When I tread Gurez Valley!

A valley in Kashmir 8000 ft above the sea level. It is called Neelam valley in Pakistan and Gurez Valley in India. 86 Km from Bandipora and 126 kms from Srinagar.

Gurez is located alongside the LOC with Pakistan. It is the ancient silk route that connects the Kashmir valley with Gilgit Baltistan. Its inhabitants are called Dards and speak Dard-Shina Languages.

Gurez has the most beautiful landscape as compared to the whole of Kashmir. Rich in Flora and Fauna, Gurez opens the doors to immense natural beauty.

Photoblog

Let us go through this photoblog and explore Gurez right from the Bandipora district.

This is the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the banks of the Wular Lake- the largest freshwater lake in Asia.

A Village in Bandipora

Although the Construction on the Agricultural Land is Prohibited in Jammu and Kashmir, these houses still add beauty to the terraced paddy-fields.

Bandipora Village as seen from one of the mountain peaks.

Razdan Pass (Travel)

As we proceed towards the Gurez Valley through the zig zag and steep, hilly roads, the famous Razdan pass is the foremost destination which we see. It is also called the gate of Gurez. Razdan top is at the elevation of 11500 fts above the sea level.

The Harmukh Mountain, the highest mountain peak of the Kashmir Valley. Photo Taken from the Razdan Top

After leaving Razdan pass. We come to see the spectacular Kishanganga River also Called Neelam River in Pakistan.

Kishanganga Dam

Kishanganga Dam, which diverts water Kishanganga Power Project.

The Domestic Tourists from all over India are making special efforts to visit Gurez. This boy from Punjab has come to Gurez on Motorcycle with his relatives. they were staying on the banks of Kishen Ganga River in a hired camping tent.

As you arrive in Gurez, you will see the entirely different natural beauty. If Kashmir is called Paradise on earth Gurez is another Paradise within Paradise.

According to Micheal Benanav, about Gurez Valley

He wrote in A Journey to Kashmir’s Gurez Valley – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

‘Since the one road into Gurez closes for about six months of the year because of heavy snowfall, I had to wait to go until the following year. In June 2008, local officials and residents said that my friend, Red Miller, and I were the first Westerners they had ever seen there. Knowing that the best way to see the valley and meet its people would be to travel on foot, we walked for nearly three weeks, covering about 50 miles on a dirt road that followed the Kishen Ganga upriver, deep into the section of the basin known as Tulail, then trekking into the mountains beyond it…’

14 years now

It has been 14 years now. Today Gurez is the most frequented place in Kashmir. Local as well as domestic tourists’ throng Gurez Valley every weekend. To be very clear it is somewhat difficult to reach Gurez but not impossible. It involves a lot of Adventure. Because of its proximity to Pakistan, there are frequent security checkups. Once has to enter his name and address before arriving in Gurez valley.

There are many valleys and villages within the Gurez Valley.

The other main villages of the valley include Burnai, Badoab, Niru and Sheikhpora. Going east from Gurez town towards Dras.  The first and the last villages of Tulail Valley are Burnai and Checkwal.

On the way to Tulail Valley there is the warfare base used during the Kargil War. These concrete foundations are used to hold Howitzer guns to fire artillery shells to Pakistan.

How to reach Gurez Valley?

Visiting Gurez is not an easy task. One has to prepare himself or herself mentally and physically. It is not less than an adventure. Although the Helicopter service is available, this is not satisfying.

By road every trip is satisfying and full of adventure. If you are planning to visit Gurez, the first and foremost stop is Srinagar.

At Srinagar you can plan, How to Reach Gurez? whether by road or by Helicopter.

The Climate of Gurez and the mountainous roads leading to Gurez are unpredictable. Oxygen level gets low at the highest-level roads on the Razdan Pass. Nevertheless, there are no life-threatening situations, but the Landslides occur if sudden Rainfall happens. Those who travel on motorcycles must stop at some safe place if sudden Rainfall occurs.

Adventurous enough

You can also hire a cab from Srinagar. Or if you are adventurous enough, you can travel all the way to district Bandipora in a local transport. And from Bandipora you can take another local transport service up to Gurez.

The total time from Srinagar to Bandipora in a public transport is 2.5 hours, and from Bandipora it is nearly another 2.5 hours.

At Gurez many people like to stay in tents. But if you are from outside Kashmir never adventure on this type of stay. And if you really want to indulge in this sort of adventure have enough sources with local guides or travel agents. Who can come for your rescue during any type of misadventure. There are many best hotels available at Dawar- Dawar is the ancient capital of Gurez. You can see the whole Gurez on foot and walk through the line of control.

Also Read: Prehistoric Kashmir

A boy ate dead tiger’s flesh

duke