GULMARG Location : 57 kilometers from Srinagar City Known As : Meadow of Flowers Major Attractions : Khilanmarg, Affarwat Alpather Lake, Seven Springs Famous For : Winter Sports, Ski Resort and Highest Golf Course in World

Gulmarg – A Hill Resort of Legendary Beauty

Hill Stations Getting There

Srinagar Festivals

Sonamarg

Gulmarg is a hill resort that everyone should visit at least once in a life and is the most beautiful place in the country. This cup shaped meadow offers the sight of the grassy slopes dotted with wild flowers. From all sides of this resort you can have an equal view of the Himalayan mountains that veil its beauty scrupulously. The fir woods and water stream glaciers on mountains and the snow capped mountain peaks is a real visual treat. And for the people of Indo-Gigantic plains this hill resort has more than its beauty, its ubiquitous calm and the coolness offers them a real summer retreat from the soaring temperature back at home. Come to this hill resort that is just 57 km from the Srinagar city and located at an altitude of 2,650 m and you can enjoy the hues of nature through out the year.

As known as 'Gaurimarg' by the shepherds, this hill station was renamed to 'Gulmarg' meaning 'the meadows of flowers' by the Sultan Yousuf Shah of Kashmir in the 16th century. It is said that the Mughal Emperor Jahangir was very much impressed by its beauty and had once collected 21 varieties of flowers from this hill resort. Many travelers had been to this place and defined Gulmarg as the most beautiful hill resort one can find in India.

Alluring Gulmarg Attractions

When approaching the hill resort of Gulmarg, the road that goes through the paddy fields is surrounded by poplar trees from both sides and bewitching sight of these vast fields accompanied with the fresh mountain air puts a magical spell on you. Tangmarg is the last stop before Gulmarg and is equally beautiful where you can have a look at the villages on one side and mountains on other. The park on the road side and the restaurants is a place to relieve yourself and prepare for the onward hilly journey of 11km that is tiring but equally adventurous. 'View point' that is how it is known is a spot where you can stop to watch the breathtaking beauty of snow covered mountains and if you have enough time visit the shrine of saint Baba Rishi that is on way from Tangmarg to Gulmarg.

Take a cable car ride from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg or hire a pony and reach up to the Kangdori, 1300 feet higher than Gulmarg in elevation and this upland meadow is located at the foothills of Affarwat.At this place you can look for the Seven springs, Ningle Nallah and strawberry valley. And can enjoy the local nun chai, tea and coffee with aloo parantha or you can have a basic meal of rajmah chawal served in the shacks. If you love adventure take an arduous trek or pony ride to the mountainous lake of Alpather that remains frozen up to June. Last few kilometers are to be negotiated by foot to reach the lake. The sight of the azure water lake in the snow covered hills is the most inspirational moment for the people with aesthetic sense.

Host of Winter Sports

Golfing

Para Gliding

Skiing

The paradise that looks green in summers, turns white in winters and invites the skiers from all over the world along the visitors to have an adventurous tour to this snow covered ski resort. Ski, toboggan, ride ice scooters, snow cycling, sledging, ski-bobbing and para gliding are the activities one can indulge in here. This ski resort is the only one in Asia that offers you the Heli - Skiing facilities and is the highest lift served ski resort in the world that is equipped with T-bar lift and three modern ski lifts along Gondola chair lift. The skiing season starts when there is sufficient snow, usually around the middle of December and continues till March.

World's Highest Golf Course

Gulmarg golf club is 100 years old and was first established by the Britisher Sir Nivelli Chamberlain. Since then it is maintained by Gulmarg Golf Club and is the best place to have a golf holiday. This 18 hole golf course is located on the meadows, where the snow fed streams filled with rivulets passing through it, challenge the skills of every golfer. The club offers the temporary membership to the tourists so come to enjoy a game of golf and soak in this picturesque paradise.