Gulmarg is a scenic hill station, nestled in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism in Gulmarg is hailed for its vibrant attributes like serving a grandeur of landscaped spectacles, a wide-variation of winter sports and traditional local customs.
Fascinatingly, Gulmarg is renowned as the “Heartland of winter sports in India” for being a popular tourist destination for relishing winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, snow scootering and tobogganing. Places like Gulmarg Gondola, that boasts the highest cable car facility in the world, along with Alpather Lake, The Maharani Temple, Drung Waterfall, Strawberry Valley and Seven Springs are few of the top visiting places in Gulmarg that serves an amalgamation of romantic, peace, amusement and thrill driven activities, making Gulmarg an ideal holiday destination for families and Honeymooners.
This celebrated hill station’s cultural vibrancy furthermore opens the doors for visitors to savour interesting deeds like sightseeing the historical and spiritual settings, golfing, enjoying the regional delicacies and being a part of joyous festivals. Along with the natural allure of Gulmarg that can be easily depicted through the snow-clad mountains, valleys, lakes and lush greenery highly contributes to its tourism as well.
In a nutshell, holidays in Gulmarg, Kashmir can lead to make a lifetime of memories for any type of traveller due to such an abundance of Gulmarg tourism’s enticing characteristics that potentially makes Gulmarg one of the most visited destinations in India and magnetizes families, honeymooners, innumerable cultural aficionados, sightseeing lovers, sports buffs especially the skiing enthusiasts, pilgrims and photography hobbyists from around the globe.
Gulmarg Tourism offers a plethora of tourist attractions for sightseeing, ideal for every type of traveler.
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Just like Gulmarg’s welcoming nature, the top tourist attractions in Gulmarg offers a captivating amalgamation of pristine beauteousness, spiritual and historical significance, natural spectacles, sports vibrancy and tranquillity.
The Maharani Temple, Gulmarg Army Museum, Gulmarg Golf Course, Alpather Lake, Strawberry Valley, Seven Springs, Apharwat Peak, Drung Waterfall and Ferozepur Nallah are few of the numerous popular tourist attractions positioned in Gulmarg.
Maharani Temple, which also goes by the name ‘Mohineshwar Shivalaya’ is a revered Hindu shrine positioned on a tiny hill rock in Gulmarg town. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The history of the temple can be traced back to the 20th century when it was built by Rani Mohini Bai Sisodhia. As of today, it stands as a living testament of Gulmarg’s religious characterization.
Therefore, Mahrani Temple’s rich history, spiritual fabric, divine ambiance and the architecture that reflects a harmonious blend of old-school local and colonial styles in its elements, united with the beautiful panoramas surrounding the site draws n-number of devotees and tourists alike from around the world.
St. Mary's Church is an immensely significant historical church located in Gulmarg town. Being renowned for its Victorian architecture conjures the British era, as this Christian setting was built dated back in 1902. The Church is an erected epitome of Gulmarg’s religious tapestry.
The interiors of the architecture are adorned with grey stone walls, rustic elements, stained glass windows and wooden artistic work, all suggesting the intricately brilliant artistry capabilities of then-craftsmanship.
Coupled with the utterly quaint ambiance and the mesmerizing backdrop of the snow-capped mountains truly makes St. Mary’s Church in the company of top tourist places in Gulmarg that attracts pilgrims and tourists seeking a spiritual solace.
Baba Reshi Shrine is a pilgrimage setting devoted to Sufi Saint Baba Payam-Ud-Din Rishi. This revered shrine nestled in Baramulla district of Gulmarg has religious and historical significance embedded in its beautiful fabric. Legend has it that, the saint spent his dooms days meditating at this very site. The history that can be traced back to the 15th century can also be easily depicted through its wooden architecture that displays an intricate amalgamation of Mughal and Persian styles in its elements.
The shrine is cuddled between lush green meadows and serves a serene ambiance. Therefore, Baba Reshi Shrine offers a harmonious blend of history, spirituality, architectural wonder, beautiful panoramas and tranquillity and thereby attracts numerous pilgrims and tourists alike from around the world.
Apharwat Peak is a majestic mountain peak positioned in the Gulmarg region. It makes an idyllic place for adventure enthusiasts upon being perched at the striking altitude of 4,200 meters. Due to encapsulating a snow-mantled challenging terrain, Apharwat Peak is the most preferrable among skiing and snowboard enthusiasts. Along with serving a beauteous backdrop of Himalayas being draped in snow and flourishing green meadows during summer months coupled with an utterly serene air furthermore adds to the inviting nature this place.
In a nutshell, Apharwat Peak is like a paradise for adrenaline junkies, photography hobbyists and couples romanticizing a wintery escape.
Gulmarg Golf Course is a worldly-famed golf facility located in the Baramula district of Gulmarg town. It is renowned for its golf architecture, as one of the highest green golf courses on the planet because of being poised at an elevation of 2,650 meters. History has it that, it used to be the playing ground for Britishers dated back in 1911.
The land stretches up-to 7,505 yards and offers an utterly picturesque snow-clad Pir-Panjal range. In a nutshell, Gulmarg Golf Course is a celebrated venue for its fascinating position, attributes that are internationally recognised, natural beauty, whilst being in the company of popular points of interest for golf hobbyists.
Alpather Lake is a breathtaking highly-elevated water channel positioned in proximity to Apharwat Peak, which is erected a little out of Gulmarg town. This famed lake depicts a triangular configuration and environs rocky-mountains and lush meadows in its vicinity. The lake is often nicknamed as ‘Frozen Lake’ due to being found in the icy state that lasts till the end of summer.
In a nutshell, Alpather Lake is among the must-visit places in Gulmarg for winter lovers and sightseeing enthusiasts for serving beautiful panoramas due to its frozen waters and being cradled at the foot hills of Apharwat mountain range, furthermore offers mesmeric and snowy landscaped vistas.
Strawberry Valley is a scenic strawberry yielding expanse nestled in the Gulmarg town. As the title suggests, the valley is famed for its mesmerizing natural beauty that envelopes, lush green meadows as well as snow-capped mountains. A leisurely walk through the strawberry fields accompanied by the bird’s melodious voice and savouring the charmed fruit coupled with sighting the obsessive flora that includes blooming wildflower and pine trees is what this place is all about.
In conclusion, Strawberry Valley offers an enticing amalgamation of raw beauty, whilst giving visitors an opportunity to have an insight in the region’s farming practices. Which magnetizes innumerable nature enthusiasts, photography hobbyists and sightseeing buffs.
Seven Springs is a magical spectacle of nature sprawled in the PirPanjal range of Gulmarg town. This place is celebrated for its enchanting panoramas of seven nature driven water channels, accompanied by lush green slopes and snow-frosted neighbouring peaks.
The site moreover environs verdant meadows and conifers in its tranquil vicinity. Regardless of being a place that showcases Gulmarg’s peak beauty, Seven Springs is an underrated destination. But an ideal one for tourists seeking a secluded retreat.
Therefore, Seven Springs is a natural splendour that assures a possibility of being less crowded, giving it a sense of solitude whilst delivering the utterly magical vistas.
Ferozepur Nallah is a beautiful mountain stream positioned in the mesmeric Sonamarg valley, a bit outside of Gulmarg. This awe-inspiring realm environs lush greenery and sky-rising mountain peaks in its vicinity, contributing to faming this place for serene beauteousness, crystal clear waters and peaceful ambiance.
Additionally, the site abodes a huge variation of floral and faunal species which continues to enhance the charm of Ferozepur Nallah’s enchanting natural beauty. And due to environing a trout flooded stream and having a proximity to trails, amusement fused activities like fishing and trekking can be truly relished here.
In a nutshell, Ferozepur Nallah is undoubtedly in the fold of best places to explore in Gulmarg for offering a contrasty characteristics like pristine beauty, amusement deeds, healthy wildlife and rejuvenating ambiance.
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is a stunning wildlife hotspot located in the Baramulla district of Gulmarg, stretching over an area of approximately 180 square kilometres and is poised at the ascending altitude ranging from 2,400 to 4,300 meters. This famed reserve is a home to a rich and healthy biodiversity that encapsulates rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
Along with the vibrant topography, that includes rolling meadows, wooden valleys and serene water channels accompanied by a surreal backdrop of soaring mountains draws numerous wildlife buffs, photography and nature aficionados to Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve.
Khilanmarg is a compact valley nestled a bit outside of Gulmarg. It had been naturally graced by dense forests and vibrant flowers. With serving a carpeted lush-green meadow and a blossoming expanse during summers, to be observed as blanketed with snow during the winters, Khilanmarg’s landscaped vistas is delighted with a sense of sereneness, regardless of its change in environmental traits.
A leisurely stroll in Khilanmarg’s vicinity coupled with the surreal views of the neighbouring Nanga Parbat is literally heavenly.
Therefore, the natural allure and tranquil ambiance of the place is what captivates the visitors to Khilanmarg for retreat and rejuvenation.
Gulmarg Children’s Park is an amusement facility positioned in the Gulmarg region. This is a preferrable place especially for younger ones due to housing an enjoyment-driven structure that is reflected through its array of swings. Additionally, environing lush greenery and a sense of serenity in the air, whilst delivering a majestic backdrop of the snow-draped mountains furthermore makes it favourable for other members of the family as well.
The well-maintained play equipment and a hygienic ambiance ensures the safety aspect. Therefore, characteristics like natural appeal, amusement venue, safety concern and tranquillity make Gulmarg Children’s Park an idyllic setting for Gulmarg sightseeing tour to unwind with family.
Drung Waterfall is a beauteous cascading waterfall nested in the Drung Valley in Tangmarg Tehsil of Gulmarg. Although it is a mesmerizing spectacle of nature but the water gushing down in a controlled flow through a hydro-electric power plant adds a man-made appeal to it.
Regardless of a human modification, the Drung Waterfall had been preserved in its raw form. With cascading waters that freezes completely and forms icicles during extreme winter months makes the site famed for a sightseeing expedition in town.
The utterly refreshing greenery during summers and an awe-struck freezing ambiance during winters, whilst delivering beautiful panoramas of the surrounding lake and streams truly makes Drung Waterfalls in the company of top tourist attractions in Gulmarg.
Ningle Nallah is a mesmerizing mountain stream emplaced in Gulmarg town. It is famed for its picturesque vicinity that encapsulates crystal-clear waters, lush meadows and alpine floral species. The waters originating from the melting glaciers and snow to furthermore forming a stream contributes to the enhancement of Ningle Nallah’s natural appeal.
Additionally, aquatic activities like angling can be enjoyed here due to the stream being filled with trout fish. The quaint ambiance and a display of untouched raw beauteousness makes this a captivating place for nature enthusiasts, photography hobbyists and people looking for a secluded retreat for rejuvenation.
Top-activities like trekking, skiing, snowboarding, snow scootering and tobogganing are few of the glaciated sports and snow-mantled activities to relish in Gulmarg town.
Amusement-driven activities are cable-car ride at Gulmarg Gondola, golfing, horse riding and angling.
Other joyous activities like birdwatching and sightseeing the utterly beauteous spectacles of nature that envelopes waterfalls, lakes, valleys, rich wildlife and a multitude of ravishing landscapes.
Tranquil activities like witnessing the spiritual abodes and intriguing museum are few of the numerous top activities to savour in Gulmarg.
Gulmarg Gondola is an internationally renowned cable-car facility for operating one of the highest two-tiered cable cars. The ride is segregated in two phases, starting from the altitude of 2,600 meters and taking the passengers to the maximum elevation of 4000 meters on the slow blanketed Apharwat Peak.
During the ascending blissful expedition, the vicinity delivers the most awe-inspiring vistas of the surroundings that includes Nanga Parbat, frozen woods, Kongdori Valley and the Line of Control. Additionally, Gulmarg Gondola is preferrable among winter sports enthusiasts due to enveloping a snowy expanse.
Note: The cable-car ride remains available from Monday to Saturday during 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The entry ticket price varies upon its two phases, but remains same for both adults and kids. Phase I, offering a 15 minutes ride charges nearly 740 bucks whilst the Phase II that offers a 20 minutes ride charges around 950 bucks.
Horse Riding in Gulmarg makes a fascinating and traditional way of exploring the un-paralleled mesmeric landscapes in the town. By good fortune, places like Apharwat Peak, Khilanmarg, Alpather Lake and Strawberry Valley are few of the horse-riding routes in Gulmarg that facilitates in providing an amalgamation of amusement and adventure.
An array of panoramas like snow blanketed mountains, meadows, vibrant flora, lush greenery, water channels, dense alpine woods and beautiful valleys makes horse riding in Gulmarg an all-year-round deed to relish.
With numerous facilities that aids in providing the very experience furthermore contributes to a hassle free and serene ride.
Upon encapsulating a multitude of mountain peaks in Gulmarg’s vicinity, that are blessed with multiplicity of trekking routes truly makes trekking an idyllic pursuit for adventure enthusiasts. Treks like Alpathar Lake Trek, KongdoriApharwat Trek, Khilanmarg Trek, Gulmarg Biosphere Trek and Frozen Lake Trek are few of the best treks considered to savour a harmonious blend of thrill, physical taxation, breathtaking vistas and an adrenaline fix that an ideal trekking expedition should facilitate in.
Such routes come with a diversification in their maximum altitude, making Gulmarg a home and mountain peaks a window for beginners as well as for seasoned/trained trekkers to embark on a trekking expedition.
Gulmarg makes a dreamy abode for Golf hobbyists and for professional golfers, by virtue of housing a worldly-celebrated Gulmarg Golf Course. This is a 18-hole course that sprawls over a land of 7,505 yads, is recognised as one of the highest green golf facilities in the world. Thereby, a venue with captivating golfing characteristics, coupled with natural beauty for serving a ravishing backdrop of snow-mantled mountains makes Golfing in Gulmarg a popular deed to relish.
Amateur golfers and tourists alike are too welcomed at Gulmarg Golf Course.
Birdwatching is in the fold of popular activities to savour in Gulmarg, as the town is a home to a large number of migratory as well as resident birds and other avian species due to environing a diversity of habitats like meadows, wetlands, dense woods and wildlife hotspots.
Places like Ningle Nallah, Ferozepur Nallah, Alpathar Lake and Bota Pathri are a handful of the numerous places to fulfil the bird watching endeavour with a high potential to sight species like Brown Dipper, flycatchers, Common Moorhen, Black-necked Grebe, Northern Pintail, Black-throated Accentor and plethora of others.
Regardless of any season, sighting birds is always a possibility by the virtue of Gulmarg town being an avian wonder.
The best time to visit Gulmarg is widely variable on one’s priorities.
As the winter months is best time for snowfall in Gulmarg, that moreover opens the gates for couples romanticizing a wintery escape as well as for adrenaline junkies seeking a delightful experience of snow sports. Therefore, December to February makes the best time to visit Gulmarg for snowfall and its related activities.
While the Spring and Summer months like March to June, is when the weather conditions get pleasant, the expanses blooms with up flowers, flourishes with lush greenery, making it a best time for outdoor activities like sightseeing, trekking, horse riding etc.
Reaching Gulmarg is quite easy as the town is facilitated by multiple modes of transport.
By Air: As Gulmarg doesn’t have its own airport, Sheikh-ul-AlamInternation Airport of Srinagar is the closest to Gulmarg that operates multiple flights and connects every major city of the nation as well as various international destinations. Once landed, one can hire a shared taxi that will lead to the town of Gulmarg.
By Train: Jammu Tawi makesthe nearest railways station that is widely linked to a railway network with every big city in India. From the station, one can buy a bus ride or a taxi ride to reach Gulmarg.
By Road: A road travel to Gulmarg can be scenic journey. A personal conveyance is always delightful, but travellers can even buy a bus ride from major cities like Delhi that will straight-up take them to Srinagar and then to cover up the rest of the journey to Gulmarg, taxis are awaited.
Gulmarg has a proximity to a plethora of accommodation facilities that adds to the town’s inviting nature. From budget-friendly hotels with amenities that are gentle on the wallet strings, to luxurious resorts with premium to high-end amenities, the town encapsulates stay facilities that suits the needs and wants of every traveller.
The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Grand Mumtaz Resorts, Hotel Marina, Hotel Heevan Retreat, Golf Vacation Home Stay, Apple Tree Resorts, Hotel Pine Spring and Hotel Royal Castle are a selection from the abundance of accommodation facilities that aims to deliver a memorable, delightful and a worthy stay.
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