When talking of the small city of Gulmarg, “Gulmarg Gondola” is the first thing coming to mind. Further, the Gondola Cable Ride attracts millions of visitors every year both from the local parts as well as other parts of the world.
Gulmarg Gondola is the highest-riding and operable cable car in the world taking tourists from Gulmarg to Apharwat Peak. Besides, the ropeway is ready to carry about 600 people per hour. There are two phases while moving in the operating car.
What You Need to Know Before Taking a Gulmarg Gondola Ride
Timing: Hours of operation from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Duration: It will take 1-2 hours to complete this task
Height: The elevation of the mountain is 3980 meters
Total Distance: The distance covered in this tour is a total of 5 kilometers – from Gulmarg to Mt Apharwat
- Starting Point: Gulmarg Town
- Ending Point: Aphawat Peak
Gulmarg town is the starting point for the Gulmarg cable ride. Likewise, Aphawat Peak is the endpoint of the same. Kungdoor is considered to be the center point between the point.
First planning for a ride, the first thing is reaching the Gondola boarding point. Decide where you want to stay in Gulmarg with just a bit of walking. Follow the crowd during the peak season and you will reach the destination.
Gandola Ride Boarding and Ending Point
The entry point to the Gondola Gulmarg cable ride is like a hotel and it looks stunning. Moreover, there is an entire setup inside the waiting hall. The hall is quite huge with the boarding point. The waiting room is also quite spacious. It hosts so many people in a single room.
The waiting room is the place where you jump onto the Gondola. Besides, the ride happens inside the building only where the Gondola remains in the movement and never stops. It will never stop for you to get on board. The ticket counter is outside so stop buying tickets first for getting inside the building.
Gondola Ride Phase 1: Gulmarg to Kongdoori
After purchasing the tickets, the first is the Gondola Phase 1. Further, after boarding, it takes about 10 to 12 minutes for arriving at the Kungdoor station. That is the end of Phase 1. At the station, get down the Gondola and the view outside is so stunning that you will feel like staying at this place forever.
There are many tea stalls and restaurants for enjoying quick snacks. Besides, there is a waterfall as well around 2 km from the endpoint.
Gondola Ride Phase 2: Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak
Many people prefer going to Phase 1 only but for going further, take on Phase 2. Likewise, buy tickets both for Phases at the Gulmarg counter only. Phase 2 takes you to Aphawat peak. This place is for those who are a bit adventurous and want to take the offbeat path.
The Gondola sometimes passes through clouds, which will make your children jump! Al-Pathar Lake is also a sight to behold in the winter months, when it is frozen.
Gulmarg Gondola Ticket Price
- Phase 1: Gulmarg-Kungdoor (Two Way Ticket) INR 740
- Phase 2: One Way: INR 250
- Full-Day Pass: INR 940
- Chair Lift: Adult- INR 300
Please note that children under the age of 11 are not allowed to ride
The fares are differently considered for both phases. Further, for Phase 1, the fare is Rs. 740 per person.
Whereas, Phase 2 from Kungdoor to Aphawat Peak is Rs. 940 per person.
Gulmarg Gondola Ride Timing:
During the summer times, the Gondola ride is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Whereas during winter, the Gondola ride starts at 9:00 am for Phase 1 and 9.15 am for Phase 2.
Slot Timing Phase 1: Gulmarg-Kungdoor:
- Slot 1: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
- Slot 2: 11:15 am to 01:15 pm
- Slot 3: 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm
Slot Timing Phase 2: Kungdoor-Apharwat
- The slot starts from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Booking tickets for a Gondola ride
There are two ways of buying tickets for the Gondola Gulmarg cable rides. Either buy it from the counters or you can even purchase it online from the Gondola website check this URL to book https://jkcablecar.payu.in/
Prices are basically the same but online buying saves the hassle. But even if you book online, you have to stand in the queue for collecting the boarding pass. Not many people have an idea about this and end up booking online.
Also, you have to produce a valid photo ID, so don’t forget to bring one. Without the Photo ID, you will not be getting the tickets. Other Identity proofs like driving license, Aadhar Card, PAN card, government card, etc. will also do the work.
Also Read: 11 Interesting facts about Jammu & Kashmir
Important tips for Gondola Ride:
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If you hire a car from elsewhere in Kashmir, you cannot enter the Gulmarg sightseeing area. Your car must be parked outside the sightseeing boundary. Unlike other parts of Kashmir, Gulmarg’s people are extremely rough.
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It is important to bargain when you take any service you want (such as hiring a local car or pony or purchasing souvenirs).
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You can walk or take a pony to the Gondola stop, which is about two kilometers away. People offering pony rides may tell you that the distance is 5-6 kilometers, so you hire the pony! but our suggestion is to avoid talking to them. Our driver warned us about this, so we were saved.
Tour Guide at Gulmarg Gondola
The whole town of Gulmarg is filled with guides and pony owners. Likewise, walking 100 meters is not possible without riding a pony. The guides might be waiting for you right at the start of the hotel.
There is nothing much in Gulmarg that you can’t see by yourself. For taking the Gondola ride, taking a guide might be helpful but there are charges for it. The second thing is the guides charge heavy prices.
Charges of the guides
Mostly the guides charge quite high amounts about Rs. 2,500 to show the Phases. Just keep walking from the Gondola station to reach the Frozen lake at Phase 2.
There is nothing much to learn about the history of the place as well. Guides work well during the peak seasons.
Furthermore, When the ticket counters get full, the guides stand in queues on behalf of you.
Is the Gondola ride safe?
Though there was an accident that took about 10 lives inside the cable car, nothing stops the rush outside the Gondola ride. Further, people feel that the Gondola ride is safe but it all depends on one’s perceptions.
How to plan the Gondola ride?
The best way to move on the Gondola ride is to come directly to Phase 2 from Gulmarg. Enjoy the serene environment and beauty of the mountains.
Take the trek route to Alpahther Lake if that pleases you. On the way back, get down to Phase 1. Just relax seeing the meadows all around and then Take Phase 1 to reach back to Gulmarg.
When is the best time to go for the Gondola ride?
For the winter months, February stays to be the month time to go for the ride.
Check out the snow-covered mountains. Otherwise, August is the best month as it is considered to be the offseason without much crowd.
With the vistas turning orange during October, the crowd tends to rise during this time. Phase 2 of the cable ride takes visitors straight to Alpather Lake, also called the “Frozen Lake”.
The best part is the lake is a motorable road for the Army to use. So, there is no climbing anywhere. The lake in its pristine form is so beautiful.
Here is a calendar for the weather in Gulmarg by month
| Month | High/Low (°C) |
|---|---|
| January | -0°/-8° |
| February | 3°/-5° |
| March | 8°/-1° |
| April | 13°/2° |
| May | 17°/4° |
| June | 19°/8° |
| July | 22°/12° |
| August | 21°/11° |
| September | 22°/10° |
| October | 15°/4° |
| November | 8°/-1° |
| December | 4°/-5° |
Getting to Gulmarg from Srinagar:
The distance between Srinagar and Gulmarg is approximately 50 km. It is best to hire a car to get to Gulmarg from Srinagar. The journey to Gulmarg will take approximately 1.30 hours. Locals may have access to some bus services, but tourists are better off renting a car.
Conclusion
Gulmarg Gondola Ride is by far one of the best rides to fill your heart with delight and excitement. Plan for taking the ride once and enjoy the greatest self.
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