Gulmarg In August
Overview
Gulmarg tops the list as the most visited destinations in Kashmir. Well, it deserves every bit of it. Nestled amidst the mighty Himalayan mountains, it has dreamy written all over it. Though the place invites visitors throughout the year, Gulmarg in August is the perfect time for tourists who are nature-lovers as you will see such crystal clear views of every scenery. You can enjoy a set of outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, paragliding, golfing, sightseeing and much more. Gulmarg is every photographer’s delight. August is a great time for photography enthusiasts.
If you are in Gulmarg in August, one thing that is unmissable is the Gondola ride. It is among the most favourite things to do in Gulmarg. It is not the peak-month in Gulmarg, so you will get plenty of good deals on basically everything like hotels etc.It is also the most famous honeymoon spot in Kashmir, so coming here with your partner to enjoy some quality time as well as have fun is the ultimate decision.
Here is a detailed analysis of Gulmarg In August. We have listed down everything from places to visit to accommodation options and other aspects in-between. Travel to Gulmarg with Cliffhangers India and you will experience the best services possible. We can’t wait to welcome you to Kashmir!
Weather In Gulmarg In August
It is the monsoon season in Gulmarg in August and occasional rainfall is experienced. The showers get more frequent in the later days of the month. It makes the weather refreshing and pleasant and transforms the landscape with greenray all around. The temperature fluctuates between approximately 15°C to 25°C. It may drop at nights, making them a bit colder. Days are longer with almost 13 hours of daylight, giving you sufficient time for sightseeing.
You see meadows as bushy as possible, streams and rivers at full flame, and an array of colourful wildflowers dotting the region. The place is not very crowded and congested, hence provides a peaceful ambience for nature walks and more.
Places To Visit In Gulmarg In August
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is a perfect place for a wildlife tour as well as getting an informative trip about the faunas of the place. It is every nature lovers’ paradise as it is the home to many animal species like snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, black bear and Hangul etc. Migratory birds can be seen here too.
It is a quite preserved area of Kashmir, located at a distance of about 48 kilometres from Srinagar city. Summer is a good time to visit the reserve to see the rarest of plants and animals species. You can visit here from 10 am to 4 pm.
Khilanmarg
The Valley is present at a distance of 4 kilometres from Gulmarg and you have to either walk to reach there or take a pony ride. It is not accessible via vehicles. In August, Khilanmarg comes alive with vibrant wildflowers everywhere you see. It is surrounded by some of the highest peaks of the world.
Nanga Parbat and the twin peaks of Nun and Kun can be seen from here. Summer, including August, is an excellent time to come here. Recreational adventurous activities are open to enjoy. It is a great spot for picnics too. For skiing, visit from December to February.
Gulmarg Golf Course
Gulmarg Golf Course is a 18-hole course, set in the most tranquil atmosphere. Both beginners as well as experienced golfers are welcomed here. It is considered one of the most stunning golf courses to exist in the world. Against the snow-laden mountains in the background, the meadow where the course happens to be, showcases some 16 varieties of flowers bursting and blooming.
The timing of the course is from 9 am to 10 pm and it is accessible seven days a week. The entry fee for Indians is INR 800 while it is INR 1200 for foreigners. About 3 kilometres from Gulmarg town, it is a must to visit place even if you are not a golfer enthusiast. You will be blessed with the scenic views here.
Apharwat Peak
Apharwat Peak is one of the rarest gems of Gulmarg as well as Kashmir. It serves as the best skiing slopes in Gulmarg and is partially covered in snow in August. Located at an altitude of 4390m, the alpine lake here is a treat to watch and a serene escape for every traveller. You can visit the peak through the Gondola Ride. The second phase of the ride connects it to Kongdori Valley and it takes approximately 12 minutes.
Apart from skiing, you can enjoy sledging, snowboarding or simply soak in the majestic views. For such adventure sports, winter is the ideal time. In August, you can simply enjoy the ride to the peak and the aerial views too. You don’t need any entry fee. The visiting timings are from 9 am to 7 pm.
Ningle Nallah
Ningle Nallah is a mountain stream and Apharwat Peak and Alpather Lake are its main source of water. It is a great spot for picnics and camping. Located at about 10 kilometres from Gulmarg in the Baramulla district, the place breathes serenity.
It is surrounded by lush meadows from all around, forming a perfect setting for strolls and nature walks along the shores. The chill waters meander through paths and finally meet the Jhelum river as its terminating point. You must include this tranquil place in your itinerary. August is a good time to visit to feel the cool breeze while relaxing by it.
Baba Reshi Shrine
The shrine is built in the devotion of esteemed Sufi saint, Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, famous as Baba Reshi. You can experience the spiritual aspect of your Gulmarg trip. This is another place that exhibits the spiritual heritage of Gulmarg. It is situated in the Rambodh village of Baramulla district, somewhere 11 kilometres from Gulmarg.
Tourists can visit this place. Even photography and videography is allowed inside the campus. However, pets and footwears are prohibited. It would take you about an hour or less to explore the shrine. The holy shrine is believed to fulfil wishes of people and is quite popular among travellers.
St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church showcases the rich heritage of Gulmarg, which was built in the British period. The interiors of this church is so finely architected that it blows your mind. Comes under the top attractions of Gulmarg, it provides a serene place to explore and relax.
There are no entry fees and you can visit the place from 10 am to 5 pm.
It is located at a minimal distance of 4 kilometres from the Gulmarg bus stand and Gulmarg Golf course fall in the proximity. You can visit via a bus, taxi or cab. Trekking to the church is another option people pick. The highlight of the spot are the festivals that are celebrated with great excitement and enthusiasm including Christmas, Good Friday, Easter etc.
Kongdori
You can visit Kongdori via Gondola ride. It is the annex of the first phase of the ride from Gulmarg to Kongdori that takes approximately 10 minutes and the second leg starts from here and goes all the way up to Apharwat Peak. It is located at an altitude of 8530 ft. and is a famous destination among skiers and snowboarders.
It is a bowl-shaped area, from where you can catch a glance of Apharwat Peak and Pir Panjal Range. The timing of the Gondola Ride that would take you to the valley is from 9 am to 4 pm. It is about 4.5 kilometres from Gulmarg. You can trek to it. It is better to book the ride online to avoid waiting in line. August is a preferred month to avoid overcrowding.
Ferozshah Nallah
Another mountain stream that attracts lots of travellers to Gulmarg. It is also known as Shinmahinyu and is about 5 kilometres from Gulmarg town. It finds its origin from Ferozshah Peak and you can enjoy some activities here like trout fishing and angling. The place is present with lofty mountains in the backdrop and is believed to be blessed by them.
Flowing through different routes, it finally meets the Bahan River at Waters Meet.
You can even come here for family getaways and picnics. The atmosphere here is very peaceful and it would be a nice escape from the hustle and bustles of life.
Alpather Lake
A high-altitude lake which must be in your Gulmarg itinerary. Alpather Lake is not completely melted by August but will capture your heart with its timeless beauty. It is located at an altitude of 4380m at the foothills of Apharwat Peak. It is fed by the melting waters of the closely situated peaks and is shaped as a bowl. Famously called the Frozen Lake, it freezes completely in winter.
The spot is surrounded by meadows that are full of greenery and filled with wildflowers from all the sides. It is at a distance of 13 kilometres from Gulmarg and there are three ways to visit it. First would be by trekking or horseback. Second would be the favourite Gondola Ride and lastly a motorable road. It totally depends on you. It is also a skating destination so don’t forget your skating gears.
Things To Do In Gulmarg In August
Take a Gondola Ride
Gondola Ride is an ideal and fun activity to do in Gulmarg for every type of traveller. Be it solo tourists or couples or people with their families. Through this ride, you can visit different attractions of Kashmir like Apharwat Peak and Alpather Lake and more. On the ride, you see the unparalleled views of valleys and mountains that are just astonishing in a good way.
Each Gondola can accommodate 6 people per ride and it takes approximately half an hour or may be 30 minutes to complete the ride. You should be at the destination early in the morning because the morning sights from all the way up are just mesmerising.
Enjoy Golfing
Golfing is one of the prominent things that are accessible in Gulmarg and you can enjoy it. Gulmarg Golf Course is the place to be. It offers golfing lessons for beginners as well as someone who is already into it. It comes under the greenest golf courses. In addition to this thrilling sport, you see alpine mountains all around. It was built in 1922.
In the starting, only 6 hole-courses were there and then in 2011, it was redesigned to 18-golf courses. It is open throughout the week including sundays.
Go on trekking
If you want to witness the allure and natural beauty of Gulmarg, trekking is the way. It forms the base camp of big as well as small treks. Starting with the trek to Khilanmarg, that will take approximately 2 hours. The distance to be covered is 5.5 kms approx and you will get to see the twin peaks of Nun and Kun along the way.
Alpather Lake trek is the most gorgeous one. Ningle Nallah Trek takes you to the exquisite mountain stream where you can sit in a serene climate and do some light yoga and meditation. These treks take a few hours of your trek. Carry a water bottle and some snacks.
Take a pony ride
Pony ride is quite famous in Gulmarg. People pick it to visit different tourist spots where vehicles don’t operate like Khilanmarg etc. Some other places to enjoy pony rides in Gulmarg are Maharani Temple, Baba Reshi Shrine , Strawberry Valley etc.
Throughout the ride, you will be accompanied by a trained guide. You can either book online or do the on-spot booking where you can negotiate too. It can cost from INR 500 to INR 2000 depending on the distance. The ponies or horses are quite friendly but don;t do anything that might anger them.
Enjoy bird watching
You can enjoy some time birdwatching in Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. You see ample rare species of birds here including monal pheasant, griffon vulture, blue rock pigeon, jungle crow, kashmir riller, eurasian hoopoe and many more.
They are mostly migratory birds and some local ones too. It is quite a soothing activity to do. The best time for birdwatching in Gulmarg and visiting Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is from May to June. on a particular day, rarely morning and evenings would be better as that when the birds settle in their place.
Visit ancient temples
One of the ancient temples which attracts lots of religious tourists in Gulmarg is the Maharani Temple, also known as Shiva Temple. It was constructed more than 100 years ago in 1915 by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of Hari Singh, the former king of Jammu and Kashmir. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple used to be a royal one. Later, it was opened to the public as well. A famous bollywood song “ Jai Jai Shiv Shankar” was filmed here which became the reason for its immense popularity.
It is located just 1 kilometres away from Gulmarg bus stand and you can walk to it. There is no entry fee and the timing is from 6 am to 9 pm.
Taste local kashmiri cuisine
Your Gulmarg as well Kashmir trip would be incomplete without a food tour. You can enjoy the authentic taste of Kashmiri cuisine by relishing dishes in Gulmarg. Some vegetarian options are Dum Aloo, Lyodur Tschaman, Haak Saag, Nadroo Yakhni, Monje Haak, Tsot and Kashmiri Pulao. For non vegetarians, Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, Yakhni and more. The mouth-watering taste of these dishes come from adequate use of Kashmiri spices like Saffron, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom etc.
You can even purchase them from local markets of Kashmir to take back home.
Go on nature walks
You can find calmness in nature by going on slow strolls by the shores of rivers and streams in Gulmarg. Some of the most tranquil places to exist in Gulmarg are Ningle Nallah, Ferozshah Nallah etc. One other famous nature trail is the Outer Circle Walk. It completely surrounds Gulmarg like a circle.
The trail gives us unforgettable views of green meadows, dense forests. The total distance covered is 11 kilometres starting from Gulmarg Golf Course and then meandering in the valley. The walk will take you to places from where you can see peaks like Nanga Parbat and Apharwat Peak.
Engage in photography
Gulmarg has such mind-blowing scenery that you will wish to capture just everything. Bring your cameras and you will go back with lots of memories in the form of pictures.
Gulmarg Gondola ride shows you some lovely sights throughout the ride and you can not miss clicking them. Everything here seems like a painting on a canvas. Some places even charge negligible fees up to INR 100 for photography. Don’t click photos inside religious places like temples and shrines if it is prohibited. Respect the rules and regulations of a particular sacred place.
Visit nearby places
Once you are done exploring Gulmarg, you can visit some other regions that fall in proximity to Gulmarg. These are Aru Valley, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri. You can either take a bus if available or simply book a cab to reach there.
Every place in Kashmir like the mentioned ones have their unique charm and you will always explore new things there. These places have different places you can visit and some activities to enjoy like paragliding, river rafting, mountain biking etc.
Essential Information
How to reach Gulmarg in August
By air: If you wish to travel via flights, then the nearest one to Gulmarg is the Srinagar International Airport. Major airlines have regular flights scheduled from major Indian cities. From the airport, Gulmarg is about 50 kilometres away. Hire or taxi or take a bus to reach Gulmarg with stunning views of Kashmir Valley throughout the ride.
By train: Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the closest to Gulmarg. It doesn’t have any of its own. You can travel via train. It is quite affordable. From the station. Hire a taxi or cab or maybe take a bus to reach Gulmarg. It would take you approx 8 hours to cover the long distance of 300 kilometres.
By road: Srinagar to Gulmarg
Gulmarg is only 50 kilometres from Srinagar. Buses and cabs are easily accessible. You can even rent a bike or car to visit.
Sonamarg to Gulmarg: 125 kilometres separate Gulmarg from Sonamarg and it would take you approximately 4 hours to cover the distance.
Pahalgam to Gulmarg: The total distance between Pahalgam and Gulmarg is 140 kilometres and the time taken would be around 4 hours.
Still confused why visit Gulmarg in August
- In August, you would not see places and tourist spots packed with people. They are travellers but it is not congested. August would give you a terrific experience if you are looking for a calm and relaxing vacation in Gulmarg.
- Gulmarg is not at its annex in tourism in August so you will get decent discounts on hotels and other stuff, making the month an ideal time period.
- All the activities like golfing, trekking, hiking are open to tourists and you can have a good time here in the Valley of Flowers.
- The weather and the entire valley turns soothing with light drizzling and flowers blooming to their core. If you are a nature-lover, August would be the ultimate pick.
Network and road connectivity
Gulmarg has pretty good coverage of major mobile networks like BSNL, Jio, Airtel. You should have a postpaid sim as the prepaid one will make your phone dead as soon as you are in the valley. Talk to your internet provider to get knowledge about the coverage of your sim. As far as road connectivity is concerned, roads do get challenging in the monsoons of August. Rainfall makes the region prone to landslides and roadblocks.
The weather gets quite unpredictable. The roads are already uneven and rugged in Kashmir and the rain just adds to it. The best solution would be to travel with an experienced driver or motorist as they have lived their whole lives there and know properly about every little detail regarding the routes and roads.
Transportation options to explore Gulmarg in August
Stay options in Gulmarg in August
- Hotels and resorts: They are affordable hotels and resorts to stay in Gulmarg. Previously, a few years ago, you won’t find many of them but Gulmarg has made much progress now. You will see hotels and resorts offering cosy rooms, good food and other services.
- Guesthouses & homestays: Government has set up some guesthouses in Gulmarg where you can stay. People with money-constraints often choose this. You can also live with a local family in their house who will cook your delicious Kashmiri Cuisine. You will get to experience the authentic Kashmiri household and lifestyle.
- Cottage and Villas: There are lavish cottages and Villas too in Gulmarg which are open in August. You might get some discounts as it is not the peak season of tourism in Kashmir. They offer great services and are quite comfortable.
- Luxury stays: Gulmarg does have five-star hotels where you will see top-notch services including gyms, spas and free Wi-Fi. They are a bit pricey but you can totally go for it. The experience of fine-dining in such places is just amazing.
Tips to visit Gulmarg in August
- Carry suitable clothing like cotton clothes to wear during daytime. Do pack some thermals and a jacket as the nights can be a bit chilly. You never know about the unpredictable weather.
- Carry a raincoat as it rains in August. Try to pack clothes that are quick-dry.
- Acclimatise well before going high-altitude like Kongdong to avoid high-altitude sickness.
- Stay updated about the weather conditions. Rainfall does cause temporary roadblocks. This remains your alert and avoids traffic.
- Gulmarg is undoubtedly beautiful. Don’t harm your surroundings there. Wherever you visit a destination, don’t throw garbage around.
