Gulmarg

Gulmarg sits at around 2,650 metres in the Pir Panjal range of Jammu and Kashmir, and it earns its reputation honestly. In winter, it transforms into one of Asia's most serious ski destinations, with the Gulmarg Gondola carrying skiers and snowboarders up to Apharwat Peak at nearly 4,000 metres. The runs are long, the powder is genuine, and the terrain suits everyone from beginners finding their footing to experienced skiers looking for off-piste challenge. Outside ski season, the meadows open up into something quieter and greener, drawing trekkers, photographers, and anyone who simply wants to be somewhere that feels genuinely unhurried.

The best time to visit depends entirely on what you are after. December through February delivers the snow and the skiing, with the landscape locked in white and the air sharp and clear. April through June brings wildflower meadows, milder temperatures, and long days that are ideal for walking and horse riding through the surrounding forests. Families travel here for the gondola ride alone, which offers views that require no hiking to earn. Adventure seekers come for the skiing and high-altitude trekking, while couples and solo travellers often find the off-season version of Gulmarg — calm, uncrowded, and surprisingly affordable — more rewarding than the peak months.

Getting around Gulmarg is part of the experience. The town itself is compact and walkable, but reaching the higher slopes or exploring the surrounding valleys is easier with a car and driver at your disposal. Staying closer to the gondola base puts you in the middle of the action in winter, while properties set back from the main strip offer more space and quiet if that suits your pace better.

Localtrav plans the full shape of a Gulmarg trip — hotels across different budgets and locations, activities including gondola rides and guided treks, and car rentals that make getting there from Srinagar straightforward. Whether you are building a standalone ski break or folding Gulmarg into a longer Kashmir itinerary, the team puts together a clear, priced plan with no gaps left to figure out on arrival.