CHAPTER IX.

Leave Iskardo for Rondu -- Insurrection in Gilgit -- Koardu -- Kamar -- Enter narrow part of Indus valley -- Difficult road -- Range of mountains south of Indus -- Description of Rondu -- Thawar -- Avalanches -- Alluvium -- Swing-bridge -- Villages -- Juniper -- _Pinus excelsa_ -- Rocks -- Vegetation -- Return to Iskardo -- Agriculture of Balti -- Game of Chaugan -- Chakor hunting -- Shigar valley -- Journey towards Kashmir -- Dras valley -- Karbu -- Dras fort -- Maten -- Cross pass into Kashmir -- Baltal -- Valley of Sind river -- Sonamarg -- Gagangir -- Gond -- Gangan -- Ganderbal -- Enter main valley of Kashmir -- Town of Kashmir -- Description of Kashmir -- Lacustrine formation -- Trap hills -- Lake -- Climate -- Vegetation 248