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Jammu and Kashmir Introduces Bhal-Padri as a New Gem in Himalayan Tourism with Road Connectivity and July 20 Festival Aimed at Celebrating Biodiversity Adventure Sports and Regional Identity
Monday, July 7, 2025
Jammu and Kashmir is unveiling Bhal-Padri, a once-isolated alpine meadow in Doda district, as its newest entrant in Himalayan tourism by organizing a first-ever tourism festival on July 20, 2025. This announcement follows the successful construction of a vital road link that connects the 11,000-foot-high landscape to nearby tourist routes, making it accessible for the first time. The festival is designed to spotlight Bhal-Padri’s remarkable biodiversity, showcasing its sprawling wildflower meadows and untouched natural beauty, while also promoting adventure sports such as trekking and camping. At its heart, the event seeks to honor and preserve the regional identity of local communities by celebrating tribal culture, traditional arts, and ecological knowledge—positioning Bhal-Padri not just as a scenic destination, but as a symbol of sustainable, community-driven tourism development in the Himalayas.
In a bold move to expand high-altitude tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, the breathtaking alpine meadow of Bhal-Padri, located in the Doda district, is preparing to host its first tourism festival on July 20, 2025. Recently connected by road for the first time, the meadow—previously a hidden treasure—is now poised to become one of the Union Territory’s most attractive travel destinations.
A New Chapter for Himalayan Tourism
Set at an elevation of approximately 11,000 feet, Bhal-Padri remained out of reach for tourists for decades due to the lack of road access. Located just 10 kilometers from Padri, the highest point on the scenic Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road, Bhal-Padri is part of a region often nicknamed “Mini-Kashmir” due to its lush green landscapes, alpine meadows, and unmatched natural beauty.
The newly developed road has made the meadow accessible by vehicle for the first time, opening up new possibilities for eco-tourism, adventure travel, and cultural exploration. The area is also expected to gain additional access routes through Gandoh, enhancing its connectivity and appeal to domestic and international travelers.
Tourism Festival to Celebrate Culture, Nature, and Opportunity
The upcoming festival on July 20 will serve as a showcase of the region’s ecological and cultural wealth. Organized by local authorities in collaboration with cultural and environmental organizations, the event will include:
- Folk music and dance performances
- Local food exhibitions and handicraft displays
- Adventure activities and eco-trails
- Flora and biodiversity awareness campaigns
The festival is designed not only to attract tourists but also to strengthen local pride, community engagement, and economic growth. The organizers expect the event to serve as a catalyst for long-term tourism development in the region.
An Untouched Valley of Flowers
Bhal-Padri stretches across 11 kilometers of unspoiled meadowlands. Known for its multi-colored wildflowers, scenic ridgelines, and untouched water bodies, the area offers a rich sensory experience. Its floral biodiversity makes it a hotspot for botanists and researchers, while the dramatic mountain backdrop appeals to photographers and nature lovers.
The landscape features rolling green pastures that change hues with the seasons, surrounded by snow-capped peaks in the distance. During the summer months, the entire valley becomes a vibrant display of Himalayan flora, including many rare and endemic species.
Adventure and Eco-Tourism Potential
Bhal-Padri is now being recognized as a prime destination for adventure tourism. The terrain is well-suited for trekking, camping, horseback riding, and bird watching. Efforts are underway to develop eco-sensitive adventure packages, allowing tourists to explore the area while minimizing environmental impact.
The introduction of road access also opens the door for organized group tours, mountain biking trails, and photography expeditions, all of which are expected to create jobs and support small local businesses.
Cultural Richness and Community Involvement
Apart from its scenic grandeur, Bhal-Padri is home to a diverse range of tribal cultures and traditional practices. The region’s cultural identity—expressed through music, dance, clothing, and cuisine—adds another layer of authenticity to the travel experience.
The upcoming festival will highlight the traditional lifestyles of local communities, with an emphasis on cultural preservation and promotion. Community members have been actively involved in planning the festival, and there is widespread local support for sustainable tourism as a path toward development.
Road Infrastructure Brings New Opportunities
Until recently, the lack of road infrastructure had kept Bhal-Padri isolated, limiting its accessibility to trekkers and local herders. With the completion of the new road linking it to Padri Top, tourists can now drive directly into the meadow. The route offers sweeping views of the Himalayas and promises to become one of the most scenic drives in northern India.
Future plans also include the development of alternate access routes, eco-friendly facilities, digital connectivity, and safety infrastructure. These improvements aim to ensure that growing tourism demand does not damage the delicate ecosystem.
Why Bhal-Padri Deserves Global Attention
Bhal-Padri offers something for every kind of traveler:
- Nature seekers will be drawn to its botanical richness and panoramic landscapes.
- Adventure lovers can explore unmarked trails and glacier-fed water sources.
- Cultural travelers will enjoy authentic regional experiences and indigenous knowledge.
- Photographers and researchers will find rich subject matter in its wildflowers, ridgelines, and untouched habitats.
As Jammu and Kashmir diversifies its tourism portfolio beyond conventional destinations like Srinagar and Pahalgam, Bhal-Padri represents a new frontier—one that merges sustainability, cultural authenticity, and natural beauty into a single, unforgettable experience.
Conclusion: A Star is Born in the Himalayas
With the first-ever tourism festival at Bhal-Padri just around the corner, the region stands on the threshold of a historic transformation. What was once a hidden meadow known only to locals is now ready to step into the spotlight as one of India’s most spectacular and sustainable travel destinations.
Ways to Travel
New cycle trail boosts adventure tourism in Mustang « Khabarhub
MUSTANG: An eight-kilometer cycle trail has been completed connecting Gharpajhong-4 Jomsom to Baragung Muktikshetra-5 Dharkajung in Mustang.
The Tourism and Industry Office, Mustang, confirmed that the trail was built with a budget of Rs 2 million to promote tourism and encourage longer tourist stays in the region.
Prem Poudel, Chief of the Tourism and Industry Office, explained that the trail was developed by upgrading an existing road and opening a new two-kilometer track. To support the route, two iron bridges were constructed over the Sukkawal and Gavin Wall sections along the Jomsom-Dharkajung path.
This new high-altitude mountain cycle trail offers tourists an adventurous alternative route, allowing cyclists to travel from Mustang to Dolpa via Dharkajung without using the traditional Jomsom-Kagbeni road.
Poudel highlighted that cyclists passing through Dhalkedanda, located approximately 4,000 meters above sea level, will be treated to spectacular natural beauty and panoramic views. From Dhalkedanda, visitors can see the Upper Mustang region, the Nepal-China border, as well as Lower and Central Mustang.
Along the trail, cyclists can enjoy breathtaking vistas of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, the Kaligandaki corridor, local apple orchards, Jomsom town, and other scenic settlements visible from Dhalkedanda.
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Exodus Adventure Travels Launches A “September to Remember”
Special Trips Offered During the Insider’s Season for Global Exploration
NEW YORK, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Exodus Adventure Travels, the award-winning leader in small-group guided travel, has unveiled its “September to Remember” program, highlighting special trips and the unmatched magic of the September travel season.
September is a travel sweet spot and a time many adventurers wait for all year. Temperatures mellow, crowds thin, and destinations reveal cultural gems, rare wildlife moments, and once-a-year festivals that are best experienced when the world slows down.
Recent research reveals travelers crave authentic, untouristed moments. Exodus Adventure Travels’ “September to Remember” promotion delivers just that: special tours, availability, and access to experiences that make September one of the most richly rewarding times to travel.
From the scenic vistas of Italy’s Amalfi Coast or the vineyard harvest rituals in France’s Loire Valley to the lantern-lit moon-viewing festivals in Japan, Exodus invites travelers to rediscover this season as a time of deep connection, golden light, and local celebrations that most visitors miss. Listed below are a few examples of special “September to Remember” trips and destinations:
France: Celebrate la vendange (the grape harvest) in full swing. Join brotherhoods of winemakers in the Loire Valley and take part in the torchlit Heritage Night in Saint-Émilion. Travel on the enlightening trip, “Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Châteaux.”
Italy: Hike Amalfi’s iconic Path of the Gods in cooler air and dive into olive harvest season. If you prefer biking, cycle the unspoiled Cilento to the Amalfi Coast. See it all on “Walking the Amalfi Coast” or “Cycle Cilento & the Amalfi Coast.”
Portugal & Spain: Experience one of the most scenic trails of the Comino de Santiago while enjoying coastal towns along the way. Feel the thrill on this highly rated trip, “Cycle the Coastal Portuguese Camino.”
South Africa: It’s spring, and wildlife is thriving—from breaching whales off Hermanus to baby elephants and zebras around watering holes. Have memories of a lifetime on “South Africa: Walking and Wildlife” and on other Africa tours.
Vietnam: Golden rice terraces and festive celebrations around Independence Day await. Cycle through the rice paddies with local guides who know every hidden route on the favorite “Cycling Vietnam“ trip.
Japan: Watch temple lanterns glow under the full moon during Tsukimi and catch high-octane floats at the Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka. Experience it with local experts on “Ancient & Modern Japan” and other September trips to Asia.
Costa Rica: Discover Costa Rica’s greatest wildlife-watching secrets: the hidden animal hotspots of the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Enjoy this special adventure on the “Costa Rica’s Coastal Secrets” tour.
Additional Reasons to Travel in September with Exodus Adventure Travels
- Insider Expertise: With more than 50 years of experience and deep local connections, Exodus gets travelers closer to the moments that matter—often ones only the locals know about.
- Beyond the Ordinary: Small group sizes and immersive itineraries mean fewer queues, more time, and deeper cultural understanding.
- The Comfort of Convenience: No need to spend endless hours researching the best places to see. Travelers can have the confidence and comfort knowing that Exodus’ expert teams and guides have carefully curated itineraries for the convenience of passengers.
- Travel That Matters: These small group tours support local economies year-round while offering a more relaxed, responsible adventure.
For more information about Exodus’ many adventures including cultural holidays, wildlife expeditions, scenic hiking trips, cycling tours, solo travel and the best last-minute getaways, please visit ExodusTravels.com.
About Exodus Adventure Travels
For more than 50 years Exodus Adventure Travels has been the leader in active hiking, biking, culture and wildlife adventures and is known for its commitment to “improve life through travel.” Exodus Adventure Travels is a winner of the National Geographic Traveler Reader Awards and is a recipient of the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award, Good Housekeeping’s Family Travel Award, Wanderlust Magazine’s Best Tour Leader of the Year, USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Award, and the Men’s Journal Travel Awards. This year, Exodus Adventure Travels also received the coveted Global Vision Award from Travel & Leisure.
Exodus Adventure Travels is a certified B Corporation (B Corp), further demonstrating its commitment to improve life through travel, dedicated to creating incredible, community-driven adventures, and understands the importance of nature and wildlife conservation through programs such as rewilding and partnering with scientists to restore biodiversity.
Exodus Adventure Travels is part of Travelopia, the world’s largest collection of experiential travel brands. Travelopia’s more than 20 award-winning travel brands lead the way in creating unique experiences for guests around the world. To learn more about Exodus Adventure Travels and the company’s adventures visit ExodusTravels.com, or follow the company on social @ExodusTravels.
SOURCE Exodus Adventure Travels
Ways to Travel
Camp Chevrah Day Travel Enjoys Adventure, Energy And Endless Fun
Camp Chevrah Day Travel girls kicked off another unforgettable week packed with energy, excitement, and nonstop adventure! Monday began with the Wibbits at Darlington Beach—a floating obstacle course that had the girls laughing, climbing, and diving all morning long.
Tuesday turned up the intensity with a full-body workout on the water—kayaking! The girls paddled hard and showed off their strength and teamwork as they powered through the lake.
By Wednesday, it was time to cool off! The girls headed to Dave & Buster’s for some arcade fun and then laced up their skates for a super fun afternoon on the ice.
Thursday brought a splash of excitement at the American Dream Waterpark, where the girls zipped down slides and rode the waves with huge smiles and high energy.
To wrap it all up, Friday brought them to Power Up—an interactive arcade that had everyone cheering, playing, and racking up the points to finish the week strong.
Slurpees and Carvel were delicious treats the campers enjoyed this week, adding a sweet touch to the fun-filled days.
Camp Chevrah Travel is all about big adventures and warm friendships. Girls entering grades 5—9 enjoy a fresh, exciting trip every single day! Campers experience the thrill of travel with the comfort of a day camp.
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