Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • UAE
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • UK
    • North America
      • USA
    • Oceania
      • Australia
    • Africa
      • Egypt
  • Itineraries
    • Asia
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • Malaysia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • Eastern Europe
      • UK
      • Spain
      • Western Europe
    • North America
      • USA
    • Oceania
      • Australia
    • Africa
      • Egypt
  • Videos
  • Reviews
    • Hotel
    • Rental Car
    • Food
    • Airport
    • University
  • Resources
    • Agoda
    • RentalCars
    • Klook
    • Trip
  • 中文版
  • About
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • UAE
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • UK
    • North America
      • USA
    • Oceania
      • Australia
    • Africa
      • Egypt
  • Itineraries
    • Asia
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • Malaysia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • Eastern Europe
      • UK
      • Spain
      • Western Europe
    • North America
      • USA
    • Oceania
      • Australia
    • Africa
      • Egypt
  • Videos
  • Reviews
    • Hotel
    • Rental Car
    • Food
    • Airport
    • University
  • Resources
    • Agoda
    • RentalCars
    • Klook
    • Trip
  • 中文版
  • About

Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen

My Style ~ My Journey ~ My Inspiration

IndiaSrinagarTravel

India 2 : Unforgettable Human Sledging Experience in Gulmarg Ski Mountains in Kashmir

by kumamonjeng April 4, 2017
written by kumamonjeng April 4, 2017
India 2 : Unforgettable Human Sledging Experience in Gulmarg Ski Mountains in Kashmir

Truly the paradise on earth!

Gulmarg lies in a cup shaped valley in the Pir Panja Range of Himalayas, at an altitude of 2,650 m, about more than an hour drive from Dal lake. Gulmarg is famous for its ski resort and icy mountains. People compare Gulmarg with the ski mountain with Switzerland. I an tell you is as beautiful!

4 Wheel Drive up to Gulmarg

In winter the road can be very icy so catching a 4 wheel drive is always a safer option to get there. Our 4 wheel drive stopped in the middle of the road for about half an hour because there was a huge tree falling down in the middle of the mountain road thus causing traffic disruption. I stepped down from the 4 wheel drive to find out more about the traffic condition and then step into the icy road edge to play with the ice while waiting.

Gulmarg has some of most amazing treks in the world and snow conditions are fantastic and you can get deep powder especially in the winter season, it is also accessible in the summer.  Finally reached the skiing area, a lot of walking.  The sun is very bright and glaring because I was at very high altitude, I used a scarf to cover my head, else I go blind.

Human Sledging

The place is famous for skiing but we were here for the sledging instead. At first I thought it was some kind of animal sledging, expecting deer. To my surprise, hundred of human sledging waiting for us in the majestic hill station. 30-50 locals who were wearing Phiran costumes ( all look like Osama to me ), long loose top with dark colors and loose pants, surrounded us and forces us to choose their sledges and ride with them. At one point, I thought I was swarmed by the terrorist in Afghan. (They are actually nice people)

It was an unforgettable experience, my whole butt and legs were so sore after sitting for half an hour in the human sledging. The simple sledge is made of wooden woods and there is no cushion to support when you sit down. Also, it is quite challenging to put your legs on the sledge, one need to be quite flexible else you would fell the tremendous pain on your tight and butt.

Some aging tourists choose to use little pony instead of human sledge the sledge is too challenging for them to sit on.  Anyway, there is no harm to try the human sledge to support the local community.

Mid Station of Gulmarg Gondola/Ropeway

After an hour of the terrifying experience in the human sledging I reached the mid station and have some quiet moment with the beautiful nature. I breath in as much clean oxygen as I could, I felt the air was getting thinner as I was closer to the peak of the mountain.

Snacks and hot drinks and restaurants in the midway

Before you get into the Gondola, you can have some hot drinks and snacks, the stairs up to the Gondola ropeway is pretty slippery, beware of that.

Line of Control/LoC Indian and Pakistan

One of my mission is to locate the LoC, which is the military control line between the Indian and the Pakistan, a line which does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary. I heard you can see it from the top of the mountain.

Afghan look alike Guy pointing a gun at my back

Kashmir was part of the Mughal Empire from 1586 to 1751, and later unti 1820, of the Afghan Durani Emprire. Once you arrived Kashmir, you would realized people here don’t look much like Indian, they look more like the Afghan even the style of clothing – refer to below picture. From the picture, it looks like he is pointing a gun at me at the back with his Afghan style costume.

Islam came to Kashmir in the 14th C. with the establishment of the Shahmiri Sultanate in the region.  Some of the leading members of the new dynasty were immigrants from Persia or areas with heavy Persian influence.  Thus along with language, dress, customs many types of arts and crafts linked to Persia also flourished in the region.

Gondola Ropeway Ride

Picture taken from the Gondola, the view from above was even more spectacular, you can see the whole area was covered with carpet of snow.

2 Phase of Gondola Ride – Kungdoor and Aparwath

The gondola ride has two phase, phase-I Gulmarg to Kungdoor (near Khilanmarg) & Phase II Kungdoor to Aparwath.

The two-stage Gondola ropeway ferries up to 600 people per hour to and from Gulmarg, it was built by the French as I could see posters showing “a masterpiece of French engineering”.

Apharwat Summit 3979m

We finally arrived Mt Apharwat Summit at 3979 m high.

Himalayan Panorama View

I have finally reached the “Paradise on Earth”!

I noticed less people at the highest summit, most people who made it up here are tourists. It was breathtaking to see my first magnificent Himalayan panorama.

I could feel the air is even thinner as I started to have serious headache and difficulties in breathing.

Is Kashmir safe?

If you ask me is it safe in Kashmir, I would tell you it is pretty safe until something really happen. People are friendly, welcoming and kind. You don’t see any beggars asking for money. The locals sell you things from their shikara boat, or in the Shalimar Mughal Garden, they do not beg for money. If you do not buy, they just walk away.

Kashmiri Culture

This is truly a paradise on earth, beside the scenery, you got to taste the strong Kashmiri cultures and people, which were immigrants from Turkey, Iran and Afghan settle at the valleys. The Phiran, the most eye-catching costume one I landed in Kashmir. I paused a while and thought I was in Afghanistan. Lady has more colorful while men wear darker color of phiran.

When I think of Gulmarg, all I could remember is the human sledge and the Phiran!

Summary – A day to Gulmarg Ski Resort

  • 4 Wheel Drive up to Gulmarg
  • Human Sledging
  • Mid Station of Gulmarg Gondola/Ropeway
  • Snacks and hot drinks and restaurants in the midway
  • Line of Control/LoC Indian and Pakistan
  • Afghan look alike Guy pointing a gun at my back
  • Gondola Ropeway Ride
  • 2 Phase of Gondola Ride – Kungdoor and Aparwath
  • Apharwath Summit 3979m
  • Himalayan Panorama View
  • Is Kashmir safe?
  • Kashmiri Culture

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
2 Phase of Gondola Ride - Kungdoor and Aparwath4 Wheel Drive up to GulmargApharwath Summit 3979mGondola Ropeway RideHimalayan Panorama ViewHuman Sledging at GulmargIs Kashmir safe?Kashmiri CultureLine of Control/LoC Indian and PakistanMid Station of Gulmarg Gondola/RopewaySnacks and hot drinks and restaurants in the midway
previous post
India : 1 What to expect in the Mysterious Boat House Experience in Dal Lake Kashmir
next post
China Xi’an 1 – A day in Famen Temple – Let’s see the Finger Bone of Sakyamuni Buddha

You may also like

Self drive in Japan – Kyoto top places...

January 31, 2023

Japan Self Drive – Uji and Arashimaya 3...

January 5, 2023

Self drive in Thailand – Bangkok – Khaoyai...

December 7, 2022

Bangkok Chao Phraya Princess – Dinner Cruise

November 21, 2022

Chiang Rai top places to visits 4 days...

November 5, 2022

2 comments

Kuchbhi February 4, 2021 - 3:20 am

Hey, I accidentally came by your blog & This post is soo rascist. I guess you need to rework on your assumption of people looking like osama & few other comments made by you keeping people’s sentiments in mind. Hope you take this positively.

Reply
kumamonjeng February 8, 2021 - 3:31 am

Dear Kuchbhi,

Thanks for your highlight. Sorry for my comment as I did not realize it sounded rude to some people around that region. I don’t mean to be racist but just an expression from my perspective. Those people wearing the traditional clothing look alien to where we were from but I do respect them and know they are good decent and hardworking people.

Your message is noted and I will be more careful with my comment in the future.

Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow us on FaceBook!

Facebook

Popular Posts

  • Top 10 souvenirs to buy in Dubai International Airport DXB

  • Have you collected your Malaysia VEP (Vehicle Entry Permit)?

  • Top 5 Reasons why you should self drive in Kyushu – 8 days – Itinerary Summary

  • Japan 8 days self drive in Central Region – Summary Itinerary

  • Dream Cruise Hidden Gem and tips for you – April 2021

  • The most famous Portuguese egg tarts in Lisbon Portugal – Pastéis de Belém

  • Taiwan Self Drive Round The Island – 8 Days Summary Itinerary

  • China Xi’an 5 : Hua Shan Lun Jian/ 华山论剑 – Discussion of Swords in Mount Hua

  • Tanjong Pagar also known as Little Korean Town in Singapore!

  • Japan Shikoku : Takamatsu Pride – Ritsurin Garden in Kagawa Prefecture 栗林公園

About Me

About Me

I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Klook.com

Copyright © 2017 - 2022 · ThinkerTen. All rights reserved.