Himalayas Magazine – June 2019

16 | TRAVEL HIMALAYA SPRING 2019 http://www.travelhimalayamagazine.com

KASHMIR

As one of the world’s highest and coldest
deserts averaging 6,000 meters, Ladakh
also boasts the world’s highest motorable
road at 5,359 meters. The road is great
for mountain biking (downhill, of course),
but a bike’s brakes must be in good
condition!

On the drive between Srinagar
and Leh, the scenery is stunning. The
mountains along the two-day drive seem
to morph from one amazing design and
dimension to another. Adding to the
drama is the deep gorge cut by the Indus
River. Ladakh was once a Buddhist
kingdom, with Leh as its capital. The city
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kingdom, with its ancient palace being
the predominant feature.

Kashmir is known for its unique
handcrafts, prized for exquisite
craftsmanship. Kashmir carpets,
in both wool and silk, are a lifetime
investment. They range from simple
designs to the most intricate patterns.
Painstakingly handmade in individual
homes, these carpets are handed down

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Kashmir is known for its unique handcrafts,

prized for exquisite craftsmanship. Kashmir

carpets, in both wool and silk, are a lifetime

investment.

generation to generation by the

buyer. Papier-mâché products

range from jewelry boxes to

mirror frames and everything in

between and there is an array of

intricately carved walnut wood

furniture and accessories. Then

there are Kashmir’s famous and

beautiful woolen shawls and crewel

embroidery. Shoppers will not be

disappointed by what Kashmir has

to offer.

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of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves

and saffron, Kashmiri food can

be a plain and simple meal or a

36-course banquet called Wazwan.

The staple diet of every Kashmiri

is rice; the most preferred being

the dense, slightly sticky grained

Kashmir variety, which is prized in

the Valley. Sweets do not play an

important role in Kashmiri cuisine.

Instead Kahwa, or a specially

prepared green tea, is usually

served after a meal.

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Time zone: +18

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