Gulmarg was known as Gaurimarg, the path of the goddess Gauri, until Sultan Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir in the 1570s and 1580s, renamed it Gulmarg, meaning meadow of flowers.
Source: Gulmarg
Hill station in Kashmir
Gulmarg
A ski meadow at 2,650 m with a gondola to Apharwat
Gulmarg is a cup-shaped meadow at 2,650 m, about 50 km west of Srinagar. In summer it is wildflowers, pony rides and golf; from December to March it is India's best ski resort. The two-phase gondola climbs to about 4,000 m on Apharwat. One or two nights is ideal.
Photo: Skywayman9 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CommonsGulmarg means meadow of flowers, a name given in the 16th century by Sultan Yousuf Shah Chak to a pasture once called Gaurimarg, after the goddess Gauri. The meadow is about 3 km long, ringed by fir and pine forest, with the Apharwat ridge rising behind it to over 4,000 m. On clear days you can see Nanga Parbat far to the north from the upper slopes.
The British and the Dogra Maharajas turned Gulmarg into a summer retreat. The ski club dates from 1927, the stone-and-timber St Mary's Church from 1902, and the Maharani Temple on its hillock from 1915. Today the meadow holds hotels, huts, a golf course and the base station of the Gulmarg Gondola, which made Gulmarg a serious ski destination with long off-piste runs from the Apharwat ridge.
Gulmarg works as a day trip from Srinagar, but a night here lets you ride the gondola early before cloud builds and see the meadow empty at dusk. In winter, stay longer: three to five nights gives you time to learn to ski or to wait out a storm for powder days. Snow usually holds from mid-December to March.
Say it like a local · KashmiriMarg
a high meadow or pasture, as in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Yusmarg
What to do in Gulmarg
Gondola to Kongdori and Apharwat
Phase 1 rises from the meadow to Kongdori; Phase 2 continues to the Apharwat ridge close to 4,000 m. Book online for a time slot. In summer there is snow on the ridge into June; in winter the top is a ski area with avalanche control.
Learn to ski
Gentle nursery slopes near the meadow suit beginners, and certified instructors and rental shops cluster near the gondola base. The government's Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering runs courses for Indian nationals in winter, booked well ahead.
Maharani Temple and St Mary's
Maharaja Hari Singh built the Shiva temple on a meadow hillock in 1915 for his wife. St Mary's Church, built in 1902 of grey stone with a green roof, stands near the main road. Both are short walks from most hotels.
Alpather lake trek
From the Kongdori gondola station, a high trail leads to Alpather, a glacial lake below Apharwat that often stays frozen into June. Go only with a local guide, start early, and be ready for altitude above 3,500 m.
Meadow and forest walks
Outer Circular Walk around the meadow, about 11 km through pine and fir, gives views of the Pir Panjal and, on clear days, Nanga Parbat. It suits families who want to avoid pony touts.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Gulmarg
Skiing in Gulmarg has a long history: the Gulmarg ski club was set up in 1927, and the meadow hosted the first Khelo India Winter Games in March 2020.
Source: Gulmarg
The Maharani Temple on the meadow hillock was built by Maharaja Hari Singh for his wife Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia in 1915, and St Mary's Church nearby was built in 1902.
Source: Gulmarg
Experiences
Three days worth having in Gulmarg
Photo: Arup1981 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Gulmarg · 3–5 hours
Gondola to the Apharwat ridge
The Gulmarg Gondola climbs in two phases from the meadow to Kongdori and then to the Apharwat ridge close to 4,000 m. I…
About ₹900 per phase for Indian adults (2025); foreigners pay m…
Photo: Rudolph.A.furtado · CC0 · Commons
Gulmarg · 2–5 days
First ski lessons on the Gulmarg nursery slopes
Gulmarg is the best place in India to learn to ski. Gentle slopes near the meadow, rental shops by the gondola and cert…
Instructor ₹2,500–4,000 a day; gear ₹1,000–2,000 a day
Photo: Vinayaraj · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Gulmarg · 2–3 hours
Meadow walk to the Maharani Temple and St Mary's
A gentle walk across the meadow links Gulmarg's two heritage buildings: the Maharani Temple, built by Maharaja Hari Sin…
Free
Real prices
What things cost in Gulmarg
ItemIndicative 2026
Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1, Indian adult (2025 rate)about ₹900
Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2, Indian adult (2025 rate)about ₹900
Ski, boot and pole hire per day₹1,000–2,000
Certified ski instructor per day₹2,500–4,000
Pony on a fixed meadow circuit₹800–1,500
Shared Sumo Srinagar–Tangmarg, then Tangmarg–Gulmarg₹150–250, then ₹50–100 a seat
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Gulmarg
Air
Fly to Srinagar, then drive about 56 km, 1 h 30 min to 2 h, via Magam and Tangmarg. A private taxi from the airport costs roughly ₹2,500–3,500 one way.
Bus
JKSRTC and shared Sumos run from Srinagar to Tangmarg; from Tangmarg, shared taxis climb the last 13 km of hairpins to Gulmarg. In winter, chains may be mandatory on the Tangmarg–Gulmarg road.
Road
Srinagar taxis can drop you in Gulmarg. In heavy snow the road may be restricted to four-wheel drives with chains; check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Gulmarg
Saver: JKTDC huts and hotels on the meadow are the most reliable government option, and simple guesthouses in Tangmarg, 13 km below, cost far less than the meadow. Comfort: Hotel Highlands Park, a heritage property from the 1960s with cottages and a bar, is a favourite with skiers; there are several mid-range hotels near the gondola. Signature: The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, opened in 2012, has the best rooms, spa and views, and fills early for the ski season and Christmas.
Photo: Skywayman9 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Luxury
Resort · Gulmarg
The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
Gulmarg's top resort, opened in December 2012, with rooms and private cottages looking over the meadow and pine fo…
₹28,000–70,000 a night for a double (indicative)
Photo: Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Mid
Heritage hotel · Gulmarg
Hotel Highlands Park
A heritage hotel from the early 1960s on a rise above the Gulmarg meadow, with a main lodge and separate cottage-s…
₹9,000–18,000 a night for a double (indicative)
Trips that stop here
See Gulmarg on a trip
Photo: Fulvio Spada from Torino, Italy · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Comfort
Kashmir · 7 nights · sleeps to 2,730 m
Classic Kashmir: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam
Private car with driver
From, per person₹54,000Apr – Jun · Sep – Oct
Photo: Fulvio Spada from Torino, Italy · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Signature
Kashmir · 7 nights · sleeps to 2,650 m
Signature Kashmir: palace, meadow and river
Private car with driver and a private guide
From, per person₹1,45,000Apr – Jun · Sep – Oct
Photo: Fulvio Spada from Torino, Italy · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Signature
Kashmir · 6 nights · sleeps to 2,650 m
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Kashmir in winter: Gulmarg snow and Srinagar
Private 4x4 with driver and snow chains
From, per person₹1,65,000Jan – Feb
Questions
Gulmarg, answered
Is Gulmarg worth a night or just a day trip?
Stay a night if you can. You can take the first gondola slot before cloud builds and crowds arrive from Srinagar, and you see the meadow empty at dawn and dusk. A day trip works if time is short, but expect gondola queues between 10 am and 2 pm.
When is the best time to see snow in Gulmarg?
Mid-December to March for snow on the meadow, with February usually the most reliable. Apharwat at the gondola top keeps snow into May or June. If you want snow and fewer crowds, avoid the Christmas to New Year week and go in late January or February.
How much does a day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg cost?
A private taxi from Srinagar costs about ₹2,500–3,500 for the day. Gondola tickets were about ₹900 per phase for Indian adults in 2025. Add lunch at ₹300–600. By shared Sumo via Tangmarg, transport drops to about ₹500 return per person.
Is Gulmarg suitable for seniors?
Yes, with care. The meadow is at 2,650 m and most seniors adapt well after a slow first day. The gondola's top station is close to 4,000 m, so keep that visit short and talk to your doctor if you have heart or lung conditions. Use the gondola rather than ponies for the climb.
Is there a mobile network and ATM in Gulmarg?
Postpaid mobile networks work on the meadow, with weaker data at the gondola top. Prepaid SIMs from outside Jammu and Kashmir generally do not work. There are a few ATMs, but they can run dry in peak season, so bring cash from Srinagar.
Are pony rides in Gulmarg fixed price?
Yes, the tourism department publishes rates for set circuits and they are displayed at pony stands, but you must ask. Agree the destination, waiting time and price before starting, and do not pay a guide extra to skip gondola queues.
Can beginners ski in Gulmarg?
Yes. Gulmarg has nursery slopes on the meadow with short lifts, plenty of rental shops and certified instructors. Most adults are skiing gentle runs after three days of lessons. Off-piste terrain from Apharwat is strictly for experienced skiers with guides.
Is Gulmarg crowded in summer?
From late April to June the meadow and gondola are busy with day-trippers from Srinagar, especially on weekends. Arrive early, book gondola slots ahead, and walk the Outer Circular path for quiet. September and early October are calmer with stable weather.
What should I wear in Gulmarg?
In summer, warm layers, a waterproof jacket and good shoes, plus gloves and a hat for Apharwat. In winter, thermal base layers, a down jacket, waterproof trousers, snow boots, gloves, goggles and sunglasses. Snow boots and coats can be rented in Tangmarg and Gulmarg.