Best Photo Spots in Gulmarg
Gulmarg photographs as two places: a green summer meadow and a white winter ski slope. Morning is the rule for both, before clouds gather over the peaks.
High crowdEntry Gondola ticket
Apharwat Peak
- Best timeMorning for clear skies and crisp snow; midday in winter only if the sky stays blue.
- ColorsRedBlackWhite
Medium crowdEntry Green fee (summer)
Gulmarg Golf Course
- Best timeEarly morning for still air, green fairways and clear peaks; late afternoon for long shadows across the greens.
- ColorsWhiteGreenCream
High crowdEntry Gondola ticket
Gulmarg Gondola
- Best timeEarly morning for clear peaks and short queues; late morning in winter for bright sun on fresh snow.
- ColorsRedBlackWhite
High crowdEntry Free
Gulmarg Meadow
- Best timeMorning for clear peaks and dew on the grass; late afternoon for long shadows across the bowl.
- ColorsRedCreamForest green
Medium crowdEntry Free
St Mary's Church
- Best timeMorning after fresh snow for a clean white scene; late afternoon in summer for warm light on the grey stone.
- ColorsCreamMaroonForest green
Go early, every season
Clouds build over the Pir Panjal most afternoons, in summer and winter alike. The clearest views, and the shortest gondola queues, come in the first hours after opening. If your day has one fixed point, make it the first gondola slot you can book.
From the gondola
The cabins of the Gulmarg Gondola climb over a steep pine forest, and the best shot of them is from the ground near the base station, looking up as a cabin crosses the trees. Inside the cabin, shoot downhill through clean glass for the meadow shrinking below. At Kongdoori, the view opens across the Gulmarg bowl.
At the top
On a clear day, the top of Phase 2 on Apharwat Peak gives a wide sweep of snow ridges. Keep to the areas marked for visitors. The ridge is close to the Line of Control, and parts of it are closed to walkers. Snow glare is intense, so expose for the snow and wear dark glasses.
In the meadow
The Gulmarg Meadow works in two moods: green with wildflowers in June and July, and white and quiet after fresh snow. The grey stone St Mary's Church with its green roof makes a good subject against either. The fairways of the Gulmarg Golf Course give an open foreground to the mountains. The Maharani temple on its small hillock is another landmark worth including in wide shots.
Practical notes
Cold kills batteries fast at the gondola top; keep spares in an inside pocket. Ponies and sledge pullers will offer photos with their animals and sledges for a fee; agree the price first. Ask before photographing shepherds and their families, who move through the meadows with their flocks in summer. Drones need official permission here, as elsewhere in Kashmir.
Questions
Gulmarg — FAQ
What is the best time of day to photograph Gulmarg?
Early morning. Clouds usually build over the peaks by early afternoon, and the gondola queues grow through the day.
Can I see Nanga Parbat from Gulmarg?
On very clear days it can be seen from Kongdoori and from Khilanmarg above the town. Haze and cloud hide it most of the time.
Is photography allowed at the top of the gondola?
Yes, in the visitor area. Stay within the marked zone, as the ridge beyond is close to the Line of Control and not open to walkers.
When are the Gulmarg wildflowers at their best?
Usually in June and July, once the snow has cleared from the meadow.