Gulmarg – Full Circuit Tour Package – Budget

Relaxing Plus: Gondola from Gulmarg to Kangdori/Kongdoori (Phase 1) to Apharwat (Phase 2) to Kangdori/Kongdoori (Phase 1) to Gulmarg

Differences to Trip 1 (Relaxing) in green color

If your focus is on taking life easy, with as little exercise as possible, and you enjoy reading your favorite book at about 3050 or 3950 meters above sea level – this could well be the right package for you.

You have plenty of time. Enjoy a long sleep and a late breakfast. When you are ready woth your bag packed for the next couple of hours, you could ask your hotel staff to arrange a pony for you (or during snow season even a sledge valla, a sledge owner) to take you from your hotel to the Gondola station (a distance of about 2km).

General information regarding the availability of the gondola. Phase 1: During summer – 9am to 5pm, during winter 10am to 4pm. Phase 2: During summer – 10am to 4pm, during winter 10:30am to 3:30pm. On arrival please buy your ticket. Normally the ticket booth is either at the left or right side of a separate building in front of a big green iron gate. The price may change from year to year. It is likely to be around Rs800/- for a return trip or a so-called two way ticket for Phase 1 and another around Rs1000/- for a two way ticket for Phase 2. The tickets for these two phases will take you all the way up to Kangdori (Phase 1) and then to Apharwat (Phase 2). Depending of course on the time of day and season, you may need to queue at both the ticket booth and in the main Gondola building before you can enter a cabin. There is a J&K Bank cashpoint very near the main Gondola building. Cash is certainly the preferred means of payment at the ticket booth, though payment by credit card may also be possible. After buying your ticket, go through the main green iron gate and take the path which leads to the big main Gondola wooden building on your left. On ground level you will find an electronic ticket barrier where you will scan your ticket. Take the stairs up to the first floor and you will notice another entrance leading to the point where you can queue to board the gondola. A maximum of 6 people can occupy one gondola. We recommend that you face away from the driving direction which, weather permitting, will grant you a magnificent view over Gulmarg and beyond. Once you have boarded, it will take about 10 minutes to reach the so called Kangdori station or Phase 1: Enjoy the ride! And do not worry if the gondola stops on the way, it will proceed!   At Kangdori Station, please leave your cabin and walk down the stairs again – welcome to Kangdori! According to the weather and your personal preference, feel free to walk up to the mountainside (about 200 meters) where you will notice some tea & snack stalls/restaurants. Choose one of the stalls, take a seat outside and order yourself a drink/snack. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh air while continuing your book.

Alternatively, you could continue your gondola journey up to mountain Apharwat (Phase 2). If you intend to do so, after leaving your gondola cabin at Kangdori station please remain on this first floor level and follow the signs toward the entrance to Phase 2. Show your ticket to the staff and board the cabin which will bring you to Apharwat. As with Phase 1, the length of the journey for Phase 2 is about 10 minutes. If you have fear of heights, you may want to face forwards, otherwise we also recommend the opposite direction to enjoy the beautiful view, weather permitting. Exit left again once you reach the end – welcome to 3950m above sea level! Beware of “altitude sickness”. If you have a headache, dizziness or feel queasy, please return to the gondola cabin which will take you back to Kangdori station and then to Gulmarg. Enjoy the spectacular view at Apharwat but if you do walk around, please walk slowly, allowing for the high altitude. If you are comfortable with the height, get your book or snack out and enjoy. When you are ready to go back, board the cabin again and move down to Kangdori station.

Depending on the length of time you want to take for lunch, you could either order something at the stalls close to the Kangdori mountainside, or dine within the Kangdori gondola station where you will find a restaurant on the ground floor. Especially if it is wet this would be a good option. If you want to explore a bit of the area, during summer season you could get a ride on a pony, and during the winter season the wooden sledge or a snowmobile are alternative options.

Whenever you are ready to return, show your ticket to the gondola staff and board the gondola and  go back toward Gulmarg. During summer, you can again request a pony for instance to take you back to your hotel, or even ride an ATV or wooden sledge during the winter. For dinner, as previously, your own hotel is a convenieny option, or Bakshi Restaurant (main market). Further away: Restaurant Dilkhusa within Hotel Heevan Retreat , Dining room at Nedou’s Hotel, Dining room at Kolahoi Green Heights etc. If the weather is good and the sky cloudless, we certainly recommend you step out into the dark after your dinner to observe the stunning starry sky – without any so called light pollution which we experience so much of in our big cities nowadays. Maybe you’re even able to notice some stellar constellations, alternatively count the stars, or spot a falling star; Amazing, as we wish your dreams to be tonight!

Beginner: A hike from Gulmarg to Kangdori/Kongdoori (Phase 1) and with the Gondola back to Gulmarg (Hike: 3km length/400m altitude difference) – best between May to October

Differences from Trip 2 (Relaxing Plus) in green color

You enjoy hiking and feel some exercise is good for you :)?

After having your breakfast, get your belongings for the next couple of hours packed. In order to reach your hiking starting point, the “Gulmarg Gondola”, you could ask your hotel staff to arrange a pony for you (or during snow season even a sledge valla, a sledge owner) to take you from your hotel to the “Gulmarg Gondola” (a distance of about 2km). Give yourself around 30 minutes if you decide to walk.

General information regarding the availability of the gondola (Phase 1): During Summer – 9am to 5pm, during Winter 10am to 4pm.

Upon arrival please buy your one-way-ticket from Kangdori station to Gulmarg station before you start your hike. Normally the ticket booth is either to be found left or right at a separate building  near a big green iron gate. The price will change from year to year. Be prepared to pay around Rs370/- for a Phase 1 one-way-ticket which you could use either way. Depending of course on the time of day and season, you may need to queue at the ticket booth. There is a J&K Bank cashpoint near the main Gondola building. Cash is certainly the preferred means of payment at the ticket booth, though payment by credit card may also be possible. After buying your ticket, you could start your hike by walking a rather steep shortcut toward the “Gulmarg Power Grid Station”, or follow an easier but a little longer detour track to pass the “Gulmarg Power Grid Station” later. For the longer walk: continue uphill along the paved road (you see the “Ice Skating Hall” on your right) until you reach a crossroads, turn left here and again when you reach the next T-section which offers a left turn. From here estimate around 1-2 hours to hike toward Kangdori Gondola station. If you are hiking during the snow season, be very careful of skiers/snowboarders! Please walk at the very edge of the slope or better still, choose another path away from the slope. Make sure you have suitable footwear for deep snowy conditions.

The track winds uphill and you should be able to see the gondola cabins every now and then until you cross the gondola lines: congrats if you reach this point! Take a break, you deserve it! From here it is not far but there is quite steep path to take  for you to reach the Kangdori Gondola station – welcome, you have managed the walk successfully!

If you arrive at lunch time, or if you are hungry please walk up to the mountainside (about 200 meters) where you will notice some tea & snack stalls/restaurants. Choose one of the stalls, take a seat outside and order yourself a drink/snack. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh air.

Depending on the time you have for lunch, you could either order something where you are or walk back to the main Kangdori gondola station where you will find a restaurant at the ground floor within the main building. Especially if it is wet this would be a good option. If you want to explore a little more, during summer season you could get a ponyride, while in the winter the wooden sledge or a snowmobile are alternative options.

When you are ready to go back, enter the Kangdori gondola station (1^st floor), show your ticket to the gondola staff and board the gondola for the trip back toward Gulmarg. During summer, you can again request a pony ride back to your hotel, or even go by ATV or wooden sledge during the winter. And of course, if you are still in need of exercise, you can walk 2km back to your hotel, too.

For dinner, as previously, your own hotel is an option, or Bakshi Restaurant (main market). Further away: Restaurant Dilkhusa within Hotel Heevan Retreat, Dining room at Nedou’s Hotel, Dining room at Kolahoi Green Heights etc.

If the weather is good and the sky cloudless, please step out into the dark after your dinner to observe the stunning starry sky – without any so called light pollution which we experience so much of in our big cities nowadays. Maybe you’re even able to notice some stellar constellations, alternatively try counting the stars, or spot a falling star; Amazing, as we wish your dreams to be tonight!

Beginner Plus: A hike from Gulmarg to Kangdori/Kongdoori (Phase 1) and from Kangdori to Apharwat (Phase 2) with the Gondola and with the Gondolas back to Gulmarg (Hike: 3km length/400m altitude difference) – best between May to October

Differences from Trip 3 (Beginner) in green color

You enjoy hiking and believe that exercise is good for you:)?

Then this may be the suitable choice for today.

After breakfast, get your belongings for the next couple of hours packed. In order to reach your hiking starting point, the “Gulmarg Gondola”, you could ask your hotel staff to arrange a pony for you (or during snow season even a sledge valla, a sledge owner) to take you from your hotel to the “Gulmarg Gondola” (a distance of about 2km). Allow around 30 minutes if you decide to walk.

General information regarding the availability of the gondola (Phase 1): During Summer – 9am to 5pm, during Winter 10am to 4pm.

On arrival please buy your one-way-ticket from Kangdori station to Gulmarg station before you start your hike. Normally the ticket booth is located either left or right of a separate building in front of a big green iron gate. The price will probably change from year to year. Expect around Rs370/- for a Phase 1 one-way-ticket which you could use either way. Depending on the time of day and season, you may need to queue at the ticket booth. There is a J&K Bank  cashpoint near the main Gondola building. Cash is certainly the preferred means of payment at the ticket booth, though payment by credit card may also be possible. After purchasing your ticket, you could start your hike by walking a rather steep shortcut toward the “Gulmarg Power Grid Station”, or follow an easier but a little longer detour track to pass the “Gulmarg Power Grid Station” later. For the longer option: keep walking uphill along the paved road (you will see the “Ice Skating Hall” on your right) until you reach a crossroads, turn left here and keep going to the next T-section which offers another left turn. From here estimate around 1-2 hours of a hike toward Kangdori Gondola station. If you are hiking during the snow season, beware of skiers/snowboarders. Walk only on the edge of the slope or even better choose another path away from the slope.  Make sure you have suitable footwear for deep snowy conditions.

The track winds uphill and you should be able to see the gondola cabins every now and then until you cross the gondola lines: congrats if you reach this point! Take a break, you deserve it! From here it is only a short walk but still along quite steep path before you reach the Kangdori Gondola station – welcome, you have managed this successfully! If you arrive around lunch time, or if you are hungry walk a further 200 meters up to the mountainside where you will see some tea & snack stalls/restaurants. Choose one of the stalls, take a seat outside and order yourself a drink/snack. Enjoy the beautiful view and fresh air.

Depending on the time you have for lunch, please either order something where you are or walk back to the main Kangdori gondola station where you will find a restaurant on the ground floor within the main building. Especially if it is wet, this would be a good option. If you want to explore a little more, in summer you could get a ride on a pony but in the winter the wooden sledge or a snowmobile are alternative options.

After lunch or, if you do not want to stop for lunch at Kangdori, please continue your journey by Gondola to Apharwat (Phase 2). The entry point is on the first floor of the Gondola building.

Show your ticket to the staff and board the cabin which will bring you to Apharwat. Approximate journey time is 10 minutes. If you are nervous of heights, you may want to sit facing forwards, otherwise we also recommend the opposite direction to enjoy the beautiful view, weather permitting. Exit on the left once you reach the end – welcome to 3950m above sea level! Beware of “altitude sickness”. If you have a sudden headache, dizziness or feel nauseous, please reboard the gondola which will take you back to Kangdori station and on to Gulmarg. Enjoy the spectacular view at Apharwat but if you intend to walk, do so slowly, allowing for the height above sea-level. When you are ready to return, reboard the cabin and move down to Kangdori station.

From here you can decide to hang out or do some more activities like a seasonal horse/sledge/snowmobile ride or to go back toward Gulmarg by Gondola. In order to board the gondola, show your ticket to the gondola staff on the first floor and board the gondola and return  to Gulmarg. In summer, you can return to your hotel by pony, or have a ride on an ATV or wooden sledge during the winter. And of course, if you still feel energetic, you can walk the 2km back to your hotel, too.

For dinner, as on other evenings, your own hotel is an option, or Bakshi Restaurant (main market). Further away: Restaurant Dilkhusa within Hotel Heevan Retreat, Dining room at Nedou’s Hotel, Dining room at Kolahoi Green Heights etc.

If the weather is good and the sky cloudless, please step out into the dark after your dinner to observe the stunning starry sky – without any so called light pollution which we experience so much of in our big cities nowadays. Maybe you’re even able to notice some stellar constellations, otherwise count the stars, or spot a falling star; Amazing, as we wish your dreams to be tonight!

Expert: A hike from Gulmarg to Kangdori/Kongdoori (Phase 1) to Apharwat (Phase 2) and with the Gondolas back to Gulmarg (Hike: 7km length/1280m altitude difference) – only recommended between May to October

Differences from Trip 4 (Beginner Plus) in green color.

You are an expert in hiking and love the challenges a mountain can provide  :)?

Then this may be the suitable choice for today.

Have an early breakfast and get your belongings for the day-trip packed so that you leave your hotel by 9am at the latest.

For the hike today you could also “add-on” a local mountain trekking guide (Rs.1300/- per day) and/or a pony (Rs.2000/- per day) if you want to get up at dawn. This may be worth considering to allow for worst-case scenarios like twisting your ankle or a “I just need a pause on a pony for a while” case.

Your hotel staff and/or the main market are a good possibilities to make these arrangements.

To reach your hiking starting point, the “Gulmarg Gondola”, ask your hotel staff to arrange a pony for you to take you from your hotel to the “Gulmarg Gondola” (a distance of about 2km). Allow 30 minutes if you decide to walk.

General information regarding the availability of the gondola (Phase 1): During Summer – 9am to 5pm, during Winter 10am to 4pm.

On arrival please buy your one-way-ticket from Kangdori station to Gulmarg station and from Apharwat station to Kangdori station before you start your hike. The ticket booth is normally at the left or right of a separate building before you reach a big green iron gate. The price will probably change from year to year. It is likely to be about Rs.370/- for a Phase 1 one-way-ticket and another Rs.480/- for a Phase 2 one-way-ticket which you could use either way. Anticipate a queue at the ticket booth. There is a J&K Bank cashpoint near the main Gondola building. Cash is certainly the preferred means of payment at the ticket booth, though payment by credit card may also be possible.

Your first hike will cover about 400m of difference in height and 3km of length up to Kangdori. After buying your ticket, you can either start your hike by walking a rather steep shortcut toward the “Gulmarg Power Grid Station”, or follow an easier but a little longer detour track to pass the “Gulmarg Power Grid Station” later. For the longer option: keep going up the paved road (you see the “Ice Skating Hall” on your right) until you reach a crossroads, turn left here and go on until you reach the next T-section and take a left turn. From here allow around 1-2 hours to hike toward Kangdori Gondola station.

The track winds uphill and you should be able to see the gondola cabins every now and then until you cross the gondola lines: congrats if you managed this far! Take a break, you deserve it! From here it is only a short distance but again quite a steep climb to reach the Kangdori Gondola station – welcome, you have managed this successfully!

Please have a little pause in this area before you start the more challenging hike today. If you are hungry, walk about 200 meters up to the mountainside where you will see some tea & snack stalls/restaurants. Choose one of the stalls, take a seat outside and order yourself a drink/snack. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh air.

Depending on the time you have for lunch, either order something where you are or walk back to the main Kangdori gondola station where you will find a restaurant on the ground floor within the main building. Especially if it is wet this would be a good option.

After an hour’s break or so, get ready for the challenge: about 880m of  height difference and 4km in length. The latter very much depends on the route you eventually choose. In this regard, a local mountain trekking guide would be useful. If you decide against this, either follow an obvious zig-zag track, hiking on the right side of the gondola until you cross it underneath at about this point here. Then continue along the trodden track away from the Gondola until you reach the top at this point here.

Congratulations! You’ve covered the most difficult part (!) – welcome to 3950m above sea level!

Beware of “altitude sickness”. If you are conscious of a headache, dizziness or you feel nauseous, please walk now toward the Apharwat station (Phase 2), which you would do anyway, and reboard the gondola cabin to take you back to Kangdori station and then on to Gulmarg.

Otherwise: Enjoy the spectacular view at Apharwat but, if you intend to walk, take your time.

Once you are ready return, board the gondola again and move down to Kangdori station. From here you can decide if you want to hang out or do some more activities like a seasonal horse/sledge/snowmobile ride or to go straight back toward Gulmarg by Gondola. In order to board the gondola, show your ticket to the gondola staff on the first floor and travel back to Gulmarg. During summer, you can return to your hotel by pony, or even have a ride on an ATV or wooden sledge during the winter. And of course, if you still feel energetic, you can walk the 2km back to your hotel.

For dinner, as on other occasions, your own hotel is an option, or Bakshi Restaurant (main market).Further away: Restaurant Dilkhusa within Hotel Heevan Retreat, Dining room at Nedou’s Hotel, Dining room at Kolahoi Green Heights etc.

If the weather is good and the sky cloudless, please step out into the dark after your dinner to observe the stunning starry sky – without any so called light pollution which we experience so much of in our big cities nowadays. You may notice some stellar constellations, alternatively count the stars, or spot a falling star; Amazing, as we wish your dreams to be tonight!