Himalayan Ibex · Gulmarg

The Founders

A story from the Kashmir Himalaya — three people, one mountain, and a school built around local knowledge.

Gullu’s story

Long before Himalayan Ibex had a name, there were the mountains

And somewhere among the slopes of Gulmarg was Gullu — learning the language of snow, weather, terrain and the rhythm of life in the Himalaya.

For Gullu, the mountains were never simply a backdrop for adventure. They became a way of life. Years spent around Gulmarg’s slopes built an instinct that cannot be learned from a brochure: where the snow changes, how the mountain behaves, when conditions demand patience, and when it is time to turn back.

In 2009, Gullu became a registered ski guide with J&K Tourism. That professional milestone was only one chapter in a much longer relationship with the mountains. His experience grew through skiing, guiding, trekking and countless days outdoors.

Over time, one thing became clear: the most meaningful mountain experiences come from people who understand the place — not only its routes and slopes, but its character.

From mountain life

How Himalayan Ibex took shape

Himalayan Ibex grew from that philosophy. The idea was never simply to create another travel company. It was to build a mountain-led operation where local knowledge, professional guidance and genuine hospitality could shape the experience.

Gullu’s role remains deeply connected to the field. He brings the perspective of someone who has spent years working in the mountains and understands that every guest arrives with a different goal — a first ski turn, a new challenge, a trek, or simply a desire to see Kashmir differently.

That foundation is now shared with a new generation of mountain professionals. Mozim brings experience in skiing, trekking and adventure planning, while Jawsheed brings his snowboarding and expedition experience. Together, they continue to develop Himalayan Ibex around the mountains they know.

The people

Meet the founders

The mountains demand experience. Our founders bring together skiing, snowboarding, trekking, expedition planning, and deep knowledge of Kashmir’s terrain.

Founder | Lead Guide | Skiing & Mountain Expert

Gullu

Ghulam Mohammad Wani

Gullu grew up on the front range of Gulmarg’s peaks — the kind of childhood where snow days were every day. What started as a passion became a lifelong career when he registered as an official ski guide with J&K Tourism in 2009. A former ski racer with a riding style that pushes boundaries, Gullu holds basic and advanced mountaineering certifications from JIM&WS, Pahalgam. His summit accomplishments include Kohli Peak (17,770 ft), Stok Kangri (20,182 ft), Nun Peak (7,135 m), and Everest Base Camp plus Kala Patthar. He has also participated in National Sports Climbing and the 2016 Matho Kangri expedition in Ladakh. When he’s not guiding, he’s still on the mountain — because where else would he be?

✓Official ski guide, J&K Tourism, since 2009
✓Kohli Peak · Stok Kangri · Nun Peak · Everest Base Camp
✓JIM&WS mountaineering certifications

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Co-founder | Adventure Specialist | Skiing & Trekking | Itinerary Designer

Mozim

Raised surrounded by Kashmir’s high country, Mozim transformed an early love for backcountry travel into a dedicated career designing expedition itineraries. A seasoned backcountry skier and trek leader, he specializes in high-altitude route navigation, risk mitigation, and custom itinerary planning for technical terrain. Highlights of his career include pioneering freeride descents and running community ski workshops across Khardung La Pass (17,582 ft) — a historic Silk Route crossing and gateway to the Nubra Valley — as well as Wari La Pass. When he isn’t mapping out new adventure routes, you’ll find him carving lines through fresh alpine powder — because the mountains are where his heart is.

✓Itinerary design for ski, trek and tailor-made Kashmir weeks
✓Freeride and ski workshops at Khardung La and Wari La
✓High-altitude route navigation and risk mitigation

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Co-founder | Snowboarding & Trekking Specialist

Jawsheed

Driven by a deep connection to winter mountain adventures, Jawsheed is a pioneer in Kashmir’s high-altitude snowboarding scene. With certified training in avalanche safety and winter wilderness survival, he leads complex backcountry freeride expeditions and technical alpine treks across the Himalayas. A dedicated advocate for winter sports in the region, he actively conducts free snowboarding training clinics at Khardung La Pass — renowned for its extreme altitude and strategic location along the Ladakh Range — and has led groundbreaking freeride descents over Khardung La and Wari La. When he isn’t leading expeditions, he’s out chasing untouched lines on the slopes — because the mountain is his true home.

✓Snowboarding instruction and freeride leadership
✓Avalanche safety and winter wilderness training
✓Freeride clinics and descents at Khardung La and Wari La

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Three people. One mountain.

A shared approach to Kashmir, adventure and the mountains

Gullu, Mozim and Jawsheed bring different strengths, but their foundation is the same: a connection to the Kashmir Himalaya and a belief that adventure should be experienced with knowledge, respect and purpose. Himalayan Ibex is built for travellers who want more than a checklist of places — for those who want to learn, explore, ride, walk and experience the mountains through people who know them.

Mountain experience
Skiing
Snowboarding
Trekking
Expedition planning
Local knowledge

Our philosophy

Responsible mountain travel

We believe responsible mountain travel begins with preparation and ends with respect — for the terrain, for local communities, for changing conditions and for the people who share the mountains with us.

From a first turn on skis to a demanding mountain expedition, our aim is simple: make the experience memorable while keeping the mountain at the centre of the journey.

Himalayan Ibex

Born in Kashmir. Built around the mountains. Guided by people who call them home.

Kashmir · Skiing · Snowboarding · Trekking · Expeditions · Mountain experiences

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