Gurez Valley Trek

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 tranquility 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.

Here are the best highlights of the Gurez Valley Trek

The scenic drive on Gurez Bandipora road.

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.

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.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Srinagar to Dawar
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.

Day 2: Dawar to Dison

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 spend 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.

Day 3: Dison to Khaari

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.

Day 4: Khaari to Patalwansar Lake I via Patalwansar Lake II

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.

Day 5: Patalwansar I to Dison

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.

Day 6: Dison to Dawar to Srinagar

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.