Experiences that linger

Ride the iconic Gulmarg Gondola to 4,000m on Apharwat Peak - one of the highest cable cars on Earth with panoramic Himalayan views.

Glide across Dal Lake at dawn on a traditional shikara - past floating gardens, the flower market, and snow-capped peaks reflected in the water.

Ski legendary Himalayan powder accessed by the world's highest gondola - 14m annual snowfall, 1,500m vertical descents on Apharwat Peak.

Ride a pony through pine forests to the green meadows of Baisaran and the picture-perfect Betaab Valley along the Lidder River.

Learn to cook the legendary 36-course Kashmiri Wazwan feast - Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, Rista - with a traditional master chef.

Trek or ride a pony to the Thajiwas Glacier - a stunning ice field just above Sonmarg, accessible from May to September.

Spend a night beside the surreal blue Pangong Tso at 4,350m - stargazing under one of the clearest skies on Earth.

Ride a double-humped Bactrian camel across the sand dunes of Hunder in Nubra Valley - a Silk Route remnant.

Witness the hypnotic dawn chanting and morning prayers at Thiksey - Ladakh's Potala-like 12-tier monastery.

Join the autumn saffron harvest in Pampore - pick the world's most expensive spice at source, October-November only.

A 3-day alpine trek connecting the twin cobalt-blue lakes of Tarsar and Marsar above Aru - meadows, wildflowers, and shepherd camps.

Spend a night on a carved-wood heritage houseboat on Dal Lake - an experience found nowhere else on Earth.

Walk the 17th-century Persian 'chahar bagh' gardens - Nishat, Shalimar, Chashme Shahi & Pari Mahal - with a heritage guide.

Raft the legendary Indus River through Ladakh's dramatic gorges - grade II-IV rapids with mountain scenery.

Photograph the Milky Way from one of the world's best dark-sky sites at 4,500m in Hanle, Ladakh.