The Meadow Of Gold

At a height of 2,740 m, Sonamarg in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is the last major point in the Kashmir valley before the Zoji La pass into Ladakh . At the pass the green, lush Kashmiri landscape abruptly switches to the barren, dry landscape of Ladakh. Sonamarg is thus not only a good base for treks but also a jumping off point for trips into Ladakh.

The passage to Sonamarg is through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another bewitching facet of countryside in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2,740 m, Sonamarg in Kashmir is framed by snowy mountains against a sapphires sky. Sonamarg literally means the 'Meadow of Gold' and although this could be due to the profusion of flowers that wraps the meadow in the spring it is also possible that the name originates from Sonamarg's decisive trading position in the days when this was a main route into central Asia. The Sindh River flows through the place and is bountiful with Trout and Mahseer.

Arriving At Sonamarg

By Flight : Sonamarg is in Srinagar District on the Srinagar Leh Highway, 81-km from Srinagar. The nearest airport is in Badgam District, connecting the capital city with all the major cities in India.
By Trackways : The nearest Railhead is at Jammu and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India.
By Roadways : Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply on National Highway NH1A. Bus service is available from Srinagar and Anantnag, which leave at fixed time from the Bus stands. Taxis and other sort of transport can be hired from Srinagar at pre-fixed rates.

Gulmarg is 57 km southwest from the capital city of Srinagar and is close to the Indo-Pakistan border.

The Meadow of Flowers

Gulmarg a prime location in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is about 52 Kms. from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu & Kashmir. At an altitude of 2,653 m., Gulmarg is exquisitely situated in a pine surrounded basin of the Pir Panjal range. Gulmarg or the `Meadow of Flowers' is a lovely blooming sight where an opulence of flora displays various colours with the changing seasons.

Gulmarg's astounding beauty, prime location and closeness to Srinagar naturally make it one of the prime hill stations in the country. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was impressed by the sight of its green slopes embellished with wild flowers. Today, Gulmarg is not only a mountain resort of exemplary beauty - it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's major ski resort in the winter.

Arriving at Gulmarg

By Flight : The airport at Srinagar at 57 km is nearest to Gulmarg. The airport caters to the air transport to the hill resort. Regular flights connect Srinagar with the other major cities in India.

The Trackways : The railway station in Jammu is the nearest to Gulmarg that caters to the rail transport to the hill resort.

The Major Fascinations at Gulmarg

Golf Club : Gulmarg boasts of a magnificent grassy golf course that is the world's highest too. One can even hire the golf sets from Gulmarg too. The Golf Club offers short-term memberships to the players.

Trekking : Gulmarg is an excellent base for trekking in the northern Pir Panjal Range. Nanga Parbat can be viewed to the north from several view points, including Khilanmarg, west and over 1,500 feet up the woody hillside from Gulmarg.

Skiing : Gulmarg is amongst the best skiing resorts in India. Gulmarg is also a good skiing sight for learners. Ski enthusiasts can easily get all required gear and equipments as well as professional ski instructors in Gulmarg, to try out a hand on skiing. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provide by the Gondola Cable Car Lift, where skiers can swoosh down the slopes from the height of 2, 213m.

Excursions from Gulmarg

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves : This is located at a distance of 48-km from Srinagar, to the southwest of Gulmarg. It is famous for storing several rare and endangered species such as the musk deer, and a brilliant and varied fauna.

Alpather Lake : This lake is frozen until mid-June and even later in the year one can see rocks of ice floating in its cold waters.

Pahalgam is bountiful with many places of interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking.

The Major Fascinating Sights At Pahalgam

Baisaran : The most beautiful of these is the huge, unspoiled grassland of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Filmgoers will recognize it instantly as it has been the location of several movie scenes.

Mamal : Pahalgam has eight tiny villages within its surroundings, one of which is Mamal. There is a Shiva temple here, generally considered to be Kashmir's oldest existing temple, dating back to the 5th century.

The Amarnath cave : The Amarnath cave is 6 kms away from there. During the month of Sawan, an ice stalagmite forms a natural Shiva-Ling in the Amarnath cave.

Tarsar Lake : It can be reached from Lidderwat. There are delightful camping sites and flower meadows at Sikiwas, 24 kms from here. To reach the nearby Mansar lake one has to cross a 243 mts high bridge.

Aru is a grassland surrounded by a gorge on one side. Aru is a beautiful shaded valley of the Lidder river. Encircling and protecting Aru, are the conifer spread mountains with occasional flash of high, snow-covered peaks rising against the blue sky. The one of the most beautiful hill resort of Kashmir is still, serene and idyllic.
There are small hamlets of wood-and-stone houses, some of them in the typical Gujjar-shepherd style with flat roofs, squat and backed against the hillside.

Aru is on the shepherd's trail to the high Kashmiri meadows. While on your visit to Aru, you will often encounter with the Biblical-looking Bakerwal or Gujjar herds people - lean, saturnine men, beautiful, dark-eyed women and children, fierce dogs with burning yellow eyes, living in their log huts with their flocks of sheep and goats, on way to the higher pastures for the summer. This most ideal hill station is abundant with melodious river, rising up from the gorge and misty mountain ranges.