Gurez Valley Trek

A spectacular trek in the northernmost part of Kashmir

Wondering if this is the right trek for you? Talk to our experts and find out.Schedule a call

TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate

TREK DURATION

7 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

13,188 ft

A 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 trekkers along with a trek leader are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. You will be helping in carrying a few of the gears and equipment as a team. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker.

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.

Videos On Gurez Valley

Gurez Valley - Complete Trek Information

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.

Expert Speak

Nitesh Kumar, Chief Explorer & Senior Trek Leader

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 Meadows 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 Meadows 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

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are pioneers of treks in India

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow.

Our treks are transformative

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

Indiahikes Features

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

Daily 3-time health checks keep you safe at any altitude

Our thrice-a-day oxi-metre checks keep altitude sickness at bay, never allowing you to reach a point where you need evacuation.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Request Jain/Vegan-friendly food

Our kitchen teams understand your needs as a vegan (or a Jain). We will take special care of your food, even in the remote Himalayas. 

Be comfortable and sustainable with bio toilets

We have specially designed bio toilets to ensure you have no sight or smell in toilets, at the same time making sure the toilets cause no harm to the fragile ecosystem we trek in.

Fresh, nutritious food at every camp

We’ll admit it. Our love for food surpasses our love for minimalism. Expect freshly cooked, multi-cuisine food at all camps, designed to meet your nutritional requirements and keep your taste buds happy!

Alternative Treks To Do

trek image

4 Days

.

Moderate

Bhrigu Lake

The Prettiest Grassland Trek in Himachal
trek image

7 days

.

Moderate

Brammah Valley trek

Jammu and Kashmir's new trek discovery
trek image

5 days

.

Moderate

Chandrakhani Pass Trek

A stunningly beautiful pass-crossing trek that also explores an ancient cul...
imgs

Bhrigu Lake

The Prettiest Grassland Trek in Himachal

4 Days

Moderate

imgs

Brammah Valley trek

Jammu and Kashmir's new trek discovery

7 days

Moderate

imgs

Chandrakhani Pass Tr...

A stunningly beautiful pass-crossing trek that also explores an ancient culture

5 days

Moderate