A Gulmarg helicopter ride is the one way to see the snow peaks above the Gondola from the air, and that's what our new reel from 13 October is about. It opens over white mountains with our "tag a friend" line: the person you'd take on a helicopter ride over Gulmarg. We get asked about it almost every week, so here is what we know about the ride, who runs it, what it costs and how we fit it into a Kashmir trip.
Watch it on our Instagram: Gulmarg Helicopter Experience reel (13 Oct 2026)
Gulmarg helicopter ride at a glance
| What you want to know | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Who flies | Kashmir Heli (Kashmir Helicopter Skiing), a Gulmarg company running since 2011, from the Gulmarg helipad near the Gondola |
| Rides listed | 10-minute joy ride; Gulmarg to Kongdoori (Gondola Phase 1, 3,050 m); Sunshine Mountain (4,300 m) |
| Listed prices (checked 13 Oct 2026) | ₹9,000, ₹12,000 and ₹15,000 per person. Rates and dates change, so ask us before you plan around them |
| Weather | Every flight depends on weather and wind |
| Helicopter | Airbus H125 / AS350 B3e, which the operator says carries 4 passengers per flight |
The three Gulmarg helicopter rides
1. Joy ride (about 10 minutes)
A short loop with no landing. Kashmir Heli says it flies over Apharwat Mountain, Sunshine Mountain and the Drang Valley. Its website lists ₹9,000 per person. This is the one most families pick, because it fits into a normal Gulmarg day.
2. Gulmarg to Kongdoori
The helicopter drops you at Kongdoori, the first stage of the Gulmarg Gondola at 3,050 m, where you can spend 1 to 4 hours in the snow before flying back. Listed at ₹12,000 per person. It's a way to skip the Gondola queue on a busy day.
3. Sunshine Mountain
Sunshine Mountain sits beside Apharwat at about 4,300 m, and the operator says you can only reach it by helicopter. You land and spend time on the snow, weather permitting. Listed at ₹15,000 per person.
Is it running when you visit?
This is the part to check before you get excited. Flights depend on weather, and one booking site for the same rides currently says the service is unavailable until bookings reopen. Kashmir Heli's own website doesn't print fixed operating dates. So we don't promise a helicopter slot in advance: tell us your Gulmarg date and we'll check with the operator that week. Booking pages we read also say that if the weather stops a flight, it is moved to another day or refunded, and that payment is taken at the helipad. Confirm both when we book.
Heli-skiing is a separate thing. Kashmir Heliski runs multi-day heli-ski trips for experienced skiers only, and its 2027 season is listed as 24 January to 10 March 2027.
How we fit the helicopter into your Kashmir trip
The helicopter is an add-on, not part of our package price. We plan the rest around it:
- Gulmarg 4D/3N from ₹16,999 per person: houseboat night in Srinagar plus a Gulmarg night, so you're already near the helipad. See our Gulmarg tour package.
- Srinagar from ₹12,999 or Pahalgam from ₹19,999, with Gulmarg added as a day trip.
- Private cab: Etios/Dzire ₹2,500 per day, Innova Crysta ₹3,500 per day, tolls and parking included. Our Srinagar to Gulmarg taxi fare page has the details.
If the ride is your main reason for Gulmarg, stay a night there. A morning slot is easier to catch, and if the weather closes in you still have the next day.
FAQ
How much is the helicopter ride in Gulmarg?
Kashmir Heli's website lists ₹9,000 per person for the 10-minute joy ride, ₹12,000 for Kongdoori and ₹15,000 for Sunshine Mountain (checked 13 October 2026). Rates vary, so ask us for the current price.
Is the Gulmarg helicopter ride part of your package?
No. It's paid separately to the operator. We help you book the slot and plan your stay and cab around it.
What if the weather is bad?
The flight doesn't go. Booking pages say it's moved or refunded; we confirm the terms before you pay anything.
Plan your Gulmarg helicopter day
Tell us your dates and which ride you want, and we'll check it's flying and build the stay and cab around it. Call or WhatsApp 7006085655 (call 7006085655), or try our second number 9596044418. We're registered with J&K Tourism (JKEA00005366).
Photos: Travel Etios Kashmir (@traveletioskashmir), stills from our 13 October 2026 Gulmarg helicopter reel.
