A high meadow resort in the Pir Panjal with a two-stage cable car, ski slopes and summer flowers.
FamousSnowMeadowAdventureHill-station
Gulmarg means meadow of flowers. People come in winter for skiing and deep snow, and in summer for green meadows, pony rides and the gondola up towards Apharwat. It suits families, first-time snow visitors and skiers, and it is an easy drive of about two hours from Srinagar.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
Snow-capped mountains at GulmargWide view of GulmargApharwat Peak above GulmargThe Shiva temple (Maharani Temple) in Gulmarg
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
December to February
Heavy snow and the main skiing season. Sources report January temperatures between about -12 and 6 degrees C, with snowfall on several days a week. Snow chains are required on the Tangmarg to Gulmarg road.
March to June
Snow melts back from the meadow and the weather turns mild. May is described as having good visibility and both gondola phases usually running.
July to September
Green meadows and wildflowers, with rain on and off. Reported temperatures are about 13 to 17 degrees C.
October to November
Cold and quiet. Snowfall usually begins from about mid-November.
Sights and activities
1
Gulmarg Gondola
A two-phase cable car run by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation. Phase 1 goes from Gulmarg to Kongdoori and Phase 2 continues to the upper slopes of Apharwat at about 3,980 m.
Distance
The base station is about 2 km from the parking area
Entry
About 810 for Phase 1 and 1,010 for Phase 2 per person (1,820 for both); Kongdoori chairlift about 300
Timings
Boarding reported from about 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, last return about 5:00 pm; reported closed on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month; stops in bad weather
Drive or take a shared cab from Srinagar to Tangmarg and on to Gulmarg, about 50 to 54 km in 1.5 to 2.5 hours. In winter, vehicles need snow chains from Tangmarg, so many visitors change to a local cab there.
By train
Baramulla is the nearest railhead at about 53 km, according to the district website. Several travel sites still name Jammu Tawi, about 290 km away, as the main long-distance station.
By air
Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport, Srinagar, about 54 to 59 km away, around 2 hours by taxi.
Where to base yourself
Stay in Gulmarg itself near the gondola base, or in Tangmarg 13 km below if Gulmarg rooms are full or too costly.
Getting around
Gulmarg is small and most people walk between the meadow, the church, the temple and the gondola base.
Ponies are the usual ride to places such as Khilanmarg and Strawberry Valley; one source gives about 500 rupees for a return ride, and the price is bargained.
A bus or shared cab between Tangmarg and Gulmarg costs about 50 rupees per person.
A private cab from Tangmarg to Gulmarg costs about 1,000 to 1,600 rupees one way, or about 2,500 for a same-day return.
A taxi for a full day of local sightseeing is quoted at about 4,000 rupees; a return trip to Baba Reshi is about 2,000 to 2,500.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Simple hotels and guest houses, including JKTDC huts and dormitory
₹2,000 to ₹3,500
Mid-range
Three-star hotels and resorts
₹5,000 to ₹12,000
Luxury
Four and five-star resorts near the gondola
₹12,000 to ₹35,000
Food
Most visitors eat at their hotel or at small local eateries around the market. Kashmiri meat dishes and Wazwan-style meals are the local speciality.
Try these
Rogan Josh (red lamb curry)
Yakhni (meat cooked in a yoghurt broth)
Dum Aloo (potato curry)
Qabargah (fried rack of lamb)
Modur Pulao (sweet rice)
Kahwa (green tea with spices)
Sheer Chai (salted pink tea)
Vegetarian food is easy to find. Dum Aloo and other vegetable dishes are widely listed.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹2,500
₹600
₹500 per person
Mid-range
₹7,000
₹1,200
₹4,000 per vehicle
Luxury
₹20,000
₹3,000
₹4,000 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permit was mentioned by any source for Indian visitors. Gondola tickets are booked online on the official Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation site, and each person must carry the same original government photo ID used for the booking, with the name matching exactly.
Safety
By day
The main risks are weather and altitude. The Phase 2 gondola goes to about 3,980 m and can be stopped by wind, snow or poor visibility. Sources warn about touts and overcharging by pony and sledge operators; agree the price first and book gondola tickets only online.
At night
Winter nights are far below freezing, so check that the room has working heating.
Roads
The road from Srinagar stays open through winter, but snow chains are compulsory between Tangmarg and Gulmarg after snowfall. Many visitors switch to a local cab at Tangmarg.
Phase 1 of the gondola is the one recommended for older visitors; the altitude at Phase 2 is much higher. The base station is about 2 km from the parking area.
Children
Good for children, with snow play, pony rides and a children's park. Children aged three and above need a full gondola ticket; Phase 1 is recommended for young children.
Wheelchair users
Snow and uneven meadow paths make movement hard in winter.
Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
Culture and responsible travel
Baba Reshi is an active Sufi shrine and Maharani Temple an active Hindu temple; dress modestly and follow the customs at each.
Agree pony, sledge and guide prices before you start, and pay what was agreed.
Book gondola tickets yourself on the official site; the operator warns visitors not to buy from touts.
The meadow and the forest around it are fragile; carry your litter back.
What to pack
Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
Proper winter wear: a heavy jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap
Waterproof shoes with grip if you go in the snow months
Walking shoes with a good grip, a small daypack and a refillable water bottle
A rain jacket or umbrella and quick-dry clothes
Enough cash for the whole stay, a power bank and offline maps
Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts
