Gulmarg Gondola

अप्पर्वत, Apparwat at an altitude of 13400 feet is accessible by the Gulmarg Goldola Lift. Set up with the help of a French construction company, and run by the J&K State Cable Car Corporation Ltd., the total travel time to the top is 30 minutes which is split over two phases.


A very very rare picture of Anushree without her trademark "head-tilt"!

The first phase takes close to 10 minutes to cover and lands you at कोंग्दूर, Kongdoor at an altitude of 10500 feet. As you come out of your car, you can feel the chillness of the wind in your face and any doubts of it being a bad idea to bring sweaters and jackets to Srinagar in the summer heat is dispelled! You are taken aback because in the warmth of Gulmarg you have had to lug around your sweaters and jackets.

That's Karan and Moi...


Four buddies crammed into a sardine can of a cable car...there just has to be some goofing around! Aanj protecting his eyes from the glare bouncing off Karan's head!


The longer second phase takes a good 20 minutes to reach the top. And if you did not feel the cold at the end of the first phase, I guarantee you, at the end of the second phase you will feel it!

Looking down...


Along the ride you can spy goats, cows and village folk dotting the mountainside. Even low houses made of mud bricks can be seen hugging the ground. Groups of school children play on patches of ice, chasing goats or just running downhill. The higher you go, the more of the surrounding mountains comes into view. You are held in awe of the snowy peaks and the raw nature of these mountains. Here, the weather is in a constant state of change and suddenly you are reminded just how small you are in the scheme of things...


And at last....we hit snow!