The picturesque landscape of Gulmarg can be so entirely captivating that hours had passed by and I still found myself sitting motionless, gawking at the changing colours of the sky. Literally translating to ‘meadow of flowers’, Gulmarg nestles as a delicate Himalayan valley and one day in Gulmarg makes any traveller sit idle amidst the snow-clad mountains.
However, there is much to see and do in the Gulmarg trip and without professing haste, here is my day’s guide to Gulmarg.
One day in Gulmarg: Trip Planning and guide
Getting to Gulmarg:
Gulmarg is a hill station in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is at a distance of 31 Km from Baramulla and 49 Km from Srinagar. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas and lies within the boundaries of the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary.
To reach Gulmarg, you have to first reach Srinagar. Srinagar is well connected by flights from New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
From Srinagar, Gulmarg is about 60 km and it takes about 90 minutes to reach there by car. You will get private taxis from Srinagar to Gulmarg. The taxi fare is Rs 2000-2500 including driver and fuel. You can save a good amount by having a twin sharing cab.
For the tourists coming from Himachal Pradesh to Gulmarg costs only ₹3,430, and the quickest way takes just 2.7 hours.
There aren’t any local souvenirs made in this valley and hence it may be a good idea to shop from Srinagar to avoid overpriced goods.
Gulmarg Ski Packages
There are many tour packages available for the Kashmir family tour or Kashmir honeymoon tour with beautiful hotels, good location, great food, excellent guiding service. The holiday package for the Kashmir honeymoon or Kashmir family tour is around 50k per person for 4 nights or 3 ski days.
Gulmarg
Choose the best Kashmir package or Gulmarg tour package which offers the best accommodation and training with professional ski trainers in their family tour package.
Gulmarg is synonymous with skiing in India and as an adventurous traveller, I’d like to suggest having a first time skiing on the fresh powdered snow here.
A number of sports agencies sell ski packages for a day to over a month. However, as a first-time skier, there are options to choose from a one-to-one instructor and spend a few hours familiarising with the equipment.
Safety tips to be followed while skiing in Gulmarg
Follow the below-given safety tips for a safe Ski experience.
- Don’t go alone. There is a high chance of risk of hypothermia or even death if you can’t get help on your own in case of any injury.
- Strictly adhere to the instructions given by trainers as the trainers prepare instructions based on their experiences. Be sure to follow them and ask them in case of any discomfort.
- Use good ski equipment by hiring or buying and make sure it fits perfectly.
- Wear a helmet to avoid serious head injuries. Also make sure to wear elbow and knee pads,wrist guards (for snowboarders),fitted boots,goggles and bindings.
- Follow signboards and be aware of surroundings like trees, slopes and rocks.Avoid listening to music or texting or any other distractions for safe skiing.
- Know your limits/level as a skier. Don’t try a difficult slope if you are not ready for it. Start with easy ones before moving to more challenging ones.
Things to do in Gulmarg Trip
Gulmarg has a bucket full of things to do where you can find something for everyone.
Skiing at Apharwat Peak:
Skiing is the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word Gulmarg and Apharwat Peak is the spot that allows you to live the dream of skiing. All adventure enthusiasts can test their limits by indulging in this activity.
Live the moment by gliding down the snow carpet or relax to enjoy the view of snow-capped mountains surrounded by green forests. For all the first time skiers, there are experienced trainers to learn this sport.
Gondola ride:
One of the most thrilling places that enchant all the tourists that come for the Gulmarg tour is the Gondola ride. These rides offer the sights of Gulmarg and Khilanmarg and in addition, you can also enjoy the LOC, Nand Devi, and Pir Panjal Ranges.
Gondola Ride
The Kongdori Gulmarg Gondola is the second-highest cable-car line in the world. It is divided into 3 phases. Phase 1 is from Gulmarg to Kongdori; Phase 2 is from Kongdori to Apharwat, and Phase 3 is from Kongdori to Mary Shoulder where phase 3 is the Chair Lift phase.
Phase 1 lifts you up to the Kongdori Station which is at the height of about 8500 feet.
And Phase 2 takes you to an altitude of almost 12300 feet. Almost all the Gulmarg tour packages include this ride in their tour packages.
Trekking at Alpather Lake:
For all trek lovers, Alpather Lake is one of the exciting spots to become more adventurous. The most interesting thing is that this lake is frozen even in the months of May and June to exhibit its magical charm.
It is actually located at the foot of the twin Apharwat Peak at an approximate height of 4400 meters. Trek and relax to enjoy the spectacular view of floating ice chunks of Alpather Lake surrounded by rocky hills and meadows.
Golfing at Gulmarg Golf Course:
The world’s second-highest Golf Course, at an altitude of 2650 m is located in Gulmarg.It is across an area of 7505 yards with 18 holes.
When it is not the season to snow, it is worthwhile to play at the renowned Gulmarg Golf Club. For golfers, this is a dream golfing destination in India.
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve:
Also called bird watcher’s paradise, it is the home of several endangered species of birds like Blue Rock Pigeon, Kashmir Roller, Snow Cock, European Hoopoes, Koklas, Griffon vulture, and Jungle Crow.
You can also spot many exotic and rare species including musk deer, snow leopard, Kashmiri stag, black deer, brown bear and spotted deer. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is the most popular tourist place to visit in Gulmarg for wildlife lovers.
Ride at Khilanmarg:
Khilanmarg is a small valley in Jammu and it is about 6 kilometres away from the Gulmarg. Due to the lack of good terrain, the best way to get here is either on foot or on a pony.
Enjoying some of the most spectacular views of Nanga Parbat peak and the twin peaks of Nun and Kun, a ride to Khilanmarg is an experience in itself. Khilanmarg is covered with blossoming and aromatic flowers in spring and is a dream destination for skiing enthusiasts in winter.
Ningle Nallah
If you are a person keen on taking photographs during winter, you will fall in love with the place. Head to Ningle Nallah to click one of the best pictures of your life.
The snow-covered peaks and vibrant wildflowers add perfect background colours to the whole scene. This mountain stream is formed by the melting of ice from the Apharwat Peak. This stream unites with River Jhelum.
The banks of Ningle Nallah is a perfect spot for couples for camping and this place is included in almost all the honeymoon packages available in Gulmarg holiday packages.
Pahalgam:
Pahalgam is about 140 kilometers away from Gulmarg. It is the base camp during the Amarnath Yatra. Apart from being a pilgrimage site, Pahalgam is like a bliss for adventure junkies and it is the starting point for several treks.
The fun activities available for tourists is the white water rafting facility, two-day long snow festival and many more. Choose the Kashmir tour package which includes this place in their tours package for family tours.
Temples of Gulmarg:
Gulmarg has several old temples like Maharani Temple and Baba Reshi Temple.
Maharani Temple is known to be built in 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia, the wife of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra king of Jammu and Kashmir and is one of the top Gulmarg places to visit. The temple houses shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Baba Reshi Temple is about 500 years old and is dedicated to saint Great Baba Reshi Ji. The temple reflects Mughal and Persian architectural styles with sculptures and wooden artworks accentuating its look.
All the Gulmarg packages or Kashmir tour packages include this divine place in their list of places covered in a package.
Church of Gulmarg:
The beautiful St Mary’s Church is located in the valley of Shepherds in Gulmarg. This green-roofed church made of grey bricks was built in 1902, during the period of British rule, and was constructed in a British style. It is decorated with wooden interior walls and has been described as a “Victorian architectural wonder”.
Outer Circle Walk:
The outer circle road runs around Gulmarg and covers almost everything that Gulmarg has to offer. The outer circle is roughly 10 km long and the terrain is flat and it takes around two and a half to three hours to finish the walk.
During the walk you can enjoy the splendid views of snow-covered peaks, lush green grasslands surrounded with pine and deodar trees throughout the valley and can gaze at the beauty of the Haramukh and Sunset Peak.
A number of tourist attractions of Gulmarg like the main market, children’s park, Shiva temple and the Ice skating rink can be covered during the outer circle walk. For all the Kashmir tourists, a walk along the outer circle during winter evenings has always been a dream come true experience.
What to do during a day in Gulmarg trip?
The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest cable cars in the world and reaches a height of 4000 metres. The ropeway is divided into two phases. Phase I is from Gulmarg to Kungdoor and Phase II from Kungdoor up till Apharwat.
The latter is a good vantage point for Mount Apharwat, though it is more popular amongst serious skiers. Gulmarg’s slopes are steep and hence a favourite amongst professional and advanced skiers.
I skipped skiing since it wasn’t peak winters and my impromptu trip to Kashmir didn’t allow me to train my body for the sport. But I couldn’t stop myself from experiencing the Gondola up to Phase I and enjoying the spectacular views.
Kungdoor serves as a base for all allied activities such as zorbing and I saw a number of tourists dabble with this game. I choose the quieter way of exploring the place (perhaps my favourite way).
A small, local shop serving Kashmiri kahwa and Maggi caught my eye and I sat there for a couple of hours, indulging in my bowl of happiness.
While the Gondola can transport passengers to Phase I and back in just a few minutes, I took an alternate walk down which was quite exciting.
An easy downhill walk through the forests from Phase I takes a convenient 30-40 minutes, at a slow pace. En route, I was very distracted by all the beautiful scenic moments. And wandering away into the land of no walking trails, I briefly lost my way. Without any hesitation, I asked the locals to help me and with their warm smiles, they guided me to the right path.
Once I was back to the base of Gulmarg, I refuelled myself with delicious Kashmiri food. Hotel Highlands Park is one of the oldest hotels in the valley and serves authentic Kashmiri and Indian cuisine. Known for its huge portion size, it is always a good idea to clarify the meal size.
The other options for lunch are Nedous Dining Room and Big Bite Fast Food (for vegetarian quick bites). Nedous Dining Room serves delicious Kashmiri fare along with some continental options.
While in Kashmir, trying the various mutton curries is a must. Rogan Josh, Gustaba, and Rista are all famous mutton curry preparations in the valley.
I escaped the temptation of a siesta after the scrumptious lunch and promptly geared up to discover this hill station on foot. The Outer Circle Walk is an 11 km walk around the periphery of Gulmarg, which enfolds some of the most scenic views.
Through the tall pine trees and the breath-taking landscapes, this walk provides a fine prospect of the Nanga Parbat. This peak is at an elevation of 8126 meters and is amongst the top ten highest peaks in the world. I didn’t wait until the sunset, however, walkers and trekkers can also admire Sunset Peak.
As the sun set in Gulmarg, I felt the quiet valley go into a slow slumber. After a satisfying day of walks across the terrains of Gulmarg, I was more and more drawn towards an early night. Highlands Park is a popular bar for a quick drink. And other places include the Alpine lounge, near the Gondola, which serves alcohol and a good spread of Kashmiri curries.
A big fan of slow travel, I was happy to experience the snowy peaks of Gulmarg at my own pace. The landscapes are so extraordinary that sitting and staring came rather naturally to me. If someone asked me to throw away all these activities and indulge in a day of only sipping kahwa, I wouldn’t consider it a trade-off!
What to pack for a trip to Gulmarg in the winter?
For skiers do carry your ski kit along with winter layering essentials like base thermal layer, mid layer in fleece or merino wool and shell waterproof jackets. Remember to keep your ears, fingers, and toes covered with a beanie, gloves, and socks.
For non – skiers, note that winter temperatures in Gulmarg can go below 0 degrees. It is recommended that you carry 100% merino wool thermals, a good fleece jacket as your mid-layer, an insulated snow jacket, and winter accessories.
Do wear a sturdy pair of shoes with a good grip, to keep you comfortable during your trip.
Check out Kosha’s winter wear collection here!
Outerwear like puffer jackets, parkas or a coat
Kosha’s Puffer Jackets are lightweight in design, power-packed with features, it promises to be your ideal travel partner as it keeps you warm and comfortable.
Kosha’s Parka Jackets are slightly long and insulated, and come in both zip and button closure. Designed with a snow shield and poly-fleece lining, this jacket comes in handy in both snow, wind, and rain.
Best Winter Jackets for Extreme Cold
Kosha’s Fleece Lined Puffer Jacket has a reversible feature with detachable hood and it is made of insulated fabric to keep you warm and stylish in snow, wind, and rain.
Don’t forget to check out Kosha’s Commuter Collection of hoodies that equip you to travel hassle-free with 6 zipper pockets of varying sizes to keep your gadgets or accessories accessible easily for you.
It can double up as a mid-layer on top of a base layer or below a shell layer for 12°C and below. They can also be used as stylish Sweatshirts with hoods or worn with a thermal shirt to lounge in or work out.
Check the Fleece lined puffer jacket for men here
Check the Fleece lined puffer jacket for women here
Sweaters and Pullovers
Sweaters and Pullovers give you the chic look yet keep you warm with fewer layers. It also serves the purpose as a mid-layer while exploring the new outdoor activities.
Add colour to your travel clothing by carrying some mid layer sweaters made of supima cotton which is superior Pima cotton and keep yourself warm yet stylish.
Kosha’s sweater for men
Kosha’s sweater for women
Base layers
The most basic and important thing to carry is the thermals. Whether it is trekking or skiing, thermals keep you dry by protecting your body from sweat. It will be anti-odour, quick moisture-wicking, and temperature regulating.
The unique product to keep you warm in cold and cool in hot places is the thermals. Thermals especially made of merino and bamboo fibers exhibit this thermal regulating property and gives you flexibility to wear in all types of temperatures.
Check out base layers for men here
Check out base layers for women here
Woolen bottoms – Snow Pants
Same as the thermal top, thermal leggings are necessary to keep the body dry. Fleece lined leggings are ideal for winter adventures with optimum warmth & breathability.
Layer these lined leggings with snow pants in case of exploring the snow carpet without letting the sweat touch your body.
Snow pants are very important for hiking or trekking as it covers maximum exposed skin by wearing full-length trousers instead of shorts and gives protection from all extremities and insect bites to a great extent.
Carry waterproof pants with high vents and gaiters at the hem so that snow or rain don’t enter inside. Also, look for snow pants with many pockets to carry your essentials with easy accessibility.
Check out Kosha’s snow pants for men here
Check out Kosha’s snow pants for women here
Warm accessories
Going to a place like heaven on earth, you will need warm accessories like beanies, mufflers to cover your head and neck and keep you away from catching a cold.
Protect the tips of your fingers from getting frozen by covering them with waterproof gloves. Capture each moment of your kashmir tour by using touch screen enabled gloves which helps you to access the smartphones and cameras.
Add grace to your winter outfits by draping a muffler around the neck and look effortlessly stylish.
Check out Kosha’s soft woollen beanie, in which the rim can be double folded to keep your ears & head protected in deep winter, while breathable enough to not cause overheating. Wear it indoors or out, beanies can level up for winter adventure sports.
Check out Kosha’s accessories for men here
Check out Kosha’s accessories for women here
Warm shoes or boots
For dry and warm terrains of Gulmarg, use low-ankle hiking shoes.Whereas trekking in Alpather Lake with snowy hills requires trek boots with crampon ready features.
Warm socks
Socks with all the advanced features are a must for all skiers. So don’t forget to choose the best socks with features like cushions on the pressure points of your feet to keep your feet warm and blister-free.
Opt the pair of socks with breathable mesh helps in ventilation and avoids stench. In addition,arch support plus a soft ribbed weave at the ankle to avoid slippage. Add some liner socks too, to keep feet warm and cozy.
Check out Kosha’s socks for men here
Check out Kosha’s socks for women here
Is Gulmarg worth visiting? When is the best time to visit Gulmarg?
Gulmarg has something for every type of tourist and it is open throughout the year.
Summer: This season starts in April and ends in June. The minimum and maximum temperatures of Gulmarg in summer are 13°C and 29°C. Summers in Gulmarg are clear with little snow on the ground. You can witness the true Gulmarg which is popularly known as the Meadow of flowers during this season.
Monsoon: This season starts in July and ends in September. The minimum and maximum temperatures of Mussoorie in Monsoon are 13°C and 17°C. Monsoons in Gulmarg remain unaffected by a minimal and rather insignificant amount of rainfall.
Winter: This season starts in October with cool air and reaches zero degrees starting November which also marks the onset of winter season. Many honeymoon couples come to visit Gulmarg, especially during this time.
From December-end to mid-February, there is enough snowfall for you to have adventures. This season ends in February. The minimum and maximum temperatures of Mussoorie in winter are 0°C and -15°C.
Good time to go:
Months from mid-December to February are recommended for adventurous travellers interested in snow activities such as skiing and snowboarding.
If you are a nature lover, then the summer months from April to June is a good time to visit and is the peak tourist season as well. You can see the blooming flowers and beauty of the place at another level during this time. This time is ideal for adventure activities as well as sightseeing because of the favourable weather.
Gulmarg sees a large number of travellers during summer. However, winter is dear for all those who wish to ski or experience fresh snow.
Now that you are well known about Gulmarg and the tips to travel, don’t stop yourself and start travelling. As there is a famous saying ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’, start your single step in the right way and choose the right kashmir package.
This post is written by Amrita Das: Amrita is a freelance travel writer and a full-time travel blogger at Travelling Ides of March. She is a solo traveller and practices sustainability. She has travelled across twenty states in India and has briefly explored Nepal, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore, Indonesia and Paris. She tweets at @Amrita_Dass and shares regular photo stories through her Facebook page.
Post is updated by: Aamina Tasmia.
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