Gulmarg Gondola — Phase 1
Gulmarg to Kongdoori at about 3,080 m. The reliable half of the cable car, running in most conditions. Ticketed separately from Phase 2 and from your package.
Meadow of Flowers
Gulmarg
Alpine meadows in summer, ski slopes in winter, and the Gondola — one of the highest cable cars in the world.
2,650 m50 km · approx. 2 hours from Srinagar
Gulmarg is a meadow at 2,650 m ringed by pine, with the Apharwat ridge rising behind it — an hour and a half to two hours from Srinagar through Tangmarg. In summer it is alpine grassland and a golf course; from December it is India’s only ski resort of genuine international standing.
The Gondola, and how to not waste the day
The cable car is why most people come, and it is the single thing most likely to go wrong. Phase 1 climbs from the meadow to Kongdoori at roughly 3,080 m. Phase 2 continues to just under 4,000 m on Apharwat. The two phases are ticketed separately.
- Tickets sell out in season. In summer 2026 the Gondola has been carrying in the region of 5,000 people a day — book ahead rather than turning up.
- Phase 2 closes at short notice in bad weather, sometimes after you have already ridden Phase 1. Treat it as a bonus, not a plan.
- Neither phase is included in any operator’s package price, ours included.
- You go from 2,650 m to nearly 4,000 m in minutes with no acclimatisation. Move slowly at the top, drink water, and come down if anyone feels unwell.
If the Gondola is shut
It happens, and the day is not lost. Khilanmarg is a 6 km walk or pony ride above the meadow and gives you the view the queue is not getting. Strawberry Valley and Ferozepur Nallah are short walks that get you clear of the pony stands. The golf course, St Mary’s Church and the Maharani Temple fill an easy afternoon.
Winter
From December to March the meadow disappears under snow and the lift-served terrain off Apharwat draws skiers who travel specifically for it. January and February are the reliable months — December is a gamble and the last week of it prices like peak summer. For snow with children rather than skiing, stay in Gulmarg rather than day-tripping to it. Our month-by-month guide sets out the trade-offs.
Things to do
What to see in Gulmarg
Gulmarg Gondola — Phase 2
Kongdoori to just under 4,000 m on Apharwat, among the highest cable cars in the world. Closes at short notice in weather. Snow at the top well outside winter.
Khilanmarg
A 6 km walk or pony ride above the meadow, opening out to the Pir Panjal. The best thing to do in Gulmarg when the Gondola is not running.
Gulmarg Golf Course
Eighteen holes at 2,650 m, among the highest golf courses in the world. Open roughly May to October, and under several feet of snow the rest of the year.
Alpather Lake
Frozen into June, reached on foot or by pony from the top of Phase 2. A genuine half-day expedition rather than a stop — plan for it or leave it.
St Mary’s Church
A small Victorian church from 1902 sitting in the middle of the meadow, with the Maharani Temple a few minutes away. Ten minutes each, and both photograph well.
Best time to visit
Two distinct seasons with little in between. May to September gives you the meadow in flower, the golf course open and the walks to Khilanmarg and Alpather accessible — June and July are the busiest. January and February are the ski months and the most reliable snow.
March and November are the awkward edges: too late or too early for either version of Gulmarg. Early November is the exception worth knowing — Apharwat often takes its first snow then, so the top of the Gondola can be white while rates below are still shoulder season.
How to reach
Gulmarg is 50 km west of Srinagar, about two hours by road via Tangmarg, and it is a day trip from a Srinagar base in every itinerary we run. There is no rail or air link — the nearest airport is Srinagar (SXR).
- In winter the last stretch above Tangmarg can require chains or a change of vehicle after heavy snow, and the road occasionally closes for a day. Build slack into a January plan.
- Local taxi union rates apply on the Tangmarg–Gulmarg section, as they do at Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
- Staying overnight in Gulmarg rather than day-tripping is worth it only if you want to be on the mountain early — which, for skiing, you do.
Tour packages
All packagesPackages that include Gulmarg
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
Most Popular5N / 6D
Shades of Kashmir — 5N/6D Honeymoon
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
Adds the Gulmarg Gondola and a couple photoshoot in Kashmiri attire to the honeymoon circuit.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Gondola
- Candle Dinner
- Photoshoot
Starting from₹41,580total, all inclusive
Best Value6N / 7D
Vale of Kashmir — 6N/7D Honeymoon
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
A full week with a night in Pahalgam, deluxe houseboat stay and a welcome gift on arrival.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Pahalgam Stay
- Candle Dinner
- Welcome Gift
Starting from₹47,775total, all inclusive
4N / 5D
Mesmerizing Kashmir — 4N/5D Honeymoon
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
A four-night honeymoon circuit at a higher accommodation standard than the Glimpse package, with the full romantic inclusions list.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Shikara Ride
- Candle Dinner
- Welcome Gift
Starting from₹55,125total, all inclusive
Questions
Visiting Gulmarg
Gondola tickets are not included by default, but we can add Phase 1 and Phase 2 tickets to your package. They must be booked in advance as they sell out quickly in peak season, and we handle all ticket arrangements on your behalf.
Kashmir is beautiful all year round. Spring (March–May) is ideal for tulip gardens and blossoming orchards. Summer (June–August) offers lush green valleys perfect for sightseeing. Autumn (September–November) brings stunning golden foliage. Winter (December–February) is magical for snowfall and skiing in Gulmarg.
Absolutely. Every Kashmir tour package we offer can be customised to match your preferences, group size, budget and travel dates. Simply contact us with your requirements and we will design the perfect Kashmir itinerary for you.
Guides
Reading about Gulmarg
Best Time to Visit Kashmir: Month by Month (2026–27)
When to visit Kashmir, answered by what you are coming for: tulips, snow, skiing, a family holiday or a cheap trip. Month-by-month temperatures, what is open, and what each window costs.
Kashmir Tourism: A Complete 2026 Guide from Srinagar
A working guide to Kashmir tourism in 2026: how to reach the valley by air, the new rail link and road, what a trip really costs, documents, food, crafts, and the practical details packages leave out.
30 Best Places to Visit in Kashmir (2026 Local Guide)
The places worth a first trip to Kashmir and the ones worth a second, grouped by how you actually travel them — with drive times, the seasonal windows, and what to drop if you only have four days.
