Kashmir's Gurez Valley is one of the least visited and most unusual travel destinations in the country. It is a location with exceptional visual beauty that does not receive nearly as much attention as it should. You won't find anything like the vistas and the unadulterated magnificence of the mountains like this anywhere else.
Typically, Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam are the first four sites that come to mind when discussing a trip to Kashmir. Even Srinagar only serves as a starting point to visit the other three locations.
Kashmir, though, is so much more. There are plenty additional locations in this area that are worth visiting. Gurez is one of these places, and I urge you to include it in your vacation itinerary.
I'll go over how to organise your trip to Gurez Valley in the section that follows. Please refer to How to Plan a Trip to Kashmir - A Complete Travel Guide for all additional information on Kashmir, including information on mobile connectivity, public transportation, taxi services, and numerous other suggestions.
About Gurez Valley
Gurez, also spelled Gurais, is a valley located at a distance of about 123 kilometers from Srinagar in Kashmir. Due to its proximity to the border, tourist movement in the region was not allowed until a few years ago.
I'll go over how to organise your trip to Gurez Valley in the section that follows. Please refer to How to Plan a Trip to Kashmir - A Complete Travel Guide for all additional information on Kashmir, including information on mobile connectivity, public transportation, taxi services, and numerous other suggestions.
The valley is bordered by snow-capped mountains at an average elevation of 8,000 feet (2,400 metres). It boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the snow leopard and the Himalayan brown bear.
In Pakistan's Muzaffarabad, the Kishanganga River flows through the valley before joining the Jhelum River. Between Srinagar and Gurez, the only high-altitude pass is Razdan Pass. The road is closed for around six months out of the year due to the amount of snowfall during the winter.
Dawar and Tulail are the two districts that make up the valley. Gurez's central settlement, Dawar, is also where all the hotels are situated.
How to reach Gurez Valley?
Between April and October, a road connects to Gurez Valley. The only route in and out is by helicopter service from either Srinagar or Bandipora from November to March when the road becomes shut.
You must first get to Srinagar for both of these options. If you were driving on your own, you could reach Srinagar either by using the Mughal route or the main Jammu-Srinagar highway.
The Jammu-Srinagar highway is the busier and more heavily travelled of the two, although it is also more congested. Of the two, Mughal Road is more picturesque and has little traffic.
Please read How to Plan a Journey on Mughal Road for more information on how to travel along the Mughal Road to reach Srinagar. Once in Srinagar, you can drive to Gurez Valley, which would take at least two days to complete.
Additionally, there are excellent bus, train, and air connections between Srinagar and the rest of the nation. If you travelled by air or bus, your options for getting to Gurez in Srinagar are to take a taxi or rent a bike. Also available is public transportation.
The article goes on to provide more information on each of these choices.
Road to Gurez Valley
The path would be as follows if you were taking your own car or a bike that you had leased in Srinagar.
Bandipore, Kazalwan, Razdan Pass, Srinagar, and Dawar (Gurez)
Depending on where you start in Srinagar, the overall distance is between between 130 and 140 kilometres. Depending on your speed, the total time will be 6 to 8 hours, so make sure to begin no later than 10 AM.
The road from Srinagar to Bandipore is essentially flat and in fair condition. Don't forget to fill up because till Dawar there may not be a petrol station after Bandipore.
The first lake you will cross is Mansabal Lake, which is a little distance after Srinagar. Actually, it is extremely beautiful, so taking a vacation is absolutely worthwhile.
The Wular Lake, one of Asia's biggest freshwater lakes, will be the second lake you encounter. After that, you will ascend Razdan Pass, after which the road will begin to gradually deteriorate.
You must register at the Army checkpoint near Razdan Pass. You must make your entries at a few more checkpoints from this point onward as you enter the Gurez Valley. Remember to bring your Aadhar Card because the Army would not allow you through without it.
On the entire journey, the road quality will be a mixture of good, bad, and ordinary.
Srinagar to Gurez Valley Taxi
There are two types of taxis. Private taxis are available for hire as well as for personal use. Renting a private taxi for the journey would be the ideal, most practical, and best option.
Two or three days can be allocated to a journey to Gurez Valley. I will advise choosing that time because it is great. The total cab fare will be roughly Rs. 10,000 if you schedule two days. The cost of a 3-day trip will be Rs. 14000.
You would have to pay an additional Rs. 7000 if you want to visit Chakwali and the Tilel area for sightseeing. The essay goes on to offer further information on Tilel and Chakwali.
Call Majid at 6005756738 to reserve a taxi in Srinagar. He is a terrific man and can get you a cab at the most affordable rate.
Srinagar to Gurez Shared Taxi
Both Srinagar and Bandipore sell these in large quantities. However, the likelihood of catching a shared taxi from Srinagar to Dawar is extremely slim. Your travel will need to be divided into two sections.
You must first catch a shared taxi to Bandipora from Parimpora in Srinagar. You should budget around Rs. 150 per person. You will next take a different shared cab from Bandipora for Dawar, which will cost you roughly Rs. 350 per person.
Srinagar to Gurez Valley Bus
The same rules that apply to shared cabs apply to a trip by bus. You will board a bus at Srinagar's Parimpora and it will drop you off in Bandipora. The cost per individual would range from Rs. 100 to Rs. 150.
However, there is no bus service between Bandipora and Gurez Valley. You will only be allowed to ride in shared taxis, which are mostly Sumos. For this leg of the travel, the fare will be Rs. 350 each person as I have said.
A daily bus service from Srinagar to Dawar in Gurez has been proposed by the residents of the Gurez Valley to the relevant authorities. The valley's tourism will undoubtedly increase as a result, and locals' lives will also become easier. Yet it is not yet known whether or when this bus will begin operating.
For the time being, you will have to take a bus to Bandipora and a shared taxi from there to Dawar.
Gurez Valley by Helicopter
The quickest way to travel to Gurez Valley is undoubtedly via helicopter. In order to boost the tourism potential of Gurez, this service, which is run by the Kashmir tourism department, was launched in 2017.
However, it is only accessible from November to March, when snow has cleared from the route leading to Gurez Valley.
Both Srinagar and Bandipore offer helicopter boarding for Gurez. From the Srinagar airport and Bandipora, the cost per person is Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 2,000, respectively.
Srinagar to Gurez Helicopter Booking
Tickets for the helicopter from Srinagar to Gurez Valley can be purchased at the airport or at the TRC office in Rajbagh, Srinagar. You must go to the second floor of H block at TRC.
Only Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are available for the service, both ways. From Srinagar to Gurez, the full chopper trip takes around 35 minutes.
You must first make a reservation at the DC office in Bandipora. About 2000 rupees per person is the fare. After that, you will proceed to the NHPC Helipad and get on the helicopter there.
By Train
The closest railroad station to Gurez is in Srinagar. The fact that it isn't yet fully functional and connected is the issue, though.
Full connectivity won't happen for at least another 18 to 2 years, as at the time this piece was being written. Right now, you can take a train to get to Udhampur. You must then take a bus or a taxi from Udhampur to Ramban.
You will then take a another train from Ramban to Srinagar once you arrive there. Thus, the simplest route would be to take a shared taxi or bus straight from Udhampur to Srinagar.
Gurez Valley Permits
If you are an Indian citizen, you can enter Gurez Valley without a permit.
You must obtain a permit from the District Commissioner's office in Bandipora or Srinagar if you are a foreign national. You cannot enter Gurez without a permit; you will be turned away at the first checkpoint itself.
But between Srinagar and Dawar, there are a number of Army checkpoints where Indian citizens must register.
At each one, you will be needed to show your Aadhar Card. Make sure you have a soft copy of your Aadhar Card on your phone in case you forgot to bring it with you.
How to reach Gurez Valley in Winter
After Razdan Pass is completely covered in snow during the winter, the road to Gurez Valley becomes impassable. From November to March, the only way to get here is by helicopter.
During these months, the entire Valley is completely covered in snow. It can snow up to 15 feet at times, according to a peasant I spoke with here.
In search of job throughout the winter, some residents also relocate to other areas of Kashmir, such as Srinagar. They then return to farm in the summer.
My best recommendation if you were planning a trip here in the winter is to phone a hotel and make sure you have a reservation if you want to stay. Alternatively, you may just make it a one-day excursion and fly to Gurez, stay there for a while, then fly back the same day.
Where to Stay in Gurez Valley
The only spot that offers lodging in the form of a hotel or a camping is Dawar. There are currently no additional accommodations available in Gurez.
Since a few years ago, tourism has increased in the valley. If things continue like they are, I'm sure there will be more hotels and lodging options in other parts of the valley as well. But at the moment, the only place where you may choose to remain overnight is Dawar.
Hotels in Gurez Valley
Previously, the sole lodging option in Dawar was the J&K tourism Dak Bungalow or rest house. But since Valley's tourism has grown, a number of hotels have now been built.
The Kaka Palace Guest House is the oldest and most well-known. You can reach 6005756738. They are the hotels' owners and will make sure that you have a good stay there.
In addition to this, a number of additional hotels have emerged in the last several years, and more are being built. The location and service at Kaka Palace make it a recommended place to stay.
Ask to speak to Younis or Younis. They will absolutely make arrangements for you to stay in another hotel, even if they are fully booked and unable to accommodate you.
Camping in Gurez Valley
On the outskirts of Dawar, there is a campground next to the Kishenganga river. Although I haven't personally stayed here, it's in a wonderful location and can be a lot of fun.
View the image below. The campsite is located here. There is, as you can see, plenty of room for independent camping as well. You are free to set up your own tent along the river if you were bringing your own supplies.
Homestays
There aren't any homestay choices available either, as far as I know. There will probably be more in the near future, but for the time being, you must choose between staying at a hotel or a camping.
What to See in Gurez Valley
The alternatives for sightseeing in Gurez Valley will now be discussed.
The top of the list will be the location's natural beauty. Actually, the scenery in Gurez is a little different from that in the rest of Kashmir. You will undoubtedly feel the impact of the huge, beautiful environment encircled by snow-capped peaks.
Having saying that, there are a few locations that could be regarded as the main draws of a visit to Gurez. In fact, I went into great detail on the subject in another piece titled Gurez Valley Attractions & Things to Do.
Here is a list of the Gurez Valley's tourist attractions for a quick overview.
Habba Khatoon Peak & Waterfall
It is a high summit that looks down on the town of Dawar and has a rich history. When dusk comes, it turns golden and offers a good photo opportunity. The Life and Legend of Habba Khatoon has more information on this mountain.
The Marsh
This location only has that name since I am at a loss on what to title it. I called it Marsh because the region on the other side of Dawar resembles a swamp.
It was produced because to flooding brought on by the Kishengang River dam. It is a good location to observe the sunset and the entirety of Dawar town.
Khandiyal Top
It is a vantage point on top of a hill that offers a 360-degree view of Dawar, the valley, neighbouring communities, snow-capped mountains, and the lake at Kishenganga Dam.
Chakwali Gurez
It is situated in Gurez's Tilel district and is the final village on the Indian side of the border. To drive to this village, you must spend a day in Dawar. Following Dawar, the path will be as described below.
Dawar – Barnoi – Purana Tilel – Sheikhpora – Dukar – Badugam – Hasangam – Badoab – Gujran – Chakwali
There are around 65 kilometres left on this section until Chakwali. In other words, the distance from Dawar to Chakwali and back will be 120 kilometres. However, because of the terrible roads, it will take you the whole day.
One pothole follows another along the entire stretch of road. I really cracked the suspension on my motorcycle at this point.
Chorwan Gurez
It is a tiny yet lovely village close to Dawar. Due to the village's proximity to the border, visitors are not yet permitted. However, if you travel towards the settlement, you'll pass by some beautiful scenery.
Locals in Dawar informed me that Chorwarn is being built for border tourism. But if it ever does, it will undoubtedly take some time.
Gurez Festival
Every year, the valley hosts the 3-day Gurez Festival. Locals' folk songs, dances, and schoolchildren's performances are featured. White water rafting on the Kishanganga River, mountaineering competitions, and mountain bike events are just a few of the adventure sports that are organised.
Although this festival is meant to take place annually, it actually doesn't. In other cases, the event may not be scheduled for two to three years.
Below are a few additional locations in Gurez worth visiting.
- Wular Lake
- Razdan Pass
- Kishen Ganga River
- Dawar
- Tulel
- Gurez Dam (A huge dam built on Kishen Ganga river and a great view)
Things to Do in Gurez Valley
In addition to seeing all the locations I described above, you can engage in the following additional tourist activities.
Kishanganga River Fishing Trekking Camping Photography
Take advantage of the warm and welcoming locals by striking up a conversation with them to understand more about their way of life and culture.
Everywhere you turn, there are troops, and they are amusing to converse to as well. If you give them the chance, they can tell you some fantastic tales, I assure you.
Gurez Valley Weather
Gurez experiences cool, nice weather all year round because to its high height. The location is always covered in snow in January and February and is inaccessible by road.
The lower areas' snow melts in March and is gone by the end of the month. However, snow continues to cover the high-altitude Razdan Pass into April.
Late April marks the beginning of spring, and the three months from May through June are regarded as some of the best for travelling to Gurez Valley. Gurez can only be reached by helicopter from January through March until the road opens, which is expected to happen in the month of April.
The monsoon season begins in July and lasts until the end of August. At this point, the valley as a whole becomes lush and the surroundings become magnificent. A visit for photography is appropriate at this time.
Another great month to travel to Gurez is September. Although the monsoon would be over, a lot of vegetation would still be present. In the month of October, autumn arrives, turning all of this green into orange and transforming the Gurez Valleys into a mystical golden.
After September, snowfall at Razdan Pass is a possibility at any moment, briefly closing the route. In October, the pass experiences an upsurge in snowfall, and the road is closed to civilian traffic.
By December, Dawar's lower elevations as well as adjacent communities would have experienced snowfall.
Best Time to visit Gurez Valley
Now, based on the facts presented above, April or September would be ideal times to visit the valley. But the ideal times to come here are in February or March if you want to see several feet of snow covering everything.
Although May and June are both excellent months, the summers may be shockingly hot here. It would be challenging to go sightseeing due to the intense sun.
You can still go in July and August, but because it's monsoon season, you'll need to find out in advance how the weather and the roads will be.
The valley's best weather, as well as its most beautiful landscape, occurs between April and September.
Gurez Valley Itinerary
I would advise visiting Gurez for at least 3 days. Any longer will only offer you time to further explore the villages and valley.
Start out from Srinagar at 9 AM and arrive in Dawar by 4 PM, where you will spend the night.
Travel all the way to Chakwali on Day 2 and arrive back in Dawar by sunset.
Take a stroll around the alley in the morning, then depart for Srinagar in the late afternoon.
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