Gurez Valley Kashmir
Gurez Valley Kashmir : Possibilities , planning and things to do.
Time saving quick links
- Gurez Valley Introduction
- About Gurez
- Itinerary to plan
- How to reach Gurez?
- Condition of the road
- Permission and entries into the area.
- Hotels and accommodations to stay
- Places worth mention and visit.
- Things to do
- Festivals and footfall.
- Budget
12 . Sum up
Gurez Valley Kashmir Introduction
It is one of Kashmir’s least explored regions and can truly be described as an offbeat destination. It is a stunningly beautiful location that does not receive the attention it deserves. The landscapes and natural beauty of the mountains that you will see here are unlike anything else you will see. Gurez was awarded the best off-beat destination by tourism department.
When people think of Kashmir, they usually think of four places like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, but Kashmir is much more than that. Srinagar serves as a base for visiting to all the major tourist destinations. There are numerous other places here that will captivate you if you visit and Gurez is one such destination that you should visit if you are in Kashmir.
About Gurez Valley Kashmir :
Gurez, often spelled Gurais, is a valley in Kashmir around 126 kilometers from Srinagar. Tourist movement in the region was prohibited due to its close proximity to the border but from year 2017 it’s open from tourists and since then good foot-fall of tourists has been seen especially from year 2020. Jammu and Kashmir tourism department has also made a lot of efforts and conducted many festival in Gurez this year named as Jashn–e-Gurez and Grand Gurez in year 2022.
Indian nationals can now come to Gurez Valley with valid government-issued identification (Aadhar card). Foreign nationals are still banned to visit the Gurez Valley Kashmir till date September-2022.
The valley is bordered by snow-capped mountains at an average elevation of 8,000 feet (2,400 metres). It has a diverse fauna and species, including the Himalayan brown bear and the snow leopard.
The Kishanganga River flows through the valley before joining the Jhelum River at Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. The only high-altitude pass between Srinagar and Gurez is Razdan-Pass also called as Razdan Top. The route is closed for around six months (November to April) of the year due to heavy snowfall over the high passes.
Dawar and Tulail (Tulayl) are the two divisions that make up the entire valley of Gurez. Dawar is also Gurez’s main township, and it is here all the maximum living, eating, and shopping of basic necessary things is possible.
Tour plan
Itinerary Plan For Gurez Valley Kashmir
You can see the tour plan in the next image for better understanding.
Day 1 : Srinagar -Bandipoa-Razdan-Dawar | 126 Kms | 6 Hours one way
Day 2 : Dawar-Tulayl-Badugam-Chakwalia- back to Dawar | 60Kms | 3 hrs one way
Day 3 : Dawar to Bandipora to Srinagar /Gulmarg / Sonmarg
A vacation to Gurez Valley might be scheduled for two or three days depending on time you have in hand.
For more information you can contact TRAVELMY KASHMIR. +91 9796-466052
You can check them on Google
https://g.page/r/Ceg-mqP0SRWeEAE
Gurez tour plan and itinerary
How to reach Gurez Valley Kashmir.?
Gurez Valley is open to the public from April to October only depending on the weather and road conditions. When the road is closed between November and March, the only route in and out is by helicopter from Srinagar or Bandipora.
The one can take a shared cab from Srinagar (Parimpora Bus Stand) to Bandipora and from Bandipora Bus stand to shared cab to Gurez (Dawar). The cost for the Shared cab for one person from Srinagar to Gurez will be approx. 1,000 but is time consuming and there will be no Sightseeing on the way. Further it will be loaded with Luggage and smelly.
If you want to explore Gurez and also you have limited time then you can hire a private cab from Srinagar which will cost you approx 20,000 and you will explore all the places on way and in gurez. Make sure your driver is enough knowledgeable about the place. One of the best choice for renting a cab for Gurez is TRAVEL MY KASHMIR. These guys are also providing self-drive and bike rental which is also a good option for self-exploring. They will also guide you through the trip and make you sure that the journey will be smooth and Hassle free. Contact +91 9796466052
Road to Gurez Valley Kashmir
The following is the path you would take if you were driving your own car or renting a bike in Srinagar.
Srinagar to Bandipora, to Razdan Pass ( Gurez Entry) , Kanzalwan, and Dawar (Gurez town)
Depending on where you start in Srinagar, the whole distance is roughly 142 kilometers. The total time will be 7 to 8 hours depending on your speed, so start by 9 a.m. at the latest.
The road from Srinagar to Bandipora is mostly flat and in good shape. But remember to fill up your tank because there are no fuel stations after Bandipore until Dawar. After Razdan Top there is a bad patch of about 20km (as of 28 August 2022) but there is continue work on roads. The first lake you will pass after Srinagar is the Mansabal Lake. It is actually pretty scenic and you can take a break there.
The second lake you’ll come across is Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. You will next reach to Razdan Pass, and the road will begin to deteriorate sometime along the way.
The road’s condition will be a mix of good, bad, and average for the entire journey.
Mobile network and internet connectivity is available till Tragbal checkpoint , and then leaves till you reach near to Dawar village. Jio has the best network within Gurez Dawar and further till Chakwali village
refreshmanet point tragbal gurez valley kashmir
razdan pass gurez valley kashmir
Log hut cafe Gurez Valley Kashmir
Gurez Valley Kashmir
The village cafe Gurez Valley Kashmir
Tulayl ,Gurez Valley Kashmir
Kishenganaga Gurez Valley Kashmir
Gurez tent Kishenganaga Gurez Valley Kashmir
razdan pass , Kishenganaga Gurez Valley Kashmir
Tragbal , razdan pass ,Gurez Valley Kashmir
refreshmanet pont tragbal gurez valley kashmir
razdan pass gurez valley kashmir
Permission and Entries Gurez Valley Kashmir
You must register at the Army checkpoint near Razdan Pass named as Tragbal. This is the first and major checkpoint of Gurez. From here your Drone and similar equipments are not allowed and also from this point the Foreigners are not allowed till now (September 2022). Make sure you will make an exit entry at all checkpost when you are leaving Gurez Valley. Exit entry is also important or else you might be called by your concerned police station. This is where you enter the Gurez Valley. You will further require to make approx 5-6 entries further more till you reach the township Dawar of Gurez Valley. Remember to bring your Aadhar Card and any other form of valid ID Proof because the Army will not allow you through without it. You will also be given a barcode for registration and return as a unique entry exit token. All the army personnel deployed or local police are cooperative ,their smiling faces give you warm welcome and a feel of safety at all places.
army check post details Gurez Valley Kashmir
Accommodations In Gurez Valley Kashmir
Previously, the sole choice for accommodation in Dawar was a J&K Tourism Dak Bungalow or rest-house. However, as tourism in the Valley has grown and bloomed, additional hotels have emerged and developed on pattern of Guest houses similar to ones in Ladakh. There are a handful of nice accomodations in Gurez now. Make sure you will contact the hotels directly or you can Contact +91 9796466052, TRAVEL MY KASHMIR for hotel booking in the best rates. If you are adventure loving than you can do camping in Gurez and there are few permitted camping sites in Gurez.
Most important thing you need to know is that in Gurez inspite of having a power house at walking distance they do not have electricity yet there. The electricity is supplied through a big generator from 7pm to 11pm only to the village for lighting and charging of small devices. So prepare as per that. Although most of the homes have solar or small personal gensets as secondary source of power supply.
Jio has the best network within Gurez Dawar and further till Chakwali village. Mobile Internet or call connectivity will not be an issue once you are inside Gurez valley.
white vehicle near trees
Gurez tent Kishenganaga Gurez Valley Kashmir
white vehicle near trees
Gurez tent Kishenganaga Gurez Valley Kashmir
Places to visit and points to cover.
Gurez Valley Kashmir Attractions
The natural beauty of the area will be high on the list. Gurez’s scenery https://travelmykashmir.com/gurez-valley/