Everyone is looking for an escape from the unbearable summers and hectic life. After all, the sun is only going to shine brighter and life isn’t going to get easy anytime soon. So, close your excel sheets and open your bags, it’s time to pack for a trip to Gulmarg. Popular for its winter sports, this town in Kashmir welcomes all for experiencing pleasant summers. You’ll hardly ever have a disappointing time as the place is blessed with unmatched beauty and tall mountain ranges. So, check out this 2-day Gulmarg itinerary to not suffer in the blazing summers.
Things To Do In Gulmarg On Day One
- Sunrise At Strawberry Valley
- Breakfast At Igloo Cafe
- Ride The Gulmarg Gondola
- Unwind At Apharwat Peak
- Lunch At Las Vegas Kongdori Gulmarg
- Shopping At Gulmarg Main Market
- Dinner At Ziyafat Restaurant Gulmarg
1. Morning At Strawberry Valley
Wake up just a tad bit early to get one of the most bewitching views of Gulmarg. Reach Strawberry Valley just as the sun is peeking from behind the mountains to enjoy a pleasant morning. Being a hidden destination, you’ll find nascent charm in the huge patches of lush greens and tall trees. Plus, you’re just in luck as summer is when the juicy strawberries are ripe and ready to be harvested. You’ll catch a glimpse of the locals collecting the produce and preparing them to be sold in the market later. If you love photographing nature at its best, you can stroll amongst the rows of verdant plantations and get unbeatable proof of Gulmarg’s beauty.
2. Brunch At Igloo Cafe
The breakfast experience is about to get a whole lot cooler (literally) inside India’s very first Igloo cafe. It’s one of those places where the ambience matters as much as the food in front of you. With ten tables that can seat about 60 people at a time, don’t be surprised when you see a line of people waiting outside for their turn. Igloo Cafe serves a variety of sandwiches, tea, and the welcoming Kashmiri kahwa to warm you up. Keep in mind that there’s an entry fee of INR 500 per person excluding the food you’ll order.
Price: Approx INR 1,000
Timings: 11:00 am to 9:30 pm
Google Reviews: 4.2/5
Alternative Breakfast Place: The Gulmarg Cafeteria
3. Ride The Gulmarg Gondola
Kashmir prides itself to be the home of Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest cable car. Naturally, you have to boast about it by taking a ride in the Gulmarg Gondola yourself. The Gondola functions in two phases – the first phase being the Kongdori Station at 2600 m and the second one being Kongdori Mountain at 3747 meters.
Prepare to have your breath stolen in under thirty minutes as you’ll be standing in front of one of the most glamorous views. The second phase of the Gondola ride connects Kongdori with Apharwat Mountain, helping you reach the peak in just 12 minutes! Humongous mountain ranges of Pir Panjal, Nanda Devi, and the LOC will surround you from every side as you stand tall on Apharwat Peak.
Prices:
- Phase One Return Pass – INR 740
- Phase Two One Way Pass: INR 250
- Phase Two Day Pass: INR 940
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
4. Unwind At Apharwat Peak
No matter the season, you’ll always see a blanket of snow covering Apharwat Peak. Spend some time amidst the majestic scenery and start a snow fight, embracing the summer trip in its full glory. As long as there’s snow on the mountain top, you can have a blast doing sports like skiing and sledging. Or, head to Alpather Lake nestled in the laps of the high mountains. Have as much fun as you want, but be mindful that the Phase Two Gondola closes at 3:00 pm.
5. Lunch At Las Vegas Kongdori Gulmarg
Since you’d have spent considerable time on Apharwat Peak, you’re going to need food again. While the name suggests a fancy, casino styled restaurant, it’s an open dhaba-styled restaurant. Have an authentic Kashmiri Pulao and Rajma for your lunch, the flavors will not disappoint. The service is prompt and they use traditional spices to make the dish more flavorful. Being on such a height with freshly prepared hot dishes will make for the perfect lunch. The kids can enjoy a bowl of hot maggi while they sink in the views.
Price: Approx INR 500
Google Reviews: 4.2/5
6. Go Shop At Gulmarg Main Market
Once you’re back after spending a beautiful afternoon on Apharwat Peak, spend your evening in the Gulmarg Main Market. It’s a great opportunity to speak to the locals and get to know their culture. It’s even a better place to purchase dry fruits, embroidered goods, antiques, Kashmiri fabrics, and Tibetan handicrafts. If you get tired, you can rejuvenate yourself with the Kashmiri tea from the local vendors that have stalls at the main market.
7. Dinner At Cloves Restaurant
Head to this chic restaurant for a fulfilling dinner with great aesthetics. Cloves Restaurant is a great spot to introduce yourself to Wazwan – a multicourse Kashmiri meal. You’ll get a plate full of dishes like Abakh Maaz, Rista (meatballs in a red, paprika-saffron-fennel spice gravy colored with dyer’s alkanet), Rogan Josh, and Dhaniwal Korma (lamb roasted with yogurt, spices and onion puree, topped with coriander leaves). If you’re not in the mood for experiments, you can order a bowl of pasta, mezze platters, or dimsums!
Price: Approx INR 2,000
Timings: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Google Reviews: 4.7/5
Alternative Dinner Place: The Hunter’s Bar
Things To Do In Gulmarg On Day Two
- Seek Blessings At Maharani Temple
- Breakfast At Miasa Cafe
- Visit Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
- Lunch At Gareeb Nawaaz Fast Food
- Explore Baba Reshi Shrine
- Enjoy A Calm Evening At Children’s Park
- Dinner At Bakshi Restaurant
1. Seek Blessings At Maharani Temple
Begin with a positive morning and head to the royal temple of Dogra Dynasty. The landscape might look familiar to you as the famous song Jai Jai Shiv Shankar was shot in this very spot. The Maharani Temple was once visited religiously by Mohini Bai Sisodhia – the wife of Maharaja Hari Singh. It’s nestled right in the middle of Gulmarg and is almost impossible to miss because of its red roof standing out in the greenery. Inside this Hindu-styled structure are the idols of Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati.
2. Breakfast At Miasa Cafe
Very close to the temple is the Miasa Cafe, a cutesy eatery with an assortment of coffees waiting to rejuvenate you. Order the Coffee Mocha, a perfect blend of espresso with chocolate and velvety milk; it’s just the drink that’ll get rid of any leftover sleep. They have generous portions and serve items like shawarma, sandwiches, and protein rich smoothies. If you find yourself waiting to be seated, you can indulge in a game of pool inside the cafe to pass your time.
Price: Approx INR 1,200
Google Reviews 4.2/5
3. Visit Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
Traveling to any destination in Gulmarg means you get a step closer to witnessing nature’s beauty. It’s especially true when you visit the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve as it means adding a little bit of wildlife to the open ground of greens. Imagine this: a land rich with flora and fauna where everyone is thriving. The musk deer is definitely the highlight of this reserve, and if your luck grants you, you’ll even spot a brown bear! There are even red foxes, leopards, and black bears hidden deep within the conifers. All in all, it’s a great place for some nature and wildlife photography.
4. Lunch At Gareeb Nawaaz Fast Food
For a delicious round of juicy kebabs and momos, head to Gareeb Nawaaz Fast Food for lunch. It’s affordable and comes in generous portions. You’ll get a taste of traditional North Indian cuisine no matter what dish you order. They even serve cheesy pizzas that melt-in-your-mouth and a big bowl of maggi! Even the rotis are laden in pure ghee and served soft and fresh.
Price: Approx INR 600
Timings: 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
Google Reviews: 4.9/5
5. Explore Baba Reshi Shrine
Dedicated to the famous Muslim saint Baba Payam-Uddin, this shrine is a popular one amongst the devotees. Even if you aren’t one, you must go and visit the shrine for its admirable wooden work. It’s believed that children’s wishes often come true after praying in the shrine. Right outside, you’ll find various food stalls selling snacks to keep you going until dinner.
6. Enjoy A Calm Evening At Children’s Park
Whether you’re on a family trip or a romantic one, unwinding at Children’s Park in Gulmarg will help you destress from the notorious life. At this recreational space, you’ll find toy trains, paddle boats, and a merry-go-round for having unlimited fun. You can find a nice spot under the tall Coniferous trees and lay down for a nap amongst nature or just enjoy the quietness and relish in the solace.
7. Dinner At Bakshi Restaurant
Bakshi Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Gulmarg and has been in business since 1987. Especially for all the vegetarians and Jains, this place is heavenly. You can enjoy a plate of spicy pumpkin curry, cloud like rotis, and papadums. It’s built inside a chalet but when you have a conversation with the owners, you’ll know just how humble they are. If you get a combination of cheese garlic naan with tandoori chicken, you’ll fall in love at first bite. So, end your weekend on a delicious note and revel in the savory flavors here.
Price: Approx INR 800
Timings: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
Google Reviews: 4.1/5
Summing Up
This weekend in Gulmarg is going to be nothing short of a magical experience that’ll make you fall in love with Kashmir. The 2-day itinerary focuses on all the best spots that makes Gulmarg a hit amongst the tourists. So, explore the land and eat the local cuisine, it’s time for you to relax and embrace nature.
FAQs
What Is The Temperature In Gulmarg During Summers?
The temperature in Gulmarg during summer, that is from April to June, fluctuates between 13°C to 29°C.
What Is Gulmarg Famous For?
Gulmarg is famous for being decked with natural beauty and for having the Himalayan Mountains as a gorgeous backdrop.
Is 1 Day Enough For Gulmarg?
Ideally, a two-day trip is best for Gulmarg as you can cover all the major places without having a cramped itinerary or having to compromise.
What Is The Secret Destination In Gulmarg?
Strawberry Valley in Gulmarg is considered a hidden gem as not many tourists know about the location and its untouched beauty beckons all nature enthusiasts to pay a visit.
Which Month Is Best For Gulmarg?
To enjoy a pleasant climate and avoid the harsh winters, the best months to visit Gulmarg are between April to June.
