Things to Do in Gulmarg: Gondola, Skiing and Treks

Quick answer

Ride the Gulmarg Gondola to Kongdori and, weather permitting, on to Apharwat, then spend the rest of the day on snow in winter or the meadows in summer. Ski lessons run from late December to March. In summer, walk or ride to Khilanmarg and Alpather Lake. Budget about ₹1,600–2,000 per person for both Gondola phases.

11 things worth your time in Gulmarg

01
Gondola Phase 1 to Kongdori
Experience
A ride of about 10 minutes to Kongdori at roughly 3,080 m, with snow play in winter and grassy slopes in summer.
1.5–2 hoursAbout ₹700–800 per person (2026)
Take the earliest slot you can book; queues and cloud both build after 11 am.
02
Gondola Phase 2 to Apharwat
Experience
Climbs to near 3,980 m below Apharwat peak, with snow most of the year and, on clear days, views towards Nanga Parbat.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹900–1,000 per person (2026)
Phase 2 shuts first in wind. Check the status at the Phase 1 top station before buying extras.
03
Skiing lesson
Experience
The nursery slopes near the village suit complete beginners, and Gulmarg is where most Indian skiers learn.
Half or full dayInstructor about ₹2,000–4,000 a day, plus gear hire
Use instructors registered with J&K Tourism, or a structured course at the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering.
04
Sledge ride
Experience
The classic first-snow experience for families, pulled across the meadow by local sledge-wallahs.
1 hourAbout ₹500–1,500 at posted rates
Agree on distance beforehand; pullers sometimes stop halfway and ask for more.
05
Snowmobile or ATV ride
Experience
Quick and fun for teenagers, though noisy and expensive for the time you get.
15–30 minutesRoughly ₹1,500–4,000 depending on route
Confirm the exact route and end point before you sit down.
06
Khilanmarg walk
Nature
A climb of about 6 km to a meadow near 3,000 m, with flowers in early summer and views back over the Gulmarg bowl.
3–4 hoursFree on foot; pony about ₹1,000–1,500
Start by 9 am in summer; afternoon showers are common in July and August.
07
Alpather Lake
Nature
A glacial lake at about 3,800 m below Apharwat, frozen until June and ringed by snow for much of summer.
Full dayPony about ₹2,000–3,000
Only attempt it from late June to September, and only in settled weather.
08
Gulmarg Golf Course
Experience
An 18-hole course at about 2,650 m, among the highest in the world, open roughly May to October.
2–4 hoursGreen fees vary; ask at the clubhouse
Clubs can be hired; book a tee time a day ahead in peak months.
09
St Mary's Church
Landmark
A small stone church from around 1902 in the middle of the meadow, photogenic under snow.
30 minutesFree
Combine with an evening walk across the meadow after the day-trippers leave.
10
Drang Waterfall
Nature
A short detour near Tangmarg; it freezes into a wall of icicles in winter and is a quiet picnic spot in summer.
1–2 hoursFree
The access road is narrow and icy in January; go with a local driver.
11
Baba Reshi Shrine
Landmark
A 15th-century Sufi shrine in pine forest between Tangmarg and Gulmarg, visited by people of all faiths.
1 hourFree
Dress modestly and remove shoes at the entrance.

How do you plan a day in Gulmarg?

Gulmarg is a single bowl-shaped meadow at about 2,650 m with the Gondola base at one end. Everything is walkable or a short pony ride, and the main sights fit into a day. Staying one night lets you take the first Gondola before day-trippers from Srinagar arrive around 11 am.

How do you get there?

Srinagar airport to Gulmarg is about 55 km, 1.5–2 hours by cab via Tangmarg. A one-way taxi typically costs ₹2,500–3,500; a day return with waiting runs ₹3,500–4,500. In winter the last 13 km from Tangmarg may need snow chains.

How do Gondola tickets work?

Tickets are sold online by the J&K Cable Car Corporation. In 2026 they cost roughly ₹700–800 for Phase 1 and ₹900–1,000 for Phase 2 per person. Phase 2 depends on Phase 1 and closes first in wind or snow. Slots sell out in peak weeks, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. The Gondola also shuts for maintenance on some days, and closed for repairs from late May to late June 2026.

Ponies, guides and sledges

Rates for ponies, guides and sledge pullers are set by the Gulmarg Development Authority and posted at the main points. Touts still quote double. Insist on the rate card, agree on the route and waiting time, and pay at the end.

In winter, rent snow boots and a waterproof jacket in Tangmarg or Gulmarg rather than buying them in Delhi. A set typically costs a few hundred rupees a day.

Check the season with the best time to visit Gulmarg, see the wider valley in things to do in Kashmir, compare hotels in where to stay in Kashmir and budget with Kashmir trip cost.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2 worth it?

On a clear day, yes. Phase 2 takes you to near 3,980 m, where there is snow for most of the year and the views are far wider than at Kongdori. On cloudy or windy days it often closes or shows you nothing, so decide at the Phase 1 top station. In summer it is the only way to touch snow in Gulmarg.

Can beginners ski in Gulmarg?

Yes. Gulmarg has gentle nursery slopes near the village and plenty of instructors. Two or three days of lessons get most beginners turning on easy runs. Book an instructor registered with J&K Tourism, rent gear in the village and avoid the Apharwat off-piste terrain, which is for experienced skiers with avalanche training and a guide.

Is one day enough for Gulmarg?

One day covers the Gondola and a walk on the meadow, but you will share it with every day-tripper from Srinagar. One night is better: you can ride the first Gondola, see the meadow empty at dusk and add Khilanmarg in summer or a ski lesson in winter without rushing back to Srinagar.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.