The frozen lake
Ice and snowfields into July, with Apharwat behind.
The frozen lake below Apharwat
Alpather Lake
A high lake at the foot of Apharwat peak, about 13 km above Gulmarg, frozen until June and ringed by snow. The high point of a summer day above Gulmarg.
Baramulla districtAbout 3,800 mAbout 13 km from Gulmarg from Srinagar
Alpather Lake sits in a bowl at the foot of the twin Apharwat peaks, high above Gulmarg. It stays frozen until well into June, and even in midsummer ice floats on the water and snow lies on the slopes around it.
It is the classic summer excursion above Gulmarg for fit visitors: a pony ride or trek via Khilanmarg, or a shorter walk from the top station of Gondola Phase 2 when that route is open to walkers.
What to know
This is high altitude and the weather changes fast. Carry warm layers, sun protection and water. Afternoon clouds can roll in quickly — start early. In winter the area is avalanche terrain for skiers only.
Things to do
What to see in Alpather Lake
The ride up
Through Khilanmarg with views over the valley.
Best time to visit
Late June to September.
How to reach
- From Gulmarg — about 13 km by pony via Khilanmarg, most of a day there and back.
- Via Gondola — Phase 2 to Apharwat, then on foot, subject to the route being open.
Tour packages
All packagesAdd Alpather Lake to a Kashmir package
Best Seller4N / 5D
Kashmir 4N/5D — Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg & Pahalgam
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
The complete valley circuit with deluxe stays on MAP plan, a private vehicle throughout and an hour on Dal Lake by shikara.
- Dal Lake Shikara
- Gulmarg
- Sonamarg
- Pahalgam
Starting from₹27,200total, all inclusive
Houseboat Stay5N / 6D
Kashmir 5N/6D with Pahalgam Stay & Deluxe Houseboat
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam · Dal Lake
Adds a night in Pahalgam and a night aboard a deluxe Dal Lake houseboat to the classic valley circuit.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Pahalgam Stay
- Shikara Ride
- Private Sedan
Starting from₹29,700total, all inclusive
Budget Romance4N / 5D
Glimpse of Kashmir — 4N/5D Honeymoon
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
Deluxe houseboat, shikara ride, candlelight dinner and cake across the four main valley stops.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Shikara Ride
- Candle Dinner
- Cake
Starting from₹36,645total, all inclusive
Questions
Visiting Alpather Lake
Phase 2 is worth it on a clear day if everyone in your group is fit: it climbs to almost 4,000 m on Apharwat, with snow for most of the year. It is often closed by wind, and the altitude can affect children, elderly travellers and anyone with heart or breathing problems. Phase 1 alone is spectacular.
Book online on the official Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation portal, in a morning or afternoon slot, with a photo ID for each passenger. In season, book days or weeks ahead. A limited number of tatkal tickets, at a higher fare, are released at 5 pm for the following day.
Gulmarg is about 50 km from Srinagar, a drive of 1.5 to 2 hours via Magam and Tangmarg. After heavy snow in winter the last stretch from Tangmarg can take much longer, or close for a few hours.
Baramulla district
All destinationsMore places to visit in Baramulla
- GulmargMeadow of Flowers
- KhilanmargThe meadow above Gulmarg
- St Mary’s Church, GulmargThe Victorian church in the meadow
- Maharani TempleThe royal Shiva temple of Gulmarg
- Baba Reshi ShrineSufi shrine in the Gulmarg forest
- Drung WaterfallThe waterfall that freezes
- Ningle NallahPicnic stream below Apharwat
- Outer Circle Walk, GulmargThe 11 km forest loop
- Buta PathriMeadow near the LoC beyond Gulmarg
- ParihasporaLalitaditya’s lost capital
- Kaman Post (Aman Setu)The peace bridge at Uri
- WatlabHilltop shrine over Wular Lake
Nearby
Other places in the valley
The meadow above Gulmarg
Khilanmarg
Meadow of Flowers
Gulmarg
Picnic stream below Apharwat
Ningle Nallah
The 11 km forest loop