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  PIR PANJAL PANORAMA

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  PIR PANJAL PANORAMA

Per Person Cost

Confirmed Departure Dates:

March-11th to March-16th, 2021

Cost Per Person: ₹75,000

Srinagar to Srinagar | For a minimum group of 8 persons | Price includes GST (Please connect with us for family pricing)

+918377900815

anuj@outwardboundindia.com

The best ski destination in India without a doubt, the icy slopes of Gulmarg are the go-to place this winter - for beginners and pro skiers alike.

Perfect for kids 5+ years and for the adults...age is but a number!

​In this program, you will learn basic downhill skiing, snow plough (pizza!) and stopping. And if your instructor feels you've picked up the skills quick enough, he may allow you to join the Phase 1 team that will ski down from Kongdori station!

IS THIS PROGRAM FOR ME?

▫   ACTIVITIES: Skiing, hiking
▫   PHYSICAL RATING: Easy to Moderate Grade
▫   TRIP TYPE: Small group. Max - 15 | Avg: 12
▫   AGE REQUIREMENT:  5+ years
▫   PROGRAM START POINT: Srinagar
▫   BEST TIME TO GO: Jan | Feb | March

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS

At Outward Bound, safety and hygiene have always been on the top of our “must-have” list. And now we are closely watching the new research as it comes out on a daily basis and have deep dived into our SOPS. We’ve made a new list and  we're checking it more than twice.  We will continue to review the latest information from health experts and government authorities, and will be passing along the most up-to-date and relevant information to you so you can plan accordingly.

​Our Covid-19 Safe SOPs are based on the simple principles of ASSIST.  (Please click to read our Covid Protocols)

Akshay Kumar

Gulmarg has always been India's most-favoured ski destination. It attracts pro-skiers form all over the world - powder fresh snow, off piste skiing, and the international-level ski lifts and ski Gondola makes it the perfect choice. -  the Gulmarg Gondola is the highest in Asia and the second highest in the world! It is not for nothing that CNN International had declared Gulmarg as the 7th best skiing destination in Asia! 

For beginners too, Gulmarg truly is the best place to learn this skill. With six different beginner slopes - all powered with  Poma lifts and different gradients and levels for beginners, it's the right place to start. Outward Bound India Himalaya has the best people on its team to teach you this sport and the program is specifically geared towards beginners and intermediate level skiers. For Pro-skiers, we'll give you a mountain guide and you can head out to the higher slopes on your own.

Our team has been built into a best-in-class coaching machine by India's ace skiing instructor Akshay Kumar, who was himself an expert skier and a national champion. And though Akshay has left us all to tackle the higher ski slopes of the wide blue yonder, he has left behind a dedicated team that has been with us for over 15 years now. This year, India's reigning national champion, Arif Khan will lead our  team of instructors and guides who will teach you how to strap on those ski boots, slip on those skis, and whizz down those slopes!

A Quick Look at Your Plan for the Next 6 Days 

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN SRINAGAR

​You will be met at the Srinagar airport by an OBIH representative. It's a 58 KM drive to Gulmarg which normally takes around 90 minutes - if you don't take a pit stop.  However, we recommend you stop over  at Tanmarg for some quick (and fantastic!) Kashmiri lunch while your driver fits your car wheels with snow chains. The drive from Tanmarg to Gulmarg is a winding, uphill and icy track (and hence the snow chains) and should take around 30 minutes - if there is no traffic jam. 

Check into your hotel. We'd like you to head out to the ski store to get kitted up for your trip on the day you arrive so you're not wasting precious time on Day 2 - when you should really be on the slopes already! Moreover, our experience has shown us that there's  little chance of catching any skiing on Day 1, because by the time you're kitted up, the ski lifts are shutting down for the day.  Best to head back to your warm hotel for some hot chocolate and hot chai and perhaps a snowball fight!
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​Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 2 - 5: ALL-DAY SKIING (OR SNOWBOARDING*) &  LAST NIGHT'S STAY IN A HOUSEBOAT ON DAL LAKE

Four full days of exciting skiing in Gulmarg is on the cards! We will assign skiing instructors according to age and experience they will help you take the bunny slopes by the end of the day! The instructors will also show you how to use the ski lift (Careful! Just remember not to sit  on it!). Once you're comfortable with the ski lift you can venture beyond to take on other beginnr slopes as your ski skills improve. We must admit, kids seem to gather the skill faster than adults and you'll soon see them swooshing down the slopes by Day 2.

If you are an experienced skier you can explore more of the mountain runs and the off-piste powder with our mountain guides. 

It's an 8:00 AM start every morning - time to load up on those carbs! A sumptuous breakfast menu prepared Kashmiri chefs and then we're ready to leave the hotel by 9:00 AM. You should be ready with all your ski gear - jacket, helmet, ski pants and poles. A local car will reach us to the slopes latest by 9:15 AM, where your porters will be waiting with your gear - boots and skis. They will help you change into your ski boots and ensure your walking/hiking shoes are safe with them. 

Lunch is usually split up based on where each of the groups are skiing. Although Kashmiri food (with rice, haak, gushtaba and rogan josh!) is hugely tempting, we suggest you take the more safe route and stick to a light snack. There's enough yummy Kashmiri food for dinner to load up on!

The last ski run is usually around 4:00 PM, after which the ski lifts begin to shut down. Head back to the hotel for some fun and games - sledding, snowball fighting and teaching the kids to make angels in the snow! Hot chocolate and chai make the rounds, and then a hot shower is most welcome!

The last night we love to head back to Srinagar and spend the night on a houseboat - a totally unique experience loved by all! On this day, we need to pack our bags and check out before you head out for the slopes, so we can quickly get back, change and drive down to Srinagar - after an amazing meal at Srinagar's famed Aadoo's - THE place for a fantastic Kashmiri meal!

* The equipment rental and instructors are different for snow boarding so do let us know if you plan to snowboard. Naturally, the cost will vary too.

DAY 6:  TIME TO LEAVE!

Yes we know! It is a short program but by the end of Day 5 you would have picked up enough skills to hit the intermediate level the next time. We suggest leaving the houseboat at least 3 hours before your flight departure time - it's a  40 minutes drive and there's two security check points where bags need to be off-loaded from the car.  

WHAT DO THE COSTS INCLUDE?

Costs Include:

• Four nights accommodation at a ski resort, on twin sharing basis (extra bed available at supplemental cost) and one night on the houseboat on Dal Lake.
• All meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner is included, i.e. Lunch from Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 6.
• Skiing equipment hire for five days: skis, ski boots, poles, helmet, ski pants and jacket (please bring your own ski gloves and ski goggles). A gear list will be shared with you once you confirm.
• Fees for ski instructors or mountain guides for five days: one instructor for every two persons.
• Porters to help carry your ski equipment.
• Pick up/drop off from Srinagar airport by car and local transportation while moving between ski slopes.
• Poma ski lifts and Gondola Phase 1 costs for all ski days (for skiers only).
• Adventure Sports Insurance Cover that include hospitalization and evacuation if required.(for skiers and non-skiers)
• All tips to instructors, porters, hotel staff.
• All government taxes included.

​Costs Do Not Include:

• International/Domestic air fare to Srinagar and back.
• Personal gear - (we recommend) ski gloves and ski goggles, a pair of hiking shoes, sun-shades and any other gear of a personal nature. (A detailed gear list will be shared once you have confirmed).
• Any meals or beverages taken outside of what is listed in the inclusions above.
• Unforeseen expenses that demand a change in itinerary like natural forces, changes in weather, road blockages, flight/train cancellations and illness.
• Travel Insurance​.
• Expenses of a personal nature - laundry, phone calls, any other room service besides beverages in the inclusions above.

Payment Policy

• A 10% advance on booking is required to secure your place on this scheduled departure.
• The full balance is due 21 days before the trip start date.

Cancellation Policy

Once the trip is booked and deposit paid, the following cancellation policy is applicable: 

• 30 days before the trip start date - 30% cancellation charge.
• 15 days before the trip start date – 50% cancellation charge.
• 07 days before the trip start date – 75% cancellation charge.
• Less than 07 days before the trip start date – 100% of the trip cost. No refund.

​Please note that changes to the reservation will be subject to availability and any rate differences.

Please  note:

• No refund will be entertained for those who leave the trip due to sickness, injury or any other reason.
  
• No refund will be given for any unused service.
  
• If you leave the main party mid-way, you will need to pay for your own meals and accommodation and any other possible charges that may apply.
  
• If OBIH  decides to cancel a trip because of unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters, earthquake, strike, flood, riots, pandemic, spread of diseases etc., we will try our best to refund the full trip cost that has been paid to us. Often, we would have paid advances to other parties, and until we receive those advances back, it may be difficult to refund you the whole amount.

For More Information Connect With Us At

+918377900815

anuj@outwardboundindia.com