Gulmarg Sightseeing: Visit The Winter Wonderland of India

Are you planning for your next vacation destination? How about spending a few days in the winter wonderland of India, which is abundant with lush greenery, majestic mountains, serene landscapes, a large variety of flora and fauna and whatnot? We are talking about Gulmarg, which literally translates to the ‘valley of flowers’. The town in Jammu and Kashmir is one of India's most popular travel destinations, for all the valid reasons.

Due to the town’s splendid beauty, Gulmarg witnesses footfalls of a large number of tourists each year, irrespective of the season. Due to the year-round cold and pleasant weather of the valley, Gulmarg honeymoon packages are also quite popular. The beautiful town of Gulmarg offers you the opportunity to connect with nature and find peace of mind with its serene valleys and calm atmosphere. Did you know Gulmarg is also reckoned as one of the popular skiing destinations in India? Gulmarg is known to have the best powder snow, which is ideal for skiing. Not only this, but Gulmarg also houses the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, where you can enrol and get skiing training under experts. Hence, if you are a traveller who loves to enjoy nature with an abundance of adventure activities to do in Gulmarg, the list of some of the best sightseeing places in Gulmarg won’t disappoint you.

Gulmarg Sightseeing Places

Here are the top places to include in your Gulmarg sightseeing itinerary: -

• Gulmarg’s Gondola Ride
• Apharwat Peak
• Golf Course
• Drung Waterfall
• St Mary’s Church
• Strawberry Valley
• Maharani Temple
• Alpather Lake

Gulmarg’s Gondola Ride

Trust us when we say one cannot go back without experiencing Gulmarg’s Gondola ride at least once. The Gulmarg Gondola tops the list of adventure activities to do in Gulmarg. The activity is present in every other sightseeing activity in Gulmarg. Gulmarg Gondola is Asia’s highest and longest cable car, which is perched at an altitude of 10,000 feet from the ground. The popularity of the Gulmarg Gondola is so much so that it ferries more than 1,500 people in a day. The skiers in the town use the Gondola to reach the top of Apharwat mountain for skiing down the magical white slopes of snow. Due to the expansive snow cover in Gulmarg, the Gondola ride is divided into three phases. These phases offer the most magnificent views of the majestic mountains, spectacular landscapes and white forests. Riding in the Gulmarg Gondola is not just a mere tick-off activity to do Gulmarg, but an experience to add to your bucket list.

Apharwat Peak

For winter sports enthusiasts like skiing, if there is one place in India that can live up to expectations, it is Gulmarg. Apharwat Peak in Gulmarg is the longest ski slope in Asia, which turns into a vast sheet of snowy slopes during winters and a lush green carpet during the summers. The endless vistas of powdery white snow attract tourists of all ages to slope down the snowy slopes amidst the surrounding beauty. Apharwat Peak is situated at an altitude of 4,500 feet above sea level. The tourist attraction in Gulmarg provides the perfect setting for a picnic with your loved ones. Trekking, horse riding, and ridge climbing are some of the other outdoor activities that are loved by all sorts of tourists flocking to Gulmarg.

Golf Course

The valley of Kashmir is home to some of the best golf courses in the country. One of them is the Gulmarg Golf Course, which is one of the most beautiful and highest green golf courses in the world. The Gulmarg Gold Course is an attractive bowl-shaped landscape surrounded by deodar and pine trees. Gulmarg was once a retreat for the British in India, hence, Golf being their favourite sport, the Gulmarg Golf Course was opened in 1911. The first Golf Championship was played in 1922 at the Gulmarg Golf Course. If you do not seek adventure activities to do in the Gulmarg Golf Course, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the landscape with your loved ones. You can even hire a golf kit and get training from the trainers on the course, in case you wish to learn golf.

Drung Waterfall

Drung Waterfall in Gulmarg is one of the most iconic sightseeing places in the Gulmarg Valley. It is a breathtaking natural wonder located in the scenic town of Gulmarg. As you approach the waterfall, you will be greeted by the melodious sound of the water flowing down from the glaciers. The water at the Drung Waterfall descends from a considerable height; hence, it creates a mesmerising view for the onlookers as the water plunges down into a clear pool below. The place is surrounded by vibrant wildflowers and pine trees, adding to the overall beauty of the waterfall. If you are on the lookout for Gulmarg local sightseeing, then Drunng Waterfall must not be missed. Pack comfortable shoes, as you might need to trek or walk on uneven terrain to reach Drung Waterfall in Gulmarg.

St Mary’s Church

Located near the Golf Course, is another historical attraction in Gulmarg, St Mary’s Church is a 110-year-old Victorian architectural gem. The church is surrounded by the Golf Course on three sides and mountains on the remaining. It flaunts grey stone walls, stained glass windows and a steep green roof. There are no entrance fees to enter the church’s premises; hence, you can visit the place with your loved ones and have a picnic in the landscape while enjoying the splendid views of the valley. The church is illuminated at night by colourful lights, making the premises even more pretty. If you are looking for 5-star hotels in Gulmarg, you can find a few near St Mary’s Church.

Strawberry Valley

Who doesn’t love farm-fresh strawberries? If you do, too, then visiting the Strawberry Valley should be on your Gulmarg sightseeing itinerary. The Strawberry Valley is one of the ideal places in Gulmarg for a family picnic and picking fresh and juicy strawberries. Strawberries are not an annual fruit; hence, you must plan a visit during the summer months when the strawberries are ripe and ready to be harvested. You can even take back strawberry packs to your home to gift them to your family and friends as souvenirs from Gulmarg.

Maharani Temple

Perched at a hilltop, Maharani Temple is a red-roofed temple that is another one of the top sightseeing places in Gulmarg. Also known as Mohineshwar Shivalaya, Maharai Temple is one of the oldest temples in Gulmarg, which is dedicated to lord Shiva and his consort goddess Parvati. The temple was built way back in 1915 and is named after the Maharani, who used to seek blessings from lord Shiva. The temple has amazing views of the verdant valley and snow-clad mountains. If you want to visit Maharani Temple in its true spirit, you can plan a vacation to Gulmarg during Mahashivratri.

Alpather Lake

Speaking of beauty in the Gulmarg Valley, Alpather Lake is another example of natural wonder, which is a sight to behold. The tourist attraction in Gulmarg is situated at a height of 4,390 metres from the sea level and is fed by the melting snow that comes from the nearby mountain peaks. Alpather Lake is an ideal location for photographers to capture nature at its best and also for those who want to seek solitude. Apart from enjoying the spectacular views of Alpather Lake, you can also indulge in various activities, such as trekking, ridge climbing, horse riding, boating and much more. Try visiting the lake during the summer months, as you will be greeted by colourful flowers and lush greenery, which makes the place even more stunning.

Are you inspired to book a vacation to Gulmarg? Then look no further than Veena World. We hope that the list of sightseeing places in Gulmarg will help you plan your things and decide on things to do in the beautiful valleys of Jammu and Kashmir. Trust us when we say Gulmarg holds more beautiful places to visit, which you can explore when you decide to book a Gulmarg trip with Veena World. In case you need flexibility in choosing your own itinerary, you can explore Veena World’s Customised Holidays section for more information.