One of the least visited areas of Kashmir, Gurez Valley is a stunningly beautiful area that deserves more attention than it gets. Unlike the more popular tourist destinations in the region such as Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Gurez valley has a different kind of charm. If you are looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of regular life, this is the perfect place to come to. In this article, we are going to provide you with a comprehensive guide on Gurez Valley. For more information on Kashmir such as public transport, treks, and travel services, please refer to our official page Cliffhangers India, where you can even get different packages for Kashmir tourism.
Gurez Valley- An Introduction
Gurez, which is often written as Gurais, is a valley in Kashmir that is situated 123 Kilometres away from Srinagar. Travel by tourists was previously prohibited due to its proximity to the national border of India.
However, Indian citizens can now visit Gurez Valley if they have a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhar card). Either Bandipora or Srinagar must issue a permit to foreign nationals.
The valley is completely covered by beautiful snow-capped mountain peaks at an average elevation of around 2400 meters (8000 feet). It boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna, you can even witness the snow leopard and the famous Himalayan Brown bear.
In Pakistan’s Muzaffarabad, the Kishanganga River flows in and out of the valley before joining itself with the Jhelum River. Between Srinagar and Gurez, the only high-altitude pass is Razdan Pass. The road is closed for around half of the year’s calendar due to the amount of snowfall it receives during the winter.
Dawar and Tilel are the two districts around the valley. Gurez’s central settlement, Dawar, is also where all the hotels are situated.
Places to visit in Gurez Valley
Here is a list of the top things to experience when visiting Gurez Valley, in order of preference:
The Kishanganga River
Surrounded by towering mountains on each side, the Kishanganga is the center of Gurez, with a slow flow of water. It confluences with the Jhelum close to the Line of Control, and is referred to as the Neelum river in Pakistan.
In its most beautiful form, the Kishanganga river is a remarkable turquoise blue, far different from the normal hue of long rivers. With the rain and mud, it carries, its color varies from grey to clear.
Khandiyal Point:
If you are traveling from Gurez market to the only petrol station, take a left once you arrive and follow the road up the mountain. When you reach the peak, called Khandiyal Point, you will be able to marvel at the breathtaking panoramic views of the majestic mountains, the lake that looks so blue in the distance, as well as Dawar town and the villages that surround it. If you have some extra time, you can even go for a hike along the trails that start here.
Experience the treks in Gurez Valley:
It has been falsely reported that tourists are prohibited from trekking in Gurez. However, it is possible to take part in a four-day trek to Madhumathi Lake, as well as a seven-night trek starting in Tulail and ending in Gangbal and Naranag.
Tulail Valley:
Set aside some time during your journey to explore Tulail Valley. As you travel away from Gurez, the highway is flanked on either side by villages. One side is barren and dried up, whereas the other side is green, with a river running through it and wooden houses with sloping roofs visible in the distance. The most famous village in Tulail is Angaikot, which is a three-to-four-hour drive from Dawar. The locals in Tulail primarily use Shina, a language of the Dardic tribe, rather than Hindi.
If you want to know more about Gurez valley like the best time to visit, accommodation, and how to reach it feel free to visit our website Cliffhangers India where you can find many more articles on Gurez Valley. Gurez Valley is the most visited by couples too. The serenity and the other worldly vibe in gurez draw a lot of couples to it. Gurez Valley is mostly clubbed by couples in their itinerary with our product Kashmir Tour Package for couple.
Learn more:
Best Kashmir tour packages for Honeymoon couples
