Gulmarg, means Meadow of Flowers (in Hindi). Ironical is that we didn't find many flowers except few grass one's.
Gulmarg is a hill station, popular for it's skiing and the Gondola ride. Gulmarg boasts it's gondola ride to be Asia's highest and longest and the world's second highest operating cable car. (Source: Wiki)
There are not many attraction nearby but the Gondola ride itself is one day consuming.
It's a two stage rope way, first stage from Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station ( in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the rope way, takes 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 last point is breath taking. We visited in June 1st week and the snow haven't started melting yet. There are skiing and sledging facilities available for interested people.
Or just playing in the snow by yourself, enjoying the views around is another best thing you do.
Here are the snaps captured.
Now coming to the practicality, there are many things I would like you to know before going for the ride.
Tickets: The tickets can be purchased online. But you still have to stand in the queue (which is not a queue) for the hard copy. After getting the tickets , again stand in a different queue to proceed for the Gondola.
Just this process consumed more than 3 hours.
Ride: Once you got to the Gondola, be careful, the cabin will not stop completely but slows down so that you can get in.
The first phase of the ride is good and like a trial of what you will enjoy next.
At the first phase, there is nothing much around except some pony rides and refreshments.
To enter the second phase again stand in the queue and just wait for your turn.
The second phase takes us from an altitude of 9500ft (approx) to 14000 ft.
As you can see it's the best part. Both the ride and the spot.
To come back, you have to go thru the entire process again.
For enthusiast, the ponies can ride you back from Phase 1 (Kundoor) to the resort.
AMS: Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain sickness. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, vomiting, stomach illness and dizziness.
To prevent, increase water intake to help in acclimatization.
Consult your physician before the trip and the prescribed medicines can be taken one hour before you go for the ride.
Cotton tightly stuffed in ears, during the ride and at the higher altitudes makes you feel better.
If problems persists, please consult the management for first aid.
Boots and Jackets: Everyone has a commission based business in all over Kashmir. Hence make sure that you don't get cheated.
The boots and jackets are available with JKTDC (J&K Tourism) at the entrance to the resort, for a fixed price.
If you don't want to carry them all the way, you can as well rent them at the top (Phase 2). I am not sure if it is Tourism board's.
Visitors Tips:
1. Don't just go for Phase 1 if you really want to enjoy th snow and the views.
2. Reach as early as possible to avoid the long queues.
3. Take plenty of water and some liquids though you doesn't feel thirsty.
Gulmarg is a hill station, popular for it's skiing and the Gondola ride. Gulmarg boasts it's gondola ride to be Asia's highest and longest and the world's second highest operating cable car. (Source: Wiki)
There are not many attraction nearby but the Gondola ride itself is one day consuming.
It's a two stage rope way, first stage from Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station ( in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the rope way, takes 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 last point is breath taking. We visited in June 1st week and the snow haven't started melting yet. There are skiing and sledging facilities available for interested people.
Or just playing in the snow by yourself, enjoying the views around is another best thing you do.
Here are the snaps captured.
 |
| Gondola |
 |
| At Level 1 |
 |
| "Gul" marg |
 |
| At the top |
Now coming to the practicality, there are many things I would like you to know before going for the ride.
Tickets: The tickets can be purchased online. But you still have to stand in the queue (which is not a queue) for the hard copy. After getting the tickets , again stand in a different queue to proceed for the Gondola.
Just this process consumed more than 3 hours.
Ride: Once you got to the Gondola, be careful, the cabin will not stop completely but slows down so that you can get in.
The first phase of the ride is good and like a trial of what you will enjoy next.
At the first phase, there is nothing much around except some pony rides and refreshments.
To enter the second phase again stand in the queue and just wait for your turn.
The second phase takes us from an altitude of 9500ft (approx) to 14000 ft.
As you can see it's the best part. Both the ride and the spot.
To come back, you have to go thru the entire process again.
For enthusiast, the ponies can ride you back from Phase 1 (Kundoor) to the resort.
AMS: Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain sickness. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, vomiting, stomach illness and dizziness.
To prevent, increase water intake to help in acclimatization.
Consult your physician before the trip and the prescribed medicines can be taken one hour before you go for the ride.
Cotton tightly stuffed in ears, during the ride and at the higher altitudes makes you feel better.
If problems persists, please consult the management for first aid.
Boots and Jackets: Everyone has a commission based business in all over Kashmir. Hence make sure that you don't get cheated.
The boots and jackets are available with JKTDC (J&K Tourism) at the entrance to the resort, for a fixed price.
If you don't want to carry them all the way, you can as well rent them at the top (Phase 2). I am not sure if it is Tourism board's.
Visitors Tips:
1. Don't just go for Phase 1 if you really want to enjoy th snow and the views.
2. Reach as early as possible to avoid the long queues.
3. Take plenty of water and some liquids though you doesn't feel thirsty.
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