Quick Answer
A Gurez tour from Srinagar works best as 2 to 3 nights in the valley: about 140 km, 5 to 6 hours each way via Bandipora and the Razdan Pass (about 3,300 m), with Dawar as the base and a day for Tulail. The road is open from about May to September or October and closes in winter. Via Kashmir runs Gurez trips on request with a private cab (from ₹6,500 one way) and stays booked for you; Indian visitors need no advance permit as of 2026.
Gurez is one of the most remote valleys in Kashmir, set along the Kishanganga (Neelum) river near the Line of Control at roughly 2,400 m. It has none of Gulmarg's crowds: log houses of the Dard-Shin people, the Habba Khatoon peak named after the 16th-century poet-queen, and a road that only opens in the warmer months. Our Srinagar team checks the pass before every departure.
How to reach Gurez from Srinagar
| Leg | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Srinagar to Bandipora | About 60 km | Bandipora sits near Wular Lake |
| Bandipora to Razdan Pass | About 40 km | The road climbs to about 3,300 m; views back over the valley |
| Razdan Pass to Dawar (Gurez) | About 40 km | Down into the Kishanganga valley |
| Total | About 140 km, 5 to 6 hours | An SUV is recommended for the pass |
Distances are approximate; road conditions decide the time.
Book the cab alone on the Srinagar to Gurez taxi page, or let us plan the whole trip below.
Gurez tour package itineraries
Gurez in 2 nights / 3 days
- 1Day 1: Srinagar to Gurez over the Razdan Pass, a stop at the top, evening by the Kishanganga in Dawar.
- 2Day 2: Dawar, the Habba Khatoon peak and spring, village walks; the Dawar drama club has kept Dard-Shina performance alive since 1976.
- 3Day 3: Back to Srinagar.
Gurez and Tulail in 3 nights / 4 days
As above, with a full day to the Tulail valley, about 40 km beyond Dawar on a slow road, for the most remote villages in the valley.
Kashmir with Gurez in 5 nights / 6 days
Srinagar (2 nights, one on a Dal Lake houseboat), Gurez (2 nights), back to Srinagar (1 night) with a Doodhpathri or Gulmarg day. More combinations on offbeat Kashmir tour packages.
Things to see in Gurez
- checkHabba Khatoon peak: the pyramid-shaped mountain that dominates the valley.
- checkThe Kishanganga river: the valley follows it from Dawar towards Tulail.
- checkDawar: the main village, with wooden houses and the local market.
- checkTulail valley: the remote eastern sub-valley.
- checkRazdan Pass: the high point of the drive, with wide views on a clear day.
More detail, food and local tips: Gurez Valley guide. Safety and the open circuit: is it safe to visit Gurez?
Gurez tour package cost
A private cab from Srinagar to Gurez starts at ₹6,500 one way. A Gurez package is quoted for your dates: the cab for the days you travel (an SUV for the pass), guesthouse or homestay nights in Dawar, and meals. Send your dates and group size through the form and we reply with an itemised quote. To combine Gurez with Srinagar, Gulmarg or Pahalgam, start from one of our Kashmir tour packages and ask us to add it.
Best time for a Gurez trip
- checkMay to September or October: the road over the Razdan Pass is open. June to September is the most reliable.
- checkWinter: the pass closes and Gurez is cut off by road.
- checkWeather on the pass can change quickly; we confirm the road the day before you travel.
Permits and practical tips
- checkIndian visitors need no advance permit for the open circuit (Dawar, Habba Khatoon, Tulail) as of 2026. Carry government photo ID for everyone travelling.
- checkForeign nationals should check the current rules with us before booking, as Gurez is close to the Line of Control.
- checkPhone signal is limited; most mobile networks are weak beyond the pass.
- checkCarry some cash and warm layers: evenings are cold even in summer.
Plan your Gurez trip
Send your dates and group size. We check the Razdan Pass and send an itemised quote for the cab, stays and meals. Trips from ₹6,500 cab.
Further reading from Kashmir Pulse
- Gurez Valley Kashmir 2026-27: The Permit-Only Valley Almost No Tourist Reaches
Gurez Valley is a high-altitude valley in Bandipora district, 120km north of Srinagar, accessible June to early October when the Razdan Pass...
- Srinagar to Gurez Valley: Distance & Complete Guide
Gurez Valley in Bandipore district sits 86 km from Bandipora town, near the Line of Control. It's accessible only from June to October. The...
Frequently Asked Questions
help_outlineHow many days are enough for a Gurez trip?expand_more
Two nights in Gurez covers Dawar and Habba Khatoon; three nights adds Tulail. With Srinagar, plan 5 to 6 days in total.
help_outlineHow far is Gurez from Srinagar?expand_more
About 140 km: roughly 60 km to Bandipora, then about 80 km over the Razdan Pass. The drive takes 5 to 6 hours each way.
help_outlineWhat does a Gurez tour package cost?expand_more
The Srinagar to Gurez cab starts at ₹6,500 one way. The full trip, with stays and meals, is quoted for your dates and group size.
help_outlineWhen is Gurez open for tourists?expand_more
From about May to September or October, when the Razdan Pass road is open. It closes in winter.
help_outlineIs a permit needed for Gurez?expand_more
Indian visitors need no advance permit for the open circuit as of 2026; carry photo ID. Foreign nationals should confirm the current rules with us first.
help_outlineWhere do we stay in Gurez?expand_more
In guesthouses and homestays around Dawar, booked by us as part of the trip.
help_outlineCan Gurez be added to a normal Kashmir package?expand_more
Yes. Add two or three nights in Gurez to any Kashmir package and we send a revised quote.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked October 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.