Read in newspapers that Gondola has earned more than rupees one crore in two months of May and June. It is surprising that Gandola which is supposed to be a means for facilitating skiing is increasingly becoming an end in itself. Well, at least something to do for tourists when they visit in summer months – especially the locals. Rest of the place looks dry – though it IS beautiful. Some extra revenue for the corporation handling this would definitely be welcome. Hopefully it gets spent wisely – benefitting the facilities…
Category Archives: What to do
Linking Aferwat Peak with Sunshine Peak
The J&K Tourism Department is contemplating to construct a world-class restaurant at Aferwat in Gulmarg. A plan is also afoot to link Aferwat Peak with Sunshine Peak, which will increase skiing area besides providing people with tourist spot during summer. Foreign consultants are being hired for the purpose. Reportedly there are no funding issues for the project as the Gondola is able to fetch more revenues than expected anyways. The exact details on how the linking will happen are not yet very clear.
Scorching sun in plains rains money for Gulmarg Cable Car
Srinagar, June 11 – The scorching sun in the Indian plains has come handy for the World’s highest Cable Car project at Gulmarg in Kashmir. In just one week, it recorded a turn over of around Rs.7 million.
With mercury soaring in entire north India, thousands of tourists are visiting the Kashmir Valley to escape sweltering conditions even though summer capital Srinagar also witnessed hottest day of the season at 34.4 degrees Celsius Sunday. However, as tourists keep thronging the resort, Gulmarg kept tempers cool with the maximum temperature of just 23 degrees.
‘Besides the bewitching beauty and cool temperatures of Gulmarg, the five kilometre long gondola ride on Gulmarg-Afarwat hills is chief attraction,’ said Farooq Ahmad Shah, Kashmir’s director for tourism.
‘The (Gulmarg) gondola made a revenue of Rs.60 million last year and we have set a target of Rs.100 million this year,’ Shah said.
‘We charge Rs.700 for the entire to and fro ride from Gulmarg to Afarwat Hills and for children below 10 years, the rates are half.’
Gulmarg Gondola is the World’s highest Cable Car at 13,400 feet above the sea level.
‘We are also planning the World’s highest restaurant at Afarwat Hills at 14,000 feet where we have the World’s highest ski point,’ the tourist official said.
Besides the high profile Cable car project, local traders – including the pony-owners who take the tourists on joy rides through the meadows in Gulmarg – are also doing brisk business these days.
‘The place is wonderful and the people here are very courteous. It is a dream vacation for me and my family,’ said Sanjay Kholsa, 46, who has come here with his wife and two kids from Mumbai.
Golf course in Gulmarg
In summer, play on the world’s highest golf course. The 18-hole, par 72 Gulmarg golf course is quite hilly. The golf club itself was built in 1904, by British residents feeling lost without the bare necessities. It also offers table tennis and billiards, should you feel the need for knocking other little balls about. For green fees and rental rates, talk to someone at the J&K TDC (Tel: [91-1954] 254-507, 254-424; www.jktdc.org), which manages the place.
Is paragliding possible in Gulmarg?
It’s believed that it’s possible to paraglide off the slopes of Mt Apherwat. The wind direction and conditions are known to be ok for the purpose. There are no certified local tandem pilots or instructors.