region and remember to be physically fit for embracing all the challenges put up during the trek.