Gulmarg and Pahalgam are the two hill stations most people want on a first trip, and they could hardly be more different. Gulmarg is a high meadow built around a Gondola and snow; Pahalgam is a river valley with side valleys and forest. Combining them in one Gulmarg Pahalgam trip is easy if you get the order and the nights right.
- Gulmarg to Pahalgam is about 140 km, 4–4.5 hours by road.
- Go Gulmarg first, then Pahalgam, so you end close to Srinagar's airport road.
- One night in Gulmarg and two in Pahalgam is the sweet spot.
- Stop at Pampore, Awantipora and Sangam to break the drive.
The drive between them
The road runs from Gulmarg back towards Srinagar, skirts the city and then follows the highway south-east to Anantnag before climbing the Lidder valley. Allow 4–4.5 hours, more in peak traffic. There's no shortcut over the mountains.
Worthwhile stops:
- Pampore: saffron fields (flowering in late October and early November) and roadside Kahwa.
- Awantipora: the ruins of two 9th-century temples, right by the road.
- Sangam: workshops making willow cricket bats.
Which order?
Gulmarg first. If you finish in Pahalgam, the drive to Srinagar airport on your last day is shorter and easier, and you've had the Gondola early in the trip, leaving a spare day if wind closes it.
How many nights?
- Gulmarg: one night. Stay to enjoy the meadow once day visitors leave and to ride Phase 2 of the Gondola early.
- Pahalgam: two nights. One full day goes on the union-taxi valleys (Betaab, Aru and Chandanwari); the other is for Baisaran, rafting or rest.
Sample 5-night plan
- Day 1: Srinagar, Shikara ride
- Day 2: drive to Gulmarg, Gondola
- Day 3: Gulmarg to Pahalgam
- Day 4: Pahalgam valleys
- Day 5: Pahalgam at leisure
- Day 6: back to Srinagar, depart
This is close to our Kashmir 4-star honeymoon package and luxury 5-star tour. For drive times between all the hill stations, see the Srinagar to Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam guide. Gondola tickets are sold on the J&K Cable Car Corporation site.
Last updated:
About the author: Written and checked by the Travel Wiki planning team, who arrange Kashmir and Ladakh trips every week from Srinagar and Bijbihara.
