Gulmarg, or "Meadow of Flowers", is a small tourist resort in the mountains of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian Himalayan Region. It has been a very popular holiday destination amongst Indian royalty and Britons posted to India for many years. The region experienced political unrest during the rebellion of the 1990s but since the cease-fire between India and Pakistan in 2003, the town has experienced a time of relative peace and calm.

Situated at 2690m, the village nestles between imposing Himalayan peaks, of which K2 at 8611m is one, and benefits from large snowfall during the winter season resulting in an abundance of extraordinarily light powder. If the weather is bad, it’s possible to ski in magnificent forests instead. The ski lifts and slopes of Mount Apharwat in the Pir Panjal Himalayan range make it the highest and best-equipped ski resort in Asia. The cablecar culminates at 3950m where the off-piste skiing and ski touring possibilities are endless. The runs take us into resort or into the adjacent valleys from which a minibus takes us back to resort. 

It is a unique destination for off-piste skiing and ski touring as we go in search of the rich Indian culture of the Himalayan valleys. Our trip culminates in a night on a house-boat on Lake Srinagar before we depart.

FEATURES OF THE TRIP

The highlights : It is a one-of-a-kind destination for off-piste skiing and ski touring in a fabulous Himalayan setting.

                                   Exceptional snow is guaranteed.

                             We experience the Indian culture of the Himalayan valleys.

                             For a trip of this scale, the price is very reasonable.

Best time of year : February - March

Dates : Friday 3 February to Sunday 12 February 2012

Number of days away : 10

Number of days skiing : 6

Level : 4 to 5 hours to walk up - For competent skiers.

Number of participants : 6 - 7 people per 1 guide

Accommodation : Comfortable hotel in Gulmarg.

Equipment to be carried : All the routes can be completed with a day pack. Travel bags are transported by minibus.

Local transport : Minibuses are used for all transfers during the trip and 4-wheel-drive are used to reach the ski areas.

PRICE :  € 2280 per person excluding flights. + Flight to Srinagar in India.

                 Tickets plan cost approximately € 750 from Paris to Srinagar

Air Travel : Airline AIR INDIA from Paris or London to Delhi end SPICEJET from Delhi to Srinagar.