11 Tourist Places To Visit in Gulmarg for a Luxurious Experience of The Himalayas

Places To Visit In Gulmarg
Places To Visit In Gulmarg

Gulmarg is an ethereal place hidden between the towering mountains of Kashmir – a place that indeed very few people have heard of. When you go to Gulmarg, you will be sure to encounter many international tourists, as Gulmarg is an internationally appreciated hill station that has been featured in international travel magazines, documentaries, and even entertainment media like movies and music videos. There are many places to visit in Gulmarg where travellers can enjoy there with family, friends and loved ones.

Gulmarg is also known as the meadow of flowers. In summer this valley hill station is filled with blossoms, clear streams, and brilliant blue skies. The places to visit in Gulmarg are open all through the year, however, and are popular among couples, group travelers, solo travelers, and photographers. What are the best tourist places in Gulmarg? Let us explore.

Tourist Places to visit in Gulmarg You Must Visit On Your Next Trip

1. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve

Nationally protected ecological zones are a pride to any location, especially so to the major habitat of numerous species of flora and fauna that Gulmarg is. You can go to this place and get lucky enough to spot animals like the Red Fox, Himalayan Black Bear, Brown bear, Leopard, etc. Most tourists visit the Gulmarg biosphere reserve to explore the natural habitat of Kashmir’s most famous attraction – the Musk Deer. Many migratory mountainous birds like the Blue Rock Pigeon Monal, Kashmir Roller, and Griffon Vulture can be spotted in these forests.

Entry cost: 500 INR per person for adults.

Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Time taken to visit: 4 to 5 hours, more if you are keen on bird watching.

2. Gulmarg Gondola

Gulmarg Gondola
Gulmarg Gondola

The highest cable car in the world is bound to be one of the most famous Places to visit in Gulmarg. This Gondola takes you to some of the most beautiful lakes, fields, and twin peaks in the world. Tourists from around the world, including those who primarily came to visit Srinagar, travel up to Gulmarg just for this attraction. The Gulmarg Gondola takes you to Apharwat Peak, another major sightseeing in Gulmarg. It is a beautiful view of some of the highest and most aesthetic mountain ranges, located at a height of 4300 m. This place is snow-capped throughout the year. It is a famous skiing resort, with many other winter sports activities available for enthusiasts.

Entry cost: 700 INR in the first phase and 900 INR in the second phase.

Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Time taken to visit: the boarding pass is issued for 3 hours.

3. Strawberry field

This plantation is another popular choice among all the tourist places in Gulmarg. Gulmarg is famous for high-quality strawberries grown in attractive locations in an excellent climate. You can spend a luxurious hour strolling around the meadow and learning about the life cycle of this delicious fruit. The strawberry field is regularly maintained by workers tending to the plants under the shade of giant, mountainous trees. You get to enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding ranges from here. The peace and serenity of this location are sure to astound you!

Entry cost: no entry fee

Opening and closing timings: sunrise to sunset

Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours

4. Alpather Lake

If you are a fan of picturesque lakes at high altitudes that remind you of locations like Switzerland and Germany, you should first embark on a trip to Alpather Lake, which is the most famous sightseeing in Gulmarg. This lake is covered on all sides by rugged mountain peaks with rocky terrain that remain snow kept for most of the year. Where grass does grow, you will be startled by the alpine flowers and moss that will greet you on the cliffs. The breathtaking topography is matched beautifully with the brilliant blue waters of the lake itself. This lake is located at the foot of the Twin Apharwat Peaks.

Entry cost: no entry fee

Opening and closing timings: no official closing and opening timings.

Time taken to visit: 2 hours

5. Gulmarg Golf Course

This Himalayan surprise is famous among golfers all over the world who flock to this place in the summer and autumn seasons. But many tourists also treat this place as a destination for sightseeing in Gulmarg because of the beautiful terrain of the Golf course and its surrounding area. This place to visit in Gulmarg is popular because of the lush green grass and freshly maintained coniferous plants and trees that dot the entire region. The Golf course is located at a height of 2700 m and is an 18-hole court. There is a little red temple in the center of this Golf course.

Entry cost: no entry fee

Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Time taken to visit: 3 hours

6. Drung waterfall

Water bodies account for the most famous tourist places in Gulmarg if not the whole of Kashmir. Because of its high altitude, Gulmarg is thronged with small to big waterfalls that come alive in different seasons. It is 50 m away from the capital city Srinagar. You can trace this waterfall back to Tangmarg, a little town located at an even higher altitude than Gulmarg which is famous for the view of the Himalayas that it offers. This waterfall is not large, the surrounding areas give photography enthusiasts a wonderful opportunity to capture Kashmir at its best. It is located in the midst of a thick pine forest.

Entry cost: No entry fee 

Opening and closing timings: there are no official opening or closing timings for this location.

Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours

7. Rani Temple

One of the oldest remaining temples in Kashmir,  this is among the prime places to visit in Gulmarg for Hindu tourists. It was built in 1915 by Rani Mohini Bai Sisodia, the wife of the last Hindu ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh. This is why it can even be set that this temple is a standing monument that depicts the glory of Kashmiri Hindus. It is also a famous location for film enthusiasts as many evergreen Bollywood songs and movies like “Jai Shiv Shankar” and “Aap Ki Kasam” have been filmed here. It is said that in the past 17 years, all rituals were performed by a Muslim priest to promote communal harmony in this region.

Entry cost: No entry fee

Opening and closing timings: Open 24 hours

Time taken to visit: 1 hour

8. Baba Reshi Shrine

This Shrine was built in 1480 with impressive Mughal and Persian-style architecture. This shine is as popular among local residents as among tourists from around the world. It is a Sufi Shrine named after the Sufi saint Baba Payam Uddin Reshi. This Saint spent a phenomenal period of his later life living in harmony with the mountains of Kashmir, engaged in prayer and meditation in Gulmarg. The peaceful serenity of this region will inspire you to do the same.

Entry cost: No entry fee 

Opening and closing timings: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Time taken to visit: 1 hour

9. Saint Mary’s Church

It is true that Kashmir has something for the devotees of every religion. Saint Mary’s Church is a beautiful secluded place to visit in Gulmarg, as famous for its architectural Glory as for its simplicity. St Mary’s Church is inspired by Victorian architecture and was built in 1902. It is close to the Golf Course and because of its location is surrounded by Lash meadows and coniferous, alpine vegetation through which a restless bird flickers and flies now and then. The church was renovated 20 years ago, in 2003.

Entry cost: No entry fee 

Opening and closing timings: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Time taken to visit: 3 hours

10. Seven Springs

As the name suggests, this phenomenal location for sightseeing in Gulmarg is popular for having seven natural water exits, or as many people call them, springs. The Seven Springs is an underrated gem among all the places to visit in Gulmarg, the surrounding beauty of Gulmarg and Srinagar valleys that you can view from this location are definitely worth the entire trip. The place is adventurous and you can engage in playful hikes around this region.

Entry cost: No entry fee

Opening and closing timings: no official opening or closing timings

Time taken to visit: 2 3 hours

11. Khilanmarg

Gulmarg is definitely a location for those who are fascinated by high-altitude meadows. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides upon which clouds come to rest. Khilanmarg is one such Valley location that is considered one of the most photogenic places to visit in Gulmarg. Here you can catch a glimpse of mountain ponies and sheep grazing on the alpine grass. Khilanmarg is covered with vibrant flowers in spring and soft snow in winter. From here you can steal a look at the legendary mountain peak Nanga Parbat.

Entry cost: No entry fee 

Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings.

Time taken to visit: 3-4 Hours

Frequently Asked Questions?

Q. How many passengers can the Gulmarg Gondola take in one hour?

A. The Gulmarg Gondola is an impressive structure that can carry around 600 passengers in one hour. It runs through two phases.

Q. Which lake is famous in Gulmarg for its photographic location?

A. The Alpather Lake of Gulmarg is famous among photographers for its natural, breathtaking beauty.

Q. Which is the highest green golf course in the world?

A. The Gulmarg Golf Course is the highest green golf course in the world.

Q. When can you visit the Drung Waterfall?

A. The Drung Waterfall is accessible all around the year.

Conclusion

There are endless places to visit in Gulmarg, a destination that in itself is so underrated among Indian tourists. Most tourists don’t know that Gulmarg can be compared with the divine beauty of the heavens itself, as much by modern western travelers as by ancient Indian poets. When you are looking for just the perfect Honeymoon Kashmir Travel Package for your annual trip, make sure to check out these Tourist Places in Gulmarg, without which a trip to Kashmir will never be complete. Also make sure to opt for a Gulmarg travel package that takes into account the season, timings, and cultural experiences like cuisine and shopping while finalizing the itinerary.


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