Gulmarg Gondola Guide 2026 — Tickets, Timings & Tips

The Gulmarg Gondola is not just a cable car ride — it is the defining experience of a Kashmir trip. At 3,980 metres on Phase 2, it is the highest cable car network in the world. Here is everything you need to know before you go.

Two Phases, Two Experiences The gondola operates in two phases. Phase 1 takes you from Gulmarg (2,650 m) to Kongdoori (3,080 m) — an 8-minute ride over pine forests and snow meadows. Phase 2 continues from Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak (3,980 m) — a steep 15-minute ascent above the tree line into alpine terrain. Phase 2 is weather-dependent and frequently closed in winter due to high winds. Phase 1 runs almost year-round.

Ticket Prices (2026) Phase 1: ₹740 per person (round trip). Phase 2: ₹945 per person (round trip). Children under 3 ride free. Tickets are sold at the base station, but queues during peak season (December–February and June–August) can exceed 2 hours. We recommend pre-booking through TDI Holiday Ventures for priority access and guaranteed slots.

Best Time to Ride For snow views, ride in January–February. For green valley panoramas, June–September. The golden hour (4–5 PM in summer, 3–4 PM in winter) offers the best lighting for photography. Morning rides (9–10 AM) have the clearest skies before afternoon clouds roll in.

Insider Tips - Phase 2 closes if wind speeds exceed 25 km/h — check the weather forecast before queueing - Carry a light jacket even in summer — Apharwat Peak is 1,300 m higher than Gulmarg town - The Phase 2 top station has a small café with kahwa and Maggi — cash only - Skip the weekend rush (Friday–Sunday) when Srinagar day-trippers flood the queue - For skiers, a separate ski lift pass is required beyond the gondola - Book your gondola slot before 11 AM to ensure Phase 2 access before afternoon weather changes

Is It Worth the Hype? Yes. The view from Phase 2 — with Nanga Parbat dominating the horizon and the entire Kashmir valley spread at your feet — is genuinely one of the great cable car experiences anywhere on earth.