Gulmarg in Kashmir

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 Gaurimag, named after Shiva’s coasts. Gulmarg, the hill resort is located only 52 km. to the south west of Srinagar in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Apharwat Peak

Apharwat Peak, 13500 feet high, is a famous tourist destination located at thirteen km away from Gulmarg. This snow covered mountain lies close to the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan. Apharwat slopes are the longest and the highest ski slopes of Asia and is a destination of ski enthusiasts from all over the world. To transport the visitors to the top there is a cable car service called Gondola which operates in two levels. First level takes one from Gulmarg to Kongdoor for INR 100/- and second level from Kongdoor to Apharwat for INR 250/- , all being one-way charges. A full day pass costs INR 1000/-. The Gondola with 36 six seat cabins lifts through 1330 m height and covers nearly 5 km distance to level two at 3980 m on Apharwat Peak. A thirty-minute walk will take one to the actual peak. Skiing on the snow slopes is possible in north-west and southeast directions. For the less adventurous ones slopes from level one are gentler. There is facility for horse riding around Lake Alpather. As the place is covered in snow even in summer visitors are advised to carry adequate winter protections, even though some items can be hired locally.

Gulmarg Ski

About 35 kilometres away from Srinagar, is the Gulmarg hill resort, which is a part of the Pir Panjals Himalayan range. Heavy snowfall in this region has made it a favourite ski area for foreign as well as inland residents. Anyone coming here is spellbound at the spectacular view of the snow peaks. The skiing area consists of the gondola terrain, lower tree skiing areas and the poma terrain in the town. A good option is to go and ski in the old fir and pine trees that take you into the valley. It is also possible to do heli-ski type runs from great heights off a gondola. Apart from skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, snow scooters and snow bobbing are popular activities seen here. Imambara Goom, Alpather Lake, St Mary's Church, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Baba Reshi Shrine, golf course, Apharwat Peak are other interesting sites in this region. Though Gulmarg is equally attractive both in summer as well as in winter, skiing is always more fun in winters. Tourists who plan to stay in the ski area can get many comfortable hotels and guest houses here. Otherwise, there are lots of tour operators arranging day trips from Srinagar to Gulmarg.

Golf Course

Golf Course in Gulmarg, situated at a height of 2,650 mabove sea level, is the highest green golf course in the world. This 18-hole golf course is completely managed by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation. Temporary membership, even for one day, is available at the club for the golfers. Gulmarg golf course, counted among the most beautiful golf courses in India, is composed of both slopes and inclines. This golf club was started by the British who used Gulmarg as a holiday resort. In 1904, this golf course was opened to the golf lovers. In 1922, first Golf Championship was organised at this golf course.

Khilanmarg

Khilanmarg is situated at a distance of 4 km from the Gulmarg bus stop. Tourists can easily reach this place by walking across the meadows of the valley. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the valley is scattered with wild flowers in the spring season. Tourists can enjoy the panoramic views of the Nanga Parbat, the Himalayas, and the twin peaks of Nun and Kun. Several scenic tourist spots are located in proximity to Khilanmarg.

Kongdori

Experience the thrill and the excitement of riding the highest cable car in the world and enjoy the stunning vistas of the Kashmir landscapes. The Gondola operates in two phases, PHASE 1 and PHASE 2.

Each Gondola is a small yellow colored cabin with space for 6 adults. The cabins are slung on high tensile strength cables which move continuously. The Gondolas have two stops, where they slow down to enable Embarking and Disembarking of Tourists.

Board the Gondola at the cable station at that will take you up to at an altitude of 3099.6 meters - it's practically a vertical, upright ride and lasts for about 10 minutes. During the ride itself, you will go through tall fir trees, which then open out to grassy slopes below dotted with wildflowers or snow, if it’s winter. Again, depending on the season, you either step out on lush, green grass or knee-high snow. From, the snow peaks seem close enough to touch.

Kongdoori is a bowl shaped area between Gulmarg and the summit on the Afarwat mountain range in J&K, India. It offers some stunning options for skiers and boarders alike. Kongdori is also a stop or a station during the Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car journey. The popular cable car's first stage was a transfer to the Kongdori Valley station (10,500 ft); the optional second stage takes visitors to the Afarwat Mountain top (13,500 ft). There are glorious views of the rolling meadows at the foot of the Afarwat Mountains, in the Pir Panjal ranges surrounding Gulmarg. During winter, this is where skiers arrive to glide down powdery snow. The “heartland of winter sports in India”, as quoted by CNN, is a gathering ground for all things extreme sports and outdoors related. In the winter, the diverse and extreme terrain combines with torrential snowfall to create a snow destination that is among the best in the world.

Aparwath is in high altitude than Kungdoor and more scenic, ascending steeply to the rocky mountain peak. The Gondola occasionally travels above the clouds. Snow in Aparwath is very soft and crystal clear and treat for eyes. From Gulmarg to Kungdoor it will take 10 mins and from Koongdoor to Aparwath 12 mins. This is most adventurous journey and life time experience.

WARNING: Patients of Heart Disease, Respiratory in-sufficiency and children below 5 are not allowed. Also the weather can be chilling at any time of the year so Tourists are advised to carry along warm clothings.

Biju John
132 16
Get In Touch

mail@travelmedia.in

About Us
The TravelMedia is an online travel and tourism news magazine. TravelMedia has been publishing industry news, in-depth editorial, dynamic media content and important supplier and destination information that has helped hundreds of thousands of travel agents succeed. Now with dedicated consumer content, TravelMedia is once again revolutionizing the way that travel content is consumed.

Home | News | Submit | Advertise | Contact

© Bonjour Media. All Rights Reserved.