About Gulmarg

Country: India | State: Jammu & Kashmir

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Gulmarg: Srinagar (58 Kms), Jammu (313 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Gulmarg: December to June

Peak Season: December to February & April to June

At a distance of 36 km from Baramulla, 58 km from Srinagar, 121 km from Sonmarg, 135 km from Pahalgam, 197 km from Patni Top, 246 km from Udhampur, 313 km from Jammu, 375 km from Pathankot, 423 km from Dalhousie, 456 km from Dharamshala, and 844 km from Delhi, Gulmarg is a stunning hill station, and a notified area committee in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Lies in a cup-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, it is one of the popular places to visit in Jammu & Kashmir and among the popular skiing destinations in India.

Situated at an altitude of 2730 m, Gulmarg is one of the top honeymoon destinations in India. This pristine hill town has also been developed as an adventure hub as the Indian Institute of Skiing, and Mountaineering is located here. A lot of courses on trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding are offered by IISM. There are a lot of other private tour operators in Gulmarg as well, which provide similar courses and facilities for skiing and snowboarding. This alluring tourist destination in the Kashmir valley is great for both a family, honeymoon, and snow adventure sports lovers.

Originally called Gauri Marg ('the path of Devi Gauri') in the 1500s, Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586, frequented the place with his queen Habba Khatoon and renamed it 'Gulmarg' ('meadow of flowers') in the 16th century. During the 19th century, British civil servants started using Gulmarg as a retreat to escape summers in the North Indian plains. After the end of British rule in India, Gulmarg became a part of the independent princely state of Kashmir & Jammu. Pakistan demanded to take control of Gulmarg under the invasion called, Operation Gulmarg and was captured by the invaders. However, Indian troops defended the region counterattacking and recapturing Gulmarg. Later in the 1960s, the destination slowly turned into a tourism attraction by developing numerous winter sports.

Regarded as one of the best skiing destinations in India, Gulmarg is adorned with lofty snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, small lakes, and a wide variety of flowers. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Alpather Lake, Ningle Nallah, Ferozepur Nallah, Shiva Temple, Shrine of Baba Reshi, Saint Mary's Church, Maharani Temple, Drung Waterfall, Kongdoori, Gulmarg Golf Course, etc., are some of the popular tourist places to visit in Gulmarg. Gulmarg also has the world's second-highest Gondola ride. Due to its mesmerizing scenic beauty, Gulmarg has also been a popular destination for shooting various Bollywood films.

Christmas, and Eid are celebrated with great gusto by the locals in Gulmarg. Besides, Winter Festival is another event celebrated every year with much fervor in Gulmarg. Started in 2003, this event aims to promote and encourage winter sports and tourism in Gulmarg that attract tourists from all over the world and showcase the enchanting valleys through various sports and activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snow-sledging, and ice skating. Besides, Budding artists in the fields of music, film, and photography are also allowed to showcase their work during this event.

About 55 km from Srinagar, Sheikh ul Alam Airport, Srinagar is the nearest airport that has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. From here, one can reach Gulmarg by bus or cab. Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the nearest railhead which is 313 km from Gulmarg that has well-connected trains from Kalka, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Udhampur, Bandra, Kota, Tirunelveli, Prayagraj, New Delhi, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar. Gulmarg is well-connected by buses with Srinagar, Sonmarg, and other neighboring towns in Kashmir.

Being one of the most popular skiing destinations, it has limited ski resorts at the top of Gulmarg with the upper price range which feature a serene ambiance and offer top-notch amenities, cozy rooms, and amazing mountain views. However, there are limited resorts One can find several budget hotels, homestays, and guesthouses near the bus stand area that offer decent rooms with all modern amenities and hospitality. Visitors can also find many budget-friendly options in the nearby towns of Tangmarg, Kunzer, etc.

April to June is the ideal time to visit Gulmarg when the weather is pleasant as the snow melts down and the temperature is not so cold. However, if you want to experience snowfall & try your hand at skiing, the period between December & mid-March is recommended.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 01953
Languages Spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English
Major Festivals: Christmas, Winter Festival, and Eid
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Gulmarg

By Air

Nearest Airport: Srinagar - Sheikh Ul Alam Airport (55 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Jammu Tawi (313 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Gulmarg Bus Station (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

Adventure

#1 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 1.5 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Gulmarg Gondola is a high-altitude cable car located in the hill stations of Gulmarg. It is one of the longest and highest cable cars in Asia and is among the prime tourist places in Gulmarg.

The Gulmarg Gondola is the second-longest and second-highest cable car ride in the world. The Gondola project is a joint venture of the Jammu & Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski. The entire ride is 5 km and is divided into three phases. The gondola can ferry 6 people at a time and 1500 people per hour to and from Apharwat Mountain, which is where most of the winter sports happen in Gulmarg. The scenic views of mountains and valleys during the cable car ride as part of your Gulmarg tour packages are also unforgettable and unmatched.

The first phase of the ropeway was completed in 1998 and ferries people from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdoori Station (middle station). It starts at an altitude of 2,990 m and has a vertical rise of 400 .....

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Pilgrimage

#2 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 1 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Shiva Temple is an ancient religious shrine located in Gulmarg. Situated on a small hillock in the center of Gulmarg, it is one of the popular and must-visit shrines in Gulmarg.

Also known as Maharani Temple, the Shiva Temple was constructed in 1915 by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of the erstwhile Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir Hari Singh. It was also the Royal temple of the Dogra kings of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also known as the Mohineshwar Shivalaya and is dedicated to the Hindu god of destruction, Lord Shiva, and his consort Goddess Parvati. The temple became famous when the Bollywood number 'Jai Jai Shiva Shankar' was shot here in the early 1970s featuring Rajesh Khanna - Mumtaz.

The temple was built in the true Hindu style of architecture and can be viewed from any corner of Gulmarg. Another interesting thing about the temple is that the priestly duties have been performed by a Muslim priest - Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh .....

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Pilgrimage

#3 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 4 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Baba Reshi Shrine, or Ziarat of Baba Reshi is a historical shrine located in the town of Gulmarg. Situated near Ramboh village, it is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Kashmir, and among the must-include places in Gulmarg Packages.

Built in the 13th century, Baba Reshi Shrine is the tomb of the Sufi saint, Baba Payam-Ud-Din Reshi, a well-known Muslim saint as well as a courtier of the king of Kashmir, Zain-ul-Abidin. According to the folklore, this is the place where Baba Payam-Din died in 1480 after spending his days in prayer and meditation. The shrine has become a popular place to visit in Gulmarg and is revered highly by Muslims and Hindus alike.

The shrine of Baba Reshi is built in the Persian Mughal style of architecture. This three-storey edifice has a big minaret in quintessential Islamic style. The main attraction of this place is the Noor Khwan, the innermost part of the shrine where the grave of the saint lies. .....

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Waterfall

#4 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 3 km from Tangmarg, and 13 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Drung Waterfall is a stunning waterfall located in the Tangmarg tehsil of Gulmarg. Situated at Drung village, it is one of the beautiful waterfalls in Kashmir, and among the famous Gulmarg sightseeing places.

Set amidst majestic mountains, the waterfall is named after Drung village and is located on its outskirts. The name of the village is Drung but the waterfall also gets spelled as Drang or Durung. Once it was a natural waterfall but what you see now is mostly a controlled flow of water from a hydroelectric power plant, at the top of a small hill. There is a small dam at the top of the hill, and the water from the dam is released through a pipe and falls down the mountain, creating the Drung Waterfall.

This waterfall gushes down beautifully in summers and it remains completely frozen during winters. It is most visited in winter when the waterfall freezes as it comes down, forming icicles. There is also .....

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Miscellaneous

#5 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 2 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Gulmarg Golf Club is a public golf course located in a meadow at Gulmarg. Situated near St. Mary's Church, it is one of the top places to visit in Gulmarg.

Situated at an altitude of 2,650 m, Gulmarg Golf Course is the second-highest green golf course in the world. Initially, it was built as a 6-hole golf course within a meadow by Colonel Neville Chamberlain in 1890. The first Golf championship was played at the golf course in 1922. Later, the golf course was redesigned and turned into the Gulmarg Golf Club by Peter Thomson in 1970. The golf course hosted the Northern India Cup until 1989 when it was shifted to Delhi. Later, it was again redesigned by Ranjit Nanda, a Delhi-based golf architect, and inaugurated formally in 2011. At 7,505 yards, the Gulmarg Golf Course is the longest in India.

Famed as the highest 18-hole golf course in the world, the golf course consists of a meadow with various varieties of beautiful and rare .....

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Adventure | Nature

#6 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 4.5 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Kongdori is a bowl-shaped area that lies between Gulmarg and the summit of the Apharwat mountain range in Jammu & Kashmir. It is one of the best Gulmarg tourist places.

Kongdoori also attracts skiers and snowboarders from different parts of the country and the world. Kongdoori is a stop during the Gulmarg Gondola cable car journey, which is said to be the largest and highest cable car project in Asia. The Kongdori station is located at an elevation of 8,530 ft and the second leg of the ride takes people to the Apharwat mountain top, which is situated at a height of 13,500 ft.

The cable car service starts from the Gulmarg resort, situated at a height of 2,600 m, and takes passengers to Kongdori Station in the Kongdori Valley. The ride from Gulmarg to Kongdori takes about 10 minutes and from Kongdori to Apharwat takes 12 minutes. One can catch sweeping and magnificent views of the Nanda Devi Peak and the Pir Panjal range along .....

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Adventure

#7 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 13 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Apharwat Peak is one of the most picturesque spots located in Gulmarg. Situated at an altitude of 4,390 m, it is one of the highest mountain peaks in India and among the top places to visit in Gulmarg.

Positioned strategically close to the Line of Control (LOC) with neighboring Pakistan, the peak receives heavy snowfall and remains covered with snow for most of the year. The Peak offers various winter sports activities such as skiing, sleighing, and snowboarding opportunities that draw several adventure lovers as part of Gulmarg Tour Packages. Also, it provides spectacular views of the surrounding area.

The most convenient way to reach the peak is by the Gondola cable car ride, which in itself is a special attraction here in Gulmarg. It ferries visitors from Gulmarg to Kongdoor and from Kongdori to Apharwat. If you wish to go further up the slopes you can hire one of the human sleds available here.

Better to reach Phase .....

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Adventure

#8 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 13 km from Gulmarg Bus Stand, Gulmarg is the world's third-highest ski resort and is known around the world for its powdery snow runs. It is one of the best skiing destinations in India, and among the best things to do in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg is known to have the best powder snow for skiing in India. Gulmarg is normally blessed with unbelievable amounts of snow. The average annual snowfall is not well documented, but it is thought to be about 14 m, while in the year 2004, it came to around 20 m. Ideal for both beginners and professional skiers, the place has several skiing operators and institutes that can tutor you on the same.

If you are an adventure junkie, then a trip to Gulmarg is incomplete without trying skiing at Apharwat Peak, the longest ski slope in Asia. Situated at an altitude of 4,390 m close to the Line of Control (LOC) with neighboring Pakistan, the peak receives heavy snowfall and remains covered with snow for most of the year. The peak is known .....

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Wildlife

#9 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 5 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, or Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Lies in the Pir Panjal Range of the Western Himalayas, it is one of the popular places of wildlife in Jammu & Kashmir, and among the must-visit tourist places in Gulmarg.

Located at an altitude varying between 2400 and 4,300 m, the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary was first declared as a game reserve in 1981 and later upgraded to a sanctuary in 1987. Spread over an area of 180 sq. km, the sanctuary is bordered by the forest divisions of Jehlum Valley to the north and west, Poonch and Pir Panjal to the south, and the Drang village to the east. The highly steep terrain of the upper reaches of Ferozpur Gorge consists of Panjal volcanic, with exposed acidic lava flows.

The vegetation of the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary mainly consists of sub-alpine forests of silver fir, silver birch, and blue pine. The sanctuary .....

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Backwaters

#10 of 18 Places to Visit in Gulmarg

At a distance of 13 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Alpather Lake is a high-altitude alpine lake situated at the foot of the twin Apharwat Peaks in Gulmarg. It is one of the prominent tourist places that one must visit as part of Gulmarg Tour Packages.

Situated at a height of 4,390 m, Alpather Lake is a bowl-shaped lake that is fed by the melting snow from the nearby peaks. The picturesque landscape, less crowd, and a resemblance to the famous Lake Louise of Canada make it one of the great places to visit in Gulmarg. It is surrounded by rocky mountains and lush green meadows that are covered with beautiful wildflowers. It is also popularly known as the Frozen Lake as the lake gets completely frozen during winter.

The breathtaking Alpathar Lake at the base of Apharwat Peak is around 13 km away from the center of Gulmarg and is connected to the town in three ways - a trek or on horseback, cable car, and motorable road. But due to the proximity to the border, the road is only used .....

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