Gulmarg day trip from Srinagar: Gondola ride & Himalayan views

A 55-kilometer drive, a two-stage gondola ascent, and lunch in the meadows

This full-day tour from Srinagar takes you 55 kilometers into Gulmarg, a hill station in the Himalayas, with hotel pickup and return, a scenic drive through apple orchards and villages, and a ride on the Gondola cable car to Kongdori and Affarwat. You choose at checkout whether to add a local guide, entrance fees, and lunch. The Gondola is the world's second-highest cable car and generally sells out from April to July, so an alternative visit to Dungwaterfall can be arranged if tickets are unavailable.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg

• Hotel pick-up in Srinagar
• Scenic drive through Kashmiri countryside
• Arrive and explore Gulmarg
• Gondola ride to Kongdori and Affarwat
• Alternative visit to Dungwaterfall
• Explore meadows and optional snow activities
• Enjoy Kashmiri lunch at local restaurant
• Return drive to Srinagar
• Drop-off at hotel in Srinagar

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Srinagar hotel and a 55-kilometer drive through the Kashmiri countryside. You'll pass terraced fields, traditional wooden villages, and apple orchards in bloom, with the Pir Panjal Range growing larger ahead. If you've chosen the guided option, your English-speaking guide joins you in Gulmarg to lead the rest of the day.

The Gondola ride is the centerpiece: a two-stage cable car that climbs first to Kongdori, where you see the valleys spread below, then to Affarwat, where snow-capped peaks and the Kashmir Valley open up in front of you. The cable car is the world's second-highest and books out heavily from April through July. If tickets sell out and you've selected the entrance option, the operator arranges a local car visit to Dungwaterfall instead: a waterfall fed by Himalayan snowmelt, surrounded by pine forest and quiet enough to hear the birds. You have time to explore the meadows at your own pace, and if you want to ski, snowboard, or snowshoe, those are available as optional add-ons.

Lunch is a Kashmiri meal at a local restaurant (Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Kashmiri Pulao) with free time afterward to rest before the return drive to Srinagar. The journey back follows the same scenic route and ends at your hotel by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Private AC car or van for pickup and drop-off from your hotel.
• bottled water in the car.
• an English-speaking local guide if you select that option.
• Gondola cable car ride to Kongdori and Affarwat if you choose the entrance option.
• Kashmiri lunch if you add it at checkout.
• government taxes.

Options for this experience

4 options

Car OnlyGuide in English · No fixed timeIncludes a private car with driver. Pickup is included.

Car & GuideGuide in English · No fixed timeIncludes a private car with driver and private guides. Pickup is included.

Entrance, Guide and CarGuide in English · No fixed timePrice includes a private car with driver, private guides, and entrance and activity charges listed in the itinerary. Pickup is included.

Lunch, Entrance, Guide and CarGuide in English · No fixed timePrice includes a private car with driver, private guides, entrance and activity charges listed in the itinerary, and lunch. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Agora Voyages Pvt. Ltd.

Is this one for you?Choose the Car & Guide option if you want someone to explain what you're seeing on the drive and in Gulmarg. Pick Car, Guide, Entrance & Lunch if you want the full day handled and only need to show up at your hotel. The Gondola sells out April through July, so book early if those months matter to you, or pick a different season to guarantee the cable car is available.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How far is Gulmarg from Srinagar, and how much of the day is spent driving?

Gulmarg is 55 kilometers from Srinagar. The drive takes you through villages and apple orchards and makes up a significant portion of the 7 to 8 hour day, with the return journey following the same route.

What is the Gondola ride, and why might it not be available?

The Gondola is a two-stage cable car, the world's second-highest, that ascends first to Kongdori and then to Affarwat, revealing panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and the Kashmir Valley. It sells out regularly from April to July due to high demand, and if tickets are unavailable when you arrive, a visit to Dungwaterfall is arranged instead.

What happens at Kongdori and Affarwat once the Gondola reaches them?

At Kongdori, you step out to panoramic views of the verdant valleys below. At Affarwat, the vista opens to snow-capped Himalayan peaks and the sprawling Kashmir Valley, and you have freedom to explore the meadows at your own pace and capture photos.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Lunch is included only if you select the option that adds it at checkout. The meal is Kashmiri cuisine (dishes like Rogan Josh, Yakhni, and Kashmiri Pulao) served at a local restaurant in Gulmarg, with free time to rest afterward.

Can I ski or snowboard on this tour?

Skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing are available as optional activities, not included in the base tour price. Expert instructors guide all skill levels if you choose to add them at checkout.

What is included in the pickup from Srinagar?

Pickup and drop-off from your Srinagar hotel are included in all options, along with a private AC car or van for the full journey, bottled water during the drive, and government taxes.