Gulmarg Gondola Ride - History, Timings & Entry Fee

Adventure / Trekking

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Gulmarg Bus Station): 1.5 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1-2 Hours

Place Location: Near Gulmarg Resort

Transportation Options: Cab / Walk/Trek

Travel Tips: Book tickets for Gulmarg Gondola online to avoid the hassle of standing in a queue and the unavailability of slots. Gondola services can get interrupted during winter when the weather gets bad.

At a distance of 1.5 km from Gulmarg Bus Station, Gulmarg Gondola is a high-altitude cable car located in the hill stations of Gulmarg. It is one of the longest and highest cable cars in Asia and is among the prime tourist places in Gulmarg.

The Gulmarg Gondola is the second-longest and second-highest cable car ride in the world. The Gondola project is a joint venture of the Jammu & Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski. The entire ride is 5 km and is divided into three phases. The gondola can ferry 6 people at a time and 1500 people per hour to and from Apharwat Mountain, which is where most of the winter sports happen in Gulmarg. The scenic views of mountains and valleys during the cable car ride as part of your Gulmarg tour packages are also unforgettable and unmatched.

The first phase of the ropeway was completed in 1998 and ferries people from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdoori Station (middle station). It starts at an altitude of 2,990 m and has a vertical rise of 400 m. The second phase with 36 cabins and 18 towers was completed in a record time of two years and it opened for the public in 2005. It starts from Kongdori Station to Kongdori Mountain (3747 m), the shoulder of Apharwat Peak which takes 12 minutes. Completed in 2011, the third and final phase of the ropeway ride is offered in 90 chairlifts from Kongdoori to Marry Shoulder, where many skiing events take place. It takes 11 minutes for the chairlift to go from one point to the other.

One can see the picturesque views of the Nanda Devi peak, Pir Panjal range, and even the LOC from the top which draws thousands of tourists, especially nature lovers, adventure seekers, fun lovers, photo fanatics, etc. Apart from cherishing the beauty of Himalayan ranges, tourists can also enjoy other activities like horse riding and snow skiing.

Timings: 9 AM - 4 PM (Last Entry: 3 PM)

Entry:

Phase 1: Rs. 920 per Person (Both Ways)
Phase 2: Rs. 2070 per Person (Both Ways)
Phase 3: Rs 270 per Person (Both Ways)