GULMARG GONDOLA
Gulmarg boasts Asia's highest and longest cable car project, the Gulmarg Gondola. The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski.
The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 3,747 m (12,293 ft) on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The second stage was completed in a record time of about two years at a cost of 180,000,000 Indian Rupees (i.e. some US$4.5 million) and opened on May 28, 2005. The French company had also built the first phase of the gondola project, connecting Gulmarg to Kongdoori, in 1998.
Gulmarg a prime location in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is about 55 Kms. from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu & Kashmir. At an altitude of 2,653 m., Gulmarg has exquisitely situated in a pine surrounded basin of the Pir Panjal range. Gulmarg or the `Meadow of Flowers' is a lovely blooming sight where an opulence of flora displays various colours with the changing seasons.Gulmarg's astounding beauty, prime location and closeness to Srinagar naturally make it one of the prime hill stations in the country. Originally called 'Gaurimarg' by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was impressed by the sight of its green slopes embellished with wildflowers. Today, Gulmarg is not only a mountain resort of exemplary beauty - it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's major ski resort in the winter.
Gulmarg is situated at 2650metres on a flat plateau at the base of Mt. Apharwat. The best and longest ski run of 3 kilometres in Gulmarg is accessed by the Gondola Cable Car Lift, which allows a ski run of 2,213 metres descent. The gondola ascends extends almost to the peak of Apharwat, at an elevation of 3980 metres above sea level. It provides lift served access to 1330 vertical metres of vast snow slopes. With the setting-up of Gondola Cable Car Lift from Gulmarg to Apharwat top, Gulmarg has become one of the highest lift-served ski resorts in the world. The total aerial distance covered by Gulmarg Gondola is 5 kilometres.
The Phase 2 of the Gondola Ride is a prime attraction as it gives panoramic views of the Himalayas as it keeps ascending higher and closer to the Apharwat Mountain. The cable car ascends 1,330 vertical metres to a height of nearly 4,000m.The Gondola Lift operates in 2 phases – Gulmarg > Kongdoor and Kongdoor > Apharwat. Phase 1 of the Gulmarg Gondola Project starts in Gulmarg at 2’990 m has a vertical rise of 400 metres travelling at 5 metres per second, ferries 1500 people per hour from Gulmarg to a height of 3100 metres above sea level to middle station Kongdoor Mountain, from which skiers have access to numerous easy runs through the trees and to the groomed but narrow slopes.
Phase 2 of the Gulmarg Gondola Project starts at Kongdoor and ascends a slope of 2688 metres at a vertical rise of 880 metres from Kongdoor travelling at 5 metres per second, ferries 600 people per hour to a height of 3980 metres onto Apharwat Mount. From this point, skiers can either return to the middle station by staying on the controlled and patrolled gondola bowl or traverse further up. Nearly every route links up with powder runs with up to 1’000 vertical metres.
The tariff of the ticket in the first phase, from Gulmarg to the Kongdoori mid-station, 300 metres above costs Rs.100 one way or Rs.500 for the day. The tariff of Phase 2, ascending to nearly 4,000 metres at the height of Mt Apharwat, costs Rs.250 one way. A day pass is Rs1, 000.
Gulmarg offers many opportunities for runs over open snow fields, along numerous ridges with over 20 access points to runs. These runs have more than 1’000 vertical metres and a terrain steepness of 32° to more than 40°.
The gondola terrain is divided into two sections -the upper and the lower section. The first section is 2,350 m long and rises 450m vertically from Gulmarg ski resort to slopes at 3300m up the side of Apharwat Mountain.
The second section runs to over 4,000 m, just below the peak of Apharwat. From the top most station, a 30-minute trek up would land on the peak. Any direction from this peak is ok for skiing for a couple of kilometres. Also, from this peak, the Line of Control (LOC) and Pakistan-administered Kashmir are both visible.
One can enjoy the Fantastic views of the Pir Panjal range, and on clear days, can see Nanda Devi and the LOC. Romp around in the snow, forget your age and don't stand upon your dignity. Discover the child in you and then join the queues for getting back again! Just good woollens or a windcheater and sensible sports shoes are sufficient. Obviously, try to avoid wearing sandals, slippers or leather shoes.
The easiest way to enjoy these wonderful rides, make pre-booking by visiting www.gulmarggondola.com and for any assistance ask on Helpline number 1800-102-1060. Remember, a photo ID of at least one member will have to be produced for e-ticketing at the ticket counter to get the Boarding Passes.
How to reach
Closest Railhead from Gulmarg is Jammu. Jammu is connected by rail to many cities in India especially direct trains are available from northern cities. Tourists can take trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and even from the southern most Trivandrum Railway station.
Nearest airport to Gulmarg is Srinagar which is 56 km away from Gulmarg. Jeeps and Taxi cabs are available from the airport to Gulmarg, which will cost around Rs 1,000 – 1,200. Srinagar is well connected to Delhi with daily regular flights. Many other Indian cities are also connected to Srinagar by air.
Gulmarg is well linked by bus services from most of the cities in Jammu and Kashmir. State-owned buses and Private tourist deluxe luxury buses are also available to reach Gulmarg from various parts of J&K like Srinagar (Rs 150), Sonmarg (Rs 300) and many other parts of the state. For those travelling from Srinagar, shared taxis (Sumos) are available from Buttman to Tanmarg. From there, you can catch an onward shared sumo to Gulmarg. The whole journey takes 2 to 3 hrs.
