Baramulla · Kashmir
Gulmarg
India's ski resort — deep powder, the Gondola to Apharwat, and meadows in summer.
Gulmarg is an easy snow destination in Baramulla, Kashmir, reaching 3,980 m. The best time to go is January to March and May and June. Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground from Srinagar and about ₹5,000 per person per day.
What to do in Gulmarg
The one thing not to miss
The gondola
Phase one to Kongdoori, phase two towards Apharwat. Book ahead in season.
- 2SkiingJanuary to March, with instructors and gear for hire.
- 3The meadow circuitA walk around the bowl past St Mary's Church.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Srinagar to Gulmarg
About 1.5–2 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings; go gently, you have gained height.
Day 2
The gondola · Skiing
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
The meadow circuit
A walk around the bowl past St Mary's Church.
Day 4
Gulmarg to Srinagar
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
The most reliable heavy snow in India, with luxury stays and ski schools.
Why not
Expensive in peak winter and very crowded around New Year.
Before you go
- Permits
- None; gondola tickets online.
- Guide
- Ski instructors via the Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering or private schools.
- Safety
- Avalanche risk off-piste — never ski Apharwat backcountry without a certified guide.
- Phone & internet
- Postpaid SIMs only in J&K; prepaid from other states won't work.
Altitude
Gulmarg reaches 3,980 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Kashmir →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Police control room, Baramulla, Baramulla.
All emergency contacts for Kashmir →What to pack for Gulmarg
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
11 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
7 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,980 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone; gondola tickets online.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works therePostpaid SIMs only in J&K; prepaid from other states won't work.
- A postpaid SIMPrepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Ladakh or Kashmir. Only postpaid connections, or a prepaid SIM bought locally, will have signal.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Kashmir Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
Links to shops are affiliate links: if you buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The shop handles payment, delivery and returns.
Share this place
Homestays in Kashmir
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Srinagar.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. In winter private cars are often stopped at Tangmarg; local 4x4 taxis with chains run the last 13 km.
By road
From
Srinagar
- Distance
- about 50 km
- Drive time
- 1.5–2 hours
- Srinagar
- Narbal
- Magam
- Tangmarg
- Gulmarg
From
Srinagar airport
- Distance
- about 55 km
- Drive time
- about 2 hours
- Airport
- Narbal
- Tangmarg
- Gulmarg
Buses and shared taxis. Fly to Srinagar, or come by road from Jammu (about 250 km, 7–9 hours). A train now runs between Katra and Srinagar. Shared sumos and local buses leave Srinagar for most valleys.
Pickups & drivers
From Srinagar. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Gulmarg yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Gulmarg: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Gulmarg?
The best months for Gulmarg are January to March and May and June. April, July to October and December are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Gulmarg?
Gulmarg is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 2,650 m and reaching 3,980 m.
How many days do you need for Gulmarg?
Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground, counted from Srinagar. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Gulmarg cost?
Expect about ₹5,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹20,000 for 4 days, before the cost of getting to Srinagar.
How do you reach Gulmarg?
By road: from Srinagar it is about 50 km, 1.5–2 hours (Srinagar → Narbal → Magam → Tangmarg → Gulmarg); from Srinagar airport it is about 55 km, about 2 hours (Airport → Narbal → Tangmarg → Gulmarg). Fly to Srinagar, or come by road from Jammu (about 250 km, 7–9 hours). A train now runs between Katra and Srinagar. Shared sumos and local buses leave Srinagar for most valleys. The nearest gateway is Srinagar.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Gulmarg?
Permits: None; gondola tickets online. Guide: Ski instructors via the Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering or private schools.
Is Gulmarg suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is good. It is busy in season. Avalanche risk off-piste — never ski Apharwat backcountry without a certified guide.
What should you pack for Gulmarg?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, sun cap or hat. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Gulmarg?
Postpaid SIMs only in J&K; prepaid from other states won't work.
Will I get altitude sickness at Gulmarg?
Gulmarg reaches 3,980 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Gulmarg?
Gulmarg is not a good choice for anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,980 m. Also keep in mind: Expensive in peak winter and very crowded around New Year.
Close to Gulmarg
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Alpather Lakeabout 4 km
- Tosa Maidanabout 13 km
- Doodhpathriabout 26 km
More in Gulmarg
- Alpather Lake4,100 mcompare
- Bangus Valley3,300 mcompare
- Chatpal2,200 mcompare
- Doodhpathri2,900 mcompare
- Gurez Valley3,300 mcompare
- Kashmir Great Lakes4,200 mcompare