Gulmarg Trave
A huge cup formed meadow, lush and green with slopes exactly where the silence is broken only from the tinkle of cowbells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set inside a film and never astonishingly happen to be the venue of many films.
The valley of Gulmarg, a significant meadow about 3-sq-kms in region, stands at two,730 metres, 56-km south west of Srinagar. The name indicates 'Meadow Of Flowers' and inside the spring it's just that, a rolling meadow dotted with numerous colourful Bluebells, Daisies, Overlook Me Not's and Buttercups. The valley alone is about 3-km long and up to a km wide.
All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day one can see all of the strategy to Nanga Parbat is one course and Srinagar is another. It's a popular day journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg, even though many people lengthen their remain or use it being a base for trekking. The road from Srinagar rises carefully toward the decrease slopes in the array, passing by means of rice and maize fields.
From Tangmarg, at the foot of the array, there are two paths to Gulmarg - a steep footpath or perhaps a winding sealed street. There is also a pony monitor from Gulmarg that sales opportunities upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and 7 springs.
Prime Attractions of Gulmarg
Skiing & Heliskiing
Asia's one with the most famous Heli-skiing resort is at Gulmarg, Kashmir. Come December, and the verdant green slopes of Gulmarg are blanketed with snow, forming some from the finest natural slopes for ski runs of all levels.
Golf Courses
Gulmarg also has one of the world's highest green golf courses, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own right. For the would-be golfer, you'll find golf sets on hire, pros to instruct one inside the game, and temporary memberships. Naturally, these facilities are available to players as well, except that serious golfers usually carry their sets along.
Gondola Lift For a fun filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg's newly constructed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg, through pine clad slopes, is exhilarating.
Excursions from Gulmarg
Srinagar
(56Km.)
The capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city in 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. more..
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves
(48Km.)
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
(13Km.)
Beyond Khilanmarg, 13-km from Gulmarg at the foot with the twin 4, 511 metre Apharwat peaks, this lake is frozen until mid-June and even later in the year one can see lumps of ice floating in its cold waters. The walk from Gulmarg follows a well-graded Pony track over the 3, 810 metre Apharwat ridge, separating it from Khilanmarg, and then up the valley to the lake at 3,843 metres. The more adventurous trekkers can climb straight up the boulder-strewn slope of the ridge and descend the other side to the path. For horse riding aficionados, Alpather Lake makes an exciting day's excursion, starting early morning and returning late evening.
Ferozpore Nallah
(5Km.)
Reached through the Tangmarg road, or in the Outer Circular Walk, 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 five km down the valley from Gulmarg but quite close to Tangmarg. The river can be reached by walking 3-km down the path from your gap near Tangmarg and then heading south through the forest, down a slope towards the stream. Near here there is certainly a bridge which leas 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 street at a second bridge, about 32-km upstream, and then sales opportunities away to the Ferozpore pass, Poonch and Kantar Nag. One can continue on from here to Tosa Maidan, a three day, 50-km walk to one of Kashmir's most beautiful Marg's, crossing the Basmai Gali pass at about 4,000 metres. The monitor here is very close to the ceasefire line with Pakistan and on the right one will pass the Jamainwali Gali, the pass at 4,000 metres is one of the easiest and safest routes into the Punjab.
Khilanmarg
(6Km.)
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 from 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 from 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 in the Kashmir King Zain-ul-Abidin. Every year thousands of devotees visit this shrine regardless with the faith they believe in.
The Ningli Nallah
(8Km.)
Flowing in 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 Gujars moving their herds up to the high meadows.
Leisure - Gulmarg
GULMARG WALKS
A circular road, 11-km in length, runs right round Gulmarg through pleasant pine forests with excellent views over the Kashmir valley. Nanga Parbat is clearly visible 137-km to the north, Haramukh 60-km to the east while to the south one can see the Ferozpore and Sunset Peaks and the Apharwat Ridge. Nanga Parbat, the 'lord from the mountains', is the fourth highest peak on earth at 8,500 metres. Adventure Sports - Gulmarg
Skiing:
In winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona - that of the country's premier skiing resorts. Skiing, to many who watch it on TV, seems like a very elitist sport, requiring a high level of training and expensive equipment. They are surprised, when they visit Gulmarg for a day's expedition to "see the snow", that others with the same level of physical fitness and training are skiing down slopes. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner's skiing resort. One doesn't requite a heavy woolen wardrobe - slacks or perhaps a Salwar Kameez will do fine. In Gulmarg one will also be able to drift to one from the many Ski shops and hire skis, sticks and goggles. Just find yourself a ski instructor and set off down a slope.
Neither does one need to exert oneself climbing up slopes. The gentlest slope of 200m is linked with a ski lift, which helps one to go up. When one graduates to intermediate level - which will happen after the first few days of practice, you will find other slopes, longer and steeper, which are connected by chair lift. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola cable car, which allows a ski run of 2,213m.
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 in the country.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is at Jammu.
By Highway
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 private transport operators.
Where to Stay In Gulmarg
There are numerous hotels of various standards available for accommodation purpose in Gulmarg, some of them being luxury, several being comfortable in addition to JKTDC's winterized, fully furnished huts, which are great value for money. Assistance for booking accommodation can be had from the booking manager at Tourist reception centre in Srinagar. General Information - Gulmarg
Alpather Lake, Golf Courses & Skiing
Location
56-km South West Of Srinagar, Kashmir Region, J&K
Altitude
2,730m
Best Time
In Summer - May To September
In Winter - November To February