Considered to be “paradise on Earth” by the Mughal emperor Jahangir and countless officials of the Raj, the Kashmir Valley is cradled in the lap of the majestic Himalaya. Best visited during the summer months, Kashmir is blessed with snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes, flowering meadows, captivating gardens, and enchanting waterways. Srinagar, the State capital, has a breathtaking mountain backdrop, and is noted for its floating markets and lovely outlying villages which can be explored by traditional wooden shikara. The stunning Mughal gardens of Srinagar (including the famed Shalimar Bagh built by Jahangir for his wife Nur Jehan in 1619), and buildings of the old town with their multi-levelled sloping roofs, tall spires and interiors finished with wood and papier-mâché, perfectly complement the majesty of the surrounding landscape. For many, staying on a houseboat is blissfully relaxing and the ultimate way to experience Kashmir. Walking or horse-riding in the lovely nearby Alpine valleys of Gulmarg or Sonamarg provide more exciting opportunities for a perfect Indian summer. A short hop to the north by plane, Ladakh is a land like no other. Known as ‘Little Tibet’ on account of its neighbour’s strong cultural and religious influences, Ladakh is bounded by the Karakorams in the north and the Himalaya in the south, and possesses a stark desolate beauty that is almost impossible to express in words. Dotting the barren landscape are vibrant Buddhist monasteries, ancient villages, deep blue lakes, colourful fluttering prayer flags, glittering snowy peaks, and grazing yaks. Ladakh is almost beyond Shangri-La in its allure. There is no better time to experience this spectacular timeless land than during one of several festivals (tsechus). A wonderful place for both cultural discovery and walking, Ladakh can be enjoyed in-style from luxury tented camps or charmingly converted village houses.