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Gulmarg gondola and skiing

Private experience

AdventureGulmarg

Gulmarg, an alpine town about two hours from Srinagar, is home to a two-stage gondola climbing towards Apharwat Peak, often described as one of the highest cable cars in the world and locally billed as Asia's highest. It draws skiers from December to February and meadow-and-mountain-view visitors from April to October, and needs no acclimatisation, since the gondola gains the altitude for you rather than a trek.

Reviewed by Experience My India Editorial Team · Updated 13 Sept 2026

Government-approved operatorApproved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

  • RouteGulmarg
  • Best seasonDecember to February
  • IncludedTransfers and sightseeing
  • Free cancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
  • Private guide and vehicle throughout
  • Reply within four hours, 9am–9pm ISTA named specialist, the same person from first reply to departure.
  • No payment to start planningYou receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.

Itinerary

  1. Drive from Srinagar

    Step 1

    • About two hours by private car from Srinagar, through the approach towns and up into the alpine bowl.

  2. Gondola stage one

    Step 2

    • The first stage of the gondola lifts you from Gulmarg town up to Kongdoori.

  3. Gondola stage two (weather permitting)

    Step 3

    • The second stage continues up towards Apharwat Peak, weather and queue lengths allowing — this stage is the one most often affected by wind or cloud.

  4. Skiing or sightseeing

    Step 4

    • In winter, ski or snowboard on Gulmarg's slopes with equipment hired locally; in summer, walk the meadows and take in the mountain views before heading back down.
Captivating winter landscape of snow-covered mountains in Gulmarg, KashmirStep 1 · Drive from Srinagar
Captivating winter landscape of snow-covered mountains in Gulmarg, Kashmir

For reference only. The final plan is confirmed in your written quote.

Highlights

  • Skiers and snowboarders in winter, and in the warmer months, families, couples and anyone who wants a genuine high-altitude view without a trek to earn it — the gondola does the climbing for you.
  • Gulmarg is an alpine town about two hours from Srinagar, built around meadows of wildflowers in summer and one of India's few genuine ski destinations in winter.
  • Its gondola — the Gulmarg Gondola, run in two stages up towards Apharwat Peak — is often described as one of the highest cable cars in the world, and is locally billed as Asia's highest.
  • In winter it serves skiers and snowboarders; the rest of the year it carries sightseers up for the meadow and mountain views without any of the exertion of a trek.

Full description

Gulmarg is an alpine town about two hours from Srinagar, built around meadows of wildflowers in summer and one of India's few genuine ski destinations in winter. Its gondola — the Gulmarg Gondola, run in two stages up towards Apharwat Peak — is often described as one of the highest cable cars in the world, and is locally billed as Asia's highest. In winter it serves skiers and snowboarders; the rest of the year it carries sightseers up for the meadow and mountain views without any of the exertion of a trek.

Kashmir is a sensitive region and government travel advice varies and changes over time; check your own government's current guidance and your travel insurance policy before booking.

Includes

  • Private vehicle and driver from Srinagar
  • A local guide
  • Standard gondola tickets for both stages

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees
  • Ski or snowboard equipment hire and any lift-specific tickets beyond the standard gondola
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

Price

Experience My India quotes this trip in INR after confirming your dates, hotel category and group size. The written quote names every hotel and inclusion, and nothing is charged until you approve it.

Important information

Gulmarg, Kashmir

Know before you go

  • The gondola's second stage is weather-dependent and can be suspended in high wind or low visibility; we build flexibility into the day rather than promise the summit stage.
  • Winter roads to Gulmarg can be affected by snow; check current conditions before travelling and pack accordingly.
  • Kashmir is a sensitive region; check your own government's current travel advice and your insurance policy before booking, and ask us about flexible, refundable arrangements.

Best season and starting point

December to February for skiing, when Gulmarg becomes one of India's few ski destinations; April to October for meadows and the gondola without snow. The day starts and ends in Srinagar, about two hours' drive away.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

  • Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
  • No payment is taken until you approve the itinerary.

Who it suits

  • It is less suited to anyone hoping for a wilderness experience away from other visitors; the gondola and the ski season both draw genuine crowds.
  • Skiers and snowboarders in winter, and in the warmer months, families, couples and anyone who wants a genuine high-altitude view without a trek to earn it — the gondola does the climbing for you. It suits travellers building a wider Kashmir trip around Srinagar, Pahalgam and Sonmarg, since Gulmarg is usually a day or two within that itinerary rather than a standalone destination.

Honest cautions

  • No acclimatisation is needed here — Gulmarg and the gondola sit at a moderate altitude reached without exertion, unlike the Ladakh trips on this site.

How booking works

  1. Send an enquiry

    Dates, who is travelling and how you like to travel. Two fields to start.

  2. We check availability

    Hotels, guides and permits for your dates, with honest alternatives if something is full.

  3. Price and hotels named

    Every hotel and inclusion is named before you pay anything.

  4. Written quote in INR

    One document, no hidden lines, valid for the dates it quotes.

  5. You approve

    Change anything you like. Nothing is charged until you say yes.

  6. A named specialist runs it

    The same person from first reply to departure, Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST.

Your trip designer

Gurudutt Kaushal

Founder, Experience My India · IIT Jodhpur

Gurudutt Kaushal founded Experience My India and set the two rules every trip here runs on: hotels and guides are named before you pay, and a human replies within four hours. Your itinerary is designed by one of the 35+ destination specialists on his team and checked against our vetting standard.

About GuruduttMeet our founderHow we vet

Trust and protection

  • Ministry of Tourism approved

    Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

  • Registered business

    GSTIN 09BZFPM8067A1Z9

  • 4.3 / 5 on Tripadvisor

    Independent guest reviews

  • No payment to start

    A written quote first; charged in INR only after you approve.

Why book with Experience My India

  • Government-approved operator

    Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

  • 500+ vetted local guides

    35+ destination specialists plan every trip by hand.

  • Human help, every day

    Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST · +91 73022 65809

  • No payment until you approve

    You receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.

How we vet every guide, stay and routeIndia e-Visa: who needs one and how to applyHave a specialist design this trip

Frequently asked questions

Is Gulmarg's gondola really one of the highest in the world?

It is commonly described that way and locally billed as Asia's highest, running in two stages up towards Apharwat Peak. We use that as a widely repeated description rather than an exact ranking we can verify ourselves.

Can I ski in Gulmarg without experience?

Yes — beginner slopes and instructors are available locally, and equipment hire is straightforward to arrange on arrival. We can build in lessons as part of your day.

Is Gulmarg worth visiting outside ski season?

Yes. From April to October the meadows are green and the gondola still runs, giving mountain views without any snow sport involved, and it pairs naturally with a wider Kashmir itinerary covering Pahalgam and Sonmarg too.

Do I need to acclimatise for Gulmarg?

No. Gulmarg and its gondola sit at a moderate altitude reached by road and cable car without exertion, unlike Ladakh's high passes.

Is Kashmir safe to visit for Gulmarg?

Tourism to Gulmarg and Kashmir's other main circuits operates normally, with a heavy security presence, but government travel advice varies by country and changes over time. Check your own government's current advice and your insurance policy before booking.

Request a quote

Tell us your dates and we will build Gulmarg into your Kashmir trip, with the gondola, transfers and, in winter, skiing arranged.

Ask on WhatsApp
  • Private guide and vehicle throughout
  • Reply within four hours, 9am–9pm IST
  • No payment to start planning

Customer reviews

No reviews for this experience yet — we publish guest reviews after each trip.

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