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Gulmarg |
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FACTS & FIGURES
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THE FLOWERY SLOPES
 Gulmarg derives its root from "the meadow of flowers" and is indeed a picturesque location. Known for its unparalleled beauty, Gulmarg's virgin forests are a welcoming sight to all tourists. The lush green slopes, their silence broken by the occasional tinkling of cowbells, have been the locale for several films. The rich verdure with the snow-capped tips provide an ideal ambience for the skiing and winter sports. LOCATION Located in the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg is in the Baramulla district, 57 km southwest from the capital city of Srinagar. It is perched at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and is not very far from the Indo-Pakistan border. It has a gently sloping topography generally identified with European skiing of the 1940s and 1950s. SITES TO VISIT From Gulmarg, a pony track leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Seven Springs. It takes a couple of hours by pony, and slightly longer on foot. Khilanmarg offers an unparalleled view of the great Himalayan range. From here, across the Apharwat-the peak that looks up from this point-is Alpather Lake, a picturesque alpine lake that remains frozen until late June. It is located at a distance of about 13 km from Gulmarg. For horse riding freaks, Alpather Lake makes an exciting day's excursion, and one has to start early morning and return by late evening. Slightly lower than Gulmarg is the shrine of Baba Reshi (a Muslim mystic saint), which is visited by people of all faiths. HOW TO REACH The nearest airport is in Srinagar. This airport is connected with major cities of the country. The nearest railhead is at Jammu. The journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg via National Highway 1 takes about 2 hours by bus and an even shorter time by chartered conveyance. The road is lined with poplar trees all through. WHERE TO STAY Gulmarg houses a number of hotels that offer good accommodation and meals. Hotels of international standards are also available. The accommodation available there suits all budgets. One should not miss the opportunity of tasting the traditional Rogan Josh and other preparations in non-vegetarian and sweetmeats while visiting Gulmarg. Contact us for hotel booking and other query... FACILITIES AVAILABLE For an amateur, Gulmarg is the ultimate destination for skiing. While outfits like slacks and salwar kameez will suffice for skiing, other accessories like skis and sticks, snow boots, woolen socks, mufflers, windproof jackets, goggles, and caps are available on hire. Ski instructors are readily available to assist during skiing. |