Day- 3 , 18th June - Saturday
We had to choose between Pahalgam or Gulmarg. We came to know form the reception that the ropeway(Gondola) was open (it was shut for repair)
if lucky phase-2 too will be open. So it was an unanimous descision to see Gulmarg. We were also tipped that the Pony union will not allow outside vehicle inside gulmarg/Gondola the ropeway, one has to park at parking (entry) and has to either walk 3kms or hire the pony.
Solution : Get hold of a guide, ask him to make a temp reservation voucher for hotels near the ropeway , show at checkpoint and you are in. Will cost any thing between 500 to 1000 bugs(Negotiate hard) but will be cheaper than the pony and will save atleast 2 hrs. Also the climate was very unpreditable can rain any time.
Where to catch hold the guide, A Check post before gulmarg last 10 kms climb,one has to pay Rs 50/-. As we reached the checkpost, got hold of a guide and closed deal for 600 bugs. Deal manage vehicle entry, Get in parked safely, tickets (300 Adults, 150 kids), bypass gandola queue (Phase-1) Usually the wait period can be upto 30 min.
Bingo he got the voucher for hotel , we were allowed in after checking the voucher and a entree fee of Rs 50. Once in you cross this check post, one can roam free around in your vehicle. It fantastic to drive around absolute awesome views,less traffic only buses & of course local tourist. We drove around for 1 hrs. Guide showed many spots where bollywood shooting took place i remember few one is Bobby. Song "Jai Jai shiv shankar" , dont remember the film name, Dharmendra movie too was shot here and some more names don't remember exactly.
By the time we were at Gondola , the climate changed it was overcast and it could rain any time. Quickly parked the beast by the time the guide, got the the tickets, bypassed the queue(local contacts) and we are quickly on the gondola for Phase-1. Gondola was long it took good 15 min to reach our 1st destination.
Our bad luck, Phase-2 was temporarily suspended due to bad weather and there was already huge line for phase-2. we roamed around for an hour and half , returned back as it started raining.
I felt weekend, apart from tourist,local visitors volume too is high. Better can be avoided if possible.
By 5.30 we reached back at Srinagar. Did another shikara ride, by evening we are at our hotel. its time to say bye to Srinagar, tomorrow the journey continues destination "Sonamarg"
Camera view of Gulmarg - Switzerland of India @ 9000/- feet
Shots from Phase - 1 - @ 11000 ft and Ph - 2 - 12000 ft.