Have you ever dreamt of soaring through the skies and embracing the clouds while gently being cradled by a cable car? The ropeways in India beckon you to mount them and reach exceptional heights as you soar gently and swiftly through the air. You can savour the exhilarating sensation of soaring through the skies in many places of India, from Kashmir to Tamil Nadu. Let’s explore the best ropeways in India for you to ride!
10 Best Ropeways in India for You to Ride
Imagine yourself dancing weightlessly and gliding effortlessly through the air, allowing you to experience the exhilaration of riding a ropeway. India’s many vistas reveal themselves to you as you rise, ranging from the lush serenity of valleys to the energetic pulse of cities and the majestic grandeur of mountains. Can you sense the excitement mounting and the slight swaying that heightens your sense of adventure as you immerse yourself in a well-designed experience that puts comfort and enjoyment first?
Ropeways reimagine transportation as an immersive sensory experience in this suspended sanctuary, where the only melodies are the subtle hum of the cable system and the delicate whispers of the wind. They provide an invitation to immerse oneself in the tranquillity of the sky rather than merely providing a ride. The ropeways in India provide an amazing airborne experience that will be etched into your mind, whether a quick, exhilarating trip or a leisurely tour of huge distances. Are you prepared to let an extraordinary and captivating experience unfold from the skies?
Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car, Gulmarg, Kashmir
The Gulmarg Gondola is Asia’s highest cable car and one of the most beautiful ropeways in India. It offers a panoramic view of the snowy world beneath you while taking you to Khilanmarg. The red cars moving up and down the ropes are a treat to watch, and riding them is an experience one never forgets. If you go in winter, you will take in the most breathtaking vistas of the surrounding valleys as you travel to Khilanmarg from Gulmarg. The snow-covered land beneath takes your breath away. Gulmarg is often called the Switzerland of India due to the quality and look of its snow that you can witness from the Gulmarg Gondola.
You can opt for one of the cable car’s two phases and a chairlift that drops you off in the ski areas of Gulmarg.
The Gondola is perched at a height of 4200 metres, making it the highest cable car in Asia. It gives profound views of the Apharwat Peak and the meadows of Khilanmarg. In winter, you can see people skiing along the snow blankets of Gulmarg from the cable car.
Timings: 10.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. A round trip takes 1-2 hours.
Entry Fees: The fee for one way is around INR 700-900, depending on the phase.
Auli Ropeway, Auli, Uttarakhand
The Auli ropeway is the second of the highest ropeways in Asia after Gulmarg and is the longest cable car in Asia. The car operates between Joshimath and Auli and is a popular transport option for those travelling to and from Joshimath. Although currently out of service, the Auli ropeway provides exceptional views of the surrounding beauty of the Garhwal Himalayas. This 4.15-kilometre-long cable car, perched at 3016 metres, lets one get the most stunning views of the valleys and mountains. Each car can fit up to 25 people and is enclosed on all sides for passenger comfort and safety. The round trip from Joshimath to Auli with scenic views takes about an hour. If you visit in January or February, you can witness the National Skiing Competition beneath!
Apart from the cable car, there is also a chairlift in Auli. The chairlift is a 5-minute ride that drops you off at the skiing ground to try your hand at this amazing sport. It moves in the operational hours but does not have a fixed schedule. You can ride it anytime and not wait for the chairs to fill. The chairlift covers an 800-metre distance with 4 passengers per chair in 5 minutes.
Timings: 10.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M.
Ticket Price: INR 500 for one-way on the ropeway and INR 250 for one-way on the chairlift
Guwahati River Ropeway, Guwahati, Assam
The Guwahati River Ropeway is India’s longest river ropeway. This 12-kilometre-long ropeway is India’s longest river ropeway project that operates in two phases. It allows you to take in the beauty of the magnificent Brahmaputra River along with the Umananda Island and the aerial view of Guwahati.
The ropeway runs from two terminal stations – the lower and the upper. Their destination is the same – the North Bank of the Brahmaputra River. The first terminal is in Panbazar of Guwahati, and the other is at Dol Govinda Temple on the Northern Bank of Guwahati. The cables go to and fro between these two terminals. It takes 7-10 minutes to cover 12 kilometres for each cable car, which holds 32 people at once.
Timings: 08.30 to 01.00 P.M. and 01.30 P.M. to 04.30 P.M.
Ticket Prices: INR 100 for one way and 200 for both ways
Mussoorie to Gun Hill Gondola, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Welcome to Mussoorie, where excitement and adventure meet on a breathtaking climb up to Gun Hill, the second-highest point in Mussoorie. A fun diversion, the Ropeway takes you over 400 metres above Mall Road for an exciting ten-minute ride. The ability to halt midway and exit to take in a breathtaking panoramic view of Mussoorie sets this trip apart, making it one of the best ropeways in India.
The charming landscape changes depending on how clear the day is; on bright, sunny days, it is shown in its beauty. Wildflowers bloom throughout the countryside as you go towards Gun Hill, bringing colour and beauty to the scenery. Telescopes await guests at the peak, beckoning them to cast their eyes further for a more engaging experience. Amidst Gun Hill’s historical beauty, an old cannon serves as a reminder of the past. The cannon used to fire at noon, indicating the afternoon, a custom that gave Gun Hill its unique name. Enter Gun Hill, renowned for its stunning beauty and rich history, where every minute promises an unforgettable journey.
Timings: Timings vary with seasons. In winter, it operates from 10.00 A.M. to 06.00 P.M., in summer from 08.00 A.M. to 10.00 P.M. and monsoon and fall from 10.00 A.M. to 07.00 P.M.
Ticket Price: INR 75 each way
Pavagadh Ropeway, Pavagadh, Gujarat
Above 774 metres, the Pavagadh Ropeway, a wonder of architecture and the grandeur of nature, tells an enthralling story. This detachable mono-cable gondola lift takes riders 297 metres over Pavagadh hill for a captivating six-minute ride. The ropeway, which leaves from Manchi Haveli, offers a smooth ride into the air. Each cabin is completely covered and can accommodate six people.
A stunning landscape of hills and forests is unveiled as the cable cars climb, painting a picture of tranquil serenity. Both adventure seekers and pilgrims travelling to the holy Mahakali temple at the top of the hill are catered to by this immersive experience. Although the ropeway can accommodate up to 1250 passengers per hour, it usually runs at a leisurely 400 passengers per hour, making for a peaceful and pleasant ride. Pavagadh Ropeway invites visitors to take an incredible journey into the centre of spirituality and scenic magnificence, serving as a tribute to the harmonious coexistence of contemporary convenience and the ageless charm of nature.
Timings: 06.00 A.M. to 06.00 P.M.
Ticket Price: INR 150 for both ways
Darjeeling Ropeway, Darjeeling, West Bengal
Enter a realm of magic as you travel the Darjeeling Ropeway, a captivating experience that reveals the Himalayan landscape’s spectacular magnificence. Established in 1968, this famous ropeway beckons you to soar over the lush tea estates and take in expansive vistas of the undulating hills. The cable car provides a front-row seat to the magnificence of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world, as it glides gently over the emerald slopes while suspended in the crisp mountain air. Ascending, the ropeway’s soft swing transforms into a dance with the clouds, and the stunning scenery opens out like a living tapestry. Let the Darjeeling Ropeway serve as your entryway to a heavenly show, where you are invited to awe at the calm magnificence of Darjeeling.
Timings: 09.30 A.M. to 04.00 P.M.
Ticket Price: INR 200 for a round-trip
Solang Valley Ropeway, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
In just 15 km from Manali, take a thrilling 10-minute cable car trip from Solang Valley to the summit of Mt. Phatru. Although the trip is a quick climb, the first minute of the experience alone offers breathtaking views. The untamed splendour of the Solang Valley opens out, revealing a vista of snow-capped hills, lush terrain, and winding rivers. This all-encompassing experience invites you to immerse yourself in the splendour of nature, going beyond simple transportation. Let the cable car transport you to the highest altitudes, providing everlasting moments of wonder and tranquillity. Visit this charming valley in Manali, where the most exquisite scenery is created minute by minute on canvas.
Timings: 09.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M.
Ticket Price: INR 700 both ways
Gangtok Gondola, Gangtok, Sikkim
The captivating Gangtok Ropeway, one of the city’s most exhilarating attractions, will elevate your Gangtok journey. This amazing twin cable zigzagging masterpiece opened in 2003, offers a breathtaking 1-kilometre journey each way with a captivating bird’s eye perspective of the valley below. The cable cars, which can accommodate 24 people, provide much-desired vistas of the towering Kanchenjunga peaks. Every second is wonderful because of the breathtaking scenery. You will go 935 metres in the air across three terminal stations (Tashiling, Namnang, and Deorali) in 15-20 minutes. To have the best view, stand near the glass pane. Admire the breathtaking scenery, ranging from the lively Gangtok market to the serene township underneath it, and let the Gangtok Ropeway serve as your entryway to an enthralling aerial show.
Timings: 09.30 A.M. to 06.00 P.M.
Ticket Price: INR 130 for a round-trip
Rajgir Ropeway, Nalanda, Bihar
Take a trip through nature and history on the Rajgir ropeway, the only one in Bihar and one of the oldest ropeways in India. This one-person experience transports you to the highest point of Ratnagiri Hill, where the famous Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) is located. With its exhilarating journey that soars beyond 1000 feet, the chairlift in the Pant Wildlife Sanctuary provides unparalleled views of the surrounding forest. Ascending the hill, discover Buddhist treasures and historic structures surrounded by expansive views. Situated in a valley, Rajgir offers breathtaking views and is deeply influenced by Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. The Rajgir ropeway, which is being considered for designation as a heritage site, adds an engrossing chapter to this historically significant city, which is described in Buddhist, Jain, and Mahabharata scriptures.
There is a chairlift here as well.
Timings: 08.30 A.M. to 04.30 P.M. for the chairlift and 09.45 A.M. to 04.30 P.M. for the ropeway
Ticket Price: INR 100 for the chairlift and INR 120 for the cable car
Glenmorgan Ropeway, Ooty, Tamil Nadu
In Ooty, Tamil Nadu, the Glenmorgan Cable Car is a fascinating link between the ground and the sky. This cable car ride from Singara to Glenmorgan, which covers 3.0 km, reveals an amazing view. Ascending unveils the verdant valley below, crowned by three lofty peaks and graced by a placid lake. In addition to being a mode of transportation, the cable car trip offers an enchanted tour of Glenmorgan’s breathtaking scenery. It provides an aerial view of Mudumalai National Park and then turns into an adventure where the majesty of nature is the main attraction. Experience the incomparable beauty of Ooty’s environment at every turn as you soar into the skies on the Glenmorgan Cable Car.
Conclusion
Explore the ropeways in India on an exciting journey where every trip reveals a new canvas filled with stunning scenery. These aerial activities redefine travel, from the exhilarating Solang Valley Ropeway in the Himalayas to the breathtaking Gulmarg Gondola in Kashmir and the ethereal Auli Ropeway in Garhwal. Sail into the skies on the Gangtok Ropeway, which provides an aerial perspective of the scenic valley, and take in the tranquil Guwahati River Ropeway, which spans the powerful Brahmaputra. These ropeways are portals to India’s varied splendour and a means of movement. These celestial odysseys will elevate your trip fantasies. Are you prepared to ascend? The lure of ropeways in India calls.
