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 16th 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.
