Sinthan top - Snow covered Mountain Pass, Popular Tourist destination between South Kashmir's beautiful Breng Valley in Anantnag district & Kishtwar in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir
When in Kashmir, we drove to various places around Srinagar and during one of the drives we went to Daksum, Anantnag, Sinthan Top and Kishtwar from Srinagar. This road also connects Srinagar with Jammu, but we had taken Mughal road to hit Kashmir Valley when drove from Delhi. These are one of the most beautiful terrains of Kashmir Valley in Incredible India. In fact, it would be unfair to compare various terrains in Kashmir Valley, because all of these have unique character and equally beautiful. This Photo Journey shares more about this route, it's terrains and some important facts.
The Sinthan pass connects Anantnag with Kishtwar and is the only road which connects Warwan and Marwa of Kishtwar district with district headquarters in Kishtwar town. Sinthan Pass is at the height of approx 12500 feet above sea level.
Sinthan Pass is part of National Highway 244 and is 80 km from Kishtwar town and 73 km from Anantnag and 48 km from Kokernag.
Sinthan pass has snow throughout the year and that's one of the main reasons that it attracts tourists from different parts of the world.
Daksum is surrounded by dense forests with Bringhi River flowing right through its center. Daksum has been a popular destination for explorers and adventure lovers. Green meadows around Daksum look amazing and if you are lucky, you can find few shepherds singing some local songs. We met a gentleman, who loves playing flute. Unfortunately we didn't want to get clicked, so I don't have his photograph. All this may sound filmy but that's what you experience in Kashmir Valley.
Related Blogpost - Kashmir || No Better Place to Experience the Haunting Beauty of Mountains (by Rida Irfan Ahmed)
Clouds of Kashmir Valley are very interesting and naughty. They keep playing games with you, especially hide-n-seek.
I clicked hundreds of cloud photographs in Kashmir. If you are lucky, these clouds also try to surround you from closer distance. Especially in early morning and late evening. Most of the times, these hills get drizzle.
On these terrains around Sinthan Top, you feel like stopping your car and sit around the edge to experience the cool breeze blowing through the valley and green landscapes all around. It's a must do experience at a place where you find peace around these hills.
Road connecting Srinagar with Sinthan Pass goes through beautiful landscapes full of green meadows, dense forests, cities, some beautiful mosques and paddy fields.
Above photographs is clicked during Mughal Rally (A motorsport event organized by Himalayan Motorsports). The Sinthan pass connects Kashmir valley with Jammu Province through Kistwar.
Related Blogpost - A short Pilgrimage Tour to Jammu and it's surrounding - by Shankar Rajaram
These curvy hills offer you unmatchable views of snow capped hills shimmering with sunlight and intense shadows of clouds. Flora and fauna of Kashmir valley welcomes you with open arms on the way to Sinthan top. There are very few tourists come to this part of Kashmir valley. Some of the most popular destinations in Kashmir are Srinagar, Pehalgaon, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Leh.
Sinthan Top has no local population. Shepherds from adjoining places like Kokernag, Duksum, and tourists and those working in the tourism industry may stay overnight in tents. There is a small tea shop at top, which serves tea and basic snacks to tourists and army folks roaming around.
Related Blogpost - Aparna Mohindra sharing Travel Photographs from the pristine valleys of Kashmir (India)
This post is sharing only the landscapes of green meadows and some of the hills full of snow. But the drive from Srinagar to Sinthan Pass offers you lot more than that. Foothills of Sinthan Pass on both sides have very beautiful villages full of wooden houses, which are usually seen in movies. All of those seemed old and most of the newer houses near road were all modern with concrete construction.
From Sinthan pass, there is an uphill trek to Sinthan top. The uphill climb to Sinthan top is a difficult and steep. Initially we hesitated to take this challenge but when did it, we found it worth. That was one of the best moments from our kashmir valley.
How to reach this part of Kashmir Valley -
By Air : Srinagar has nearest airport.
By Train : Anantnag railway station is also connected with Kashmir Railway that runs from Baramulla to Qazigund.
By Road : If you are in Jammu or Srinagar, you can hire a taxi or take bus for this part of Kashmir Valley.
Lodging around Sinthan Pass, Anantnag -
There are not many places to stay in Daksum. A few decent options can be found in Anantnag or Kokernag. Now some of the NGOs are actively running homestays in this part of Kashmir. One can find some goods option to stay in Anantnag. There are enough dhabas and restaurants serving local and Indian cuisine. It's recommended to do more research about the place and do advance booking. Also keep a track of local news, before you head there.
This part of Kashmir and Peer Panjal mountain ranges are like heaven on earth. These grand views hypnotize all travellers and tourists crossing through Sinthan Pass. Every turn offers you new surprise and journey remains interesting.
You can find lot of snow around Sinthan Pass, but remains of snow can be seen at distant places as well. Above photograph share true colors and mood of Kashmir - the bright blue sky, pure white clouds and snow covered green meadows.
Two companions of Travellingcamera who were accompanying me in Kashmir exploration.
If you liked this post and found it helpful, I would request you to follow these things when traveling -
1. Manage your waste well and don’t litter Use dustbins.
2. Tell us if you went to a place and found it hard to locate a dustbin.
3. Avoid bottle waters in hills. Usually you get clean water in hills and water bottles create lot of mess in our ecosystem.
4. Say big no to plastic and avoid those unhealthy snacks packed in plastic bags. Rather buy fruits.
5. Don't play loud blaring music in forests of jungle camps. You are a guest in that ecosystem and disturbing the locals (humans and animals) is not polite.
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