Location : The valley of Gulmarg,
Tourist Attractions : Gondola ride to Apharwat (cable car), Khilanmarg, Splendor of nature and Snowy Mountains.
Best Buys : Kashmiri shawls, kashmiri carpets, Tibetan handicraft items.
Best Hangouts : Khilanmarg, skiing, horse riding
Gulmarg is a hill
resort of repute, not only for its beauty and prime location but also as being
the highest natural golf course of the world, situated at an altitude of 2890
m. Hub of activity from mid-December to March, Gulmarg is an enviable winter
sports resort with all the equipment and training facilities available for
skiing, tobo-ganning, ski-bobbing and paragliding along with a T-bar lift, a
chair lift and three modern ski-lifts. 53 km from Srinagar, Gulmarg is known as
the meadow of flowers and was once a favorite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who
collected 21 different varieties of wild flowers from here. It is the best Ski
resort in the country and maintains the high-quality service. It also holds a
position as one of the highest lift served Ski resorts in the world. It is the
first place to offer heli-skiing in Asia, where a helicopter takes one to the
chosen peak from where one can choose one's own descent route. Sledges and snow
cycles are also popular here during winters and trekking opportunities here are numerous.
The 18-hole Gulmarg Golf Club is in existence
for 100 years and was established by Sir Neville Chamberlain. The Clubhouse,
with its sloping roof, has a rare character. Golfing holidays here during
summers are popular in this lush green bowl covered with a variety of alpine
flowers with snow fed streams and rivulets passing through it.
Apharwat Lake is frozen until mid-June and even after that,
one can see ice floating in the river. For the more adventurous trekkers,
climbing straight up the boulder-strewn slope of the ridge and descending on
the other side to the path is a thrilling exercise. For those who love horse
riding, Alpather Lake makes an exciting excursion for a day, starting early
morning and returning late evening.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
For witnessing the glorious fauna of the great Himalayan range, such as the Himalayan Musk Deer, Red Fox, Brown and Black Bear along with numerous resident and migratory birds, visit the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. Located at a height of 2,400m above sea level and with a coverage area of 180-sq-kms, this reserve is at a distance of 48-km from Srinagar. The best time to watch the wildlife is September to March.
For witnessing the glorious fauna of the great Himalayan range, such as the Himalayan Musk Deer, Red Fox, Brown and Black Bear along with numerous resident and migratory birds, visit the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. Located at a height of 2,400m above sea level and with a coverage area of 180-sq-kms, this reserve is at a distance of 48-km from Srinagar. The best time to watch the wildlife is September to March.
ADVENTURE SPORTS
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.
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.
GULMARG WALKS
Outer Circular Walk: 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 of the mountains', is the fourth highest peak on earth at 8,500 metres.
Outer Circular Walk: 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 of the mountains', is the fourth highest peak on earth at 8,500 metres.
HOW TO GET THERE
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.
Rail: The nearest railhead is at Jammu.
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.
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