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Gulmarg is a hill station situated at the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir (a Union territory of India). It is renowned for soothing natural beauty, with snow-capped mountains and alpine forests which attracts the tourists throughout the year. The place is also popular amongst the adventure seekers and known as the “heartland of winter sports in India” a main hub for skiers.

History

The name Gulmarg is made-up of two Persian words “Gul” means flower and “Marg” means meadow which together means “Meadow of Flowers” given by Yousuf Shah Chak who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586.The town is located on the Pir Panjal Range of Himalayas, at an altitude of 2,650m (8694ft) and approx 60kms away from Srinagar. It is the home of world’s highest cable car known as the Gondola ride.

Places to visit

Gulmarg Gondola Ride:

Gulmarg Gondola ride is known as one of the heighest cable car ride in the world with the height of 12300ft.It offers a unique view of Himalayan mountains from the Pir Panjal ranges which is covered with snow, alpine forests and picturesque meadow. It offers  the cable ride in two phases, the first phase take visitors to Kongdoori while the second phase goes upto Apharwat peak which convert into a ski resort in the month of winters.

Apharwat Peak:

Apharwat Peak is a hill station in Gulmarg  popular for outdoor activities and breathtaking views. The place  become the skier’s paradise in winters which offers an excellent quality of snow for activities like skiing and snowboarding. In summer, it converts in to a perfect spot for trekking and nature walk between the wildflowers and alpine meadows. It is the second phase of famous Gondola ride in Gulmarg.

Khilanmarg:

A valley located 6Km away from Gulmarg, showcasing a serene meadow with a panoramic view of himalayas including the well known Nanga Parbat. It is a perfect destination for those who are seeking a serene and peaceful place. The best of the valley experienced during the spring season when the colorful wildflowers blooms.

Alphather Lake:

The lake is known as the frozen lake in between the locals as it remains frozen throughout the year due to its high altitude. This lake is located at the base of the Apharwat Peak and surrounded by snowy mountains. It is famous between tourists who adventure seekers as well as who are looking for peaceful spot.

Gulmarg Golf Course:

It is the world’s second highest green golf course in the world located at the height of 8690ft opened in the month of April to November. The Golf course consists of 18holes golf course which make it one of the largest golf course in the world. It is a must visit place for a tourist who visiting Kashmir at the time of summer.

St.Mary’s Church:

St.Mary’s church is a colonial time structured building showcasing the history of colonial era. It was constructed in the year 1902 and was rebuilding in 2003, famous for its architecture, whitewashed walls and its history. Visitors looking for the religious realm of Gulmarg for them it is a must visit place.

Maharani Temple:

The temple is located on the hills of Gulmarg dedicated to Hindu Goddess Mahalakshmi built by Mohini Bai Sisodia wife of Maharaja Hari Singh who was the ruler of Kashmir. The temple is famous religiously and spiritually surrounded by snow capping mountains offering a serene beauty and peaceful environment.

Ningle Nallah :

Ningle Nallah is a part of local ecosystem in the form of small stream formed by melting ice of Apharwat peak surrounded by lush green alpine forests, flora and fauna. The place offers a perfect place to the nature lovers to get connected with nature and being calm and stabile from there busy life schedule. This area is undisturbed, naturally rich good for photography, nature walk with panoramic view.

Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary: 

Gulmarg Wildlife sanctuary is reserved area in Pir Panjal ranges of Himalayas covering 180sq km in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. It have more than 95 bird species, 31 butterfly species, leopard, deer, black bear,markhor, cranes, Tibetan wolf are some of the animals preserved and can be seen in the sanctuary.

Drung waterfall:

It is one of the famous waterfalls of Jammu and Kashmir, giving a serene and soothing environment to visitors in the monsoon season and can be reached by ATV’s. The waterfall not only attracts the nature lover but also the adventure seekers because the trek to reach this waterfall goes from different landscapes of mountains and dense forests.

Outer Circle Walk:

It is a 12KM trekking trail in a circular path with a gentle walk showcasing the natural beauty of the meadows from Uphill’s to the downhills. The activity is suitable for visitors of any age group. Generally the time taken to cover this walk is about 3hrs, which showcase the snow capped view of Nanga Parbat from the valley which can be captured beautifully in a photo.

Seven springs:

It consists of seven fresh water springs emerge from the ground at the hill station of Gulmarg between the snow blanketed mountains. The places are famous within the nature lovers, adventure seekers to do activities like trekking, hiking, and camping. The place adds charm to the beauty of Gulmarg.

Strawberry Valley:

The place is named as Strawberry Valley because of the large number of cultivation of strawberries in the valley. The place is more reachable during the summers and attracts lush green mountains with snow capped mountain peaks. It is a gateway to enter in Gulmarg to enjoy the hill stations of Kashmir. The dotted rural village life can be explored by the visitors.

Gulmarg Ski Resort:

Gulmarg Ski resort is one of the worlds highest ski resort. It offers a wide range of standard service with proper risk management which provides a safe environment for adventure seekers.

Things to do

Gondola Ride

Skiing

Trekking

Golfing

Snowboarding

Ice Skating

Hiking

Visit to historical Sites

Horse Riding

Pony Rides

Photography

 Alpather Lake

Shopping

Religious Tours

Explore wildlife sancturary

Snowshoeing

Bird Watching

Leisure walk at Strawberry Valleys

Visit Apharwat Peak

Visit Khilanmarg

Nature Walk

Best time to Visit

The best time to visit Gulmarg depends upon the choice of activity performed: December to March

Winter sports seekers and snow lovers activities like Gondola rides, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Ice skating are perfect in the month of December to March where the Gulmarg is fully blanketed with a fresh and thick layers of snow required for skiing, and scenic view of snowy mountain with cold temperature ranging from -5 to +5 degree Celsius is picturesque from the top of Gondola ride.

March to May

In the month of March to May the snow starts melting which showcase the lush green valley with the perfect blend of wild flowers perfect for Nature walk, golfing in the Gulmarg’s Golf court which is one of the highest golf courts in the world, Trekking and Hiking at Khilanmarg and Outer Circle. The temperature is quite soothing and refreshing temperature ranging from 7 to 15 degree Celsius. The weather is good for outdoor activity with fewer crowds.

June to August

The summer season is quite pleasant and mild in temperature ranging from 15 to 25 degree Celsius. Scenic beauty enhanced as the flower starts blooming all over the valley which make it more suitable for activities like trekking, camping, nature walk, golfing and picnic at strawberry valley. Photography is a must do activity in this weather.  

How to reach?

Gulmarg can be reached in any of these ways:

By Air

The nearest airport of Gulmarg is Srinagar airport named as Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport which is about at the distance of 55kms from the Gulmarg.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Gulmarg is Baramulla railway station which is situated at the of distance of 53Kms from Gulmarg.

By Road

To reach Gulmarg from Jammu the distance is about 410Km, from Srinagar the distance is 54Km and to reach Gulmarg from Baramulla the distance is about 54Km.

Food

Gulmarg is the heart of Kashmir, it’s not only popular for Gondola ride and Ski resorts but the gastronomy is also very attractive with mouthwatering taste of saffron. Here are the list of some must try cuisine of Gulmarg.

Yakhni: It is mutton, chicken dish stewed and flavored with spices like cardamom, cinnamon with the special yogurt add-ons and served with rice.

Rogan Josh: A traditional Kashmiri dish made up of lamb meat with spices in the form of curry and served with rice and bread.

Gushtaba: It is an occasionally prepared dish of mutton meatballs poured in creamy curry.

Dum Aloo: This is vegetarian dish contains small fried potatoes with a spicy gravy consist the flavored in aromatic spices and yogurt. 

Kashmiri Naan: It is a type of bread made up from refined wheat filled with dry fruits little sweeter in taste good with curry.

Kashmiri Pulao: The Kashmiri Pulao is a rice dish generally made up by high quality basmati rice, consisting with dry fruits like cashew, almond, cardamom, saffron offered with curry,

Sheer Chai: It is a bit salty and sweet tea made up with tea leafs and milk which is famous for its color and flavor.

Kahwa: It is a warm beverage made up of green tea, almonds, cinnamon, cardamom and saffron good for cold and chilly weather of Gulmarg.

Bakarkhani: It is soft layered Kashmiri sweet bread snacks like biscuit offered with tea along with meat curry.

Saffron Based cuisines: As saffron is specialty of Kashmiri dishes there are a lot of cuisines made of saffron popular like Shufta, Modur Pulao etc.

Given above the list of the must try cuisines which you should have on a Gulmarg visit to have the flaouver and taste of Gulmarg, Kashmir.

FAQ’s on Gulmarg

 

 Gulmarg is famous for what?

Ans. Gulmarg is a hill station in Baramulla district of Kashmir famous for its Gondola ride, Highest Golf course and Skii resort. 

What is the best time to Visit Gulmarg?

Ans. The best time to visit Gulmarg is depend upon the type of activity performed there, like winters from December to March good for skiing and gondola rides, summers from March to May the season is good for golf, nature walk, trekking and hiking, the month of June to August good for hiking, horse riding, photography etc.

Is Skiing in Gulmarg is allowed for normal tourist?

Ans. Yes, skiing is allowed for normal tourists in Gulmarg and also some trainers are there to train the tourists.

Is any training institute and Schools are available to learn skiing in Gulmarg?

Ans.  Yes, Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering training institute and local partner companies provide ski learning lessons in Gulmarg.

Why Gulmarg gondola ride is that famous?

Ans. Gondola ride of Gulmarg is that famous because it is one of the world’s highest cable cars gives an outstanding and memorable experience to the visitors.

Gondola ride of Gulmarg occurs in how many phases?

Ans. Gondola ride of Gulmarg occurs in two phases the firsts one will take up at the Kongdoori station and second one will take you up at Apharwat Peak.

What is the cost of Gondola ride in Gulmarg?

Ans.  The first phase will cost 700-900 and second phase will cost up to 900-2000.

Is Gulmarg is safe for tourists?

Ans. Yes, Gulmarg is generally considered safe for tourists and it is advisable to always check the weather condition, proper guidance and necessary precautions.

What are the accommodation options available in Gulmarg?

Ans. All type of accommodation options is available in Gulmarg from luxurious hotels to budget hotels, cottage and resorts.

Where I can go for horse riding in Gulmarg?

Ans. The meadows of Apharwat Peak are good to go for horse riding in Gulmar.

Is any security protocols required while visiting Gulmarg?

Ans. Yes, there is certain security protocol required while visiting Gulmarg due to its location is nearby to India Pakistan border, it is compulsory to carry valid and original identification proof.

Why the golf course of Gulmarg is that famous?

Ans. The Gulmarg Golf Course is famous because it is considered as one the highest golf course in the world at the altitude of 8660 feet with picturesque landscape of the mountain.

Is Gulmarg Golf course is open for all tourists?

Ans. Yes, the Gulmarg golf course is open for all the tourists the picturesque environment is available for all.