- Phase 1 Ticket (Kongdoori): ₹800 per person round trip
- Phase 2 Ticket (Apharwat): ₹1,050 per person round trip
- Booking Portal: 100% Online on JKCCC Portal
- Operational Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Daily, Weather Permitting)
Gulmarg Gondola Phases, Altitudes & Official Tariffs (2026)
Operated by the Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) in joint technical venture with French company POMAGALSKI, the Gulmarg Gondola is the world’s second highest operating cable car. It ferries up to 600 passengers per hour across two magnificent alpine tiers:
Phase 1: Gulmarg to Kongdoori Valley
Lush pine forest aerial views, snow sledging, ski nursery slopes, snow cafe restaurants & snowmobile rentals.
Phase 2: Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak
High-altitude alpine terrain, panoramic vistas of Nanga Parbat and Pir Panjal peaks, heavy year-round powder snow.
Chairlift: Kongdoori to Mary Shoulder
Open-air chairlift ideal for intermediate and professional skiers with direct access to pristine powdery drops.
How to Book Online & What to Do When Tickets are Sold Out
To eliminate unauthorized touts and black marketing, the J&K Government abolished offline physical counters at the Gulmarg boarding base. 100% of tickets must now be booked online in advance.
Step-by-Step Online Booking Steps:
- Visit the official government booking website:
jammukashmircablecar.com - Click on "Book Gondola Ticket" and enter your Indian mobile number to generate an OTP.
- Select your intended travel date, boarding time slot (morning slots recommended between 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM), and number of passengers.
- Enter the full government ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport or Voter ID) for each traveler.
- Pay the amount via UPI, NetBanking or Credit/Debit card. Download and save the digital PDF ticket on your mobile.
- The Midnight Cancellation Refresh: JKCCC releases cancelled and unconfirmed tickets on the portal at 12:00 AM midnight. Check between 12:00 AM and 12:30 AM for sudden availability!
- Book 25–30 Days Ahead: Phase 2 slots open 30 days in advance and usually sell out within 48 hours for peak weekend dates.
- Verified Package Partner Allocation: Booking a comprehensive Kashmir package through Trip Customizer gives you access to pre-allocated priority activity slots without the hassle of refreshing portals.
Kashmir Snow & Autumn Seasons Timeline (2026–2027)
Autumn Chinar Season (Oct – Nov)
Golden rust Chinar leaves across Srinagar Mughal Gardens, crisp sunny blue skies, pleasant daytime temperatures (12°C to 18°C), and early snow on Apharwat Peak.
First Snow & Festive Rush (Dec)
Fresh snow showers begin in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Christmas and New Year see fairy-tale white landscapes, snow sledging, and roaring wooden bukharis (heaters) in hotel rooms.
Chillai Kalan Deep Winter (Dec 21 – Jan 31)
The legendary 40-day deep freeze of Kashmir. Heavy powdery snowfall reaches 4 to 8 feet in Gulmarg. Temperatures drop to -8°C. Best time for international heli-skiing and snowboarding.
Sunny Spring Snow (Feb – March)
Thick snow carpet with bright, warm sunshine. Moderate chill during the day, perfect for snow photography, cable car rides, and romantic couple walks without extreme sub-zero winds.
The Ultimate 5 Days / 4 Nights Kashmir Winter Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Srinagar Airport ➔ Luxury Houseboat Check-In ➔ Dal Lake Sunset Shikara
Arrive at Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar. Transfer to a handcrafted cedarwood luxury houseboat on Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake. Savor traditional steaming saffron Kahwa with crushed almonds. Evening 1-hour sunset Shikara ride across the floating vegetable market and Char Chinar. Candlelight Wazwan dinner on the water.
Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg ➔ Gondola Phase 1 & Phase 2 ➔ Snow Adventure
Drive 52 km through snow-draped pine woods to Gulmarg bowl. Board the Gondola cable car to Kongdoori Valley (Phase 1) and Apharwat Peak (Phase 2). Enjoy snow sledging, ATV snow biking, and snowball fights. Warm up with Maggi and hot Kashmiri tea at high-altitude cafes. Overnight stay in a luxury heated resort in Gulmarg.
Day 3: Gulmarg to Pahalgam ➔ Saffron Fields of Pampore ➔ Lidder River
Drive towards the valley of shepherds, Pahalgam (140 km). En route, stop at the legendary purple saffron fields of Pampore and dry fruit plantations. Visit the ancient 9th-century Awantipora temple ruins. Check into your river-facing luxury hotel along the roaring, emerald Lidder River.
Day 4: Pahalgam Sightseeing ➔ Betaab Valley, Aru Valley & Mini Switzerland (Baisaran)
Hire a local tourist cab to explore Betaab Valley (named after the hit Bollywood movie) with crystal clear mountain streams, and the serene village of Aru. Enjoy a scenic pony ride up to Baisaran meadow, known as "Mini Switzerland of India". Return to Srinagar by evening for hotel check-in.
Day 5: Mughal Gardens (Nishat & Shalimar Bagh) ➔ Lal Chowk Shopping ➔ Airport Drop
Morning visit to the UNESCO-listed Mughal Gardens: Nishat Bagh (Garden of Bliss) and Shalimar Bagh (Abode of Love) overlooking Dal Lake. Pick up authentic Kashmiri Pashmina shawls, walnut wood carvings, and pure saffron at Lal Chowk before your transfer to Srinagar Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions (Gulmarg Gondola & Kashmir 2026)
How much does a Gulmarg Gondola ticket cost for Phase 1 and Phase 2 in 2026?
The official ticket tariff for Gulmarg Gondola is ₹800 per person for Phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdoori) and ₹1,050 per person for Phase 2 (Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak). A combined round-trip ticket for both phases costs ₹1,850 per adult. Children under 3 years travel free without a ticket.
What should I do if Gulmarg Gondola tickets are sold out online?
Offline tickets are no longer sold at the Gulmarg counter to prevent black marketing. If tickets are sold out on the official JKCCC portal for your exact date, check the portal daily at 12:00 AM midnight for cancellations, look for morning slots between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM, or book a verified Kashmir holiday package through Trip Customizer which includes pre-allocated priority Gondola activity slots.
When does snowfall start in Gulmarg and Kashmir?
First snowfall usually blankets Apharwat Peak and higher reaches in late October to mid-November. Gulmarg bowl receives heavy snowfall starting December, with peak winter snow and skiing season running from late December to late February during the 40-day Chillai Kalan period.
Is Phase 2 open for tourists during winter snowfall?
Yes, Phase 2 (Apharwat Peak at 13,057 ft) remains open during winter depending on clear weather and wind velocity. In the event of high blizzards or severe weather, Phase 2 may be temporarily delayed or suspended for safety reasons, and Phase 1 will operate normally.
Do I need special snow chains for cabs going from Srinagar to Gulmarg?
Standard cabs operate smoothly from Srinagar to Tangmarg (38 km). From Tangmarg uphill to Gulmarg (12 km), local administration mandates vehicles with tyre snow-chains or 4x4 drive during snowfall. Local union 4x4 vehicles charge between ₹1,500 and ₹2,500 for the round trip.