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Around
Himachal |
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Gulmarg Hill Station
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Facts
& Figures of Gulmarg
Location -
Jammu & Kashmir.
Altitude - 1854.
Best Time - May To September & November To February.
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The Meadow Of Flowers
A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes where
the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cowbells,
Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not
surprisingly have been the venue of several films. The
valley of Gulmarg, a large meadow about 3-sq-kms in area,
stands at 2,730 meters, 56-km south west of Srinagar.
The name
means 'Meadow Of Flowers' and in the spring it's just that,
a rolling meadow dotted with countless colorful Bluebells,
Daisies, Forget Me Not's and Buttercups. The valley itself
is about 3-km long and up to a km wide.
All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day one
can see all the way to Nanga Parbat is one direction and
Srinagar is another. It's a popular day trip from Srinagar
to Gulmarg, although many people extend their stay or use it
as a base for trekking. The road from Srinagar rises gently
towards the lower slopes of the range, passing through rice
and maize fields.
From Tangmarg, at the foot of the range, there are two paths
to Gulmarg - a steep footpath or a winding sealed road.
There is also a pony track from Gulmarg that leads upwards
to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and seven springs.
Prime Attractions of Gulmarg : |
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Skiing & Heliskiing
Asia's one of the most famous Heli-skiing resort is at
Gulmarg, Kashmir. Come December, and the verdant green
slopes of Gulmarg are blanketed with snow, forming some of
the finest natural slopes for ski runs of all levels. |
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Golf
Courses
Gulmarg also has one of the world's highest green golf
courses, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical
building in its own right. For the would-be golfer, there
are golf sets on hire, pros to instruct one in the game, and
temporary memberships. Naturally, these facilities are
available to players as well, except that serious golfers
usually carry their sets along. |
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Gondola Lift
For a fun filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg's
newly constructed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg,
through pine clad slopes, is exhilarating.
Leisure - Gulmarg : |
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GULMARG WALKS
A circular road, 11-km in length, runs right round Gulmarg
through pleasant pine forests with excellent views over the
Kashmir valley. Nanga Parbat is clearly visible 137-km to
the north, Haramukh 60-km to the east while to the south one
can see the Ferozpore and Sunset Peaks and the Apharwat
Ridge. Nanga Parbat, the 'lord of the mountains', is the
fourth highest peak on earth at 8,500 meters. |
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Adventure Sports - Gulmarg :
Skiing:
In winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona - that of the
country's premier skiing resorts. Skiing, to many who watch
it on TV, seems like a very elitist sport, requiring a high
level of training and expensive equipment. They are
surprised, when they visit Gulmarg for a day's expedition to
"see the snow", that others with the same level of physical
fitness and training are skiing down slopes. Gulmarg is the
ultimate beginner's skiing resort. One doesn't requite a
heavy woolen wardrobe - slacks or a Salwar Kameez will do
fine. In Gulmarg one will also be able to drift to one of
the many Ski shops and hire skis, sticks and goggles. Just
find yourself a ski instructor and set off down a slope.
Neither does one need to exert oneself climbing up slopes.
The gentlest slope of 200m is linked with a ski lift, which
helps one to go up. When one graduates to intermediate level
- which will happen after the first few days of practice,
there are other slopes, longer and steeper, which are
connected by chair lift. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is
provided by the Gondola cable car, which allows a ski run of
2,213m.
How To Get There - Gulmarg :
By Air
Gulmarg is in Baramula District and is 56-kms from Srinagar
District. The nearest Airport from here is situated in
Badgam District, which is well connected with all the major
cities of the country.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is at Jammu.
By Road
The journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg takes approximately 2
hours in bus and may take short time by chartered
conveyance. The road to Gulmarg is very beautiful and is
lined with poplar trees all through. All sorts of transport
are available to Gulmarg from Srinagar bus stand at Batmallo
and from private transport operators.
Places To Stay - Gulmarg
There are numerous hotels of various standards available for
accommodation purpose in Gulmarg, some of them being luxury,
several being comfortable in addition to JKTDC's winterized,
fully furnished huts, which are great value for money.
Assistance for booking accommodation can be had from the
booking manager at Tourist reception centre in Srinagar.
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