Kashmir never ceases to surprise you. If the popular tours of Srinagar, Jammu, and Ladakh have grown familiar to you, it is time instead to explore the underrated destination of adventure and excitement – Gulmarg. Gulmarg is also known as the meadow of flowers, and the activities in Gulmarg that you can enjoy are endless. While the seasons of Summer and spring bring to this place alpine flowers and brilliant blues skies, some areas of Gulmarg are perennially covered in snow. Come let us explore all the fascinating things to do in Gulmarg that you cannot afford to miss when you book your life-changing Gulmarg travel package.
Famous Activities in Gulmarg for the most phenomenal trip of your life
1. Ride the highest cable car in the world
Gulmarg Gondola is the most popular attraction of Gulmarg. It can carry around 600 passengers. The Gondola is spread across two phases. The first face takes you to a picturesque town called Kongdori, which is famous for its altitude and natural beauty. The second phase rises up higher and takes you to an altitude of almost 12300 feet. While on this Gondola you can enjoy the view of the Pir Panjal Ranges. This Gondola is also a major access to other sporty things to do in Gulmarg, which includes the favorite sport here which is skiing.
Entry fee: 700 INR for the first phase and 900 INR for 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.
2. Enjoy skiing and other winter sports
indeed, you cannot come to Gulmarg and expect to consider your trip complete without engaging in some thrilling activities. Among all the things to do in Gulmarg, skiing comes foremost as this place is often regarded as the prime location for skiing in India and surrounding countries. For younger children, a simple experience of being in the midst of so much magical snow can be enough to bring them profound joy! That being said, if you are not into such sports consider visiting skiing resorts as places for sightseeing in Gulmarg – believe us, it is worth the view!
Entry fee: 740 INR for phase 1 and 950 INR for phase 2.
Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Time taken to visit: 1 to 2 hours
3. Get a view of the breathtaking twin Apharwat Peaks
Enjoying the views of some of the highest Himalayan peaks, from up close is one of the primary things to do in Gulmarg for nature and photography lovers. The cable car takes you to a viewpoint from where you can see the twin peaks clearly. These peaks are always covered in snow and so are the mountains around them. For adventure lovers, this is a hotspot for skiing activities in Gulmarg.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening or closing timings.
Time taken to visit: 4 to 5 hours.
4. Write ponies in the alpine meadows of Khilanmarg
imagine riding a cute little pony in a meadow covered with freshly grazed grass and coniferous trees on all sides. The gently rolling land makes this meadow resemble the grasslands of Europe. Spotting herds of sheep and taking pictures with ponies are some engaging activities in Gulmarg that kids and adults will enjoy alike. Khilanmarg has been rated as one of the most gorgeous values of India and is home to untrodden paths, an unbelievable view, and several rare aromatic flowers.
Entry fee: no entry fee but takes 500 INR to reach.
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings.
Time taken to visit: 30 minutes pony ride, but this is negotiable.
5. A photographer’s haven
Gulmarg is a chosen location for National and international travelers and photographers who are interested in nature photography. From lakes and mountain ranges to biosphere reserves, various locations are appropriate for artistic activities in Gulmarg. Some places do require photographers to pay a special fee to carry their equipment. However, the view from Gulmarg is such that you can take unforgettable photographs from the window of your bedroom!
Entry fee: no fee in general, but some places require photographers to pay for their equipment.
Opening and closing timings: depends on the location
Time taken to visit: depends on the location and style of photography.
6. Trek to the Alpather Lake
This lake is a high-altitude Lake located at an approximate height of 4400 m which remains partly frozen even during the months of May and June. Chunks of ice float around on this lake and steep mountains rise to the sky all around its edges. Visitors have the option to trek to this heavenly location, though the option of a pony ride is also available. Why it is true that even the Gondola makes its way to this lake, for trekkers, nothing can beat the panoramic views that meet with them on their way to this destination.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings.
Time taken to visit: 5-6 hours
7. Pay your respects at the Rani Temple
Shrines are a great place to pray for devotees of all religions. It is a sacred temple located at an open, tranquil location which is bound to give you hope and courage to withstand all good and bad experiences of life. The meditative spirit of the temple and the surrounding areas will inspire you to look at life in a different way. This is why spending time at the Hindu, Christian and Muslim shrines is one of the major things to do in Gulmarg that you are certain to value!
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 2 hours
8. Hike through the Outer Circle Walk
this hike will turn your life completely on its head! As the name suggests, this hike is an 11 km long track around the whole Kashmir Valley which starts at Gulmarg. At 1 point on this track, you can cross rows of pine forests, and grasslands and finally come face to face with the Nanga Parbat towering at a height of 8500 m. This same track will also lead you to Haramukh peak and sunset peak. This track is mostly utilized by photographers who want to capture Kashmir from all possible aspects.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings.
Time taken to visit: 4 to 5 hours
9. Choose the tastiest strawberries from the Strawberry Field
Gulmarg has its own strawberry Valley, filled with several strawberry plantations from which visitors can choose to take some of the most delicious strawberries in the world home to their loved ones. These strawberry fields are surrounded by large, coniferous trees and picking strawberries with local workers is one of the most productive things to do in Gulmarg that you can opt for. You can also spend valuable time learning about the different grades of strawberries and how they respond to different seasons in this alpine climate.
Entry fee: No entry cost
Opening and closing timings: sunrise to sunset
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
10. Spot birds in the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
this is a unique place that protects rare and essential botanical and zoological species that only exist in the specific altitude and geographical area where Gulmarg is located. The biosphere itself means a vast region of naturally occurring species that are interdependent on each other. This is the reason that bird watching is a primary part of sightseeing in Gulmarg. You might end up spotting rare birds that you will find nowhere else in the world!
Entry fee: 500 INR
Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Time taken to visit: 5 to 6 hours for bird watching!
11. Enjoy traditional homestays in Gulmarg
traditional accommodations have only recently started to pop up, but they are a much-awaited experience that you cannot afford to pass out on! Gulmarg is still developing as a tourist location, and the traditional lifestyle is still an authentic expression of Kashmiri culture and traditions. Traditional homestays in Gulmarg will give you a chance to experience the natural architecture, food, lifestyle and entertainment of Gulmarg, away from the artificial tourist life.
Entry fee: lowest bracket of accommodations starts at roughly 3000 INR.
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours.
Time taken to visit: depends on the duration of the stay.
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. Accommodation in Gulmarg is expensive as a 3-star resort and hotel charges can go up to 6000-7000 INR per night during the peak season.
A. Gulmarg is a famous location that attracts a large number of international tourists because of its photogenic locations and skiing opportunities.
The Outer Circle Walk is a popular hike for sightseeing in Gulmarg where certain spots are permanently covered in snow.
Conclusion
About the things to do in Gulmarg – Oh, the endless possibilities! Gulmarg is endowed with every positive quality of a hill station. It is also one of the few high-altitude locations in India which remain open throughout the year. This is why the best Gulmarg travel packages are able to realize the dreams of their clients. Travel packages of Kashmir are almost always exciting, innovative and full of surprises for even the most avid traveler!
