Kashmir Solo - Day 6 - ATV & Gondola

Cold Morning

I woke up to a mesmerizing cold morning with the gleaming snow covered earth and a bright Sun.

The entire Gulmarg can be visited by walk. You need not hire a taxi for the same. I wanted to try ATV, Gondola and Skiing. The Igloo cafe was inaugurated that day. A real igloo made by a resort in Gulmarg. I walked to the ATV stand which was next to the Gondola ticketing counter. The walk was beautiful. I didn’t feel the intense cold when I walked but the moment you go to your room to take rest, you will experience the biting cold. However, gloves is much recommended unless you keep fiddling with your hand.

ATV

I bargained for the longest ATV local trip and got it for Rs 800-900/- instead of Rs 1200/-. Gulmarg is a touristy place.

I got to drive almost 90% of the long stretch. A hoodie or head cap is required because my ears were paining due to the cold while riding. I tried skidding the ATV, and wow it worked well because of the snow. The ATV in charge sat behind me and navigated to various spots like LoC, Army area and a very secluded place which was edge of the hill.

He took my photos and videos. We went to the town and drank a tea and returned. I tipped him some money.

Gondola

I walked to the adjacent Gondola ticketing counter and as expected it was crowded. Since I came after the ride, time was past 10 AM and people started flocking. The place was not opened when I went for the ATV ride.

In the bottom of the building, you can find the ticketing counter to the right. You will find many touts and guides here. Actually, somewhat pestering. A strong NO is enough dissuade them from irking you. You may find them helpful if you want to explore the hidden places or lakes in Phase 1 or Phase 2. However, you can as well ask any local in both these phases for guidance. During my visit, it was all prohibited and no one dared to wander away from the main area in Phase 1 and 2. The path to the lakes and other areas were covered in thick treacherous snow.

After buying the ticket, I went to the first floor via the stair case to the left of the entrance and that’s where you will board the Gondola (cable car). There was a long queue and I had to wait for around 20 minutes. Reach as early as possible to avoid the queue. The cable car was decent and nothing fancy. I have travelled in one before in Kerala.

You need to hop on to the moving cable car but it was very slow. So fret not.

The ride was decent and I could get a bird’s eye view of the town and the snow covered huts and houses below the cable car line.

You can find snow mobiles in phase 1 but they were costly and was charging around Rs 2000/- and didn’t encourage much bargaining. Gondola’s were pretty expensive too. Since both phases look similar in winter, I didn’t visit Phase 2.

I walked a lot across Gulmarg. I simply loved the ambience.

Ski

The place hosts a lot of Skiing activities and the hotels will be almost fully booked with skiers. You can find many skiers here - young, old, man, woman, others.

You will find plenty of ski trainers here and you can bargain really well. It is better you ski from a slope unlike the flat areas where you need to exert much. I got a trainer for Rs 300/-, spent a good 20 minutes and I could ski for a while without falling down.

I wound up the day with a hearty dal, roti and vegetable curry. The food was surprisingly economical at my hotel - Green Park. Tasty too!