Asia's major, world's second-largest, and second-highest cable car project, the Gondola ride in Gulmarg in Kashmir is the leading attraction. A Gulmarg tour is incomplete without a ride on the famous cable car. This must-do activity in Gulmarg is ideal for adventurers seeking, romantic couples, and family vacationers to get to the top of the peak for a pleasing skiing experience (in winter).
The salient features of Gulmarg Gondola are:
- It is a joint venture between the J&K government and the French firm Pomagalski
- It is Asia’s highest and world’s second highest cable car ride
- The Gulmarg Gondola operates in 3 phases
- It takes tourists from Gulmarg ski resort to Kongdoori Mountain via Kongdori station
- This ropeway ride starts from a height of 8,530 feet with highest point Mary Shoulder in Kongdoori Mountain located at an altitude of 12,293 feet
- Phase I and Phase II of the Gulmarg gondola ride is open to everyone except infants below 2 years of age
- Phase III of the Gulmarg cable car ride is open only to visitors above 11 years of age
- If you are planning to go to the Mary Shoulder located in Kongdoori Mountain, you should know or at least read about acclimatization and AMS issues (since it is located above an altitude of 10,000 feet)
- It is from Mary Shoulder that most of the adrenaline pumping adventure activities like skiing events take place
- The Phase I of the Gulmarg gondola takes visitors from the ski resort to the bowl-shaped Kongdori Valley (10,100 feet in a ride which lasts 9 minutes.
- The second phase of the cable car ride takes you from Kongdori Station to Kongdoori Mountain (13,057 feet) and the ride lasts for 12 minutes.
- The third and final phase of the ropeway ride is offered in 90 chairlifts and lasts 10-12 minutes.
- The entire Gondola ride covers a distance of 5 kilometers
Money Matters for Cable Car Ride in Gulmarg
Gulmarg Gondola Price
Gondola Phase 1 – Gulmarg to Kongdori Station (base to mid-station):
- Indian Nationals – INR 740
- Foreign Nationals – US $11
Gondola Phase II – Kongdoori to Mt. Apharwat (mid-station to top):
- Indian Nationals – INR 950
- Foreign Nationals – US $15
Chairlift – Mt. Apharwat to Mary's Shoulder (top):
- Indian Nationals – INR 270
- Foreign Nationals – INR 270
Gulmarg Gondola Day Pass
Gondola Phase 1 – Gulmarg to Kongdori (base to mid-station):
- Domestic – INR 740
- Foreign – INR 1210
Gondola Phase II – Kongdoori to Mt. Apharwat (mid-station to top):
- Domestic – INR 1210
- Foreign – INR 1900
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Children above 12 years are treated as adults.
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Children under 3 years of age are not allowed in any phase of the cable car ride
- Children under 12 years of age are not allowed in the Phase III of the cable car ride.
Why you shouldn’t miss Gondola Ride in Gulmarg
Place for Snow lovers– Gulmarg is considered the best ski resort destination in India. Come in December, and the entire valley and surrounding Himalayan peaks start receiving snowfall. Although it doesn't snow continuously, the entire region receives enough of it to make it one of the best places to experience snowfall in India.
To capture views- The meadows, peaks, and even pine and fir trees get draped in white snow during the months of January and February. To reach Apharwat Mountain and capture the views of the Nanga Parbat and Harmukh range, there's no better way than the Gulmarg gondola.
High Altitude- The cable car ride starts at an altitude of 2,600 meters (8,500 ft) and takes you on 5 kilometers of the ride in three phases, gaining a maximum height of 3,950 meters (12,960 ft) at Mary's Shoulder in the Apharwat range.
Lifetime Memory- The experience and sights of the snow-laden meadows, towering mountain pears, and the panorama of the entire region are overwhelming enough for your senses to leave you with a lifetime memory. The cable car ride lasting over half an hour offers sweeping views of the ski resorts, rice-bowled meadow Kongdoori, Khilanmarg, and Apharwat Mountain.
However, do keep in mind that during the winter months, from November to March, Gulmarg will be crowded, and you might find long queues for boarding the gondola ride in Gulmarg. Also, beware of the common scams like "guides" insisting on you renting the gumboots and even pestering you. Also, several 'local guides' may skip the line altogether to get their "VIP" guests boarded first on the gondola ride.
If you are planning to visit then you can contact our tour experts for Gulmarg Tour packages which include gondola rides and many others.
