The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa is a 5-star ski-resort in Gulmarg, Kashmir, with 85 keys, a heated pool and The Khyber Spa by L'Occitane.
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The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa is a 5-star ski-resort in Gulmarg, Kashmir, with 85 keys, a heated pool and The Khyber Spa by L'Occitane, set beside the Gulmarg Gondola at 8,825 ft, about 50 km (a 2-hour drive) from Srinagar airport.
Live rates and availability confirmed at booking. All prices indicative — updated June 2026.
The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa sits at around 8,825 feet in Gulmarg, in the Pir Panjal range of Kashmir, beside the Gulmarg Gondola. It opened in 2012 and is positioned as one of India's few genuine luxury ski-resorts, built from locally sourced deodar timber, Italian marble and Kashmiri craft detailing. With 85 keys including rooms and standalone cottages, fireplaces, heated interiors and verandas framing the snow peaks, it is designed for both the winter ski season and the green summer meadow months. The setting, in a forest block above the Gulmarg bowl with the Pir Panjal rising behind, is the property's defining feature, and the alpine architecture — pitched roofs, exposed beams and stone — suits the mountain location rather than imposing a generic resort look on it.
Gulmarg is a high-altitude meadow town in the Baramulla district of Kashmir. The resort is roughly 50 km from Srinagar (Sheikh ul-Alam) International Airport (SXR), but the winding mountain road means the drive takes about 2 hours in good conditions — and longer in winter, when the steep final stretch from Tangmarg up to Gulmarg can be snow-covered and may require snow chains or a transfer to a local vehicle. Tangmarg, the last main town before the climb, is about 13 km below. There is no railway near Gulmarg, so Srinagar is the practical arrival point for road transfers, and many guests spend a night in Srinagar at the start or end of a trip. Because of the altitude, it is sensible to plan a gentle first day to acclimatise.
Accommodation runs from Premier rooms through Luxury Balcony rooms with either Gulmarg meadow or Himalayan mountain views, up to one- and two-bedroom cottages and a Presidential cottage for larger groups or families. Interiors use wood panelling, hand-knotted Kashmiri rugs and papier-mâché and crewel work, with central heating and, in many categories, fireplaces — genuinely needed at this altitude, where temperatures drop well below freezing in winter. The Himalayan View rooms, with private verandas looking directly onto the Pir Panjal and Apharwat peaks, are the signature choice and command the best of the resort's mountain panoramas.
The resort has several venues. Cloves serves Indian and Kashmiri cuisine, including local wazwan specialities such as rogan josh and gushtaba; Nouf is the all-day and terrace dining option with mountain views; Chaikash is a tea lounge well suited to the cold, serving Kashmiri kahwa and snacks by the fire; and Calabash is a sheesha lounge and bar. Hot kahwa, hearty mountain food and fireside dining are part of the experience at this elevation, and the kitchens lean on local produce and recipes that match the climate and setting.
The wellness centrepiece is The Khyber Spa by L'Occitane, with a heated indoor swimming pool, treatment rooms and steam and sauna facilities — a particular draw after a cold day on the slopes or the gondola. There is a fitness centre, an activity desk that arranges skiing, gondola rides, snowshoeing and treks, and warm communal lounges with fireplaces for the long winter evenings. The resort's proximity to the Gulmarg Gondola, just a short distance away, makes it a natural and convenient base for skiers and sightseers heading up toward Apharwat, with ski hire and instruction easily organised.
In winter, Gulmarg is one of Asia's notable ski destinations, with the Gulmarg Gondola — among the highest cable cars in the world — climbing in two stages toward Apharwat Peak for skiing, snowboarding, off-piste runs and snow-play. In the green summer season the meadow opens up for golf on the high-altitude Gulmarg Golf Course, pony rides, guided treks and walks among alpine flowers. St. Mary's Church and the Maharani Temple are close to the meadow, and the wider Kashmir Valley — Srinagar's Dal Lake, the houseboats, the Mughal gardens of Shalimar and Nishat, and the markets of the old city — is reachable on day-trips or as part of a longer Kashmir itinerary.
The Khyber suits skiers, honeymooners and luxury mountain travellers who want a genuine high-Himalayan resort with full comfort, a serious spa and direct ski access, and who accept the long but scenic transfer from Srinagar. It is equally appealing in the green summer season for couples and wellness-focused guests escaping the plains' heat. Travellers prone to altitude discomfort, or those wanting a quick, easy transfer, should plan carefully for the drive and elevation and allow time to acclimatise; for everyone else, it is the standout luxury address in Gulmarg and one of the few of its kind in the Indian Himalaya.
| Room | What you get |
|---|---|
| Premier Room | Wood-panelled rooms with Kashmiri craft detailing and modern comforts. |
| Luxury Balcony Gulmarg View | Rooms with a private balcony overlooking the meadow and resort grounds. |
| Luxury Balcony Himalayan View | Rooms with verandas framing the Pir Panjal and Apharwat peaks. |
| One / Two Bedroom Cottage | Standalone luxury cottages with extra space and privacy for families. |
| Outlet | Cuisine / type |
|---|---|
| Cloves | Indian and Kashmiri cuisine |
| Nouf | All-day dining / terrace |
| Chaikash | Tea lounge |
| Calabash | Sheesha lounge and bar |
| Landmark | Distance | Approx. on foot |
|---|---|---|
| Gulmarg Gondola (cable car) | 0.3 km | ~4 min walk |
| Gulmarg Golf Course | 1.5 km | ~18 min walk |
| Gulmarg ski slopes / Apharwat Peak | 5 km | short taxi/auto |
| St. Mary's Church, Gulmarg | 2 km | ~24 min walk |
| Maharani Temple | 2 km | ~24 min walk |
| Tangmarg town | 13 km | short taxi/auto |
Distances are straight-line estimates; walking times assume roughly 12 minutes per km. Confirm routes locally.
It is in Gulmarg, in the Pir Panjal range of Kashmir, at around 8,825 feet, in a forest block beside the Gulmarg Gondola.
It is roughly 50 km from Srinagar (Sheikh ul-Alam) International Airport, but the mountain road takes about 2 hours, and longer in winter when snow chains may be needed above Tangmarg.
It has 85 keys, including Premier and Luxury Balcony rooms and one- and two-bedroom cottages, plus a Presidential cottage.
Yes. The Khyber Spa by L'Occitane includes a heated indoor swimming pool, treatment rooms and steam and sauna facilities.
Yes. It is a short distance from the Gulmarg Gondola and is one of India's few luxury ski-resorts, with an activity desk for skiing, snowboarding and gondola rides in winter.
Yes. In the green summer season Gulmarg offers golf on its high-altitude course, pony rides, treks and alpine walks, making the resort a year-round destination.