Gulmarg, Gulmarg Hotels, Khilanmarg, Skiing in Gulmarg, Baba Reshi

Location :	Baramullah - Kashmir Valley
Area :	3 sq kms
Altitude :	2,730 meters
Major Tourist Activity :	Skiing, Gliding, Golf
Best time to visit :	Throughout the year

About Gulmarg
Gulmarg is located 57 kms south west of the capital city of Srinagar and lies close to the Indo-Pakistan border area. Immensely beautiful, the landscape of Gulmarg offers a pleasant and comfortable stay to its visitors. Today the place has been famous for the different adventure activities and gives a fabulous background to many bollywood movies.

The original name of Gulmarg was gaurimarg. Its name has been changed by yusuf shah chak in 18th century after collecting 21 kinds of flowers. This wonderland of nature was first discovered in the year 1927 by the Britishers as a place of recreation and relaxation amidst the glory of nature during pre independence India.

During summer months Gulmarg is famous for its highest green golf course in the world which is at an altitude of 2732 mtrs. Since 1972, proved by the famous Australian golfer Mr. Peter thomson who played golf at gulmarg.

Gulmarg is blessed with nature- the magical meadows and the snow capped mountains- is a wonderful tourist destination in the world. One of the best adventure destinations of India, Gulmarg is called the Meadow of Flowers. The towering peaks provide the required background to the landscape of Gulmarg which is one of the finest heli-skiing resorts in the whole of Asia.

Skiing and Winter Games in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg is having the best ski resort in the country. The place maintains the standards naturally friendly service for which Kashmir is famed. It has been identified european skiing resort in the past. It holds a position as one of the highest lift served ski resorts in the world. Kashmir is also one of world’s best heli skiing regions with thousands of possible 2200 meter descents. Gulmarg hosts several national winter games championships and recently in 2008. The slopes provide excellent opportunities to cross country and downhill skiing events. The resort has modern infrastructure helps in keeping the slopes fit for skiing and other winter sports related activities all times.

The gentle slopes, having runs of upto 200 meters, are the best for beginners while the steeper runs of 500 meters for intermediate level skiers, and yet other stretches of over 2500 meters, precipitously steep, for top level skiers. T-bars and chair lifts, on five runs for beginners and intermediates, are operated throughout the day.

Gulmarg also offers heli-skiing, being the first destination in asia to do so. A helicopter takes you upto the apherwat peak from where you choose your own descent route.

In winters you can use toboggans, sledges, snow cycles and Snow Scooters. To get on the next level of Adventure, fun and excitement that snow generates

Khilanmarg

The little paradise can be reached by moving about 6 kms from the Gulmarg bus station. The green meadow is carpeted with flowers of all colours in the springs and in the winter it changes in to a dream destination for the skiing lovers and para gliders. The peaks are in clear view from the skiing slopes and they provides a beautiful background to the amusement. The 600 meters slope seen many tourists coming to the place for a wild adventure. Another beauty of it is that the famed Nanga Parbat is of height 7,100 meters is close to it on the south east and gives a perfect scenic photograph

Ziarat of Baba Reshi

One of the holy shrines of the Muslims, the dargah can be reached easily from Gulmarg or Tangmarg. The Ziarat basically a tomb of a a well known saint who passed away from this very place in the year 1480. The famous saint was a courtier to the Kashmir King Zain -ul-Abidin before taking the path of renouncing the worldly ties. Visited by thousand of devotees, the shrine is seen in full activities with people of all religion offering prayers.

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves

The protected reserve area is situated at a distance of 48 km from Srinagar to its south west. It is well known for some of the best preserved rare species and even few endangered ones that include the musk deer. The reserves also boasts a rich avi -fauna population those that can be seen in the winter days when the migratory ones flock the reserve from the hotter regions.

Alpather Lake

Found 13 kms from Gulmarg at the foot of the Apharwat peak reaching a height of 4511 meters. The lake is frozen in winters and stays as it is till the middle of June. Lumps of ice are seen floating on the cold waters and the most striking thing is that the ducks are seen walking on the lake instead of swimming. The lake area makes a good horse riding afficionadoes starting early in the morning and returning by the evening.

Shopping

Pure woolen shawls are a good buy in the local markets of Gulmarg you can also find pure Pashmina shawls at a reasonable price.

How to Reach

Accessible from Srinagar.
You can reach Gulmarg by car or bus from Srinagar (Capital of Jammu & Kashmir) in about 1 hour.

By Bus
Available from Srinagar (Batmaloo bus stand) buses operate to Tangmarg which is just few miles away from Gulmarg. From Tangmarg there is a regular service of buses and taxi to Gulmarg.

Taxi / MUV
Direct Taxi / MUV service ia also available from Srinagar (Batmaloo bus stand).
Prepaid Taxi / MUV is available from Srinagar International Airport and Tourist Reception Centre.

Click here for the Driving Directions for Gulmarg from Srinagar

Accomondation

Gulmarg can accommodate any type of tourist as the hotels vary from budget to luxurious. Centrally heated hotel accommodation, budgeted, tourist bungalows, JKTDC Huts, Tented Resorts & private cottages with complete facilities

Facilities

>> Gondola ( Highest Gondola ride in the world )
>> Sledges and Snow Scooters.
>> Imported Snow Beaters.
>> Ski equipment’s
>> Ski instructors & Skiers
>> Medical assistance