The Indian government just announced that they will be opening more than 100 peaks in the Himalayas to the public (h/t Nileguidance.) The peaks are located in Kashmir, a region which often referred to as “heaven on earth.”
Foreign tourism has long been an important part of the Kashmiri economy. According to the Independent, in 1989 there were 100,000 foreign visitors. However, a violent insurgency and India’s military response to it made the area increasingly unattractive to tourists starting in the 1990’s, and in 2008 only 25,000 were intrepid enough to venture into the region.
Even so, according to this press release, approximately 60% of Kashmir’s revenue comes from tourism. In 2004, India and Pakistan began working toward peace in the region, and the amount of violence has plummeted. Opening the peaks is seen as a way to bring back foreign visitors now that the area has become safer.
Nawang Rigzin Jora, Kashmir’s tourism minister, described the details of the plan to Reuters:
“This summer 104 peaks in Ladakh region will open for trekking and expeditions which would pave the way for adventure tourism and attract foreign tourists in a big way. The situation is fast improving in the state and tourism is picking up, we hope a very good (tourist) season ahead.”
Should you go? Well, it depends on how much risk you feel comfortable assuming. The situation may have improved, but peace in the area remains elusive. The Reuters article ends with a cautionary quote from a local tour guide: “Kashmir is unpredictable, violence can break out any time.”
Getting an Indian Visa
If you do decide to go explore one of the newly opened peaks, you will need to apply for an Indian visa before your trip. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to apply for one:
- Your US passport
- 2 recent passport-sized photos, taken within the past 6 months. You may not wear glasses for the photos.
- A completed Indian visa application form. Write legibly and proofread the application to catch mistakes before you submit it. Make sure that you enter in “tourism” in the section that asks you to state why you are traveling to India.
- A copy of your plane tickets or your itinerary.
- A legible copy of your driver’s license or a utility bill showing your name and address.
- A copy of your birth certificate
India has a jurisdictional visa system, which means that each embassy handles applications for a different part of the US, and you must submit your Indian visa application to the embassy or consulate that serves your home address.
RushMyTravelVisa makes getting an Indian visa faster and less stressful. When you apply through us, you get personal assistance from a visa specialist and easy-to-follow instructions. Then, we submit your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.
