I recently had the opportunity to travel to Gulmarg, a picturesque hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
We started our journey early in the morning from Srinagar, and after a scenic drive of about two hours, we arrived in Gulmarg. The drive itself was a treat to our eyes, as we witnessed breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and dense forests on the way.
Upon reaching the Zahgheer hotel, we were welcomed warmly by the staff, who assisted us with our check-in and gave us a brief tour of the hotel. We were impressed by the cozy interiors, comfortable rooms, and beautiful views from the windows. After freshening up, we decided to explore the town.
We first headed to the #Gulmarg #Gondola, one of the main attractions of the town. The gondola is a cable car that takes visitors to the top of the mountain, providing a stunning view of the surrounding area. We took the first phase of the ride, which took us to a height of about 8,530 feet. The view from the top was truly breathtaking, with snow-covered mountains as far as the eye could see. We also saw skiers and snowboarders enjoying the slopes below.
After enjoying the view, we decided to try our hand at skiing and snowboarding. We rented equipment and took lessons from the instructors, who were very patient and friendly. It was our first time skiing and snowboarding, and we had a lot of fun despite some falls and tumbles. We spent a few hours on the slopes, taking in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the thrill of the sport.
As the sun began to set, we made our way back to the hotel. We were tired but happy after a day of adventure and excitement. We freshened up and had dinner at the hotel's restaurant, which served delicious local cuisine. We spent some time in the hotel's lounge, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and chatting with fellow travelers.
Overall, Day 1 in Gulmarg was a perfect start to our three-day trip. We experienced the thrill of skiing and snowboarding, enjoyed the stunning views from the gondola, and got a taste of the local culture and hospitality.
After a good night's rest, we woke up early and had a hearty breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. We were excited for the day's activity, which was a guided trek in the mountains. We had heard that Gulmarg was a paradise for trekkers, and we were eager to explore the town's natural beauty on foot.
We met our guide at the hotel's reception, and he gave us a brief introduction to the trek. The trek was about four hours long and took us through some of the most stunning landscapes we had ever seen. We started by walking through a dense forest, where our guide showed us some of the local flora and fauna. We saw some rare species of birds, including the Himalayan Monal, which is the state bird of Uttarakhand.
As we climbed higher, we came across snow-covered meadows and icy streams. The views from the top were breathtaking, with panoramic vistas of the mountains and valleys. Our guide also told us about the history and culture of the region, sharing interesting stories and anecdotes along the way.
After a few hours of trekking, we reached a small village, where we had lunch at a local eatery. We tried some of the local delicacies, including lamb kebabs, Kashmiri pulao, and rogan josh. The food was delicious and flavorful, and we enjoyed the hospitality of the locals.
After lunch, we made our way back to the hotel. We were tired but happy after a day of trekking and exploring. We freshened up and decided to have dinner at a local restaurant. We tried some more local dishes, including dum aloo and phirni, which were absolutely delicious. We spent some time strolling around the town, taking in the sights and sounds of the evening.
Overall, Day 2 in Gulmarg was a memorable experience. We got to explore the town's natural beauty on foot, learn about its history and culture, and try some amazing local food. The guided trek was definitely the highlight of the day, and we were grateful for the opportunity to see the mountains up close.
On our last day in Gulmarg, we wanted to make the most of our time and explore as much as we could. We started the day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, where we tried some local specialties such as kahwa (a traditional Kashmiri tea) and kashmiri roti (a type of flatbread).
After breakfast, we decided to explore some of the local markets and shops. We had heard that Gulmarg was famous for its handicrafts, particularly its woolen shawls and carpets. We spent a few hours browsing through the shops and interacting with the local shopkeepers. We were impressed by the variety and quality of the handicrafts, and ended up buying a few souvenirs to take back home.
In the afternoon, we decided to try some more adventure sports. We had heard that Gulmarg was a great place for snowmobiling, and we were eager to try it out. We rented snowmobiles and went on a thrilling ride through the snow-covered trails. The experience was exhilarating, as we raced through the icy terrain and enjoyed the stunning views of the mountains.
After the snowmobiling, we decided to take it easy and enjoy some hot chocolate at a local cafe. We sat by the fireplace and sipped on our drinks, reminiscing about the amazing experiences we had had over the past few days.
In the evening, we returned to the hotel and decided to have dinner at the hotel's restaurant. We wanted to try some more local dishes, and the restaurant did not disappoint. We tried some delicious kofta curry and rogan josh, accompanied by freshly made naan bread. We also ordered some dessert, including phirni and kulfi, to indulge our sweet tooth.
As we retired to our rooms, we reflected on the amazing three days we had spent in Gulmarg. We had experienced the thrill of adventure sports, explored the town's natural beauty, learned about its history and culture, and tasted some amazing local food. It was a trip that we would never forget, and we were already planning our next visit.
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