I am basically from southern part of India, and like others from same region, I have always dreamt of catching snow between my hands and roll over the snowy terrain. I know that sounds cliche, but sometimes in life that's enough to keep you motivated and make you plan and travel far and wide.
I got my date with snow, when I was on Kashmir Tour back in April-May '2018 and it was Gulmarg.
The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the few highest altitude cable car attractions in the world, and I was surely not going to miss that opportunity. It's a treat to your eyes, feeling and holding the snow in your hand and ride the snow on the skate board.
Gulmarg has been well known tourist destination from the colonial era and still remains one to this day. The khilanmarg will be long patch of green garden during summers and will be draped in white up to 5feet deep snow during winter.
Gulmarg gondola has 2 phase.
1. Khilanmarg to Kongdoori station
2. Kongdoori to Apharwat peak trail
Charges vary during peak season.
Its up to 1750 INR for both phase (including return) per person.
The local tour operators makes sure that they keep the tourists busy by offering various modes of transport on the snow, above picture shows sledge which is used to drag the tourist onto the apharwat peak by human hands.
You can even try the skating (well hug the professional and enjoy the ride) to and from the peak. The altitude is almost close to 4400 mtrs above sea level at apharawat peak.
The Gulmarg city surrounding itself is treat to your eyes. The evening and early morning walks are one of the special events when you are here.
How to Reach:
Plenty of transport options (private and public) from state capital Srinagar.
Gulmarg is just 55kms from Srinagar.
Where to Stay:
Plenty of hotels ranging from 1500 - 25000 INR depending on your budget.
I stayed in Hotel Fluorescence (2700 INR) and it was just 5mins walk from Gulmarg gondola 1st phase station.
Things to Do:
1. Enjoy the Gondola rides
2. Visit Apharwat peak via Gondola.
3. Visit to Alpather lake (frozen lake)
4. Khilanmarg
5. Visit hot water springs near Gondola phase 1.
For more detailed information or itinerary on Kashmir Valley or other awesome places in India, please contact HillTrotters@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page "HillTrotters", also subscribe to us on YouTube channel with "HillTrotters Travelogues".
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With Thanks,
HillTrotters Team
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