Save a Clear Autumn Day in Srinagar for the Gulmarg Gondola

By Manjot Kaur · 10 October 2026

Some days in Kashmir are made for slow plans: a shikara on the Dal, a walk through the old city, a long lunch. Others are made for going up. When the sky over Srinagar is clear and blue in autumn, that is the day to drive west to Gulmarg, ride the gondola as high as the weather allows and look out over the Pir Panjal. With a car rental in Srinagar, you can leave on your own schedule, stop where you like on the climb and be back in the city for dinner.

This guide is for travellers planning that day, and for Srinagar car owners who want to understand what visitors need from a self-drive car in the valley.

Why Gulmarg deserves its own day

Gulmarg means "meadow of flowers" in Kashmiri. Wikipedia notes that locals once knew it as Gaurimarg, and that it was renamed by Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir in the late 16th century. Mughal emperors used it as a summer retreat, and during the British era it became a hill resort with golf courses and, from 1927, a ski club. Today it is best known for skiing in winter and for its gondola.

Many visitors try to squeeze Gulmarg into a crowded itinerary along with Sonamarg and Pahalgam. Our October day trips from Srinagar guide lists all three. But if the gondola is the reason you are going, it pays to give Gulmarg a full day and to choose that day carefully. A rushed visit in cloud is a very different experience from a clear morning above the treeline.

It is also a different direction from the valley's other classic drive. If you have already done the drive south to the saffron fields and Avantipora, Gulmarg takes you west and up, out of the flat valley floor and into pine forest and high meadow.

The drive: Srinagar to Tangmarg to Gulmarg

The route leaves Srinagar to the west and crosses open countryside, villages and orchards before reaching Tangmarg, the town known as the gateway to Gulmarg. Wikipedia places Tangmarg about 38 to 39 km from Srinagar on a two-lane road, roughly 40 minutes of driving. The name is usually explained as "pear meadow", and the area around it has pear, cherry and apple trees.

From Tangmarg, the road climbs the last 13 km or so to Gulmarg through pine forest, with bends that need steady, unhurried driving. This is where the drive starts to feel like the mountains. Use a lower gear on the way down, avoid riding the brakes and let faster local drivers pass when it is safe.

A short stop at Drung

About 3 km from Tangmarg is Drung, a waterfall that Wikipedia describes as one of the reasons Tangmarg gets crowded in the evenings. It makes a pleasant break on the way back, when you want to stretch your legs before the final run into Srinagar. Ask locally about the road and parking before you turn off, as conditions can change with the season.

Riding the Gulmarg Gondola

The Gulmarg Gondola is the main event. According to Wikipedia, it is among the highest and longest cable cars in the world and runs in two stages:

• Phase 1: from the Gulmarg resort at about 2,650 m to Kongdori station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The ride takes roughly nine minutes.
• Phase 2: from Kongdori up to about 3,980 m on Kongdori Mountain, a shoulder of Apharwat Peak. This stage takes roughly twelve minutes.

Each cabin carries six people. The first stage opened in 1998 and the second in 2005, built by the French ropeway company Pomagalski as a joint venture with the Jammu and Kashmir government. Wikipedia gives operating hours of about 10 AM to 5 PM, but stresses that operations depend heavily on weather at both stages.

Tickets and timing

Tickets are sold for each stage separately, and queues build quickly on busy days. Book through the official Gulmarg Gondola booking channel before you leave Srinagar if you can, and check current prices, timings and any closures on the day. We have not listed prices here because they change, and the official source is the one to trust.

If you only have time or budget for one stage, Phase 1 to Kongdori is the gentler choice and still gives wide views of the meadow and forest. Phase 2 takes you much higher, into thin, cold air and a rocky, open landscape. Go up early, because cloud often builds later in the day and the upper stage is the first to stop in poor weather.

At altitude

Phase 2 reaches close to 4,000 m. Move slowly at the top, drink water and come down if you feel dizzy, breathless or develop a headache. Families with young children, older travellers and anyone with heart or breathing conditions should think carefully about the upper stage and take medical advice if unsure.

A simple plan for the day

• Early morning: pick up your car in Srinagar, check fuel and tyres, and set off after an early breakfast.
• Mid-morning: pass Tangmarg and climb to Gulmarg. Park in a designated area and walk to the gondola base.
• Late morning: ride Phase 1 and, if the sky is clear, continue to Phase 2.
• Early afternoon: come down, eat, and walk on the meadow.
• Afternoon: start back down, with a stop at Drung or in Tangmarg for tea.
• Before dark: reach Srinagar. Mountain roads are best driven in daylight.

Around the meadow

Gulmarg lies in a cup-shaped valley, and the open meadow is a sight in itself. Wikipedia notes that it is snow-covered in winter and full of wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups in spring and summer. In autumn the grass turns golden and the air is crisp, and on a clear day the surrounding peaks stand out sharply.

On the meadow you will also find St Mary's Church, a small stone and timber church with a green roof. It is a short walk from the main road and an easy stop before or after the gondola.

Gulmarg also sits within the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary. Stay on paths, carry your rubbish back with you, and do not feed animals.

What to pack for an autumn Gulmarg day

• Warm layers: a fleece or down jacket, a cap and gloves, even if Srinagar feels mild. It is much colder at Kongdori and higher still on Phase 2.
• Good shoes: the ground at the top can be rocky, muddy or icy.
• Sun protection: sunglasses and sunscreen, because the sun is strong at altitude.
• Water and snacks: there are food stalls, but it helps to have your own.
• ID and documents: carry your ID, driving licence and the car's papers. Follow any instructions at checkpoints.
• Cash and phone: mobile coverage and digital payments can be patchy, so keep some cash.

Driving tips for the Srinagar to Gulmarg road

• Start early to beat traffic and to reach the gondola before the weather turns.
• Drive steadily on the Tangmarg climb. Do not overtake on blind bends, and use a lower gear on the descent.
• Check the weather the evening before and again in the morning. Autumn days can change quickly in the mountains.
• Park only where it is allowed and follow local police and traffic staff.
• Plan to be back before dark, especially if you are new to mountain driving.
• Choose the right car: a hatchback or sedan handles the road in good weather. An SUV gives more comfort and ground clearance, and is worth considering later in the season when snow arrives.

Why a self-drive car works for this trip

Gulmarg is a classic taxi trip from Srinagar, but a self-drive car gives you the freedom to choose your departure time, wait for the clouds to lift, stop at Drung or in an orchard village, and come back at your own pace. On Hire N Ride, you book directly from local hosts with public profiles and reviews, so you can see how other travellers rated the car and the handover before you book. Hire N Ride is a marketplace, a bit like Airbnb for vehicles, and options range from small hatchbacks to SUVs. You may also compare with other platforms such as Zoomcar. Whatever you choose, read the reviews, check the fuel and deposit policy and inspect the car before you leave.

Ready to plan your day? Choose your car on the Srinagar car rental page.

For Srinagar car owners: why Gulmarg days matter

Gulmarg is one of the most requested day trips from Srinagar, and travellers who want to drive it themselves look for clean, reliable cars with good tyres and brakes and clear handover instructions. If you own a car in Srinagar, you can list it on Hire N Ride and build a host profile. Every good trip earns reviews, and more reviews help you win more bookings.

Hire N Ride also helps you run the business side. We support vehicle surveys and GPS management, and send reminders for insurance renewal, PUC certificates, RC, permit expiry and servicing, so your car stays compliant and road-ready through the tourist seasons. If you are ready to start, list your vehicle on Hire N Ride.

Conclusion

Gulmarg is close enough to Srinagar for a day trip, yet it feels like a different world: pine forest, a wide meadow at 2,650 m and a gondola that climbs towards Apharwat. The secret is to choose the day well. Wait for a clear forecast, leave early, go up the gondola before the clouds build, dress warmly and drive back down before dark. With a car rental in Srinagar, the whole day runs on your timing, from the first bend above Tangmarg to the last cup of tea at Drung.

About the author

Manjot Kaur writes travel and road-trip guides for Hire N Ride, focusing on practical day drives from the cities where Hire N Ride hosts operate, and on helping vehicle owners grow their rental business.

Banner photo: Mr. Debapriya Hore, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. In-article photos are credited in the captions. Place details are from Wikipedia; distances are from OSRM routing. Check gondola timings, prices, weather and road conditions before you travel.