Overview
Gurez, in Bandipora district, is one of the most remote and beautiful valleys in Kashmir, set along the Kishanganga (Neelum) river near the Line of Control, about 140 km from Srinagar at an altitude of roughly 2,400m (8,000 ft). It is reached over the Razdan Pass and is famous for the pyramid-shaped Habba Khatoon peak, its wooden Dard-Shin villages, and the wild Tulail valley beyond. The valley is home to around 25,000 Dard-Shin people, a Dardic, Shina-speaking community ethnically and linguistically distinct from the rest of Kashmir, with close ties to communities across the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Gurez lay on the ancient Silk Route linking Kashmir to Gilgit and onward to Kashgar, and was closed to outside visitors for decades as a sensitive border area before reopening to tourism. It opens roughly from May to September/October and rewards travellers seeking genuinely offbeat Kashmir.
Gurez Valley on the Map
Things to Do & Places to Visit in Gurez Valley
Habba Khatoon Peak
View on map →A striking pyramid-shaped mountain that dominates the valley, named after the 16th-century Kashmiri poet-queen Habba Khatoon.
Dawar
View on map →The main town and administrative headquarters of Gurez, a base for exploring the valley and its traditional wooden, interlocking-log houses built without nails.
Tulail Valley
View on map →A wilder valley beyond Dawar with remote Dard-Shin villages strung along the Kishanganga, including Kanzalwan, an ancient site associated with an early Buddhist council.
Kishanganga River
View on map →The river that threads the valley, clear and fast, with meadows along its banks - it continues downstream as the Neelum river across the Line of Control.
Patalwan Lakes
View on map →A set of high-altitude alpine lakes reached on a trek from the valley, for travellers wanting to go beyond the roadside sights.
Local Specialities of Gurez Valley
Dard-Shin Culture
Gurez is the cultural heart of Kashmir's Dard-Shin community, who speak Shina and maintain traditions distinct from the rest of the valley. Dawar's Habba Khatoon Drama Club, running since 1976, has played a key role in keeping Dardi-Shina culture and performance alive.
Traditional Wooden Architecture
Older Gurez villages still have wooden houses built from interlocking logs without nails, a building style shared with communities across the border in Gilgit-Baltistan.
How to Reach Gurez Valley
Gurez is reached from Bandipora (about 60 km from Srinagar) over the Razdan Pass, roughly 80 km further, for a total of around 140 km. The road is open in the warmer months, usually May to September or October, and closes in winter. A local driver who knows the route is strongly recommended.
Stay and Travel: Gurez Valley
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Gurez Valley FAQs
When is Gurez Valley open?
Gurez is generally open from May to September/October, when the Razdan Pass is clear of snow. It closes in winter. Confirm road and permit status before travelling, as it is a sensitive border region.
What is Gurez known for?
Gurez is known for the pyramid-shaped Habba Khatoon peak, the Kishanganga river, its wooden Dard-Shin villages, and the remote Tulail valley. It is one of the most offbeat and scenic parts of Kashmir, and home to a distinct Dardic, Shina-speaking community.
Do you need a permit for Gurez?
Gurez is a border region, and requirements can change. Indian tourists generally visit freely in season, but it is best to travel with a local operator who can advise on current rules and arrange the trip.
How far is Gurez from Srinagar and how do I get there?
Gurez is about 140 km from Srinagar: roughly 60 km to Bandipora, then about 80 km further over the Razdan Pass. The drive takes around 5-6 hours depending on road and weather conditions, and is only possible in the warmer months.
Who are the Dard-Shin people of Gurez?
The Dard-Shin (or Shin) are a Dardic, Indo-Aryan, Shina-speaking people numbering around 25,000 in Gurez, part of a wider Dardic community spread across Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Drass. They have their own distinct language, dress, and traditions within Kashmir.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 2026
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.
Planning to visit Gurez Valley?
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