Bangus Valley
Overview
Bangus Valley is the most pristine offbeat place in Kashmir. Situated towards the Kupwara district of Kashmir, this lush meadow valley is famous for its serene and raw landscape which mostly is dominated by grassy and wavy meadows along the famous river Mawri.
This valley is lately becoming a very touristy attraction as the place makes you feel in the sheer gorgeous landscape of Kashmir. In this valley, you are transported into a different world, free from any crowd, any glimpse of modern structures, and a scanty population. This is the least explored region of Kashmir and hence least exploited by the tourist crowd. The meadows here are situated at an altitude of around 10,000ft and are around 128km from Srinagar.
This valley of Kashmir has two meadows one is called Big Bangus and another small Bangus. The meadows of this valley are surrounded by the towering mountains of Chowkibal, Qazinag, and Shamsbery. The entire area falls in the Trans-Himalaya.
Imagine yourself in the middle of an unending grassland of lush greenery with the forest in the background and the shimmering river dancing beside you. Cliffhangers India arranges a complete tour here with the best of the stays available. Our guides take you to the inside meadows and forests here. Being locals, they are the perfect representatives of this valley.
The cozy accommodations of Cliffhangers India are in the middle of nature with serenity in the surroundings. The stays are away from roads and markets. Relax in the lawns of the stays here and enjoy nature in its full bloom.
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What are the Things to Do In Bangus Valley
This valley is a haven for nature lovers, with its pristine forests, sparkling streams, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Here are some of the top things to do:
Trekking
The valley is surrounded by several high-altitude trekking trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Some popular treks include the Bangus Trek, which takes you through the heart of the valley, and the Lolab Valley Trek, which takes you through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the region.
Book the best treks of Kashmir: Kashmir Great Lakes Trek | Tarsar Marsar Trek
Camping
If you’re looking to spend a night under the stars, there are several camping sites here, which offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, and the Lolab Valley Campsite, which is located on the banks of the beautiful Lolab River.
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Wildlife Safari
The valley is home to several species of wildlife, including the Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, and musk deer.
You can take a wildlife safari through the dense forests of the valley to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
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Fishing
The streams and rivers that flow here are home to several species of fish, including trout and mahseer.
You can try your hand at fishing in these pristine waters, but make sure to obtain the necessary permits and licenses beforehand.
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Sightseeing
The valley is home to several beautiful temples and shrines. You can also visit the nearby Lolab Valley, which is home to several beautiful villages and historical sites.
Read the complete blog on: Kashmir Sightseeing
Tips For Travelers To Visit Bangus Valley
Dress in layers: The weather here can be unpredictable, so it’s best to dress in layers to accommodate temperature changes.
Obtain necessary permits and licenses: If you’re planning to go trekking or fishing make sure to obtain the necessary permits and licenses beforehand. These can usually be obtained from the local authorities or tourism offices.
Carry sufficient cash: While there are some ATMs in the area, they may not always be functional, so it’s best to carry sufficient cash for your trip.
Respect local customs and traditions: This is home to several communities with their customs and traditions. It’s important to respect these customs and traditions and dress conservatively when visiting religious sites.
Stay hydrated: The high altitude and dry climate of the valley can cause dehydration, so it’s important to drink plenty of water and carry a water bottle with you at all times.
Hire a local guide: Hiring a local guide can be helpful, especially if you’re planning to go trekking or camping.
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How to Reach Bangus Valley?
The drive to this valley in itself is scenic. Going over the forest and mountain regions with panoramic views, this drive will be your best introduction to the utmost beauty here. The valley is also accessible and touches the Handwara district of Kashmir.
You can reach Bangus Valley via road from Srinagar. Srinagar Airport is the nearest airport. From there hire a cab. There are no shared taxis available for this valley. Cliffhangers India can arrange all your travel requirements which include Kashmir cab services. Srinagar to Bangus distance is 128km and most of the drive is via national highway and mountains.
If you are in Srinagar it is not going to be a difficult task for you to reach this valley. There are various means by which you can travel. The first option is that you take a cab from the airport.
However, there won’t be any such options available as shared cab/ rented cab. You have to book a private cab for yourself. Since there is no airport here, Srinagar is the only airport that is nearest.
It can also be reached via three different routes: one from the Mawer side of Handwara, one from the Rajwar side of Handwara, and a third from Chowkibal, Kupwara.
Another way is to board a train. The closest railway station to Kupwara is 64 kilometers away at Baramulla.
Book the winter adventure: Skiing in Kashmir
Essential Information
Where is Bangus Located?
This valley is located in the far-off place of Kashmir in the Kupwara district. It is around 128km from Srinagar and has easy accessibility via road. This is the far-off region that gets connected to Pakistan on the other side.
Kashmir which is famous as the paradise on earth is one of the most loved tourist destinations in India. Every year thousands of people visit Kashmir during their vacations to get an experience like never before.
This is one such place in Kashmir that is famous among tourists for several reasons. This placid and green landscape is located along the river Mawri.
This valley gained notoriety in recent years after the Kashmir Valley had numerous unrests after 2016. People who didn’t have access to mobile service in any of Kashmir’s districts for several months each in 2016 and 2019 preferred to explore the valley.
Best Time to Visit Bangus Valley
The best time to visit Bangus Valley is in the summer. The months from June to September are the ideal months, The landscape is green, the water is in abundance and the temperature is not cold. You can enjoy the camping in this valley quite delightfully.
The summer months have a pleasant wind and a pleasant vibe. Scores of people visit this valley to beat the city hear. This is the time when most of the tourists visit this place.
In October, the valley weather starts getting cold, and in the upper reaches the camping gets slightly unpleasant because of cold. In May, it still has snow in the upper reaches which makes the place cold. In case you wish to visit this place in May or October, do bring warm clothes along with you. Hire a good cab and avoid sedan cabs.
In winter, Bangus Valley remains closed. The entire area is covered with snow and there is no access to the meadows. The road is closed and no cab or bus runs towards it.
Stay Options
There are no hotels in Bangus. This is an offbeat place, so make sure you are prepared for this. There is only one hut in the Reshwari which is around 15 km before the valley. You either have to stay at this hut or in the summers you can stay in the camps in the main meadow.
There is another route to go reach here, and that is from the Lolab area. There are also no hotels, only forest huts. You can stay at a hotel in Lolab and do a day tour of this valley.
We at Cliffhangers suggest our clients stay at Lolab and then do a day tour. Or you can do a day tour from Srinagar itself. However, if you are looking for a camping experience in the meadow.
Distance from Srinagar
The Srinagar to Bangus Valley distance is 99.8 kilometers. This means it will take you around 3 and a half hours to reach here via Car from Srinagar. You can take the NH1 to cover this distance.
There is another road as well that you can take, Bandipora-Srinagar Road. However, if you go via Bandipora-Srinagar Road, you will have to cover 105 kilometers.
Bangus Trek
Bangus trek is a short trek here in the meadows. Even if you are not a trekker, seeing the landscape, you will be tempted to take on the trek. The trek will take you into the depths of forests and the vast endless meadows of this valley. If you want to get the perfect experience, then go for an overnight trek to this place. Spend some silent time in the valley and you will feel rejuvenation. For any treks, you can contact Cliffhangers.
Read here about: Trekking in Kashmir
Can We Camp Here
Bangus is ideal for camping. Campers come during summers here and spend some nights in the lush meadows. Camping is easily available here. You can skip staying in homestays and enjoy the view and stay in our Campsites here.
FAQ's
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