Updated: November 2026
Short answer: Gulmarg is a meadow town at about 2,650 m in Baramulla district, around 50–56 km (1.5–2 hours) from Srinagar. Its big draw is the Gulmarg Gondola: Phase 1 climbs to Kongdoori (₹750) and Phase 2 to the shoulder of Apharwat at about 3,980 m (₹950), per JKTDC’s Gulmarg page. Come December to early March for snow and skiing, or April to October for green meadows, Khilanmarg walks and the golf course. Two days is the right length; one day is a rush.
Quick answer: Gulmarg at a glance
- Altitude: about 2,650 m (town and golf course); gondola top station about 3,980 m.
- From Srinagar: about 50–56 km via Tangmarg, 1.5–2 hours by road.
- Gondola fares: Phase 1 ₹750, Phase 2 ₹950 (JKTDC). Book online in advance; hours are about 10 am–5 pm, weather permitting.
- Snow: usually mid-December to early March. January is the coldest month (average high about 0.7°C, low about -7.7°C).
- Not allowed on the gondola: children under 5 and people with heart disease or breathing problems (JKTDC).
- Stay: 1–2 nights in Gulmarg itself, or Tangmarg (about 12 km below) for cheaper rooms.
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Is Gulmarg open for tourists in 2026?
Yes. Gulmarg town, the gondola and the ski slopes ran through the 2025–26 winter, and Gulmarg hosted the Khelo India Winter Games snow events from 23 to 26 February 2026 (The Tribune, February 2026). After the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, nearly 50 spots across J&K were closed and then reopened in phases; by 16 February 2026, 42 had reopened (Business Today, 17 February 2026). A few spots elsewhere in Kashmir are still restricted, so check J&K Tourism and local police advisories before you travel.
The gondola itself does close at times. It was shut from 25 May 2026 for a technical fault and reopened in late June (Curly Tales, 26 June 2026), and Phase 2 often stops for high wind or heavy snow. Build one flexible half-day into your plan.
Gulmarg Gondola: phases, ticket prices and how booking works
The Gulmarg Gondola is run by the J&K Cable Car Corporation (JKCCL) and was built with the French firm Pomagalski. Phase 1 opened in 1998 and Phase 2 in 2005. It is a two-stage cable car, and you can buy one or both stages.
| Stage | Route and height | Ride time | Fare (JKTDC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Gulmarg base (~2,650 m) to Kongdoori (~3,100 m) | About 9–10 min | ₹750 |
| Phase 2 | Kongdoori to Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of Apharwat (~3,980 m) | About 12 min | ₹950 |
| Both phases | Base to top and back | Plan 3–4 hours with queues | About ₹1,700 |
Other 2026 reports put fares at about ₹700–810 for Phase 1 and ₹900–1,010 for Phase 2, so treat the table as a guide and pay what the official Gulmarg Gondola booking portal shows for your date. Fares are per adult as listed on JKTDC’s Gulmarg page in November 2026; local press reported the same ₹1,700 total for both phases in January 2026, and also that riders who get off at Phase 1 and continue to Phase 2 later were being charged ₹400 more (Greater Kashmir, 27 January 2026). Fares change, so confirm on the official JKCCL booking site.
How booking works in practice:
- Book online, ahead. Tickets are sold for time slots on the official JKCCL website. In peak weeks (late December, January weekends, May–June) slots sell out days ahead.
- Phase 2 is smaller. Fewer Phase 2 tickets are sold each day, so book both phases together if you want the top.
- Daily capacity went up from about 6,000 to 9,000 riders in April 2026 (Curly Tales, 19 April 2026), which has eased queues but not removed them.
- Go early. Morning slots have clearer views and less wind. Phase 2 is the first to stop when the weather turns.
- Carry ID and keep the booking on your phone; network in Gulmarg is patchy.
Is Phase 2 worth it?
For most adults, yes, on a clear day. Phase 1 gives you snow and pine slopes at Kongdoori; Phase 2 takes you above the tree line to near 4,000 m, with views across the Pir Panjal and, on clear days, towards Nanga Parbat. At that height people with heart or breathing issues, and small children, should not go; JKTDC bars children under 5 and heart and respiratory patients from the gondola. Spend 30–45 minutes at the top, not hours, and come down if you get a headache.
What are the best things to do in Gulmarg?
| Place or activity | Season | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gondola to Kongdoori and Apharwat | All year | The headline experience. Book online; mornings are best. |
| Skiing and snowboarding | Mid-Dec to early Mar | Beginner slopes in the bowl; experts ski the gondola terrain. Hire gear and an instructor locally; see our skiing in Gulmarg guide for IISM courses and costs. |
| Snowmobile and sledge rides | Winter | Run by locals on the meadow; agree the price and the route before you sit down. |
| Khilanmarg | May–Oct (snowbound in winter) | A meadow about 4 km from the Gulmarg bus stand, on foot or pony; views of Nanga Parbat and Nun-Kun on clear days (JKTDC). |
| Alpather Lake | Summer | High lake below Apharwat, about 13 km from Gulmarg; a long pony ride or hike. Frozen and inaccessible for most of the year. |
| Gulmarg Golf Course | Summer and autumn | 18 holes at about 2,650 m, run by JKTDC, open to golfers since 1904; one-day temporary membership available. |
| St Mary’s Church | All year | Stone church built in 1902, restored and reopened in 2003. |
| Maharani (Shiv) Temple | All year | The 1915 hilltop temple burned in 2024; it was rebuilt and consecrated on 11 August 2025 (Greater Kashmir). |
| Drung waterfall | Winter for ice, summer for flow | A short detour near Tangmarg; it freezes in deep winter. |
When is the best time to visit Gulmarg?
| Months | What you get | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Dec to Feb | Deep snow, sub-zero nights, Phase 2 stops on bad-weather days | Snow lovers, skiers, families who want snow play |
| March | Snow still on the meadow early in the month, softening later | Late-season snow with fewer crowds |
| April–June | Snow melts off the bowl, flowers on the meadows, snow up at Apharwat | Families and couples; peak season, book early |
| July–September | Green and cool, some rain | Khilanmarg, Alpather, golf |
| October–November | Clear, crisp days, autumn colour, first snow possible in late November | Photography, lower room rates |
Snow dates move a lot from year to year. Our month guides go deeper: Kashmir in November, Kashmir in December and Kashmir in January.
How do you reach Gulmarg from Srinagar?
By road only. The route runs from Srinagar through Magam to Tangmarg, then climbs about 12 km of hairpins to Gulmarg. Allow 1.5–2 hours in normal traffic. Distances and fares to Pahalgam and Sonmarg are compared in our Srinagar to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg guide.
| Option | Time | Cost (Suzu rates, Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Private taxi, day trip from Srinagar and back | Full day | From ₹3,000 sedan, ₹3,500 Ertiga, ₹4,750 Innova Crysta |
| One-way drop Srinagar to Gulmarg | 1.5–2 hours | From ₹2,499 sedan, ₹3,299 Ertiga, ₹4,499 Innova Crysta |
| Shared cab or bus to Tangmarg, then local taxi | 3–4 hours | Cheapest; check locally |
Rates are from our Srinagar taxi service page; tolls, parking and the gondola are extra. Coming from Jammu, see our Jammu to Srinagar taxi fares.
Winter road rule: after snowfall, the SDM Gulmarg’s advisory allows only 4×4 vehicles or vehicles fitted with anti-skid chains on the Tangmarg–Gulmarg road. Chains are fitted by registered vendors at designated parking in Tangmarg; the December 2024 advisory set the rate at ₹600 a pair (Greater Kashmir, 9 December 2024). Rent snow boots and coats in Tangmarg only if you need them, and agree the price first.
Where should you stay: Gulmarg, Tangmarg or Srinagar?
- Gulmarg itself: best if you want early gondola slots, skiing or snow at your door. Rooms are the most expensive in winter and May–June. JKTDC also runs huts and a Yatri Niwas dormitory here.
- Tangmarg: about 12 km below, cheaper, but you lose time on the hairpins and must deal with the chain rule after snow.
- Day trip from Srinagar: works in summer if you leave by 7:30 am. In winter it is tight, because road delays can eat your gondola slot.
Our advice: one or two nights in Gulmarg in winter; in summer a day trip is fine if you are short of time.
A 2-day Gulmarg plan
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Leave Srinagar by 8 am, stop at Tangmarg (and Drung in winter). Check in by noon. Afternoon: walk the meadow, St Mary’s Church and the Maharani Temple; snow play or a sledge in winter. Early night. |
| Day 2 | First gondola slot: Phase 1, then Phase 2 if the top is open. Back down by 1 pm. Summer: pony to Khilanmarg. Winter: ski lesson or snowmobile. Drive back to Srinagar by evening, or go on to Pahalgam the next day. |
This is how Gulmarg fits into our trips. The Magical Kashmir 6D/5N economy tour starts from ₹16,999 per person (twin sharing) on its live page, and the Kashmir houseboat tour 5D/4N with Gulmarg and Pahalgam starts from ₹21,999 per person (twin sharing, off-season). For a winter-only plan see Snowclad Kashmir, and compare everything on our best Kashmir tour packages page. A full day-by-day route is in our 6-day Kashmir itinerary.
What should you pack for Gulmarg?
- Winter: thermals, fleece, a waterproof jacket, waterproof boots with grip, gloves, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. Snow glare at 4,000 m is harsh.
- Summer: a warm layer even in June; the top station is cold and windy.
- Cash: carry some; card machines and network can fail.
- Medicines: if anyone in your group has a heart or lung condition, skip Phase 2 and check with a doctor before the trip.
What this means for your trip
Give Gulmarg one night in summer and two in winter. Book the gondola online as soon as your dates are fixed and take the earliest slot you can. In winter, plan for the chain rule, and keep a spare half-day for a Phase 2 closure. If you want snow, aim for late December to February; if you want meadows and Khilanmarg, come May to October.
Gulmarg: frequently asked questions
What is the Gulmarg gondola ticket price in 2026?
JKTDC’s Gulmarg page lists ₹750 for Phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdoori) and ₹950 for Phase 2 (Kongdoori to Apharwat), about ₹1,700 for both. Local press in January 2026 reported the same total. Tickets are sold online in time slots on the official JKCCL site; confirm the fare when you book.
Can I buy gondola tickets at the counter?
Plan on booking online. Tickets are sold in time slots on the official J&K Cable Car Corporation website, and peak-season slots sell out days ahead. Book both phases together if you want to reach the top, because Phase 2 has fewer seats.
Is Gulmarg safe and open to visit in 2026?
Gulmarg town, the gondola and ski slopes operated through the 2025–26 winter, and the Khelo India Winter Games were held there on 23–26 February 2026. Some other Kashmir spots remain restricted after the April 2025 attack, so check J&K Tourism and police advisories before you travel.
When does it snow in Gulmarg?
Usually from mid-December to early March, with January the coldest and most reliable month. An early spell can come in late November. Snow stays at the Apharwat top station much longer, often into early summer.
Can children ride the Gulmarg gondola?
Children under 5 are not permitted, and neither are people with heart disease or breathing problems, according to JKTDC. Older children can ride, but keep the stay at the Phase 2 top short because of the altitude.
Is a Gulmarg day trip from Srinagar enough?
In summer, yes, if you leave Srinagar by about 7:30 am and have gondola tickets booked. In winter, stay at least one night: snow can slow the Tangmarg road, and Phase 2 often opens late or shuts early with the weather.
How far is Gulmarg from Srinagar?
About 50–56 km via Magam and Tangmarg, 1.5–2 hours by car. A one-way sedan drop starts at ₹2,499 and a same-day return trip at ₹3,000 on Suzu’s Srinagar taxi rates (November 2026).
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