New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon
New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon

Difficulty

Moderate | Level 3

Duration

7 days

Highest Altitude

13,188 ft

Age

12 to 62 years

Duration

7 days

Age

12 to 62 years

Difficulty

Moderate | Level 3

Highest Altitude

13,188 ft

Gurez Valley Trek

An unusually spectacular trek in the northernmost part of Kashmir

India ends at Gurez. The significance of this is enormous. If you look at our country as a whole, we travel upwards from Kanyakumari. There comes the point where we cannot travel any further north. That part of our country is Gurez.

The significance is that the Gurez is the last latitude of India, which is why it is very unlike any other part of Kashmir. The topography changes totally even though it is only 6 hours north of Srinagar. You will notice it in the trees especially. The trees are different, and so are the way they are laid out in the valley. The Razdan pass you cross to get to Gurez pushes you to a very different landscape. Just like how it is when you cross the Rohtang Pass in Manali. In fact, our trek in Gurez reminds us more of our treks in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia than they do of our treks in Kashmir -- so different is the landscape. We feel we are in a different locale even though we are in Kashmir.

The Gurez valley trek has astoundingly different forests, grasslands and two lovely lakes (and one we camp beside). The scenery is spectacularly unusual.

Note: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkres along with a trek leader are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. We carry our own tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear and food. Of course, we do it with the new lightweight DIY camping gear of Indiahikes. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker.

Videos On Gurez Valley

Quick Itinerary

Gurez Valley Elevation chart.

Day 1

Drive from Srinagar to Dawar

Drive Distance: 141 km | Drive Duration: 6-7 hours | Pick-up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Laxmi Guesthouse, Srinagar

Transport will be organized at 8 am from Laxmi Guesthouse, Srinagar. The transport cost is Rs 6000 per vehicle and must be paid directly to the driver.

Day 2

Trek from Dawar to Dison

Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude gain: 7,870 ft to 10,340 ft

Day 3

Trek from Dison to Khaari via Dawar heights

Trek Distance: 8 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude gain: 10,340 ft to 11,300 ft via 11,722 ft

Day 4

Trek from Khaari to Patalwansar I Lake via Patalwansar II

Trek Distance: 8 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude gain: 11,300 ft to 12,650 ft via 12,795 ft

Day 5

Trek from Patalwansar I to Dison

Trek Distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude loss: 12,650 ft to 10,340 ft

Day 6

Trek from Dison to Dawar. Drive to Srinagar

Trek Distance: 4.6 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours

Drive Distance: 141 km | Drive Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude loss: 10,340 ft to 5,220 ft

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending on weather conditions and your route. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

Day 7

Buffer Day

All your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends entirely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir. The buffer day is mandatory to keep in your itinerary.

If the buffer day is used,  you have to pay us Rs 1,800 per day +5% GST. The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day.

IMPORTANT POINTS

DIY Style of Trekking: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkres along with a trek leader are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. We carry our own tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear and food. Of course, we do it with the new lightweight DIY camping gear of Indiahikes. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker

Advisory Note: In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise.

Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek.

Stay facility: You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers must make arrangements to stay in Srinagar at the end of the trek.

Gurez Valley Elevation chart.

PRO-TIPS

  • Advisory Note: There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.
  • All your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends entirely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.

Day 1

Drive from Srinagar to Dawar

Drive Distance: 141 km | Drive Duration: 6-7 hours | Pick-up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Laxmi Guesthouse, Srinagar

Transport will be organized at 8 am from Laxmi Guesthouse, Srinagar. The transport cost is Rs 6000 per vehicle and must be paid directly to the driver.

Day 2

Trek from Dawar to Dison

Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude gain: 7,870 ft to 10,340 ft

Day 3

Trek from Dison to Khaari via Dawar heights

Trek Distance: 8 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude gain: 10,340 ft to 11,300 ft via 11,722 ft

Day 4

Trek from Khaari to Patalwansar I Lake via Patalwansar II

Trek Distance: 8 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude gain: 11,300 ft to 12,650 ft via 12,795 ft

Day 5

Trek from Patalwansar I to Dison

Trek Distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude loss: 12,650 ft to 10,340 ft

Day 6

Trek from Dison to Dawar. Drive to Srinagar

Trek Distance: 4.6 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours

Drive Distance: 141 km | Drive Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude loss: 10,340 ft to 5,220 ft

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending on weather conditions and your route. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

Day 7

Buffer Day

All your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends entirely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir. The buffer day is mandatory to keep in your itinerary.

If the buffer day is used,  you have to pay us Rs 1,800 per day +5% GST. The money will be collected by the Trek Leader only if we use the buffer day.

IMPORTANT POINTS

➤DIY Style of Trekking: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkres along with a trek leader are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. We carry our own tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear and food. Of course, we do it with the new lightweight DIY camping gear of Indiahikes. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker

➤Advisory Note: In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise.

➤Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek.

➤Stay facility: You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers must make arrangements to stay in Srinagar at the end of the trek.

PRO-TIPS

  • Advisory Note: There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.
  • All your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends entirely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been significantly impacted. The transformations have been profound and irreversible. 

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences. 

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

In the mountains, new professions, economies and businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.  

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine. 

Nitesh Kumar, Chief Explorer & Senior Trek Leader

Nitesh is the Chief Explorer and one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has led & explored the most famous treks across our country, like Bodpathri Lakes and Gidara Bugyal. He is also the mastermind behind the design of the Gurez Valley Trek itinerary. Read what he has to say about the trek here.

What I Like About the Gurez Valley Trek

What I Like About the Gurez Valley Trek

Nitesh Kumar, Chief Explorer & Senior Trek Leader

Nitesh is the Chief Explorer and one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has led & explored the most famous treks across our country, like Bodpathri Lakes and Gidara Bugyal. He is also the mastermind behind the design of the Gurez Valley Trek itinerary. Read what he has to say about the trek here.

1. The scenic drive from Srinagar to Dawar

The entire drive from Srinagar to Dawar is picturesque. You get to drive on paths that are rarely accessed by tourists. You drive through the forests, the villages and the high mountains. 

When you are at the Razdan pass, it feels like you are at the pass on one of the Uttarakhand treks. You are at such a height that you see forests, valleys, meadows and everything below you. It’s a beautiful sight to behold. As this was not enough, you enter the Gurez side. The views for sure take your breath away!

Driving to towards Dawar. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

2. A glimpse of the other side

Gurez is the most extreme part of our country. While trekking in Gurez, you’re at the northernmost part of India. You even see the dreamy frames of the Gilgit-Baltistan range. You see the valleys, the villages and the mountain ranges of POK. At one point, you see the villages of India and Pakistan simultaneously!

Not just the geographical location of the valley but the entire landscape of the Gurez is stunning. As the Gurez Valley is close to the borders of Tajikistan, it has flavours of both Trans-Himalayas and Kashmir Himalayas. This adds a whole new drama to the place.

Gilgit- Baltistan ranges. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

3. The pristine pine forest section from Dawar to Dison

The trek dives right into the forest section. Throughout Day 2, you trek in the secluded pine forests of Gurez. It’s the one to treasure because forest sections on Kashmir treks are so rare.

What makes this section even more special is, it is not just a plain walk in the forest section. It’s an ascent. When I say it’s an ascent, you start from the foot of the pine trees and within a few minutes, you are at the tip of them!

Trekking along pine forests from Dawar to DIsan. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

4. The panoramic views of the surroundings

After you come out of a treeline on Day 2, you start seeing the rich green meadows of Gurez. Compared to other parts of Kashmir, the meadows here are so different. It’s impossible to express it in words, you’ve to be there to experience it!

On each day, you reach beautiful heights that offer panoramic views of the surroundings. You see the stack of lush green and barren mountains in the same setting. This colour contrast is so pleasing to the eyes.

Dison Campsite. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

5. Patalwansar Lakes

On Gurez Valley trek, you trek to two pristine alpine lakes - Patalwansar I and Patalwansar II. Though the names are similar, these two lakes are like non-identical twins. They are radically different from each other. The settings of these lakes get imprinted on your mind and stay with you long after your trek is over. Such is the charm of these lakes.

Cherry on the top is that you get to camp right beside Patalwansar I. This is a luxury that you rarely get on other treks.

Trekker walking along Patalwansar Lake II. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

This is your first campsite of the trek. From here you can see clear views of Mt Habba khatoon and villages of PoK.

Picture by: Nitesh Kumar

Dison Campsite

Know Your Trek

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Gurez Valley Trek. It has in-depth information about each trekking day, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

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PRO TIPS

Why fitness matters on the Gurez Valley Trek

On Moderate-Difficult treks like the Gurez Valley Trek, you'll walk for about 6-7 km each day. Gradual to steep ascents and descents are standard on all days. Expect to reach high altitudes of 13,000+ ft. There will also be technical sections such as boulders and scree, which our technical teams will help you navigate.

Your goal is to run 5 km within 35 minutes comfortably.

How to Get Fit for Your Trek

Note: If you are above the age of 58, you'll need to submit a Treadmill Test report within 7 days of registration.

Leaving Mountains Better

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.

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