Gulmarg, Kashmir - Things To Do in Picturesque Town
Gulmarg was our third destination as part of the Kashmir Trip in June 2022. We traveled from Sonmarg and had planned 2 nights stay in Gulmarg to absorb the beauty of the skiing destination. However, heavy rains subdued most of our plans during our stay here. We did explore the town to the extent we could but most of the content in this article is based on what we researched in preparation for our trip.
A summary of our overall Kashmir Trip is available at
Kashmir Trip in a Nutshell – Itinerary, Experiences, & Learnings
Overview of Gulmarg
Located in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg is a beautiful tourist destination that offers visitors a breathtaking view of the Himalayan range. It is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. With an altitude of 2700 meters above sea level, it is a sought-after destination in any weather.
One of the biggest attractions of Gulmarg is its ski resort, which is one of the best in Asia. The resort is spread over an area of 13 square kilometers and has 21 ski slopes, with varying levels of difficulty, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced skiers. The ski season starts in December and continues until mid-April, with the best skiing conditions being between January and February.
Gulmarg is not just a winter destination, it is also a fantastic place to visit in the summer months. The town is surrounded by beautiful meadows and forests that come alive with wildflowers during the summer. One of the most popular activities in summer is trekking. There are many trekking routes in Gulmarg that offer stunning views of the mountains and valleys. The most popular trek is the trek to Alpather Lake, which is situated
How to Reach Gulmarg
Gulmarg is well connected to Srinagar and other major cities in Jammu and Kashmir by road. You can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Gulmarg. The nearest airport to Gulmarg is the Srinagar International Airport, which is approximately 56 km away. The nearest railway station to Gulmarg is the Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is located approximately 290 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Gulmarg.
The route to Gulmarg is scenic and mesmerizing. As you gain height the scenery changes drastically. From plains and plantations, the tall conifers take over the backdrop. With the altitude, the closeness to the snow is definitely engulfed in the air and the chill runs through the body.
Things to Do in Gulmarg
Gulmarg offers something for every taste and age. While the natural beauty is already in abundance, its altitude and weather allow for unique offerings for the tourists in this skiing destination in India.
- Skiing: Gulmarg is a popular destination for skiing enthusiasts, offering some of the best skiing slopes in Asia. The skiing season in Gulmarg starts in December and lasts until mid-April.
- Gondola ride: Take a gondola ride to the world's highest cable car in Gulmarg. The ride offers stunning views of the snow-covered peaks and valleys.
- Snowboarding: Gulmarg is also an excellent destination for snowboarding. You can try your hand at snowboarding on the slopes of Gulmarg under the guidance of experienced instructors.
- Trekking: Beautiful meadows and forests surround Gulmarg, making it an ideal destination for trekking. You can explore the stunning landscapes of Gulmarg on foot and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
- Golfing: Gulmarg boasts one of the highest golf courses in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 meters. The course is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and is a must-visit for golf enthusiasts.
Gondola Ride - A Major Attraction
The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the main attractions of the destination. The ride takes you over two different phases, each offering a unique experience and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Tickets and Logistics
During summer, the gondola is one busy attraction and it gets difficult to get tickets at the last moment. There are agents and guides who are ready to fleece tourists using this as bait. We recommend getting the tickets in advance. Most tour packages include phase 1 tickets so if you are using one, be conscious of the fact that you may have to purchase your own phase 2 tickets. You can buy the tickets online easily on the official website of Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car. They process refunds promptly, in case there are cancellations to the Gondola.
Phase 1
The first phase of the gondola ride takes you from Gulmarg to Kongdoori, covering a distance of approximately 2.5 km. The ride takes around 15 minutes and offers stunning views of the snow-covered peaks and valleys. At Kongdoori, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and soak in the beauty of the landscape.
Phase 2
The second phase of the gondola ride takes you from Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak, covering a distance of 3.9 km. This phase takes you to the highest point of the gondola ride, at an altitude of 4,200 meters. The ride takes around 20 minutes and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range.
Cautionary Alert
As we have alerted in some of the other articles on Kashmir, there is a systematized way of commissioning in this region. At Gulmarg, the "system" entitles the guides to collect that "brokerage". Your cab driver gets cut in getting you a guide. So, as you approach Gulmarg on your tour, your cab driver will start pestering you on the need for a guide. The reason could range from arranging gondola tickets to getting you ahead in the boarding queue, to getting you the best buck for money by covering all sites.
For more similar cautions to be aware of, please visit our overview article on Kashmir Trip - Kashmir Trip in a Nutshell – Itinerary, Experiences, & Learnings
This was a short write-up based on what we researched for Kashmir and some of our own observations. Let us know if you have any thoughts or have visited the region recently.
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