Gulmarg (meadow
of flowers) is situated at an altitude of 2680
Mt above sea level, 56 Km. away from Srinagar
town, is a huge cup shaped valley, surrounded
by snow capped mountains with lush green slopes,
3.5 by 1 Km. A favorite of Mughal emperor Jahangir,
who once collected 21 verities of flowers, was
preferred of British during colonial Raj, they
did not only set a 18 hole golf course 1904, the
highest in the World, even established a ski resort
and club in the year 1927. In the present time
it is all time favorite hill resort for both foreign
as well as Indian tourist. The golf courses as
well as the ski resort have been developed to
international standards. |
In
winter:
It turns into the country's premier ski resorts
offering facilities of international standards,
ski training courses are conducted for beginners
white for matured skier facilities are available
from a day skiing to an advanced ski tournaments.
An instructor and equipment can be easily hired
from local ski shop, the gentle slopes for beginner
and steep runs up to 2,213 meters are available.
To reach upper heights for skiing longer runs,
there is a chairlift and a gondola cable car.
In summer:
Nature walk, a road circles around through pine
forests offers excellent view of various high
peaks during a clear day. Pony ride around the
valley can be a fun.
Gondola ride, to upper reach is another fun filled
activity, it offers panoramic view of the valley
and surrounded snowcapped mountain peaks.
Treks:
Options are to trek up to Khilanmarg 4 Km and
Alpather Lake 13 Km remains frozen for up to month
June, these treks could make a fulfilled day excursion.
Golf:
Golf is one of the few ball games that do not
require a standardized playing area. Instead,
the game is played on golf "courses",
each of which features a unique design, although
courses typically consist of either nine or 18
holes. Gulmarg boasts of a gorgeous green golf
course that happens to be the World’s highest
too. This 18-hole golf course has long been famous
for golfing. Being a course of Par 72, the Gulmarg
golf course is good enough to hold any professional
level events. The first Golf championship was
held here in 1922.The Clubhouse itself, reminiscent
of a Swiss chalet with its quaintly sloping roof,
has a rare old character. Rooted in the early
days of British rule, this club was constituted
by Sir Neville Chamberlain and is encircled by
the lush green tress. It remains open between
April and November, has 6,760 yards, par 72, 18
hole and has been redesigned by Peter Thompson,
a famous golf architect. Apart being highest in
the World, it is also has the longest hole, a
par five, 610 yards, in India and has hosted some
of the greatest golf tournaments. Facilities are
available to handle holiday golfers as well as
organize training by professional coaches. Tourists
who come to play golf can have temporary membership,
which entitles you club house facilities too.
Accommodation, there are number
of hotels, Guest houses, and Huts, who provide
luxury to basic accommodation. However, being
a hill resort, there is no star category hotels. |