Tucked away amongst the towering mountain ranges of the Himalayas lies one of Asia’s most fascinating natural regions: Kashmir. On this exceptional nature tour, we’ll journey through wooded valleys, rugged mountain landscapes and remote highlands where rare animal species still roam freely. From the forests of Dachigam to the wild mountain slopes of Kazinag and the high-altitude landscapes of Drass and Baltal Thajwas, this journey offers a unique opportunity to experience the unspoilt wilderness of the western Himalayas. With expert guidance, patience and a little luck, we will set out in search of three remarkable species: the Asian black bear, the Himalayan brown bear and the impressive markhor.

→ THIS IS A PREMIÈRE NATURE TOUR. WE DID NOT ORGANISE THIS TRIP YET AS A GROUP TOUR BUT HAVE EXPERIENCE ON THE GROUND.

The journey begins in the enchanting Kashmir Valley, an oval-shaped plain surrounded by a wide belt of forests and mountains. The landscape forms a harmonious mosaic of lush forests, fruit orchards and traditional villages that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. This region is also an important habitat for the Asian black bear. In the nearby Dachigam National Park, once the Maharaja’s hunting ground and now a 141-square-kilometre protected nature reserve, we explore a spectacular landscape of alpine meadows, deep ravines, waterfalls and dense forests nestled amongst the high mountains. During three days in the park, we will search for Asian black bears as they move through the forests in autumn. At this time of year, just before their hibernation, they are in a phase of hyperphagia during which they gather food intensively. As a result, they are remarkably active and considerably easier to observe than in other seasons.

Icons of the Himalayas

Further west lies the unspoilt Kazinag National Park, one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the western Himalayas. High mountain peaks, dense forests and the crystal-clear Kishanganga River form the habitat of various rare animal species here. One of Kashmir’s greatest natural icons lives on the rugged mountain slopes: the markhor. This impressive wild mountain goat is recognisable by its long spiral horns and is one of Asia’s most spectacular ungulates. From a welcoming homestay, we undertake guided walks to areas where adult males descend to lower altitudes in the autumn. With a bit of luck, we can observe these majestic animals as they move through the rocky mountain landscape.

The impressive Himalayan brown bear

The final leg of the journey takes us to the high-altitude mountain regions of Drass and the Baltal Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, amongst alpine meadows, rugged mountain valleys and glacial landscapes at altitudes of over 5,000 metres, lives one of Asia’s rarest bears: the Himalayan brown bear. This impressive subspecies of the brown bear belongs to one of the oldest lineages within the species and is found only in small, scattered populations in the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and the western Himalayas. In the valleys around Drass, these bears are seen relatively regularly as they search for roots, berries, insects and small animals. In the virtually untouched Baltal Thajwas reserve, where vehicles are not permitted, nature has been able to recover undisturbed and the bears have reappeared in recent years. An encounter with these rare mountain dwellers is an unforgettable highlight of this journey through wild Kashmir.