Gulmarg

The prime attraction in Gulmarg is its Gondola cable car ride, the second highest and second longest of its kind on earth. It is an absolutely enthralling experience and one that cannot be given a miss when you plan your travel itinerary. Divided in two phases, the ride will ferry you from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdoori Station which is the central point, in the first phase and from Kongdoori Mountain to Apharwat Peak in the second phase.In Phase 1, it starts at a height of 2,990 m following which there is a vertical rise of 400m.In Phase 2, it makes a further ascent of 1,330 vertical meters and takes you to a total height of almost 4,000 m. Each hour, the Gondola ferries about 1500 passengers to a height of 3,100 m in the first phase. At this height you can access some of the easier skiing expeditions while in the second phase, the ride carries around 600 passengers per hour to a height of almost 4,000m. Once here, you can trek a further 30 minutes and reach the top of the mountain to catch a glimpse of the Line of Control (LOC) which is visible from here. Apart from the LOC, you can also catch magnificent views of the Nanda Devi and the Pir Panjal Range here as well as enjoy other activities like horse riding and skiing.Click Here to Book: Kashmir Trip Packages from Kolkata

Spanning across an area of 180 sq km, this biosphere reserve is home to myriad species of flora, fauna and birds, including some very rare species. It lies at a distance of about 48 km from Srinagar and the main attraction here is the musk deer. You can however, also spot brown bear, leopard, hangul, serow, black bear and red fox as you venture into the deeper ends of the forest apart from a rich array of avifauna like upland birds and pheasants. You may also spot an occasional griffon, monal, vulture, European hoopoe, jungle crow, Kashmir roller, blue rock pigeon, koklas and snow cock among others, making it a veritable haven for ornithologists. The vegetation here is largely dominated by towering conifers apart from green herbs that lend a verdant scenic appearance to the place. It remains open for tourists and visitors every day from 10am to 4pm and adventure seekers can also opt to stay in close proximity to the reserve in camps provided in its vicinity. The beauty and appeal of the reserve grows many fold around the months of March through May when the flowers are in full bloom and it becomes a birdwatcher’s paradise. Planning to Visit Kashmir, Checkout & Book: Kashmir Trip Packages

The verdant green meadows with bright red fruits dotting the entire area and clear blue skies above, is a sight straight out of a picture book and one you would certainly not want to miss. The Strawberry Valley in Gulmarg, situated “right behind a hill” as most locals would point out when you are exploring the area, is a little off the beaten path. This largely explains its unspoiled beauty of the place, as it is still free from a heavy descent of tourists. Summers are when the valley is at its busiest, being the harvesting time. Ripe red strawberries everywhere make a visit to the veritable garden of Eden, a supremely enthralling one. Tourists are allowed to take a walk along rows of strawberry plantations to soak in the crimson beauty of the surrounding area. You can also carry a basket along and after taking a stroll amid nature’s bounty, enjoy a quiet picnic in the shade of a tree. The sheer charisma and vibrancy that this place exudes had also made it one of the most popular Bollywood shooting locations of the yesteryears.Planning to Visit Srinagar, Checkout & Book: Srinagar Trip Packages

Perched on a hillock near Kongdori, Seven Springs is a great stream that has seven different outlets of water. This is also the reason behind the moniker Seven Springs. The site of the Seven Springs is primarily popular for the majestic views of mountains and valleys that it offers. You can also view both Srinagar as well as the Gulmarg Valleys from here. You can easily reach the enchanting Seven Springs by taking a Gondola cable car ride from the base of the Apharwat Mountain, which in itself is a major attraction. With vistas of snow clad mountains around and a booming valley below, the fascinating ride to Seven Springs is a journey to cherish. It is one of the best ways to enjoy the adventures and natural views of Gulmarg.Suggested Read: Best Places to See Near Jammu

Set up during the days of the British regime by Sir Neville Chamberlain, The Gulmarg Golf Course has been sitting here for more than a hundred years and is one of the best places to visit in Gulmarg. The picturesque setting of the golf course surrounded by myriad alpine flowers, gentle undulated slopes and lush mossy turf along with crisp cool weather, is a golfer’s paradise in the true sense. The course had been redesigned in later years by renowned golf architect Peter Thomson after which it has become a sprawling 6,760 yards, par 72 and 18-hole golf course. Not only is it one of the highest golf courses in the world, but also India’s longest hole, a par five, 610 yards. Moreover, the uphill factor of the course also plays in favor of golfers. Situated at an altitude of 8700 feet above sea level, the beauty of the course is unparalleled with rare species of beautiful flowers which can be seen in full bloom during the months of June through September. As a visitor, you are also allowed to take your car inside the premises and enjoy a ride on one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world.Checkout & Book: Kashmir Trip Package from Pune

This miniature valley in Gulmarg is an extremely favored attraction among visitors primarily because of its immeasurable natural beauty with some of the most spectacular views of the highest Himalayan peaks. It is a perfect amalgamation of nature’s bounty and a plethora of adventure sports, making it a much sought after destination among thousands of visitors. Counted among the top spots in Gulmarg that are most visited, Khilanmarg is also very popular among tourists looking for a place that is off the beaten track as it is hardly commutable by regular vehicles. You will either need to walk the entire stretch from Gulmarg or hire a pony to bring you here. In summers, the valley is breathtaking when it is covered with beautiful species of colorful flowers that blossom around this time and carpet the entire area in vibrant hues. In winters, with thick layers of snow, the gentle undulations of the valley become a great hit among skiing enthusiasts. Apart from that, you can also get a rare and awe-inspiring view up close of the scintillating peak of Nanga Parbat (8,137m high and the fifth highest mountain peak in the world) and the twin peaks of Nun and Kun (both at a height of 7,100m) from Khilanmarg.Checkout & Book: Cheapest Trip Package For Kashmir

The Zirayat of Baba Reshi is the shrine dedicated to the well-known Muslim saint by the name of Baba Payam Uddin who lived in the fifteenth century and also served as a courtier for the then king of Kashmir, Zain-ul-Abidin, before renouncing all worldly ties. The shrine has been built in the place where the saint spent his final days in prayer and meditation. Today it is a very popular and much-visited site among locals and tourists alike who come here to pay tribute to the grave of the Baba which now lies covered under a sheet of cloth and decorated with exquisite workmanship. The shrine in itself is built in a Persian Mughal style and the three storey edifice also has a big minaret in quintessential Islamic style.Much of the popularity of the shrine comes with the belief that devotees who visit here are granted boons of their deepest wishes and once that happens, they revisit the holy place to make grateful offerings honoring the great saint. Thousands of visitors come here every year to pay their respects and offerings irrespective of the religion they follow, keeping the place abuzz with holy chants and prayers.Planning For a Kashmir Honeymoon Trip, Checkout & Book: Kashmir Packages for Couple

Maharani Temple or Rani Temple was built by Queen Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of former king of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh who ruled here till 1915 and was an ardent worshiper at this temple. For years together, the temple was used as a royal temple by the kings of the Dogra dynasty who ruled the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Gulmarg because of a unique feature of this structure. The temple’s construction has been such that it can be viewed from any corner of Gulmarg. It is also known as the Mohineshwar Shivalaya and is dedicated to the Hindu god of destruction, Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati. The temple is located on a small hillock amid peaceful surroundings and verdant meadows that makes it an ideal place for meditation. It attracts devotees of Shiva and Parvati from all around the country through all seasons of the year. The structure of the temple is constructed in true Hindu style of architecture and the temple premises along with its surrounding areas continue to be well maintained. The temple is open to visitors every day from 6am to 9pm and aarti is performed twice daily. Read More: Tourist Places to See in Kashmir