Gulmarg – The Meadow Of Flowers

DAY-3 GULMARG
Our taxi driver came at our hotel at 8am. We were ready by this time. We ate our breakfast in the Hotel and left for Gulmarg. It is about 50 Km from Srinagar and is situated in the BARAMULLA District (no need to tell about Baramulla the name suggests as it is heard more in the News…).It has an average elevation of 2,690 m (8,825 ft). The old name of Gulmarg was “Gaurimarg”, the name of Lord Shiva’s wife. Yousuf Shah Chak changed its name to Gulmarg, meaning the place of roses.
From Srinagar it took us 1hr to reach Gulmarg. It takes generally 45 min but we stopped for Photo Session.

.
Left road turned to Baramulla and Gulmarg. Straight was Sopore , Kupwara.


Just saw the new rail between Anantnag and Qazikund.

.

Road conditions were excellent till Gulmarg. Take a look

Gulmarg is mainly famous for the GANDOLA (Ropeway) which is the highest in the world. The taxi was stopped about 1Km before the Gandola. From there we walked towards Gandola. Pony’s were also available.

Road towards Gandola.

We reached Ticket Counter at 10 am. But we came to know that The tickets for the first stage were available but the ticket for going further to the second stage will open at 11am. We waited there for 1 hr. Basically the First stage is called KANGDOORI HILL which takes u at an altitude of 3050m above the sea level. Its cost is Rs 300 / person. But the second stage takes u at an altitude of 3950m ( about 14000 feet) above the sea level. Its cost is Rs 500 / person.

So total journey of ropeway costed Rs 2400 for 3 persons. But this Gandola has an awesome experience as it is the HIGHEST in the World.

The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 3,950 m (12,959 ft) on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)).

At the First stage – KHILANMARG

See the ropeway..We had to go to the Top.

Sitting in Worlds Highest Trolley….

Finaaly reached at the Top.

View from 14000 feet.

.

After enjoying up for about 2hrs we came back down.
People who have some heart problem should avoid going up as the oxygen level is quite reduced at the Top. Also when we were buying the tickets , we filled a bond that it was completely our responsibility going at the top. any medical patient should avoid it.

Finally after a wonderful ride we came back at our taxi..and started our journey back to Srinagar. When we were coming back, for the Lunch we stopped at a Restaurant in Tunmarg.

Reached back the Hotel at around 5:30 PM. This day too ended beautifully..next day we had to head towards PAHALGAM..