Kashmir

India’s capital, New Delhi, lies on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful buildings, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the grand, sandstone Red Fort, striking Qutab Minar, and fascinating Humayun's Tomb. Architecture enthusiasts will delight in the iconic Lotus Temple. Hear ‘qawwalis’ (devotional music) at the dargah (tomb) of the Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya; or wander through the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, famous for its traditional jewellery and saris. The gorgeous Sunder Nursery and Lodi Garden provide calm, flower-filled oases for picnicking.

The 140-kilometre-long Kashmir Valley, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is a paradise of lakes, fruit orchards, terraced paddy fields and sculpted alpine peaks. Formed by the Jhelum River, and sandwiched between the Karakoram Mountains to the north and the Pir Panjal Mountains to the south, this rural area has a lovely temperate climate and a feeling of tranquillity that makes it a tourist haven, despite the violent upheavals of its past. Head to Gulmarg, a quaint hill station said to be the best ski resort in the Himalayas. Or relax on house boats on the serene Dal Lake in the capital city of Srinagar.

Pine-fringed Gulmarg’s exotic flowers, exquisite snow-capped peaks, and magnificent mountain scenery naturally make it one of India’s most-loved hill resorts and the crowning glory of Jammu and Kashmir. Located in the Baramulla district, this picturesque little resort, also known as the ‘Meadow of Flowers’, is not so much a town as a winding 4km-long loop of road ringing the gorgeous flower-filled meadow for which it is named. While Gulmarg is an all-weather resort with refreshing summer meadows and some of the world’s best hiking trails, from December to March it is transformed into a winter wonderland with enough off-piste, deep-powder, long-run skiing, and snowboarding to impress even the most seasoned of skiers. The town also boasts one of the world’s highest golf courses, a triangular lake, and a world-famous Gondola ride providing breathtaking views of the mountain.

Located in the heart of the beautiful Lidder Valley, in the Anantnag District of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the hill station of Pahalgam is a popular tourist destination. It stands at an altitude of 2740 metres and serves as an excellent base from which to explore the stunning surrounds. This charming village is set amidst lush unspoilt valleys, majestic mountains, and alpine woodlands. Visitors can look forward to a number of wonder activities including: playing a round of high-altitude golf at the Pahalgam Golf Course, a highlight with golf enthusiasts; white water rafting down the crystal-clear waters of Lidder River, and hiking through Pahalgam’s impressive Himalayan snow-capped peaks.

Amritsar is located in Punjab, 30 kilometers from the Pakistan border. This is the spiritual capital of the Sikhs and gained its name, meaning ‘Holy Pool of Nectar’, from the body of water around Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple. The temple itself is a must-see, receiving well over 100 000 people every day, who come to worship at the holy shrine. It is located just 28 kilometres from the Pakistani border post, and a highlight of the area is the Wagah border ceremony that occurs every evening at sunset. Full of pomp and flair, soldiers from both sides parade and lower the two nation’s flags in a ceremony punctuated with theatrics.