Gulmarg - Jammu & Kashmir

Tourism

The Himalayas have always been the most adventurous destination. From mountaineering expeditions to trekking, wildlife and eco-tours to just walking or biking, there is something for every one. In the north of India, in Kashmir there are two beautiful hill stations, Gulmarg & Sonamarg that have always been an attraction for both tourists and adventure seekers. Gulmarg over the years has become the prime destination for promoting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. Today Gulmarg is reached by bus or taxi from Srinagar. Lying some 31 miles west of Srinagar at 8,500 feet, Gulmarg is exquisitely situated in a pine surrounded basin of the Pir Panjal range. It sports a Golf course, a nearby tourist office, and a Ski hill with several Ski lifts and a rope tow.

Tourist places like Khilamarg, Kongdori and seven springs offer enjoyable rides on pony from Gulmarg. A little below Gulmarg, one comes across the holy shrine of Baba Reshi, a Muslim Saint.

Golf Courses

One of the world's highest beautiful green and panoramic 18-hole golf courses was built in 1904 by the British and is situated at an altitude of 2650 m. above the sea level offers tourists a temporary membership along with good golf sets, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own right. There are golf sets on hire also. Naturally, these facilities are available to players as well, except that serious golfers usually carry their sets along. If one does not want to actually play the game, he can admire the spectacular lush green land slopes that incline gradually.

Gondola Lift

The newly constructed Gondola lift offers a ride high above the mountains and pine-clad slopes of the region and provides for an attractive view of Gulmarg. Gondola lift is totally fun filled ride of a most unusual kind, which is popularly known as cable car. The lift in Gulmohar extends till the top of Aphrawat peak to an elevation of 3980 m giving heart touching views of Gulmohar and nearby areas. The Gondola lift also connects to the ski resort making it the highest ski resort served by lift in the entire world.

Skiing

Asia's one of the most famous Heli-skiing resort is at Gulmarg, Kashmir. In winter, the stunning Gulmarg turns into a skiing resort. Khilanmarg is an important skiing center. The skiing season commences in December and goes on till the month of April. The most favorite tourist sports here include Skiing, Trekking and Heliskiing. Once the winters set in, the entire landscape of the town changes. The bright green slopes of summers now become the shining white skiing tracks, beckoning professional as well as amateur skiers. The vast snow slopes become the perfect locations for indulging in heli skiing from the mountaintop. Heliskiing is where a helicopter takes one to the chosen peak from where one can choose his own descent route. Gulmarg also acts as a trekking base for those who trek to the Pir Panjal Range, Nanga Parbat and Khilanmarg. Gulmarg offers facilities for hiring trekking equipment and local guides.

Excursions from Gulmarg

Srinagar

The capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city of the state, Srinagar (1,730m) is famous for its canals, houseboats and Mughal gardens. The city itself is quite unlike most other large Indian cities for here you are much more in Central Asia than on the sub continent.

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves

The reserve area is located at a distance of 48-km from Srinagar, to its southwest. It is famous for retaining several rare and endangered species such as the musk deer, and a rich and varied avifauna.

Alpather Lake

The places to see in Gulmarg are the picturesque Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve and the Alpather Lake. If the Gulmarg biosphere reserve offers one of the most attractive wildlife tour packages then the Alpather Lake is a beautiful lake at the base of the Apharwat Mountain. The main feature of the lake is, it remains frozen till the month of June, and even after that you can see ice caps floating in the lake. The Alpather Lake and the melting snow and ice from the Apharwat Mountain form the Ningli Nallah, which is also one of the prime tourist attractions for those who travel to Gulmarg. It is around 13 km away from Gulmarg. The lake is situated at the foot of Apharwat peaks at a height and to reach there, trekking becomes a great option. One can also take a ride on the horse back to the lake.

Ferozpore Nallah

This mountain stream meets the Bahan River at a popular picnic spot known as 'waters meet'. The stream is reputed to be particularly good for trout fishing; it's about 5 km down the valley from Gulmarg but quite close to Tangmarg. Walking distance to the river is around 3 km from Tangmarg and then heading south through the forest, down a slope towards the stream. Adjacent to it is a bridge which leads to the small waters meet picnic spot on the right bank. Looking south from Tangmarg the river can be traced up to its source close to the rugged peak known as Ferozpore or Shinmahinyu. On the right bank the stream branches, the left path leading to Tosa Maidan, while the right bends away towards the Gogaldara road at a second bridge, about 32-km upstream, and then leads away to the Ferozpore pass, Poonch and Kantar Nag.

Khilanmarg

This smaller valley is about a 6-km walk from the Gulmarg bus stop and car park. The meadow, carpeted with flowers in the spring, is the site for Gulmarg's winter ski runs and offers a fine view of the surrounding peaks and over the Kashmir Valley. It's a 600-metre ascent from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg and during the early spring, as the snow melts, it can be a very muddy hour's climb up the hill. The effort is rewarded, if it's clear, with a sweeping view of the great Himalayas from Nanga Parbat to the twin 7,100-metre peaks of Nun and Kun to the southeast.

Shrine of Baba Reshi / Ziarat of Baba Reshi

This Muslim shrine is on the slopes below Gulmarg and can be reached from either Gulmarg or Tangmarg. The Ziarat, or tomb, is of a well-known Muslim saint who died here in 1480. Before renouncing worldly ways he was a courtier of the Kashmir King Zain-ul-Abidin. Every year thousands of devotees visit this shrine regardless of the faith they believe in.

The Ningli Nallah

Flowing from the melting snow and ice on Apharwat and the Alpather Lake, this pretty mountain stream is 8-km from Gulmarg. The stream continues down into the valley below and joins the Jhelum River near Sopur. This long, grassy valley is a popular picnic spot and the walking path carries on, crossing the Ningli (also spelt as Ningle) Nallah by a bridge and continues on to the Khilenmarg, another grassy meadow and a good spot for camping. In early summer one will probably share the campsites with Gujjars moving their herds up to the high meadows.

How to reach Gulmarg

By Air : Gulmarg is in Baramula District and is 56-kms from Srinagar District. The nearest Airport from here is situated in Badgam District, which is well connected with all the major cities of the country.

By Road : The journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg takes approximately 2 hours in bus and may take short time by chartered conveyance. The road to Gulmarg is very beautiful and is lined with poplar trees all through. All sorts of transport are available to Gulmarg from Srinagar bus stand at Batmallo and from various tour and travel operators at the prices fixed.