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Jammu and Kashmir

Gulmarg

India's top ski resort - Gondola to 3,979m, real powder

SnowMountains

Best time to visit Gulmarg

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: December to March
  • Shoulder: April to June and September to October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: July to August and November

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryMarchDecember

Gulmarg season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Peak Gulmarg - reliable powder, Gondola to Apharwat Peak, India's best skiing and snowboarding scene.

Summer March to May Prime time

March can still have late-season snow; by May meadows green up for golf and short hikes.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

June is a nice green window, but Jul-Aug often bring cloud and mist that blank out mountain views.

Autumn October to November Shoulder

October still has clear hiking weather; November is a dead patch - too early for snow, too muddy.

What Gulmarg is actually like

International ski crowd in winter, easy to team up at lodges; summer is quiet and empty.

Things to do in Gulmarg

The local places worth your time in and around Gulmarg, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Gulmarg Gondola

    Activity · 1 km out

    Two stage cable car to Kongdoori and on to Apharwat at close to 4000 m; book phase 2 online early, it shuts in high wind.

  • Apharwat Peak

    Viewpoint · 5 km out

    Snow ridge at the top of gondola phase 2, Nanga Parbat visible on a clear morning; no shade, take sunglasses and a windproof.

  • Khilanmarg

    Walk · 3 km out

    Meadow an hour on foot above the gondola base, best at sunrise; ponywallahs quote high, fix the price before you start.

  • Alpather Lake

    Lake · 13 km out

    Lake under Apharwat, a 4 km walk from Kongdoori over scree; the ice usually breaks up only by mid June.

  • St Mary's Church

    Church · in town

    Small 1902 stone church with a shingled roof in the middle of the bowl; opens when the caretaker is around, lawn is free.

  • Baba Reshi Shrine

    Shrine · 7 km out

    Wooden 15th century Sufi ziarat below Gulmarg on the Tangmarg road; cover your head, men and women enter by separate doors.

  • Gulmarg Golf Course

    Activity · in town

    One of the world's highest 18 hole courses, playable roughly May to October; clubs and a caddy on hire at the clubhouse.

Getting to Gulmarg

Fly to Srinagar, then 1-1.5h taxi to Gulmarg (56km)

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
4 days
Budget
Splurge
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
2650 m
State
Jammu and Kashmir
Coordinates
34.0484, 74.3805

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Gulmarg?

December to March is peak season in Gulmarg. April to June and September to October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid July to August and November. Peak Gulmarg - reliable powder, Gondola to Apharwat Peak, India's best skiing and snowboarding scene.

How many days do you need in Gulmarg?

4 days is the usual stay. International ski crowd in winter, easy to team up at lodges; summer is quiet and empty.

How do you get to Gulmarg?

Fly to Srinagar, then 1-1.5h taxi to Gulmarg (56km). Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Gulmarg expensive, and does it get crowded?

Splurge by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

What are the best things to do in Gulmarg?

Gulmarg Gondola, Apharwat Peak, Khilanmarg, Alpather Lake, St Mary's Church and Baba Reshi Shrine, and more. Two stage cable car to Kongdoori and on to Apharwat at close to 4000 m; book phase 2 online early, it shuts in high wind.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir

All 27 destinations in Jammu and Kashmir