Gulmarg Tourism

Gulmarg – A Place Where Heaven and Earth Meet

Cushioned in the magnificent Pir Panjal Mountain Range, Gulmarg is a beautiful town boasting of never-seen-before natural sites. Aptly known as the Meadow of Flowers, it is beautifully painted with green pastures, colourful meadows, snow-capped peaks and deep valleys. The town offers a wide range of tourist attractions and adventure activities for all kinds of travellers, making it an ideal travel destination. Gulmarg tourism brings to you some of the best experiences of your life, with major attractions like the world’s second-highest Gondola ride, boating on Dal Lake, winter sports activities and a pony ride to Khilanmarg.

Enjoy your tour to the best tourist places in Gulmarg on your next holiday by choosing one of the many exciting tour packages to Gulmarg.

Overview

Best Time to Visit: March to June

Official Language: Urdu

Popular Places to Visit: Khilanmarg, Alpather Lake, Gulmarg Golf Course and Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve

Best Places to Stay: The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Shaw Inn by Stay Pattern, Heevan Retreat Gulmarg and Pine View Resort

Best Places to Eat: Hotel Highlands Park, Zig Restaurant Kehwa Point, The Vintage Gulmarg and Bakshi Restaurant

Best Time to Visit

The best time to explore tourist places in Gulmarg is the summer season from March to June. This is when the town emerges from the heavy snowfall and turns into a lush green paradise. Winters (October to March) are also beautiful here with snow-covered valleys and ample adventure activities in the snow.

Official Language

Urdu is the official language of Gulmarg and the rest of the state. However, Gulmarg tourism also introduces you to Kashmiri and Dogri languages that are mainly spoken here. Pahari, Shina and Hindi are also spoken in some places. Gulmarg tour packages give you a chance to explore the best of Gulmarg on your tour.

How to Reach

The increase in popularity of Gulmarg tourism has paved way for excellent transport facilities in and around Gulmarg. You can plan to visit this splendid town during the holidays via road, air or rail.

Road – Private deluxe, government and luxury buses ply directly from Delhi to Gulmarg, and from some cities of Himachal Pradesh.

Air – The nearest airport is Srinagar Airport (59 km), which is well-connected with the rest of the city. Air India, GoAir, IndiGo and Jet Airways are the frequently operating airlines.

Train – Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station to Gulmarg (316 km) and is connected with major cities of India. Buses and cabs are easily available from Jammu to Gulmarg.

Gulmarg Tourism: Best Tourist Places in Gulmarg

Alpather Lake

The stunning Alpather Lake is one of the many gems of Kashmir, situated 42 km from Gulmarg. It is merely 13 km away if you’re ready to trek along the Gulmarg – Khilanmarg – Apharwat Ridge – Alpather Lake route. A pony ride from Gulmarg along the snowy trails is another way to reach there. The lake rests at the foot of Apharwat Peaks and is enveloped by beautiful meadows, forming a picturesque scene that will be etched in your heart forever. Tick this lake off your list and experience the best of Gulmarg tourism.

Khilanmarg

One of the top places to visit in Gulmarg is the charming valley of Khilanmarg. Like a beautiful painting come alive, its alpine forests, lush green meadows and views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks will enthral you like never before. It is a popular ski spot during winter and a nature lover’s paradise in summer. The valley can only be reached on foot or a fun pony ride. This offbeat experience is for every traveller who wishes to feel the true essence of Gulmarg tourism.

Dal Lake

There are many Gulmarg tour packages that take you to the serene Dal Lake, the charm of Kashmir. Situated just 2 hours away from Gulmarg, Dal Lake is an embodiment of beauty and peace. You can’t take your eyes off the breathtaking Zabarwan Mountain Range and scenic lake views as you cruise on the canopied shikara boat. Witness an army of the quietly parked houseboats, floating flower and vegetable market, and a multi-hued sunset as it forms a beautiful reflection on the lake. Don’t miss this experience on one of your India holiday packages.

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve

One of the most popular places to visit in Gulmarg is the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. It is home to a vast population of endangered species and other animals like the Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Hangul, Red Fox and more. Many migratory birds like the Kashmir Roller, Griffon Vulture, Snow Cock and Blue Rock Pigeon Monal also flock to this place. Its rich biodiversity attracts visitors from across the globe. India tour packages give you a chance to witness these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

Gulmarg Tourism: Best Places to Eat in Gulmarg

Hotel Highlands Park

Gulmarg tourism offers endless options for gastronomy lovers. Enjoy delicious Kashmiri, Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines at Hotel Highlands Park. Halal food is also prepared here. Stunning views of snow-clad peaks, beautiful ambience, good food and accessibility make this place one of the top-rated restaurants in Gulmarg.

The Vintage Gulmarg

The Vintage Gulmarg offers an excellent fine dining experience in Gulmarg. Its three exclusive restaurants offer authentic traditional Indian cuisine and an option to create your own menu. Relaxed seating and a unique ambiance coupled with sumptuous food make it one of the best places to visit in Gulmarg.

Zig Restaurant Kehwa Point

Gulmarg tourism gives you an experience of the unique offerings of the local cuisine. Situated on the main road Gulmarg is the Zig Restaurant Kehwa Point. It is known for its special Kashmiri kahwa tea (made with Kashmiri green tea leaves, saffron, nuts and whole spices), stunning mountain views and tasty Indian cuisine.

Bakshi Restaurant

If you’re looking for some delicious vegetarian food in Gulmarg, Bakshi Restaurant is your best bet. They have a variety of Indian and Asian cuisines along with good vegan options. Bakshi is centrally located, making it an excellent option for a break after exploring the best tourist places in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg Tourism: Places to Stay in Gulmarg

Gulmarg tour packages offer an array of hotels and resorts in Gulmarg for an uninterrupted, rejuvenating experience.

1. The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
2. Pine View Resort
3. Heevan Retreat Gulmarg
4. Shaw Inn by Stay Pattern
5. Highlands Park

Don’t Miss Out

Gulmarg tourism offers plenty of places to explore and things to do in the enchanting town of Gulmarg.

Gondola Ride

Gulmarg tourism also caters to adventure enthusiasts and photographers. Take a gondola ride from Kongdoori Station, high up the Apharwat Mountain Peak. It offers breathtaking views of the valley, gushing streams, Nanda Devi Mountain, Pir Panjal Range and the LOC. This is something you just can’t miss on one of your Gulmarg tour packages.

Skiing

A major highlight of Gulmarg tourism is skiing. The hill town boasts of several ski spots from basic to advanced terrains to suit every traveller. Opt for a short skiing adventure or get trained and go for the expert-level ski in an advanced terrain. Your India tours must include this experience!

Gulmarg Snow Festival

When you’ve covered the best places to visit in Gulmarg, you must include the two-day Gulmarg Snow Festival in your itinerary. It hosts an array of winter sports activities like ice skating, skiing and snow-sledging, coupled with wonderful cultural performances, music and food. Experiences like these make your Indian holidays truly worthwhile.

Ningle Nallah and Ferozepur Nallah

One of the must-see tourist places in Gulmarg is the duo of mountain streams - Ningle Nallah and Ferozepur Nallah. Flowing through the valleys and green pastures, they create a beautiful sight. They are great spots for camping, picnic and trout fishing. Exploring the unspoiled natural attractions is what Gulmarg tourism is all about.