Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel to Delhi International Airport.
Day 2: Arrive Delhi International Airport. Transfer to domestic airport and take internal flight to Srinigar the capital of Kashmir. Flight time: 1 hr. Transfer to houseboat on Dal Lake for 1 night.
Day 3: Early transfer by taxi to Gulmarg (approx 2 hrs) and arrive in time to ski in the afternoon!
Days 4/9: Six full days of off piste guided adventure skiing in the extensive backcountry covering 4 different ski fields.With a gondola rising to almost 4000m, you will enjoy uninterrupted descents of almost 2000 vertical meters of fresh powder each day - just make sure you are fit enough!
Day 10: Transfer to Srinigar by road, domestic flight to Delhi and international flight home.
Optional extensions and excursions.
India is a fantastic vibrant country and on request we can arrange additional excursions or stopovers in Delhi.
Skill: Gulmarg is fantastic for expert skiers, excellent for snowboarding and good for intermediate skiers! It's also brilliant for backcountry tours! As we are going in early winter to maximise our chances of powder, you must be a competent powder skier. No previous ski touring experience is required but on most days there is likely to be some walking to access or exit the best runs.
Stamina: Most days we will probably tour to access or exit the best runs. We are not talking day long walks here but you must be willing to skin for a hour or so. You are advised to prepare yourself well in advance by regular hill walking and ideally some skiing.
Accommodation
We stay in the Highland Park Hotel in Gulmarg which is one of the most beautiful and rustic hotels in the region. It has an old world colonial charm and is very warm and comforting place where you can just lay back and relax. The hotel has cottages set amid pretty flowerbeds and views of snow-capped mountains. The rooms are well done up, bathrooms are big and there is a stove in each room. The two restaurants at Hotel Highland Park serve the finest delicacies from a wide choice of menu options. You can choose to savor from exclusive Kashmiri, Indian, Continental or Chinese cuisine.
Your guides
The trip will be led from Europe by IFMGA Mountain Guides, Nick Parks and John Falkiner.
John has led groups to Gulmarg for the past 3 seasons.
Likely Weather
Mid Jan to mid Feb is the optimum time to visit Gulmarg for powder skiing. Expect similar or slightly colder temperatures to the Alps at this time. When its not snowing - which of course it only does at night!- the clarity of the Himalayan winter mean the mountain views are wonderfully clear.
Equipment
Wide, all-mountain skis with a touring binding are required. Snow boarders should bring snow shoes. As always you must ski at all times with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. Local hire shops do not cater adequately for this kind of ski trip so you must bring it all your selves. Please see our comprehensive ski kit lists.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- 7 nights half board hotel
- 1 night on house boat
- transfers in Kashmir
- 7 days guide fees and expenses
- uplift costs
Does not include:
- airfares
- visa costs
- personal insurance
- lunches
- optional extras
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Skiing & Snowboarding
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