Gulmarg Gondola Tickets 2026–27: Phases, Booking and Tips

For many visitors, the Gulmarg Gondola is the moment a Kashmir trip turns from pretty to unforgettable. In a few minutes the cabin lifts you out of the Gulmarg meadow, through the pine forest and, if you go on to the second stage, onto the high snowfields of Apharwat. It is also the part of a Gulmarg day that causes the most confusion: which phase to book, where to book it, what it costs and what happens if the weather turns.

We are Jiya Travels, a registered travel agency in Lal Chowk, Srinagar (Registration No. JKTA00005428). Our drivers take guests to Gulmarg throughout the year, and our team helps them with Gondola bookings. This guide explains how the Gondola works, how to book it through the official portal and how to plan your Gulmarg day so a closure does not ruin it.

If you are planning a Gulmarg trip for the 2026–27 season, you can ask us on WhatsApp for a plan that fits the Gondola around your dates. We usually send a day-by-day plan with a price within 24 hours.

How the Gulmarg Gondola works: Phase 1 and Phase 2

The Gondola is run by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC). It is often described as one of the highest cable cars in the world. It climbs in two separate stages, and each stage has its own ticket.

Phase 1: Gulmarg to Kongdori

The first stage starts from the base station in Gulmarg, which sits at about 2,650 m, and rises to Kongdori, a bowl above the tree line. The ride usually takes about 9 to 10 minutes. Kongdori is the stage most families take. In winter it is a snow play area with sledging and gentle slopes. In summer it is a green meadow with views back over Gulmarg and pony trails around it.

Phase 2: Kongdori to Apharwat

The second stage leaves from Kongdori and climbs to a top station on the shoulder of Apharwat, at roughly 3,950 to 3,980 m. The ride is about 12 minutes. At the top, the air is thin and cold, the views are wide and, for much of the year, the ground is deep snow. This is the stage skiers use to reach the long runs of Apharwat. In summer, some visitors walk towards Alpather Lake from here when conditions allow.

Phase 2 is more exposed to wind and weather than Phase 1. It also carries fewer people, so its tickets tend to sell out faster.

Heights and ride times are approximate figures from public sources. The two stages are separate: you must ride Phase 1 to reach Phase 2, and you need a ticket for each stage you ride.

Gulmarg Gondola ticket prices

We get asked for Gondola prices more than almost anything else, and this is the honest answer: fares have moved several times in recent seasons, and the figures you see on travel sites often disagree. Here is what was last reported.

• As of 2024: a widely cited public reference listed Phase 1 at about ₹810 and Phase 2 at about ₹900 per person.
• January 2026: a Kashmir news report said a combined fare of about ₹1,700 per person for Phase 1 and Phase 2 together was in place, quoting local residents who said it was a sharp rise.

Treat both as a guide only. Fares are set by the Cable Car Corporation and may change at any time, including between seasons. Always check the current fare on the official portal before you book. There may also be separate fares for children, foreign nationals and the Phase 2 chairlift, which the portal shows when you book.

Whatever the fare, it is paid by you directly to the Cable Car Corporation. Gondola tickets are not included in any of our packages.

How to book Gulmarg Gondola tickets

Since April 2025, tickets have been issued online only. News reports at the time said the Cable Car Corporation had stopped selling tickets at the counter and raised the daily online quota. A one-day-ahead "Tatkal" window was also ordered then. Rules like these can change, so read the current instructions on the portal.

The official booking website

The official website of the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation is jammukashmircablecar.com, and its online ticketing runs from that site, at etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com. The Corporation itself warns visitors to book online and not to fall prey to touts.

Be careful with look-alike sites. When we checked in November 2026, the domain gulmarggondola.com did not lead to any Gondola booking page; it redirected to an unrelated website. Only book through the official Cable Car Corporation site, and do not pay strangers who offer "confirmed" tickets in Gulmarg.

Step by step

1. Decide the stages. Choose Phase 1 only, or Phase 1 and Phase 2. If you want Phase 2, book both together so the times line up.
2. Pick your date and slot. Choose the day you will actually be in Gulmarg, with a morning slot if possible. Check that your driver can reach Gulmarg in time, especially in snow season.
3. Enter traveller details. Use names exactly as on each person's photo ID. Carry the same ID on the day.
4. Pay and save the ticket. Download the ticket and keep a screenshot, as mobile network in Gulmarg can be weak.
5. Check the cancellation rules. Read what the portal says about weather closures and refunds before you pay.

When to book

In busy months, tickets are often booked 2 to 4 weeks ahead, and Phase 2 sells out first. Peak periods include April to June, the October Puja holidays and late December to February, when snow brings the most visitors. In quieter weeks you may find tickets closer to the date, but we would not count on it if the Gondola is the main reason for your trip.

How our team helps

We do not include the ticket in our package price, but we do help. When you book a trip with us, our team can tell you which day your Gulmarg visit falls on, suggest the right slot for your driving time, and guide you through the official booking. If the weather looks poor, we can often move your Gulmarg day within the trip so it lines up with a better forecast and your ticket.

Weather, wind and winter closures

The Gondola only runs when it is safe to do so. Operations usually run during daytime hours and stop in strong wind, heavy snowfall, poor visibility or for maintenance. Phase 2, being higher and more exposed, is the stage most often paused. In the middle of winter, it is common for Phase 1 to run while Phase 2 stays closed for part of a day, or for several days after a storm.

• Morning is better. Weather in the mountains often builds through the day, and the earliest slots give you the best chance of a smooth ride and clear views.
• Keep Gulmarg flexible. If you can, plan Gulmarg on a day that can swap with Srinagar sightseeing. That way a closure costs you a few hours, not your whole Gondola plan.
• Check on the morning. Our driver and Srinagar team watch the conditions and can tell you if there are delays before you set off.
• Read the refund policy. What happens to your ticket when the Gondola is shut is set by the Cable Car Corporation, not by us. Check it when you book.

Heavy snow can also affect the road. After a big snowfall, regular cabs may not be allowed beyond Tangmarg, and a snow-chained or 4x4 vehicle is needed for the last stretch to Gulmarg. That vehicle is paid separately and is not part of our packages. For more on winter travel, read our Kashmir in winter guide.

Which phase should you choose?

There is no single right answer. It depends on who is travelling, the season and how you handle altitude.

• Families with young children and older travellers: Phase 1 is usually enough. Kongdori has the snow and the views without the thin air and harsh cold of the top station.
• Couples and friends who want the big view: Phase 1 and Phase 2 together, if the weather is clear and everyone is fit and comfortable at altitude.
• Skiers and snowboarders: Phase 2 gives access to the long runs of Apharwat in season. Ski gear and lessons are separate costs.
• Anyone with heart or breathing conditions: speak to your doctor before going to the top station, which is close to 4,000 m.

What to wear and carry

• In winter: a proper snow jacket, gloves, a cap, thermal layers and waterproof boots. Snow boots and jackets can be hired in Gulmarg.
• In summer: a warm layer anyway, because the top station is far colder than the meadow.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen, as the glare off snow is strong.
• Water and a light snack, since food options at the stations are limited.
• Your photo ID and a downloaded copy of your ticket.

Our Gulmarg packages and what they include

Gulmarg is part of most of our Kashmir trips, either as a day trip from Srinagar or with nights in Gulmarg itself. These two packages put the most time there:

• Gulmarg Ski and Snow Package, 4N/5D with three nights in Gulmarg and one in Srinagar, from ₹21,999 per person on twin sharing. Staying in Gulmarg gives you more than one chance at the Gondola if the first day is closed.
• Kashmir Winter Snow Tour, 5N/6D across Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Doodhpathri and Srinagar, from ₹16,999 per person on twin sharing.

On our priced packages, the price covers hotel stays as per the package, breakfast and dinner, a private non-AC cab for pickup, drop and planned sightseeing, Srinagar airport or railway-station transfers, room heating in winter as per the hotel, and driver allowance, fuel, tolls and parking. Gondola Phase 1 and Phase 2 tickets, chained or 4x4 vehicles after heavy snow, skiing, sledging, equipment, pony rides and lunch are extra. The final price depends on dates, hotel category, meal plan, cab type and group size.

Find more about the resort in our Gulmarg guide, or see every trip on our Kashmir tour packages page. To budget the whole trip, including the Gondola, use our Kashmir trip cost guide.

Gulmarg Gondola: frequently asked questions

Where do I book Gulmarg Gondola tickets?

Book through the official J&K Cable Car Corporation website, jammukashmircablecar.com, which links to its online ticketing at etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com. Since April 2025 tickets have been sold online only, according to news reports. Avoid look-alike websites and people offering tickets in Gulmarg. Our team can guide you through the official booking when you travel with us.

How much is the Gulmarg Gondola ticket?

Fares have changed several times. As of 2024, a widely cited reference listed about ₹810 for Phase 1 and ₹900 for Phase 2 per person. In January 2026, a Kashmir news report described a combined fare of about ₹1,700 for both phases. Fares may change at any time, so check the current rate on the official portal.

Are Gondola tickets included in your Kashmir packages?

No. Gondola Phase 1 and Phase 2 tickets are not included in any of our packages. You pay for them directly through the official Cable Car Corporation portal. Our team can help you choose the right day and slot and guide you through the booking, and we can move your Gulmarg day within the trip if the weather looks poor.

What is the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2?

Phase 1 runs from the Gulmarg base station, at about 2,650 m, to Kongdori, a snow bowl in winter and a meadow in summer. Phase 2 continues from Kongdori to a top station on Apharwat at roughly 3,950 to 3,980 m. Phase 2 is higher, colder and more often closed by wind, and it needs a separate ticket.

How far in advance should I book the Gondola?

In busy months, book 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Phase 2 tickets usually sell out first because the upper stage carries fewer people. Peak periods include April to June, the October Puja holidays and the snow months from late December to February. In quieter weeks you may find tickets closer to the date, but it is not guaranteed.

Does the Gondola close in winter?

It runs through most of winter, but it stops in strong wind, heavy snowfall or poor visibility. Phase 2 is closed more often than Phase 1 because it is higher and more exposed. Closures can last a few hours or, after a storm, a few days. Book a morning slot and keep your Gulmarg day flexible if you can.

What happens to my ticket if the Gondola is closed?

Refunds and rescheduling for weather closures are decided by the J&K Cable Car Corporation, not by travel agents. The rules are shown on the official portal when you book, so read them before you pay. If your trip is with us, our team will check the conditions on the morning and help you plan around any delay.

Is Phase 2 safe for children and older travellers?

The ride itself is routine, but the top station is close to 4,000 m, where the air is thin and very cold. Many families with small children or older parents find Phase 1 to Kongdori is enough. Anyone with heart or breathing conditions should ask their doctor before going to the top. Dress warmly for both stages.

Is gulmarggondola.com the official booking website?

No. When we checked in November 2026, gulmarggondola.com redirected to an unrelated website and did not offer Gondola booking. The official operator is the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation, at jammukashmircablecar.com. Always check the web address carefully before entering payment details, and do not buy from touts.

Which Jiya Travels package is best for the Gondola?

If the Gondola and snow are your main reason to travel, our Gulmarg Ski and Snow Package (4N/5D, from ₹21,999 per person) gives you three nights in Gulmarg, so you have more than one chance if a day is closed. Our Kashmir Winter Snow Tour (5N/6D, from ₹16,999 per person) covers Gulmarg alongside Pahalgam and Doodhpathri. Gondola tickets are extra on both.

Plan your Gulmarg trip

Tell us your dates, the number of travellers and whether you want Phase 1 only or both phases. Our Srinagar team will send a day-by-day plan with a clear price, usually within 24 hours, and will guide you through the official Gondola booking. We are a registered agency (GST No. 01BSOPN8533N1Z7), rated 4.9 from 216 Google reviews.

Message us on WhatsApp about a Gulmarg trip, call +91 70062 26176, or use our contact page.