GULMARG

Main Attraction : 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

Gulmarg, “Meadow of Flowers “ was discovered in 16^th century. Gulmarg is a hill station in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The town, nestled in the Himalayas, and very close to the Line of Control receives heavy snowfall in winters and is a popular ski resort.  Historians describe the famous love couples, Habba Khatoum poetess of Kashmir and King Yousuf Shah Chak, and Jehangir and Noor Jehan visiting Gulmarg for enjoying life, Gulmarg is on full bloom during the Summer with flowers like bluebells and daisies. Horse riding and Buggy Ride in Gulmarg is a delightful experience.

Gulmarg boasts of the world’s highest and Asia’s longest cable car project Gulmarg Gondola. The ropeway, which has 36 cabins, ferries about 600 tourists to and fro the Afarwat peak and comprises 35 towers and 30 stations and takes skiers to a height of 4,390 mt. The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Poma Glaski.

The cable car, which has been extended further by 2.65 km, connects the bowl-shaped Kongdoori Valley at 10,000 ft (3,930 mt) with Afarwat, situated 13 km from Gulmarg, and at an altitude of 13,400 ft (4,390 mt). The second phase from Kangdoori to Afarwat was finished well ahead of time.

The second phase from Kongdoori to Afarwat (about 5 km) was completed in a record time of about two years at a cost of Rs 11 crore and opened on May 28 last year. The French company had also built the first phase of the cable car project, connecting Gulmarg to Kongdoori, in 1998.

White Christmas celebration and winter festival including ski competitions are held every year in Gulmarg with much fan fare.

Gulmarg gets snowfall periodically from November to April, sometimes above 15 ft and mostly gets the first and last snowfall of the Valley.

Prime Attractions of Gulmarg

Skiing & Heliskiing
Asia's one of 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 of 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, there are golf sets on hire, pros to instruct one in 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

Alapathar Lake:
843 mtrs, 13 km is a one day trek from Gulmarg via Khilanmarg and 1.5 km 3walk form Gandola Phase II top at Apharawat.

Tangmarg :
32 km is the famous stopover enroot to Gulmarg. Connecting Culmarg by a 13 metal road and an exciting 5 km trekking route, During Winters, warm clothes, long boots and water proofs are available on hire.

Ziarat of Bab Rishi : 8 km from Gulmarg, is the famous shrine of noted Muslim saint Bab Payam ud Din RH.

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 a Salwar Kameez will do fine. In Gulmarg one will also be able to drift to one of 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, there are 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 Get There - 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 Rail
The nearest railhead is at Jammu.

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 private transport operators.
 

Accommodation
A good number of hotels, situated along the road right from the market towards Club Road and Gandola, offer comfortable accommodation  with pleasant view of the valley. The private hotels and hutments constructed in natural ambience, keeps Gulmarg’s environment and beauty everlasting.