A Perfect One-Day in Gulmarg Itinerary

Gulmarg is the best ski resort in India. Although in winter, Gulmarg becomes a heaven for skiers and snowboarders, throughout the year, Gulmarg witnesses a large number of tourists. Your first trip to the valley of Kashmir would be incomplete without a visit to Gulmarg. Usually, most of us spend a day in Gulmarg during our first tour of Kashmir. Although you can spend an entire week in this little piece of jannat in Kashmir, this blog is about how you can spend a perfect day in Gulmarg, a one-day itinerary. You can spend the night here or return to Srinagar after spending an amazing day at Gulmarg.

Where is Gulmarg

Gulmarg is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. It is a town with the world’s highest golf course and a popular skiing destination in the Baramulla district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The beautiful town of Gulmarg is situated on the northeastern side of the Pir Panjal range of mountains.

Gulmarg is a Persian word blending two separate words, Gul and Marg. Gul means flowers, and Marg means meadows. So, Gulmarg means the meadow of flowers. Yousuf Shah Chak, the last Chak ruler of Kashmir, found this place and frequently visited here with his queen Habba Khatun.

The average altitude of Gulmarg is 2600 metres from the sea level. Gulmarg is an all-season destination for tourists and travellers worldwide. The summer here is pleasant, with colourful meadows and accessible hiking trails. In winter, Gulmarg becomes a snowy wonderland and a favourite skiing destination with many adventure activities as well.

How to reach

Gulmarg is well connected with Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The distance between Srinagar and Gulmarg is 56 kilometres, and the journey takes around 2 hours.

By Air:

The nearest airport to Gulmarg is the Srinagar International Airport (SXR), which is well-connected to major cities in India. Direct flight to Srinagar is available from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. You can hire a taxi from the airport or take a pre-booked cab to Gulmarg.

Book your flight to Srinagar (SXR)

Book airport cabs to and from Srinagar

By Train:

The nearest major railway station to Gulmarg is the Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is well-connected to various cities in India. You can hire a taxi from Jammu or take a shared cab to Gulmarg. The distance between Jammu and Gulmarg is approximately 290 kilometres, and the journey takes around 8-9 hours.

Book your train to Jammu (JAT)

By Road:

Gulmarg is well-connected by road to various cities in Jammu, Kashmir, and neighbouring states. You can drive to Gulmarg in your own vehicle or hire a taxi from cities like Srinagar, Jammu, or other nearby towns.

Book your cab for Gulmarg

Where to stay

Gulmarg has a number of hotels, from mid-range to luxury. As Gulmarg is visited throughout the year, the stay options are plenty. But you will not find many budget hotels in Gulmarg. Due to the high demand for hotel rooms, the tariffs are high compared to other hill stations in India, considering the facilities you get here. For this reason, Gulmarg is often visited as a day trip by budget travellers and tourists.

In winter, Gulmarg becomes the best ski destination in India, visited by tourists and skiers from around the world. Hotel prices also skyrocketed at that time. Staying in Tangmarg, 14 kilometres before Gulmarg, is a good option at that time.

In peak season, like December-January and April to June, you must book hotels in advance to spend a night in Gulmarg. Hotel rooms are usually available in Gulmarg between June and October for spot booking.

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) has two stay options in Gulmarg. You can stay in cottages with two-bedroom cottages to five-bedroom cottages, or you can stay at the Tourist Bungalow between the main market and the Gondola Ride Point. The rooms in the tourist bungalow where I stayed were spacious and covered with wooden panels. It did not have central heating. They gave room heater. There is an in-house restaurant that prepares basic Indian food.

Book the best hotels in Gulmarg

How to plan a perfect one day in Gulmarg

Start early. Have your breakfast and go to the Gondola base station. You will find a queue there always. Depending on the season, standing in the queue only takes up to 2 hours. Then you will board the Gondola.

Once you reach Kangdori, go to the boarding point of the 2nd Phase and take the Gondola to Apharwat. Spend your time at Apharwat first. You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding there. Then come back to Kangdori. You can take a sledge ride back or use the Gondola again.

In Kangdori, enjoy snow-biking in winter and pony riding or quad-biking in summer. Have your lunch at Kangdori or Gulmarg. Then proceed for the local sightseeing of Gulmarg, like Maharaja Palace, Shiva Temple, Golf Course etc. Depending on the season, you can also engage in different activities in Gulmarg. Finally, enjoy the sunset at Gulmarg and have your dinner in a cosy cafe.

Book a one-day trip to Gulmarg from Srinagar

Things to see in one day in Gulmarg

• Kangdori
• Apharwat
• Maharaja Palace
• Golf Course
• Maharani Temple

Kangdori

Kangdori is a bowl-shaped valley located at a height of 2600 metres between Gulmarg and Apharwat. Kangdori is the first station of the famous Gondola Ride. From Kangdori, gondolas go to the second station in Afarwat. There is another option of chairlifts that go towards Khilanmarg and are usually taken by skiers and snowboarders.

The view of the valley in Kangdori is completely different in summer and winter. In summer, the valley becomes a huge green meadow covered with flowers. In winter, the whole meadow gets covered with a thick blanket of snow.

Tourists can enjoy horseriding, hiking and quad-biking in Kangdori in summer. Whereas in winter, lots of snow activities go on. Tourists can enjoy snowmobiling, pony riding, skiing etc. The rates usually vary over months, and a good bargain is always needed to negotiate a reasonable price.

Apharwat

Apharwat is the second station in Gondola Ride. Apharwat Peak is the highest point in Gulmarg at a height of 4390 metres. The cable car station is located not exactly at the peak but at the shoulder of the mountain. You can walk or take a pony ride towards the peak. The LAC is very close to the peak.

You can also get a view of Nanga Parbat and Nun-Kun peaks from here on a clear day. You can enjoy skiing, sledge ride, pony riding and other activities in Apharwat. In summer, you can trek to Alpathar Lake from Apharwat Peak. As Apharwat is above 4000 metres in height, breathing difficulties may occur frequently, especially in children and the elderly.

Read more: High Altitude Sickness | Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) | Things You Should Know Before Hiking To High Altitude

Maharaja Palace

Maharaja Palace is an 8700-square feet house made by Maharaja Hari Sing of Kashmir in the early nineteenth century. The exterior of this single-storied building looks like European architecture, with turrets, a grand portico and windows fitted with glasses. The exterior and interior are fitted with wooden panels to combat the freezing cold in winter.

There are a total of 15 rooms and a central banquet inside the palace. You can see furniture, dresses used by the royal family members and some arms and ammunition in a room. Large portraits of Maharaja Hari Singh are on display inside the palace. Outside the palace is a viewpoint from where you can see the beautiful landscapes of Baramulla town.

Entry Time: 10 am – 4 pm

Entry Fee: ₹40

Golf Course

Gulmarg Golf Course is the second-highest golf course in the world. This 18-hole golf course is also the longest in India. The rolling meadows look beautiful, and you can take a horse ride around the golf course. In summer, the meadow is covered with flowers. In winter, it is covered with thick snow. The golf club is open from April to November every year.

Maharani Temple

Maharani Temple is visible from all corners of Gulmarg. It is located on a mound near the main market. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shrines of Shiva and Parvati are inside the temple. Mohini Bai Sisodia, the wife of the last ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, reconstructed the temple. In ancient times, it was considered as the royal temple of the Dogra Dynasty.

Entry Time: 6 am – 6 pm

Activities to do in one day in Gulmarg

Gondola ride

The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the world’s highest and longest cable cars and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests. It has two phases. Phase 1 is between Gulmarg and Kangdori, and Phase 2 is between Kangdori and Apharwat.

In Phase 1, you will ascend to 2600 metres in 15 minutes. From there, you have to get out and go to another station, from where a separate cable car will take you to the 2nd station in Apharwat. This is the Phase 2 of the Gondola Ride. Here you will ascend to 4300 metres from 2600 metres in Kangdori. The 2nd Phase ride takes 20 minutes.

In Phase 1, you can do snow biking, sledge ride, skiing etc. In Phase 2, there are activities like a sledge ride to Apharwat Peak, skiing, snowboarding etc.

You will get food stalls in Kangdori, but there is no food option at Apharwat. You can have your lunch in Kongdori.

The timing of the Gondola Ride is between 9 am – 3:30 pm. The last ride from Gulmarg is at 3:30 pm. You have to descend by 4 pm from Apharwat. By 5:30 pm, Gondola stops functioning.

How to book the Gondola Ride ticket?

You can book the ticket for the Gondola Ride either online or at the counter in Gulmarg. Booking online is a good option, especially in peak season. At present, the ticket price is ₹750 for Phase I and ₹960 for Phase 2 (including a convenience fee of ₹10 for each phase). The rate is the same for Indian and non-Indian citizens. There is no need for any ticket for children below three years of age.

Skiing and snowboarding

Gulmarg is the best ski resort in India. It is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders in winter. The mountains in Gulmarg have perfect slopes for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers. Facilities for renting pieces of equipment are also available.

You can only try skiing for an hour if you choose this activity while sightseeing in Gulmarg. This skiing session will be more about falling, standing up, and then falling again. So, thinking about slopes and equipment would not be any help. You can try your hands at skiing in Gulmarg during winter or at Kangdori until spring. It costs you around ₹200 to ₹800 depending on the time you take and your capability in bargaining.

Book a skiing package in Gulmarg

Snow-biking

Snow-biking is really fun in winter Gulmarg. I really enjoyed this activity. However, it costs a little pricey compared to the time they provide. Yet, you should not miss this. They will take you on a ride and may allow you to drive for a few minutes. But do remember, if they allow you to drive, they will expect a tip at the end.

Quad-biking

Quad-biking on the roads of Gulmarg is also very enjoyable. Driving around the meadows and forests allows tourists to explore Gulmarg more intimately. The ride is for 1-2 hours and is a must-do activity in Gulmarg.

Sledge ride

Kids and families love to experience sledge rides in winter Gulmarg. The sledge made of thick wood carries on with a layer of warm fur cloth that provides comfort to the riders. The locals accompany the rider while sliding down the slopes. You can enjoy a long sledge ride in winter all the way down from Apharwat to Gulmarg.

Pony ride

Pony ride is a popular activity in the valleys of Kashmir as well as in Gulmarg. You can take a pony ride around the golf course or to Kongdori from Gulmarg. If you plan to visit Alpather Lake, you can also take a pony ride there.

Best time to visit Gulmarg

Gulmarg can be visited throughout the year. The best time to visit Gulmarg depends on the preferences of the tourist and the activities to engage in. If you want to visit Gulmarg covered in white snow, then winter is the best time, while in summer, Gulmarg is vibrant and colourful. In Spring, you will get sow in higher reaches, whereas in Gulmarg, the green meadows start to get covered with flowers.

Winter (December to February)

If you’re interested in skiing or snowboarding, winter is the ideal time to visit Gulmarg. The region receives heavy snowfall, and the slopes offer excellent conditions for winter sports. The famous Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable car rides in the world, is also operational during this season.

Spring (March to May)

Spring brings a pleasant climate to Gulmarg, with temperatures gradually rising and snow starting to melt. This period offers a mix of winter and spring activities. You can still find snow on the higher slopes for skiing, while lower altitudes showcase beautiful blooming flowers and green meadows.

Summer (June to August)

Gulmarg experiences cool summers, making it an attractive destination to escape the heat in other parts of India. The weather remains pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C. This season is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities such as golfing, trekking, and horse riding.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn in Gulmarg is characterized by vibrant foliage as the leaves change colour, creating a stunning landscape. The weather is still relatively mild, and it’s a great time for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers to visit. The Gondola ride and other adventure sports may be available during this period, depending on weather conditions.

It’s important to note that the climate is unpredictable, and situations may vary from year to year. It’s recommended to check the weather forecast before planning your trip. Also, remember that the region’s political situation can affect travel advisories so staying informed about the current situation is essential before visiting Gulmarg.

Where to eat

There are many cafes and restaurants in Gulmarg, usually located inside a hotel. You will also get a few eateries near the main market. You will get north Indian food and Kashmiri food in the restaurants in Gulmarg. If you want to spend more time at Kangdori and Apharwat, you can have lunch at the Kangdori food stalls. The food prices are on the higher side, just like the high hotel tariffs in Gulmarg.

The Highland Park Restaurant inside Hotel Highland Park, the Nedous Dining Room inside Nedous Hotel and the Alpine Lounge inside the Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa are some of the best restaurants in Gulmarg. Bakshi Restaurant and the Sher-i-Punjab Dhaba offer delicious Panjabi foods.

Black Bear Brew and Yhai Cafe are two good cafes in Gulmarg to spend some time with your friends and family. If you are visiting during winter, then do not forget to visit the Igloo Cafe near Hotel Kolahoi Green Heights.

Things to remember

• Travelling to Gulmarg is costly compared to other hill stations in India. Be it hotels, food or activities.
• You have to hire a car in Gulmarg for local sightseeing.
• Bargain on the rates of all activities in Gulmarg.
• A guide is not necessary while exploring Gulmarg. But if you have elderly persons with you, hiring a guide may be helpful. The rate for hiring a guide is fixed.
• Try to book Gondola tickets online well in advance, especially during peak season.

FAQs

Is it safe to travel to Gulmarg?

Gulmarg is safe to travel. Though, at times, the political unrest in Kashmir Valley hampers daily life, tourist places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg are usually unaffected by that. Yet, you should consider the recent situations and take a decision based on that.

Is one day enough to visit Gulmarg?

To travel to the usual touristy places in Gulmarg. one day is enough. Even you can cover them on a day trip from Srinagar. But exploring Gulmarg and visiting places like Alapathar Lake or Bootapathri needs at least three days in Gulmarg. And if you are willing to take an intermediate ski lesson in Gulmarg, you can stay for a week in Gulmarg.

Which is the best month to visit Gulmarg?

There is no best month to visit Gulmarg. If you like to enjoy the snow and tolerate chilling cold or want to try skiing, then the winter months of January and February are best. In March-April, you will get snow in the upper reaches of Kangdori and Apharwat, whereas there will be green meadows in Gulmarg. While in summer. Gulmarg is visited by a number of tourists when the meadows are covered with flowers.

Which network is best for Gulmarg?

Only postpaid mobile sims work in Kashmir. In Gulmarg, you will get a good 3G network connection. I used Jio, Airtel and Vodafone sims, and the connection speed was decent. You will get a network in Kangdori also.

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