Gurez Valley Trek
Trek Difficulty
Difficult-Moderate
Trek Duration
6 Days
Highest Altitude
11,768 ft
Suitable For
12-62 years
Unveil the Untouched Beauty
Gurez Valley Trek is the best offbeat trek across India. This is the only border trek of Kashmir. Situated in the far-off corner of Kashmir, this trek is famous for the serene landscape and outright tranquillity of nature. In this trek, you are away from the city life and detox your mind and soul.
This trek is unlike any of the treks that you have gone through before. The aloofness of this trek and the raw, virgin beauty that this trek throws at you will make a lasting memory on your mind. The charm of this trek has tempted whosoever has visited this trail. The trek is moderate and best recommended for fit beginners.
Another fantastic feature of this trek is the cultural immersion you will go through while being there. The age-old houses of mud and log, and the tribe of Shina people that inhabit the people are a treat to the eyes. The simple and authentic life that the Shina people live here is inspiring towards simplicity and peaceful life.
Gurez valley trek trail has a unique landscape with a succession of both barren and green mountains along with clean alpine lakes. The altitude gain of the trek is gradual, and the vast meadows are a dream come true to walk on this trek.
- Book: Gurez Valley Tour
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What are the Highlights of the Trek?
- Gurez Bandipora Road Drive: The drive to reach Gurez is long and takes around 7 hours. However, the scenic view of this entire drive makes you forget the ardent drive. The road winds up via lush meadows and reaches the Razdan Pass – the mountain pass that connects Gurez valley to Kashmir valley. You will be driving through villages, forests, and meadows, and interestingly beside the famous Kishanganga river. Once you reach the Razdan pass you will see the breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountain tops, valleys, forests, and the village settlement down.
- High-Border Tourism: Gurez is developing famous in the segment of border tourism. On your drive or trek, you will be seeing the army posts of Pakistan. The border between Pakistan and India just mixes up before you. The river that flows either goes to Pakistan or comes from Pakistan. At the border, you will see Indian army posts and the village settlement almost together.
- Majestic Patalwansar Lakes: As in any other trek in Kashmir, the Gurez valley trek has two beautiful alpine lakes – Patalwansar Lakes. These lakes are glacier fed and perennial. They are covered in snow for around 8 months and are frozen during that time. These are twin lakes as suggested by the similar name, however, they are very much different from each other in terms of shape and formation.
Gurez Valley Trek – A Detailed Itinerary
- Drive Duration: 7 hours
- Drive Distance: 145 Km.
The first day of the Gurez valley trek is a scenic drive from Srinagar to Dawar. The drive winds up the breathtaking meadows, forests, valleys, and the settlement of shepherds. This drive goes around the fantastic lakes of Kashmir. You must have seen or heard of Dal Lake, but equally gorgeous lakes of Kashmir valley are Manasbal and Wular Lakes. You will be driving beside the banks of these lakes before the drive goes up the mountain ranges of Kashmir. The drive goes via the famous mountain pass of Kashmir called Razdan pass. At Razdan pass stop for a few minutes and enjoy the breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountain range, valleys, and forest below you.
The drive takes around 7 hours. However, the long drive gets very much easy on you as you get mesmerized by the beauty of the surroundings.
Once you have reached Dawar, spend a night in the pristine landscape. Your camps will be fixed.
- Trek Duration: 5 hours
- Trek Distance: 5km
- Altitude Gain: 2400m to 3150m
This is the first day of the trek. The gradient of the day is easy. Today you will have to trek for 5km but the day is thrilling. The walk is through the lush grassland and the forest line of pine trees. Your hike of the day starts with a grassland walk and then a short ascent before you see a large clearing of the meadow. From this meadow, behold the most famous peak of Gurez called Habbakhatoon Peak. You will also see from the clearing of the settlements of the local people. If you look far, you will be able to see the settlement and the military posts of Pakistan.
At this clearing speed some minutes getting mesmerized by the beauty and diversity in the surroundings. Shortly afterward you will reach your campsite. Spend your night here. Since the trek on this day is short you can either relax at the campsite or walk around the campsie to explore the surroundings.
Book: Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
- Trek Duration: 6 hours
- Trek Distance: 8km
- Altitude Gain: 3150m to 3445 via 3570m
The gradient of the day is easy to moderate. There is a gradual ascent and descent. You will be trekking and ascending the famous high point of Gurez called Dawar Heights. Dawar Heights stands at an altitude of 3570m. Post Dawar heights, trek for a couple of kilometers on a ridge line. As you walk, you will get a beautiful view of the surrounding area and almost the entire Gurez valley. The trek further takes you towards the Patalwansar Pass and just down in its vicinity, you will be camping for the night.
After reaching the campsite, you can explore Patalwansar Pass and see the panoramas from there.
- Trek Duration: 7 hours
- Trek Distance: 8km
- Altitude Gain: 3445m to 3830m via 3900m
Today is alpine lake day. You will be trekking towards the main attraction of this trek i.e Patalwansar Lakes. The twin lakes of Patalwansar called Patalwansar I and Patalwansar II are big and quite alluring lakes.
On this day you will start trekking while crossing a boulder section. Be careful while crossing this section and put your feet firmly. The boulder section lasts for around 3kms. After the boulder section, we will be trekking towards Patalwansar II. There is an ascent towards this lake which is around 2km. Post this, we will be trekking towards Patalwansar I. To reach this lake, there is again a short ascent of around 1km. This is followed by a short descent which will take you to the Patalwansar I. This is your campsite, and you will be camping beside this gorgeous lake.
- Trek Duration: 7 hours
- Trek Distance: 12km
- Altitude Loss: 3830m to 3150m
This is the day you will be tracing your steps back to Dison. This is an all-day descent for about 12kms. The trail goes via Khaari and is full of boulders. Post this boulder section of 3km around, you will be walking on the pristine meadow of lush greenery. This meadow walk is around 8 km and the end of this will take you to Dison where we will be camping. Enjoy the sunset from here and see the amazing sunset falling on Habbakhatoon peak.
- Trek Duration: 3 hours
- Trek Distance: 5km
- Altitude Loss: 3150m to 1590m
- Drive Duration: 6 hours
This is the last day of the trek. The gradient of the day is moderate. It has a sharp descent and then a flat walk until we reach Dawar. You will reach Dawar by noon. On the same day, you will drive to Srinagar via the same road.
What are the Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- All meals. Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner. We provide nutritious veg food and try not to repeat the dishes.
- Camp stay on all nights in high-quality tents on a double-sharing basis. Sleeping bags, sleeping mattresses, and dining tents.
- Mountaineering experienced trek leaders, guides, and experienced cooks.
- All the mountain medicine includes first aid, oxygen cylinder, etc.
- Passes and permits.
Exclusions
- Lunch on the first day.
- Personal expenses.
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusion list.
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Chat With UsBest Time for Gurez Valley Trek
The best time to undertake Gurez Valley trek is in summer, lasting from July to September. Since it is the monsoon season in Northern India, the idea seems baffling. During this time of the year, states like Uttarakhand and Himachal receive heavy snowfall and treks are closed.
The scenario is a bit different in Kashmir valley. The Pir Panjal Range, separating the valley from the rest of the Indian subcontinent, doesn’t allow the entry of monsoon clouds. Occasional rainfall is experienced that rarely affects your itinerary of the trek. For the rest of the year, Gurez Valley is covered in thick snow and is inaccessible.
Gurez Valley Trek in July
Gurez Valley trek in July experiences a mild temperature of 15°C-25°C during the daytime. As the day progresses, a little drop is seen as it fluctuates at 5°C-10°C.
Snow is still seen in alpine regions and hasn’t melted off completely. Lakes remain frozen as well. With rainfall still to begin, the trekking trails are filled with different varieties of wildflowers. With such climatic conditions, we can say that summer has officially commenced in Kashmir valley.
Different travel agencies start the trek from the first week onwards and you can plan yours too.
Gurez Valley Trek in August
August is one of the best months to do Gurez Valley trek. Temperature on a bright sunny day remains at 15°C-20°C. At night time, it drops insignificantly, hovering around 8°C-10°C.
While the daytime characterises as bright and sunny, evenings often experience light rain showers. There is little to no trace of snow even at higher altitudes and just flakes of ice are seen on the surface of lakes.
Given the comfortable weather that it offers, the month sees the most crowd of trekkers. It is among the busiest months for Gurez Valley trek.
Gurez Valley Trek in September
As the month sees the transition to Autumn and eventually to winter, you can do the Gurez Valley trek till September end. Temperature is around 10°C-15°C in the daytime but the nights experience it at around 5°C or maybe 0°C too as we approach November.
Due to the drop in the mercury level, you can feel the chill in the air. However the magical season of autumn with golden leaves and palettes of hues makes it an excellent time for the trek. The magical hours during sunset and sunrise casts different hues all over the valley.
Why Choose Cliffhangers India?
Experienced Trek Leaders: We provide the best and experienced trek guides to ensure safety during the trek. Their knowledge can improve your trekking adventure and guarantee enjoyment and safety all along the way. All of our trek leaders are Medical First Responders.
Safety: Cliffhangers India is known for its emphasis on safety. We provide high safety standards, necessary equipment, medical support and well-trained persons to ensure emergencies are catered during the trek. Well-organised Itinerary: We create the trek itinerary very well, taking into account the difficulty levels, acclimatisation, trekking routes and the breathtaking beauty. We make sure that everyone has a well-rounded and entertaining experience. Good Quality Hiking Equipment: We provide good quality hiking equipment like waterproof tents, hiking poles, -15 sleeping bags and other trekking gears. Trekkers will have a more pleasant and comfortable journey through this. Affordable Prices: We are transparent about pricing, describing the expenses and the contents of the package, this helps trekkers to travel according to the budget they have. Customer Reviews: An important consideration when selecting Cliffhangers India can be the positive evaluations and testimonies of prior hikers. Many people base their assessment of the calibre of services received on the experiences of others.
How Difficult is The Gurez Valley Trek?
The difficulty gradient of Gurez Valley trek is moderate. To say in simpler words, it is easier than Botapathri trek but more physically demanding than Tarsar Marsar trek. These 6 days trek requires a daily trek of at least 7-8 kilometres in 5-6 hours.
Other than this, the altitude gain up to about 13000 ft does bother trekkers with Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS). Acclimatisation is crucial. You need to be physically and mentally prepared to be able to cross those boulder sections after the Khaari region.
The steep descents when you approach the Patalwansar Lake II and long descents as you move towards Dawar poses some challenges especially for the lesser fit trekkers. Carry a trekking pole and knee cups to be on the safer side.
With some prior planning, both beginner and experienced trekkers can do it.
Campsites On The Gurez Valley Trek
Dawar: Dawar forms the first campsite as it is the starting point of the trek. The valley is located in Gurez and you need a road drive of 6-7 hours to reach here from Srinagar. It is 140 kms away. You pitch your tents near the antique village. You can explore the surroundings if time permits. Located at an altitude of about 7874 ft , the village gives you a mesmerising view of Kishanganga river where you can spend some time.
Dison: On the 2nd and 5th day of your trek, you’ll be camping at Dison valley, found at a height of about 10,300 ft, the location is dotted with shepherd’s hut. You can clearly see the Line of Actual Control(LOC), creating the border of India and Pakistan. Get a look through your surroundings filled with silver birch trees and the Habba Khatoon peaks are also in sight. Khaari: Khaari is another camping spot in the Gurez Valley trek where we spend the night on the 3rd day. It is characterised by small boulders. As you get settled here, you can go for a stroll along the horse trails. Explore the Patalwansar Pass, located in close proximity. Here, you see many army camps, maximising your sense of security. Patalwansar Lake I: Last but not the least, the most picturesque campsite of all is the Patalwansar Lake I. It is the main highlight of the entire trek. On the 5th day, you visit Patalwansar Lake I through Patalwansar Lake II. It is a long trek and the final stoppage at the serene lake feels surreal. On this particular day, you don’t need to go anywhere. You can just soak in the beauty of this majestic water body. In the morning, you wake up to one of the most unforgettable views
Essential Information for Your Trek
Things to Know for Gurez Valley trek
- Make sure you have done an elaborate packing and have everything we have mentioned above in a spacious backpack. Gurez Valley is a remotely located region of Kashmir and you can’t spot even a small shop for kilometres. It is better to keep everything, especially the essentials.
- Since you will be going to an altitude as high as 13,188 ft, you must be acclimated well with the surroundings. Keep a buffer day before the start of the trek. Spend it in the capital city of Srinagar around Dal or Nigeen Lake. They are the main tourist spots and it would be easier to blend in. Acclimatisation prevents you from Acute Mountain Sickness and symptoms like headache, vomiting, stomachache, dizziness etc. You are healthy and ill-free for the entire trek.
- In the Gurez Valley trek, you will be in the company of a skilled and experienced trek leader. He will give you a briefing of the trek. Listen and follow all the instructions during the trek. Coordinate your activities with your fellow trekkers.
- Well, the trek is not as long as Kashmir Great Lakes trek but you have to cover a distance of about 35-40 kilometres in 5-6 days. Be sure that you are prepared for this long excursion.
Fitness Tips for Gurez Valley Trek
To have the mindset that a fit trekker is the ideal trekker helps you in the long run in your travel journey. In the opposite atmosphere where you haven’t prepared physically for the trek, you are exhausted throughout the journey. You don’t enjoy anything.
In treks such as Gurez Valley trek, you should be physically and mentally fit as it is a long one. It will test your fitness and endurance.
Start jogging at least 2 months prior to the start of the trek. You must be able to cover 5 kilometres in 30 minutes continuously. This is the least requirement. Do some weight training to strengthen your lower body and core. Those include squats, lunges, planks, push ups etc.
Meditate daily. Drink plenty of water to remain hydrated. This is for after and during the trek as well. Consume a healthy diet. Try to remain injury-free.
Lastly, soak in every moment with mother nature as you are there.
Road Connection in Kashmir In September
Although there is network coverage in Kashmir for major mobile networks like Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, and others, you can’t be too sure about their speed. In other locations, they are slow, and at high altitudes, they might not exist at all. There is passably good wi-fi available at hotels and cafes, where you can set up a workstation. It is advised to have a satellite phone on hand for emergencies.
It is better to opt for a postpaid sim card which works well in this area. The roads are well connected with the adjacent cities and nearby towns. In September, there is little to no snow and both internal and external routes are entirely accessible. Roads are kept as clear as feasible by BRO.
Why Visit Kashmir In September
Nice Weather: September has pleasant and temperate weather without the intense heat of summer or cold of winter making it perfect for outdoor activities and tourism.
Magnificent Fall Colors: As fall approaches, Kashmir’s terrain becomes a vivid mosaic of red, orange, and yellow tones that offers stunning vistas and ideal shooting conditions.
Harvest Season: September is apple harvest time, when guests may get a crisp bite of luscious apples right from the orchards and take in the abundance of the area’s agricultural output.
Fewer Crowds: As summer ends, the tourist season tapers off, which reduces the number of people. This enables a more serene and engaging experience at well-known tourist locations.
Stay in a Houseboat: With fewer visitors stay on Nigeen Lake or Dal Lake in a houseboat that gives a calmer and more peaceful environment.
Hiking and Trekking: Clear skies and comfortable temperatures make for perfect hiking and trekking conditions.
Flora & Fauna: As the seasons change, take in the region’s varied flora and fauna the place prepares itself for autumn.
Shopping: As craftsmen get ready for the winter, September is a fantastic time to purchase traditional Kashmiri handicrafts, shawls, and carpets. The winter clothes are cheap now and do not forget to bargain.
Cuisine: Savour dishes created with apples, walnuts, and saffron, which are harvested at this time of year. Kashmiri cuisine is also made using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Top Things to Shop in Kashmir
Carpets made of silk are some of Kashmir’s most well-known products. Even though a carpet is an investment that lasts a lifetime, it can be the costliest thing you buy when visiting Kashmir.
Since the walnut tree only grows in Kashmir, India, wood carvings are incredibly attractive and well worth purchasing.
Kashmir offers a vast array of silk textile designs. Among the exquisite characteristics made from the silk yarn are “chinon” and “crepe de chine.”
There are several stores in the ancient city with copper items lining the walls, the floor, and even the ceiling. These items are often created for the neighbourhood market. The cutlery is just as beautiful.
Purchasing Kashmiri shawls makes for beautiful mementos. These silky materials, which are composed of three fibres—wool, pashmina, and Shahtoos—make excellent, cosy shawls. The hand-embroidered pieces are equally amazing. Watch out for the imposters.
In Kashmir, willow rushes are abundant in marshes and lakes. These are utilised to create adorably rustic items.
Among Srinagar’s unparalleled delicacies are dry fruits like walnuts and almonds, as well as spices like saffron, shah zira, and honey.
Do not forget to buy phirans which is a typical clothing used in the valley, which are made of wool and have beautiful embroidery.
