Nathatop: The place where one can fly, literally!
Jammu, May 26: Nathatop is yet another tourist destination particularly for the adventure seekers which can attract international tourists due to its multipurpose utility making it the best destination to be promoted for Paragliding, Skiing, sledging and pony rides in Jammu province.
This is the place where a tourist can literally take a flight by indulging in paragliding which is becoming a major attraction for the tourists to visit the place.
Nathatop having the advantage of the proximity of famous Patnitop and Sanasar tourist destinations besides the Mantalai resort which is now being developed as international yoga centre is easily approachable and a fine place for leisure and adventure tourism within the Jammu province.
Infact the tourists visiting Patnitop make it a point to visit Nathatop and is very popular among those who know about the place even though the destination is yet to receive the full attention of tourism department to promote it widely and internationally as it can work as mini Gulmarg of Jammu as far as sports activities are concerned.
Nathatop offers a great view of snow coated hills and is attaining popularity nowadays mostly due to paragliding as hi flying from Natha Top makes one feel as if walking on the clouds besides providing a good air view of surrounding peaks.
The place is well connected by road and has enough good hotels in the vicinity like Sanasar and Patnitop which is just a few minutes’ drive from the place.
The tourists have also the opportunity to visit Madhatop about 5 km trek away from Patnitop along the Sanasar Road. Madhatop remains covered with thick snow during the winters, which attracts skiers. There are 3 fresh water springs located here that are popular for their curative properties.
Nathatop not only provides fresh snow but also panoramic view of the snow clad peak of the Himalayas and is a hub of adventure activities like paragliding, skiing, sledging and pony rides.
While during the snow season the place becomes active in skiing, sledging and pony rides the melting of snow also does not hamper the adventure activities as this is the season when paragliding is at its peak and very popular among local people of Jammu, tourists and students.
During the winter season the drive along the snow-covered road is one of the finest experiences for the tourists while during summer the cool environment of the area makes it pleasant to stay there and move slowly along the serpentine road as it offers a beautiful view of surrounding Shivalik range of Himalayas while one can have thundering and unique experience of snow fall from Nathatop during the winter season.
Sledding is very popular among tourists, even though the sledges are pulled by the local men who earn their daily bread from the activity but it adds to the fun of the tourists and kids while the locals also setup road side small moveable dhabas selling hot tea and other local commodities thus providing economy to the local population.
The place if promoted properly can not only raise the tourist footfall to the area but in the process increase the income of the locals which should be the ultimate aim of promoting tourism by any state.
Since Jammu lacks such an initiative it is only in the interests of the region that its local legislators identify such locations and evolve unique ideas how to promote the destinations and increase the income of the local people. The area is a perfect match for any tourist destination of Kashmir as the surrounding Patnitop, Sanasar and Mantalai offer a circuit that makes a complete trip for a tourist.