One Day Trip to Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir

Gulmarg is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The scenic hill town Gulmarg offers you the breathtaking view of Pir Panjal Mountain range and the feel of winter even in summer and spring. Gulmarg is one of Asia’s best skiing destinations, and the temperature is low throughout the year. However, the top Gulmarg attraction is the world’s highest cable car ‘Gondola.’ I loved my one day trip to Gulmarg from Srinagar. It was a fantastic experience to do so many activities for the first time in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg is formerly known as the ‘The Meadow of Flowers’ which became the land of snows in winter. Many varieties of wildflowers are possible to see if you visit Gulmarg in spring. I had no idea the popular winter destination Gulmarg can even be so much interesting to explore in spring. During this time, I enjoyed the beautiful road trip to Gulmarg while passing through the forests of fir and pine trees. So, if you can’t make a trip in winter don’t miss to explore the beauty of Gulmarg in summer or spring.

Day Trip to Gulmarg from Srinagar

Are you thinking, whether possible or not to explore Gulmarg in one day? Then read the entire post to know all details my exciting day trip to Gulmarg from Srinagar. All top attractions are possible to explore if you’ve just one day for Gulmarg. I had too much fun with snow, went to a pony ride, gondola ride, ski, and other winter sports on a day trip.

If you’re interested in spending some days, then no worries there are many standard accommodations in different budgets. You’ll find many best hotels in Gulmarg, even ski resorts, and cottages to stay.

In winter it is best to stay in a cute wooden cottage nearby top attractions to enjoy the best winter adventures. During this season Gulmarg became a top popular destination not only for adventure lovers but also for honeymooners. You’ll also find hotels in Gulmarg near Gondola. However, remember to book hotels early as possible during the holiday season.

Cute Cottage in Gulmarg

When to Visit Gulmarg?

Early spring (March-May) to the beginning of summer in the month of June is the peak season for Gulmarg. The lowest temperature is 10-14 degree Celsius, neither too cold nor warm, just a perfect time to explore Gulmarg for not so winter lovers. You can even have fun with snow and try snow skiing during spring in Gulmarg.

The snowfall in Gulmarg during spring time

However, winter (December-February) is the best time to visit Gulmarg. Winter is the ski season, the time of snowfall in Gulmarg. You can have fun with fresh snow and try many winter sports. The expecting minimum temperature is between -4 to 9 degree Celsius. You can also attend the Gulmarg Winter Festival if you happen to be in Gulmarg during winter.

To avoid the crowd, you might even like to enjoy your Gulmarg trip in the months of offseason (July-September). Trekking, water skiing, and camping is fun during this time.

How to Visit Gulmarg?

The best way to visit Gulmarg is by road. You can directly take a rented taxi from the airport of Srinagar. I took the popular route of Tangmarg to reach Gulmarg from Srinagar. I rent a car (1600 INR per day) from Srinagar. The road distance was 51 km, and within two hours I’ve reached the main tourist point to enjoy the ride of Gulmarg Gondola.

You can also visit Gulmarg by bus and train. Many regular bus services are available from Srinagar and the nearest hill towns like Sonmarg. Jammu Railway Station is also well connected with major cities to take you Gulmarg.

Day Trip to Gulmarg from Srinagar by road

There is a parking spot, and you will also find local restaurants, fur shops. There is an option to rent warm clothes and long boots from the fur shop in Tangmarg. I had a solo trip and preferred to take one Guide to help me to explore many activities in Gulmarg.

Places to Visit in Gulmarg

Don’t ask, what to do in Gulmarg? There are many top things to do and places to see in Gulmarg. The entire Gulmarg is beautiful for snowy mountains. The extreme top view from the Gondola is unbelievable.

On the way to Gulmarg Gondola, there are some top places to visit. Either you can take a walk or ride on a pony to explore those attractions.

World’s Highest Green Golf Course

I enjoyed a walk in a beautiful walkway and saw the historic green golf course. This golf course is 2,650 meters above sea level and the highest one in the world. Winter time people enjoy skiing here, and summertime is best for golf.

Historic Green Golf Course

Oldest St Mary’s Church

The oldest St Mary’s Church is a Roman Catholic wooden church established in 1902 during the rule of British. It is possible to get a remote view of this church from the way to Gondola which located in the Shepherds Valley of Gulmarg.

Maharani Temple

Maharani is a Hindu Shiv temple and established in the nineteenth century by Maharaja Hari Sisodia, the Hindu ruler. It is used to be the royal temple and located on the hilltop and nicely visible on the way to Gulmarg Gondola.

The Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering

The Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering is built in 1969 and working to showcase Gulmarg as the best skiing destination. If you got interested in skiing and adventure sports, you could visit this institute in Gulmarg for taking different courses on skiing, mountaineering, and trekking.

Some of the other beautiful places to visit in Gulmarg are Khilanmarg Valley and Aplather Lake. If you have more time or staying more days, then don’t miss to explore this valley to get the stunning mountain views. You can enjoy water skiing on the frozen Aplather Lake and trekking in the summertime.

The beautiful destination Gulmarg is also a popular film location for Bollywood movies. Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), Highway (2014), Bobby (1973), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) are some of the famous movies filmed here in Gulmarg hill station.

Things to Do in Gulmarg

Gulmarg offers many things to do in almost every season. Check out some of the top things to do in Gulmarg during your day trip.

World’s Highest Cable Car Ride with Gulmarg Gondola

The gondola is the top attraction of Gulmarg. It was a fantastic experience to enjoy the world’s highest cable car ride with Gulmarg Gondola. You can take a Gondola ride at any time of the year.

A trip to Gulmarg is incomplete without a Gondola ride. This joyful fun ride offers two phases. Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 will transfer you to Kongdoori Valley which is 10,500 ft above the sea level. The height of the Gondola Phase 2 (Apharwat Peak) is 13,800 ft.

Gulmarg Gondola

I only took the first phase ride to reach Kungdoor or Kongdoori. It is possible to explore the frozen lake Aplather from the Apharwat Peak if you take Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2 ride.

The beautiful Kongdoori Valley with the snowy mountain view of Pir Panjal range

Either a pony rides or walk is the best way to reach the main point of Gondola. You’ll find the ticket counter there but to avoid the rush better to collect the Gulmarg Gondola tickets from Srinagar Tourist Reception Center. The first phase Gulmarg Gondola ride ticket price is 740 INR per person. First time I also had Kashmiri Tea or Kahwa, the popular Kesar Chai (Saffron Tea) on the way to Gondola.

Here is the Gulmarg Gondola ride video to get all the fun and details information before a trip.

A Pony Ride to Kongdoori (Phase 1)

After getting down from the Gondola, you’ll love the beautiful mountain views of the Kongdoori Valley. You have to get on the back of a pony to enjoy many adventure sports at Kongdoori Phase 1. The scenic view of the valley is possible to get from the pony on the way to the ski point. It was my first time riding experience on a pony in Jammu and Kashmir.

Moreover, I found pony riding is a popular activity in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the easy way to explore many valleys of Pahalgam and also for the sightseeing in the Sonmarg hill station.

I had a tasty Maggi time at Kongdoori Valley after coming back from the ski point. The taste of the Maggi Noodles from the open shop of Kongdoori was heavenly.

Enjoy Gulmarg Skiing & Other Winter Sports

Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination in India. The ultimate fun in Gulmarg is to play with powdery snow, and so skiing is the most popular adventure sports in winter. You can expect 15 to 20 ft deep snow during this time. Gulmarg Skiing season begins from December and runs till early April.

I had so much fun even in spring while snow skiing for the first time. Skiing in Gulmarg cost me 700 INR. I’ve also enjoyed snow cycling and sledding on ice. Also, you can try ATV ride, heli-skiing, and snowboarding. Here, safety maintained adequately. As a beginner, you can try to ski by following the instructions. If you’re already an expert, don’t miss to get the full of fun here in Gulmarg.

Shop Best Quality Dry Fruits from Gulmarg

Before coming back from Gulmarg to Srinagar, I had enjoyed a bit shopping from Kohinoor Dry Fruits. This shop is running in Gulmarg since 1997, and they sell all types of best quality Kashmiri dry fruits at a wholesale price. I took 500 gm different dry fruits in 450 INR, and just 1 gm saffron cost me 200 INR, yes very expensive, but you’ll get the original one.

Kashmiri Dry Fruits

However, another hill station Pahalgam is the land of saffron, and I bought from there too. How about a glass of Kesar Milk before a night of sleep? I think this is something trendy all over India.

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