Summer in Gulmarg
JAMMU AND KASHMIR:
THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE INDIAN HIMALAYAS
By Adrien Field
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE SILENCE OF THE HIMALAYAS. IF YOU ARE QUIET ENOUGH,
YOU CAN ALMOST HEAR THE MOUNTAINS VIBRATING, RELAYING AN ANCIENT MESSAGE
TOO PROFOUND TO BE CONVEYED IN WORDS. THESE MAJESTIC PEAKS ARE NOT JUST
AN UNFORGETTABLE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, BUT ALSO A SPIRITUAL ONE, SURE TO
INSPIRE WONDERMENT AND BRING YOU FACE-TO-FACE WITH YOURSELF.
Jammu and Kashmir is the Northern-most
state of India and the crown jewel of its vast
and varied territory. In his travelogues, British
diplomat Walter Lawrence wrote of the
land, “The valley is an emerald set in pearls;
a land of lakes, clear streams, green turf,
magnificent trees and mighty mountains
where the air is cool, and the water sweet.” A
skier’s paradise in the winter, this Shangri-La
blossoms in the summer months, when its hill
stations become a haven for those seeking
refuge from the punishing heat further south.
For the adventurous, ready for the journey
of a lifetime, replete with ancient culture,
history and breathtaking natural beauty, the
Himalayas await.
Summer is usually the hottest time to visit
the Indian subcontinent, when the country
is either sweltering in 110F heat or drenched
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 32 SUMMER 2017
in monsoon rains, but it is the best time to
visit the Himalayas. The air is fresh and the
landscape resplendent with spring blooms.
You will want to plan at least two weeks for
this epic trip to see and experience as much
as possible, as well as acclimate to the time
difference and altitude.
The journey begins with a flight into Delhi,
landing at the Indira Gandhi International
Airport. Air India starts new nonstop
service in July 2017 with three weekly flights
between Dulles International and Indira
Gandhi International.
At least a day to recover from crossing the
globe should be spent in the Indian capital,
though the sweltering summer temperatures
will make leaving the air-conditioned environs
of the hotel a challenging task. Instead, book a
The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa