Gurez Valley Tour Experience: Kashmir’s Unexplored Gem near the indo-pak border

Gurez Valley is located in the northernmost region of Jammu and Kashmir. Gurez is a Town and Tehsil in Bandipore or Bandipora District of Jammu & Kashmir. Gurez Valley’s Dawar town, which is the central township in the region, is approximately 125 kilometres from Srinagar and about 85 kilometres from Bandipora. The easiest way to get there is by road. The journey from Srinagar takes around 6-7 hours, but the scenic views along the way make it well worth it. Alternatively, there are helicopter services that operate from Srinagar to Dawar but the service may not be regular. There are no local cabs from Srinagar to Gurez directly. You have to book a private cab from Srinagar to Dawar or do a local break journey on public share-taxis from Srinagar to Bandipora and then onwards to Dawar. Note that the public shared taxis to Gurez do not have any fixed times and hit the road only when full, mainly catering to the locals. While private cabs from Srinagar will take 6-7 hrs by road, local share taxis on a break journey may take 8-10 hrs.

The journey from Srinagar to Gurez in North Kashmir takes approximately 6-7 hours by car, covering a total distance of around 125 kilometres via Bandipora. The road conditions have now significantly improved compared to the earlier times. Along the way, travellers will encounter the Razdan Pass situated at an elevation of about 11600 ft. This pass is renowned for its breathtaking panoramic vistas. The road connecting Srinagar to Gurez is now a well-kept highway but includes some sections which are not in the best shape, especially the road down from the pass. Overall, the roads are in decent condition and the journey is more comfortable in Innovas than in Sumos or Boleros. It is important to note that the road remains closed during winter due to heavy snowfall at the pass.

Srinagar city is well connected to all the major cities in India and can be reached by air, train or road. The most convenient way to reach Srinagar is via flight. Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar (Code: SXR) is around 15 Kms away from the city centre. Srinagar Airport has regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Leh, Chandigarh and other cities.

The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi Railway Station which is at a distance of 250 kilometers. One can hire a taxi and take a road trip to Srinagar from Jammu Tawi Railway Station. Jammu railway station is well connected to the Indian railways network to all major cities in India by rail. Direct train services are available from Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum. By train one has to reach Jammu and then drive to Srinagar on road, which takes around 7-8 hours depending on road conscious and traffic. The upcoming new train stations and the extension of the railway network into Kashmir including the building of one of the highest rail bridges in the world will enable direct connectivity via trains without any need of road travel.

Despite being extremely close to the Line of Control, North Kashmir’s Gurez Valley is one of the most peaceful corners of Kashmir. The area is absolutely safe and secure for tourists. Starting from the road journey from Srinagar to exploring deep inside the valley, all areas are heavily guarded by the Indian Army and paramilitary forces. Due to its proximity to the LoC, the region was off-limits for travellers and tourists for many years due to imposition of restrictions by the government. Now that the region has fully opened up, more and more travellers are visiting to experience this hitherto hidden paradise.

Dawar is the central township of Gurez Valley and has the presence of a huge Army brigade in the town. There are multiple army camps and posts all around the region and some of the inner areas require proper permissions from the Army authorities. Depending on the day’s orders, they may prohibit visiting certain areas while other main areas will be free to go. The Army stationed here is on very good terms with the local population, employing them in various works plus providing much-needed assistance with medical and other emergencies, especially in the harsh winter months. The locals are hospitable and friendly and very welcoming to all visitors.This new wave of tourism not only has boosted the local economy, providing a good source of employment to local guides, tour operators, porters and other service providers but has also offered discerning travellers, cultural explorers and offbeat storytellers an awesome chance to experience this unexplored wonderland.

Overall, therefore Gurez valley is perfectly safe for all visitors. Having said this, like any other remote region in the Himalayas, it’s always advisable to follow any local travel advisories issued by the government, maintain basic safety precautions, and carry Govt. ID cards everywhere. When travelling to any new place anywhere in the country, it’s essential to stay updated on the local security situation before planning your visit. You can reach out to us to know the latest news and updates about Gurez Valley or any other areas in Kashmir region.

Indian nationals do not require any permit to visit Gurez Valley. Accessibility to Gurez Valley has improved dramatically in recent times and you can easily visit Gurez Valley without any prior permits or mandatory registrations before your trip. You will only need to carry your Aadhaar Card and present it at the Army check posts on the way from Srinagar to Gurez. In these posts, the duty officers will input your entry details, check your Aadhaar ID and register your information. It’s usually a quick process and most of the time, your driver or tour guide will take care of this.

Indian nationals only need to carry their originial Aadhaar Card and present it at the Army check posts when requested.

While Gurez is generally accessible by road between the months of May to November, the best time to visit Gurez Valley on a leisure tour is May-June and September-October. July and August are usually quite rainy months but this is when the valley is also at its greenest, filled with lush landscapes all around. During these periods, the weather is generally pleasant and temperatures range from 5°C to 25°C which may change due to local weather events and conditions. The nights can get cooler and it definitely feels colder when it rains. It’s advisable to pack some good warm clothing, particularly for the evenings and the higher altitudes.

For trekkers and adventure enthusiasts who opt for the Gurez Valley Trek or the Patalwan Lakes Trek, the weather conditions can be more extreme. The best time to do the Gurez Valley Trek is between the months of June to August. It has a short trekking window and June is usually the ideal time for a less rainy trek. The daytime temperatures on the trek range from 10-15 degrees Celsius while at nighttime, the mercury levels may drop to sub-zero temperatures.

Gurez Valley is not accessible for visitors throughout the year due to heavy snowfall on the Razdan Pass and harsh weather conditions during the winter months. The region is usually open for visitors from May to October when the roads are clear and weather conditions are favourable. The road clearances depend on the snowfall and the timings vary from year to year.

Due to its remoteness, the lesser-known region of Gurez does not have many accommodation options to choose from. Unlike how you would find in a typical commercialised tourist destination, there are only a few good accommodation options available in Gurez Valley that include local guesthouses, small hotels, and local homestays that cater to visitors. There is also a guest house run by the Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism department(JKTDC) that has been maintained decently. There are no luxury stays, star hotels or resorts yet in Gurez Valley. In most of the here, the services and amenities provided are basic but comfortable. We would always recommend choosing your stay hosted by the locals. This not only supports locals in their tourism endeavour but also makes your experience more authentic and memorable. It’s also always advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during the summer season to ensure availability.

In Gurez, Mobile Networks and internet connectivity are available in the main towns and villages of the region. BSNL network has been present here since long albeit intermittently. Recently Jio has arrived ensuring much better connectivity in this isolated region. As of now, only the Jio and BSNL mobile networks are present in Gurez Valley and the internet also works decently. Depending on your accommodation, wifi may also be available. However, in some of the areas in the region, the signal coverage can be sporadic or almost non-existent. When venturing into some of the interior areas deeper into the valley, the mobile signals may be quite limited as these places still remain cutoff from any kind of network connectivity. Therefore it’s important to be prepared for the possibility of no phone network or internet connectivity in some of the places visited. While you may encounter limited or no phone network and internet in some places during your visit, the experience provides you an excellent opportunity to disconnect from technology and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the surroundings.

When visiting Jammu and Kashmir, it is important to note that prepaid mobile connections issued outside the territory are not functional due to security reasons. Only Postpaid connections and locally issued Prepaid sims will work. All postpaid connections of major network operators will have good reception and data connectivity in most destinations of the valley. Airtel, Jio, Vodafone and BSNL – all provide good connectivity and internet data networks in the main areas of the valley with BSNL having the widest coverage and Airtel having the strongest connectivity. Recently, Jio has penetrated well and is now offering great connectivity to even some very remote areas of the region. Srinagar city has good mobile connectivity for all major mobile network operators such as Airtel, Jio, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL providing coverage. Wi-Fi is also available in many hotels, cafes, and restaurants. However, please note connectivity in some of the remote and offbeat areas or during certain weather conditions may be intermittent or even non-existent.

Although there is electricity coverage in almost all parts of the valley, the supply can be irregular and limited. In Dawar town, for example, the electricity is supplied in a limited manner for a certain period of time in the day. Most accommodations in Gurez Valley nowadays have their own generator and electricity supply mechanisms. It is always recommended for such remote areas that you bring battery power banks in order to charge all your cameras, phones or other electronic items.

The Dard-Shin or the Shina people are an ethnic group residing in Gurez Valley. In India, They are primarily concentrated in this region and are considered the indigenous inhabitants of Gurez Valley. The Shina people have a rich cultural heritage that reflects their close connections with the people from Gilgit Baltistan on the other side of the border. The Shina is their native language, which belongs to the Dardic language family within the Indo-Aryan linguistic branch. It is the primary language spoken by the Shina people in their day-to-day interactions. However, many people in the main areas of Gurez also understand and speak Kashmiri and Urdu. The locals have their own unique customs, traditions, social structures, and artistic expressions that contribute to the cultural fabric of the region. In terms of livelihood, the locals are traditionally engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, and more recently tourism. They have a deep knowledge of the local environment, enabling them to sustain themselves through farming and herding practices suited to the mountainous terrain.

The Shina people take pride in their cultural identity and try to actively preserve their traditions. Their traditional attire, consisting of embroidered dresses, headscarves, and shawls, is an important part of their cultural expression. The Shina people’s language, music, and dance forms are integral to their cultural heritage. They all have contributed to the overall diversity and richness of the cultural landscape of Gurez Valley. All visitors to Gurez Valley are therefore requested to follow the tenets of responsible tourism when visiting such locales. Travellers are advised to always respect local customs, dress modestly, and seek permission before photographing locals.

Since Gurez valley is a sensitive border zone located close to the LoC, the entry criteria has been made more strict for foreigners. As a foreigner, you have to take special permissions from the DC office in Bandipora. These permits are not guaranteed and may get denied. Therefore it is crucial to have a few buffer days if you plan to visit Gurez as a foreign national. Visitors with Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards are allowed with relatively lesser restrictions provided they inform the DC office on their travel plans. If you’re an OCI card holder or a foreign national with a foreign passport, you can reach out to us and we will check the currently ongoing restrictions to help you with your Gurez Valley Trip.

Yes there are some trekking options in Gurez Valley that visitors may consider. From short day hikes to multi-day treks, Gurez can be explored in different ways. However, many trails are not allowed due to security issues and multi-day camping treks require permission. You can do a day hike from Dawar to Habba Khatoon peak and its underground mountain spring, provided there are no restrictions by local army check-posts. Before you start hiking, it is best to check with your trip operator or local guide to Gurez Valley. One of the permitted multi-day camping treks in Gurez Valley is the Patalwan Lakes Trek or what we call the Gurez Valley Trek. The beautiful trail is extremely pristine and covers magnificent mountain terrain along with forests, meadows as well as high altitude alpine lakes that can be reached on foot. The Patalwan Lakes Trek has a short trekking window and can be done between the months June and August.

Dawar, the main township of Gurez region lies at an altitude of 7800 ft while the average altitude of its villages stands at about 8000 ft above mean sea level. On the Patalwan Lakes Trek, the elevation profile is different. Trekkers are able to reach up to 12795 feet on this high altitude trail when they reach the second Patalwan lake.