WINTER IN GULMARG

Experience Gulmarg

Gulmarg

General Information about Gulmarg
Area: 3.5 km long; 1 km wide
Altitude: 2,650 m
Best season: Throughout the year.
Clothing: Summer: Light woolens; winter: Heavy woolens

Information about Gulmarg
Gulmarg is one of the beautiful place that can be visited in Kashmir valley. Gulmarg literally means the meadow of flowers. Originally, Gulmarg was called Gaurimarg, named after Shiva’s coasts. Gulmarg’s legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar make it one of the premier hill resort in the country. Gulmarg, the hill resort is located only 52 km. to the south west of Srinagar in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is situated at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and has a gently sloping topography. Its present name ‘Gulmarg’ was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes filled with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. During the colonial rule over India, the British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927. Gulmarg also hosted the British Resident and his fellow Europeans. Gulmarg attracts various tourists due to its natural beauty. The snow-clad peaks and the lovely landscapes of Gulmarg have provided background for several Bollywood ventures. Today Gulmarg is not merely a hill resort – but it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m and also the Asia’s only heli-skiing resort in the winter. There is immense beauty and various adventure activities that make Gulmarg more than a cool hill resort. It is a convenient base for trek to the Himalayas and also offers various winter sports facilities to the tourists. Gulmarg can be visited throughout the year. The winter months from November to February are ideal for skiing. The months from May to September are pleasant to visit the place

Bold History that Fuels the Future of Gulmarg

Journey to Gulmarg
The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there-roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature’s colors could be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich emerald, or autumn’s golden hues, when scarlet chilies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travelers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.

Adventure Sports in Gulmarg
Golfing
It is for golfing that Gulmarg has long been famous. There is also a green 18-hole golf course in Gulmarg which is also the world’s highest golf course. The Gulmarg Golf Club has been in existence for over a hundred years and there are records, dating from that time, which make fascinating reading. The Clubhouse itself, reminiscent of a Swiss chalet with its quaintly sloping roof, has a rare old character. The Golf Club offers short-term memberships to the players. The payment of a fee entitles one to play on the golf course. One can also hire the golf sets from Gulmarg.
Walking
Gulmarg also offers some excellent opportunities for long walks. Walking along Gulmarg’s circular path you only have to look down to have a complete view of the valley including Srinagar. A fine view can also be had of Nanga Parbat, the naked mountain which is over 26,000 feet and dominates the entire region.

Gondola Lift Ride
For a fun-filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg’s newly constructed Gondola lift through pine-clad slopes is an experience of a lifetime. This Gondola will take you up above 15,000 feet and is one of the highest in the world. Here, you can touch the skies and merge with the clouds.
Tourist Attractions in Gulmarg
The gorgeous hill resort of Gulmarg is dotted with various places of interest like Khilanmarg, Alpather Lake, Wular Lake and Manasbal Lake.

Popular Tours

Khilanmarg

Khilanmarg is the famous spot for skiing in winters. From Khilanmarg, you can enjoy the views of the Kashmir valley and the Himalayan range. It takes a couple of hours by pony, to reach Kilanmarg as it is slightly longer on foot.

Wular Lake

The Wular Lake is situated on the route from Gulmarg to Srinagar on Baramula Road at Sangrama. The Wular lake is the largest fresh-water lake in Kashmir and the second largest in India. It looks like the Genevo Lake of Switzerland. It has a beautiful setting, with Haramuk Mountain at its head. The sunset at the lake is breathtaking.

Alpather Lake

The Alpather Lake is a picturesque alpine lake that remains frozen until late June. The lake lies across the Apharwat peak. The adventure tourists can take the one-day and thirteen km trip to the Alpather Lake from Gulmarg.