Sightseeing in Gulmarg
The Pristine Ski Paradise of Kashmir
Gulmarg is among the top attractions of Kashmir for sightseeing. While the town is mostly popular for offering a number of activities. In summer, trekking, golfing and pony riding are the top ones. Skiing in winter is the ultimate adventure. However, the meadows of flowers house many local spots to explore. Gulmarg sightseeing includes visits to temples, lakes, meadows and much more. Places like St. Mary’s Church, Maharani Temple, Khilanmarg are some of the most visited here.
The best time to visit Gulmarg for sightseeing is in summer. The weather is pleasant with moderate temperature. The routes of treks are clear and open. However, sightseeing in winter when these attractions are covered in white snow is an exciting experience. The beauty multiplies and it is a visual treat. As you come here, hire a local guide and reserve an entire day for sightseeing in Gulmarg alone.
With Cliffhangers India, you can book a package to the town. With us, enjoy both local sightseeing and activities. Here’s a page describing all the places you can visit in Gulmarg and a short itinerary is given too. Take a look!
Best Places for Sightseeing in Gulmarg
1). Strawberry Valley: Strawberry valley is a wide stretched area in Gulmarg. Abundant cultivation of strawberries in India takes place here. Hundreds of acres of area is assigned for Strawberry cultivation alone. A better time to visit Strawberry Valley is in autumn when the cultivation season is going on so that you can pluck some and relish. You can also come here in winter via snowshoeing as the small hike is a popular one. The place is in close proximity to other local attractions of the town like Gulmarg Wildlife sanctuary, Gulmarg Gondola, etc.
2). Gulmarg gondola: Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest and largest cable car rides in the world. The ride replicates those available in Switzerland. Divided into two phases, the ski rides and ski lifts take you to some of the famous alpine ski resorts of Asia. In the first phase, the ride starts from the base and goes all the way up to Kongdoori, famous for its smooth and easier skiing slopes. The second phase connects Kongdori to Apharwat Peak, one of the roughest and most ungroomed terrains in Gulmarg. A single ferry can accommodate 6 people at a time, costing about 1100 INR per head. The ride is accessible throughout the year.
3). Apharwat peak: Apharwat peak is located at an altitude of about 14403 meters. It is recognized as the highest skiing resort in Asia. While people do visit the peak in summer, the place is crowded with tourists especially in winter. The alpine peak is one of those places in Gulmarg where snowfall is received first. As it starts snowing here, the snow slopes are formed. A number of activities like skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling are available. It has gained recognition for offering heli-skiing and cross-country skiing. The peak accommodates ungroomed snow slopes of Gulmarg. Adventure enthusiasts from all over the world come here for such exciting sports.
4). Khilanmarg: Khilanmarg is one of the remotely located attractions which you can visit on this Gulmarg sightseeing trip. It is located at a distance of about 6 kilometres and private vehicles are not accessible to reach there. You can either trek there as the distance is quite short or take a pony ride. Pony rides in Gulmarg will cost you around INR 1000-1500 per person. Nestled in the towering Himalayan peaks, you can do many adventurous activities here and is a perfect place for a soothing picnic. The highlight of Khilanmarg is the sight of Nanga Parbat and twin peaks of Nun and Kun.
5). St Mary’s church: Located in the Baramulla district of Gulmarg, St. Mary’s Church showcases the rich history of the valley and the impact of colonial rule here. One of the tranquil places to be, it was built more than 100 years ago. The church can easily be explored in an hour and the timing is from 10am to 5 pm. It is in close proximity to the Gulmarg Golf course and you can walk here, costing you zero money. There is no entry fee for the church as well. If you are visiting Gulmarg in winter, this attraction becomes a must-to-visit one. It is covered in fog all around and looks magical.
6). Drung waterfall: scenic spot to spend some serene time amidst nature is Drung Waterfall in Gulmarg. Not only is it popular, it is also a favourite place for locals for weekend getaways. Situated in the Baramulla district of Kashmir, the magnificent mountains in the backdrop enhances the overall beauty of the waterfall.
Though it is very crowded in summer, winter is an amazing time to come here as the entire waterfall is frozen to death and so are the nearby streams and glaciers. The sight that you witness here seems surreal to the eyes. To reach here, you can hop on an ATV vehicle from Tangmarg and the ride there will cost you around INR 2000 per person.
7). Maharani Temple: Maharani Temple is just one kilometre away from the main town. You can easily come here via hiking for Gulmarg local sightseeing. It is a spiritually significant place of Gulmarg. Built by Mohini Sisodia Bai, wife of Raja Hari Singh, the place is dedicated to Goddess Durga or Shakti. It is in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir People often come here to offer prayers and seek blessings of the deity. It is open throughout the year. Few Bollywood songs were shot here in the 90s.
8). Alpather Lake: Alpather Lake is undoubtedly the most beautiful lake of Gulmarg. The Alpather lake trek is about 13 kilometers long. While it is generally a single day trek, visitors often camp by the lake at night and return the next day. The route to the alpine lake is filled with scenic views of Apharwat peak and Khilanmarg meadows. Summer is considered the best time to visit the lake. However, people even go in winters if the routes are accessible and can be navigated. During the extreme cold weather conditions, the lake is frozen. It is a visual treat. Hire a local guide for a safe experience.
How Much Does Gulmarg Sightseeing Cost
Gulmarg sightseeing cost for 3 days is around INR 30000. At Cliffhangers India, we offer you short as well as long trips that include both sightseeing and activities. You can even lengthen the trip to 5 to 7 days. Gulmarg is a highly developed town of Kashmir. The hotels here are available at INR 5000-10000 per night.
Taxis are available at INR 2000-4000 per day for sightseeing tours. The Gondola rides are priced at INR 1800 for both phases. Food in Gulmarg will cost you around INR 1500-2000 per day. Though it is a costly affair, you can surely have a budget-friendly trip to Gulmarg.
The Perfect Itinerary for Gulmarg Sightseeing
Here’s a 3 days Gulmarg sightseeing itinerary.
You can make it personalised by adding places and activities of your likings.
Day 1: Gulmarg sightseeing: Make sure to reach Gulmarg from Srinagar the previous night. It is done to ensure that the entire day is spent sightseeing alone. Start Gulmarg sightseeing place with the Maharani Temple. Seek blessings of Lord Shiva and offer heartfelt prayers here. It’s time to visit the lush meadows of Khilanmarg and explore the surrounding. The nearby attractions include Gulmarg Golf Course, St. Mary’s Church, Maharaja Palace, Alpather Lake, etc. These places are within walking distance from the main town of Gulmarg. You can either walk up to there or hire a taxi.
Explore the vibrant local markets of Gulmarg and interact with the inhabitants there. You can buy souvenirs and gifts at these markets. Come back to your hotel, and have a delicious dinner. Call it a day.
Note- Before visiting these places, make sure to take a quick update on their accessibility and route conditions. Sometimes, the places are closed temporarily and you don’t want to be disappointed.
Day 2: Experience Adventure Activities: The second and most-awaited day starts by having a filling breakfast. Don’t skip it. Gulmarg is a world renowned skiing destination. Come here for such snow sports. Today, you will have a physically demanding time on the slopes. Book a cab or taxi to reach the Gulmarg Gondola. Carry your tickets and ski passes if you have made the bookings in advance or buy them at the counters located nearby the rides.
Gulmarg Gondola rides offer ski lifts and ski rides to places like Kongdoori, Apharwat peak and Mary’s Shoulder. Your instructor will take you to the desired slopes through the ride. Enjoy a thrilling day skiing in the alpine terrains. Needless to say, you’ll remember this day for a lifetime. Spend enough time on the snow slopes, indulging in different adventurous activities.
Soak in the mesmerising scenery, witnessed at these ski areas in Gulmarg. By evening, before getting dark, return to your resort and after having your dinner, call it day.
Day 3: Explore Nearby Attractions: As you are all done with Gulmarg sightseeing and activities, head back to Srinagar and explore it. You’ll be in the city in two hours. It is only 50 kilometers away. Srinagar has a lot to offer to tourists. It is a popular attraction near Gulmarg. Here you can start the tour with Shikara rides at Dal Lake. Anytime of the day is perfect for the rides. Explore the Mughal Gardens and Pari Mahal for sightseeing. If you are here in March or April, you can visit the Tulip Garden in Srinagar. Shankaracharya Temple is often visited by pilgrims. As you are all done with sightseeing and activities at Gulmarg and Srinagar, it’s time to say goodbye to the beautiful valley. We hope you had a fantastic experience!
FAQ's
Gulmarg is a stunning hill station located in Jammu and Kashmir, It is famous for the Gulmarg Gondola, a famous ski resort established in 1927, and the highest golf course in the world. Gulmarg is an ideal destination for all kinds of travelers. Irrespective of their interests Gulmarg has something to offer for everyone. The winter season brings out the true beauty of this winter wonderland, winter is best time to visit Gulmarg. The valley and the Line of Control at Apharwat peak are the must-visit locations. Gulmarg is famous for its Bollywood shooting locations.
One of the most famous and iconic rides that are a must-visit is the gulmarg gondola, often known as the Gondola cable ride. It’s not just a cable ride, it can be considered the biggest chance to view the picturesque landscapes. It is a two-stage cable car facility that carries around 600 people per hour.
This cable car ride is a must-do for every traveler who is visiting Gulmarg at any time of the year. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is advisable to check its availability and safety guidelines before planning your visit.
The cost of Gulmarg depends upon the type of accommodation, the number of people traveling, and the number of days you spend. For a one-week long vacation, it will cost around Rs. 26,000 for one person, It is around Rs. 60,000 for two people. For a three-night and four-day trip, the average spending will be around 12,000, while if you plan a long trip of around 7-8 days, it may cost you around 27,000. The average packages to Gulmarg at Cliffhangers India vary from INR 10,000 to INR 30,000 depending on the type of package and the number of days you plan for sightseeing.
Around 250 rupees will be the entire fee for a shared taxi from Srinagar to Gulmarg. You will spend roughly Rs. 100 traveling from Srinagar to Tangmarg, then another Rs. 50 to Rs. 70 for each person traveling from Gulmarg , You can simply hire a cab from taxi service in Srinagar taxi for best and easy travel. It’s vital to keep in mind that the shared taxis in this country are referred to as “service gaadis.” Anyone who you inquired about shared cabs might simply shrug their shoulders and respond, “I don’t know.” Ask about service gaadi if it occurs, and they will understand what you mean.
At Gulmarg you can rent your vehicle or even explore it on a taxi it may cost you around 600 a day.
Everything is dependent upon your goals. Two days and one night are enough if you wish to ski, sled, and snowmobile. If you’re a sightseeing traveler, you’ll probably ride the gondola for 3 hours back and forth in the first phase only. If you want to cover all the major places it doesn’t take you more than two days.
Yes, you can have an exciting one day tour in Gulmarg. Indulge in activities like skiing and snowboarding for a few hours and then in the afternoon, visit the local attractions. However, extending the trip gives the opportunity to do almost everything like sightseeing and activities without a time-constraint.
Depending on the kind of package you choose and how many days you want to spend sightseeing, the typical Gulmarg packages at Cliffhangers India range from INR 10,000 to INR 30,000.
The company Cliffhangers India offers a variety of skiing classes. A day of skiing with us costs about INR3,500, while a week of snowboarding lessons costs about INR35,000. To give adventure tourists a top-notch skiing experience, we offer 5-day and 7-day skiing tour packages.
We also provide you with deluxe tour packages that are more luxurious and have fewer travelers. which provide top-of-the-line amenities throughout your whole trip.
Yes, April is a wonderful time for sightseeing in Gulmarg. The snow begins to melt, revealing lush meadows and vibrant flowers across the landscape. The Gulmarg temperature in April ranges from 3°C to 15°C, offering a cool but pleasant environment for visiting attractions like the Gulmarg Gondola, Khilanmarg, and the Golf Course. The clear skies and fresh air also make it an excellent month for photography and outdoor exploration.
Gulmarg is famous as a world renowned skiing destination. Throughout the winter, tourists are seen in huge crowds on the snow slopes. Even foreigners pick Gulmarg for skiing and other sports like snowboarding, sledding and snowmobiling. You can visit Gulmarg for sightseeing as well.
Both are popular hill stations of Kashmir. However, Gulmarg is a better place if you are looking for a more developed skiing experience with high end facilities. Pahalgam is more suitable for laid back time.
You can explore some popular attractions here in Gulmarg in 2 days. Reserve one day for sightseeing to places like St.Mary’s Church, Maharani Temple, Gulmarg Golf course, Maharaja Palace, etc. On the second day, enjoy activities like skiing and snowboarding in winter and golfing and pony riding in summer.
Visiting Gulmarg from Srinagar for one day is a fantastic opportunity to experience the thrill of Gondola ride. The tickets here are priced at INR 1800 for both the phases.
Travel to Gulmarg in August is ideal for sightseeing. The lush green meadows, Gondola rides, St. Mary’s Church, and Alpather Lake are all easily accessible. The clear weather and blooming surroundings enhance the sightseeing experience during this time.
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