Machil

Machil : Machil is a charming Village sheltered in the East of the Kupwara District, Jammu and Kashmir. Covered in a lush green forest it is an ideal destination for group picnic and trekkers. Rest Houses are available for a comfortable stay and to spend some time in this mesmerising place. Machil has some of the most beautiful and breathtaking Meadows and it is surrounded by the Mountains of Nuwan. Machil consists of 15 Villages and is around 52 kms away from the main town of Kupwara. Machil lies nuzzled in the most north western part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Karnah Valley is situated at a distance of 78 kms from the town of Kupwara on the foot of the Shamsbari Mountain Range. To get to the Valley one has to cross the Sadhna Pass over the Shamsbari Range which stands at over 10000 ft. It is the extreme North Western part of Kashmir and is a beautiful and picturesque place. Green Forests and High Mountains. The Karnah Valley is dotted with a number of Villages and its different from the Kashmir Valley in the sense that the main languages spoken here are Pahari and Gojri though Kashmiri is also spoken in a couple of Villages. This fascinating Valley offers an insight into the Kashmiri Pahari culture unknown to many.

Tithwal : On the Banks of the tranquil flowing Kishanganga in the Karnow Valley lies the Village of Tithwal. Here you can peacefully admire the calm and tranquil environment with indulgent greens that let you enjoy the gifts of Mother nature in all their glory.Tithwal is around 93 kms from Kupwara Town and is of historical importance in the light of its geographical location on the LOC and is presently being used as crossing / meeting point for the general Public of both the sides of Kashmir. The Road to Tithwal from Kupwara is a macadamized road which passes through the breathtaking vistas of the Drangyari Meadows and the Sadhna Top which is located at 10,000 feet.

Bangus

One of the relatively unknown areas of Kashmir with vast tourism potential is the Valley of Bangus. Lying within the Trans Himalayan Area, Bangus is a unique combination of ecological area, compromising Mountain Biome, which includes Grassland Biome with flora at lower altitudes, and Taiga or Coniferous forest.

The Valley which lies at an altitude of around 10,000 ft above sea level, is in the northern part of district Kupwara within the Handwara sub-district. Occupying an area of 300 sq kms (20 x 15) the principal Valley locally known as Bod Bangus (Big Bangus) consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the East West axis.

The Valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the East, Shamsbari and Dajlungun Mountains in the West, Chowkibal and Karnah Gali in the North. A smaller side Valley known as Lokut Bangus (Small Bangus) lies on the north-eastern side of the Main Valley. Both the Valleys comprise level green meadows surrounded by low lying Mountains covered with dense Coniferous forests (Budloo) with a stream flowing through.

These Meadows are divided into two types - Plain Meadows and Plateaus. The Meadows and slopes of the side Plateaus are covered with a Range of Flowers and Medicinal plants. The Meadows support a rich variety of Grassland flora which had Medicinal value as well. A large part of the Plain within the Valley of Bangus is water locked, during the rainy Season. The Valley is traversed by a number of small streams whose number sources stand at 14. These include the Roshan Kul, Tillwan Kul and Douda Kul. The Valley is also fed by the Waters of the Qazinag and Satkulnag springs. The Water of the various streams in the Valley form one of the headwaters of the Kamil River which in turn joins the Lolab stream, thus forming the Pohru River.

Plain Meadows include the open Plains of Chota Bangus, Bod Bangus, Masjid Aagan, Nichan Reyan and Kiyind Patter. Tableland Meadows constitute about 60% of the Meadows. These include Bidran, Lashar, Dodhe, Gumre, Cheekta, Deeyar, Satkoul and Zanzer.

Keran

Keran : The Village of Keran is said to have been established by Raja Bahadur Khan in the tenth Century. Also located on the banks of the Kishenganaga River, Keran enjoys a majestic view. To reach Keran Valley one has to Pass through the Firkin Gali. It is 37 kilometers towards West from Kupwara. 89 kilometers from Kralpora and 118 kilometers from the state Capital Srinagar. One the way to Keran the other places of interest are Milyal, Raja Ram Mountains, Firkin Village, Kralpora, Trehgam and the Kheerbhawani Temple at Tikker, Kupwara.

From the Firkin Gali a Road link connects it with the Sadhna Top and is known for its mesmerizing and enchanting beauty on both sides of Kashmir. On the way one can witness the lush Green forests, Meadows, Streams and also the Ancient Architecture.

 Uri on the LOC

The last rays of the sun falling on the lovely little border town of Uri.

The main town itself can be seen scattered on the Mountain. To the right of the town is the Road to the Kaman Post and the Aman Setu over the Jehlum which marks the LOC.

Baramulla Town across the Jehlum on the Road to Uri

Since time immemorial it was this Route which connected Kashmir down to the Plains of Punjab as it follows the Jehlum River downstream. The fact that many ancient Temples lie on this Route are a testimony to that fact.

The Datta Temple near Boniyar on the way to Uri

Uri nevertheless is a scenic little town with great views of the Jehlum and snow covered Peaks of the Pir Panjals and the drive to this place from Srinagar is rather scenic though with a lot of military presence.

Uri is also the place from where you notice a lingual transition as more and more people from here onward speak Pahari instead of Kashmiri.

A PERSONAL JOURNEY

The Road to Uri

Finally a long cherished dream came true yesterday. It was a nice sunny day and I decided to visit the ruins at Parihaspora and Pattan. At Pattan I saw the milestone to Uri and it was some 70 odd kms. At 2 pm decided to have a go at it.

Went onto to beyond Baramulla on one of the most heavily militarized Road in the world I guess. Saw the ancient Temples of Boniyar and this was the same place Dad told me that we had Jangalat thekas. Finally around 4 pm reached the beautiful town of Uri right on the border.

The Mountains around Uri

Beyond the bazaar in Uri entry is restricted towards Salamabad and onwards to Kaman Post. Went to the Army guys at the check point and told them how our ancestral Village was just 18 kms across the LOC. And the they let me through and kept my driving license to ensure that I return :).

I got to Salamabad, where the cross border trade takes place and even saw one of those highly decorated Pakistani trucks which was in the Police Station as this particular truck was being used for smuggling.

On the left is the snowy Mountain on which is located the Rustam Point another point on the LOC.

My friend Nawab who was with me had a friend in Salamabad and we called him. He came and we decided to try our luck at the next Army check post beyond Salamabad as they let local residents roam around a little. And as luck would have it we got through till we reached the final Army post before the Kaman Post where we knew we couldn't get through without permission. We didn't even try. We were just a km or so from Kaman Post. Next time I'll try and get a permission before hand.

Around Uri

This was the closest I'll probably get to our Village Khanda across the LOC. Less than 20 kms away. It sure felt good to be in the lands of the ancestors. And it sure was beautiful.

The Road beyond Salamabad which goes to the Friendship Bridge

Contact : contact@travelthehimalayas.com / +91 98712 92288