Gulmarg | Pahalgam | Sonamarg |Yusmarg

Gulmarg

Gulmarg the “ Meadow of Flowers” is a favorite resort for all seasons. A valley with undulating slopes is one of the loveliest resorts in the uplands of Kashmir. Every season brings a new dimension of beauty to Gulmarg. From the soft pastel shades of spring, the colors deepen into vibrant hues of summer. The entire valley is carpeted with wild flowers among which columbines, balsams, anemones, larkspurs and dwarf sunflowers are conspicuous. Gulmarg has excellent charming walks, pleasant pony ridings, through the most picturesque scenery of the surrounding woods.

At an altitude of 2,730 metres, it owes its selection and popularity for it being only 56 km from Srinagar.

Gulmarg has the distinction of offering the highest natural 18 hole green Golf course in the world at 2,890 metres. Gulmarg is an exotic spot for winter sports like Skiing, tobogganing and sledging. Heli-skiing on the high mountain peaks of Gulmarg is one of the extreme challenges to a professional skier.

There is a magnificent view of the valley of Kashmir and the mountains to the north mahadeo, kotwal, Harmouk and in the distance an outstanding snowy range culminating in the beautiful peak of Nanga Parbat.

Khilanmarg: This smaller valley is about 6 Kms walk from Gulmarg. The meadow, carpeted with flowers in the spring, is the site for Gulmarg winter ski runs and offers a fine view of the surrounding peaks and the Kashmir valley.
Alpather : A high mountain lake is about 13 Kms from Gulmarg at the foot of the 4511 meters Apharwat Peak, this lake is frozen until mid-June and even later in the year one can see lumps of Ice floating in its cold waters.

Pahalgam

96 km from Srinagar, 2400 metres above sea level, gushing silvery streams of ice water and densely wooded mountains herald Pahalgam. The Lidder river runs in a rushing grey-green torrent, foam-flecked, breaking in curling waves against the boulders that lies in its path. Its sound is as eternal as the whisper of wind through pine and fir, its force primeval in its untamed splendor. Pahalgam, once the Preserve of nomadic shepherds is well known as “ Valley of Shepherds”.

Pahalgam is an ideal base for exciting excursion hiking, riding and trekking. It is an ideal base for longer treks such as those to Kolhai glacier and Amarnath Cave. Pahalgam has milder beauties of charming woodland walks, and in summer a wealth of roses pink and white, Jasmine, forget-me-knots, handsome spirea, strawberry, honey suckle. Pahalgam is just the right place affording the finest trout fishing in Kashmir.

Baisaran

The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow "Baisaran" surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Baisaran provides excellent views over the town and the Lidder valley. Pine forests and the snow-clad mountains surround the grassy glen.

Mamaleswara

On the opposite bank of Lidder river, this small Shiva temple with its square stone tank. It is thought to date from the reign of king Jayasima in the 12th century.

Tulian Lake

11-km beyond Baisaran one reaches the Tulian Lake at 3,353m, 1,200m higher up. It is covered in ice for much of the year and surrounded by peaks, which rise more than 300m above its shores.

Aru

The little village of Aru is actually the first stage from Pahalgam on the trek to Lidderwat and the Kolahoi glacier. It makes an interesting day walk from Pahalgam. At Aru one will often find the Gujars, living in their log huts with their flocks of sheep and goats en route to the higher pastures for the summer.

Chandanwari & Passage To The Amarnath Yatra

Situated 16-km from Pahalgam, Chandanwari is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which takes place every year in the month of Sawan (Rain). The destination is the Amarnath Cave, believed to the abode of Lord Shiva. Although the road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is on fairly flat terrain.

Sonamarg

Sonamarg “ The Meadow of Gold” lies in the heart of beautiful valley carved by the river Sindh. At the magical height of 3000 metres, Towering Mountains surround the “Meadow of Gold” strewn with the loveliest of alpine flowers. Rich forests of silver, intermingled with Sycamore and fringed on their upper borders with silver birch clothe the mountain sides. From each valley flows a rich white glacier. Grand rocky cliffs encircle the forests and meadows, and culminate in bold snowy peaks which give a crowning beauty to Sonamarg.

Situated 80 km northeast of Srinagar, the road that runs to Sonamarg is the beginning of an enchanted journey into a natural wonderland. The road that initiates winds under the shadow of the mountains. The journey to Sonamarg passes through peaceful pastoral land with the picturesque snow clad Harmukh range etched against the deep blue of the Himalayan sky. En route Sonamarg, Gujars ( gypsies) with their cattle, ponies, buffaloes, sheep's and goats are seen.

Mighty mountains of up to 5300 metres, Thajiwas glaciers being its outstanding feature, surround Sonamarg. Thajiwas, pine shaded, with gushing mountain streams. Silver waterfalls and the Thajiwas glacier form a sparkling contrast to the green meadowland. It provides a challenging climb, with many delightful camping sites.

Yusmarg

A two hour drive from Srinagar ( 47 kms ) will take you to acres upon acres of grassy meadow ringed by forests of pine, and towering beyond them, awesome and majestic snow clad mountains. This is Yusmarg- close enough to Srinagar for a picnic, idyllic enough to make you want to stay for a few days. Here are walks of every sort - a leisurely amble along flower-strewn meadows or away to where a mighty river froths and crashes its way over rocks, its mild white foam earning it the name of Dudh Ganga. Further away, a captivating lake, Nilnag, is cradled by hills. Nearby are several peaks-Tatta Kutti and Sang Safed to name a couple of them. About 13 kms from Yusmarg, a short detour away from the Srinagar road, is Charari- Sharief, the Shrine of Kashmir’s patron saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din or Nund Reshi, now rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1994 which engulfed the entire building.