Gurez Valley deserves a more specific answer than our other destination pages, because it genuinely is different from Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri or Yusmarg: it sits in Bandipora district close to the Line of Control, and our own general Kashmir safety assessment names Kupwara and Poonch border districts specifically as areas kept off standard tourist itineraries. Gurez deserves an honest, separate treatment rather than being folded into either list.
Straight answer
The Gurez Valley - Dawar town, Habba Khatoon peak, Tulail - is open to domestic tourists via the Bandipora-Gurez road and has become a genuine, growing tourism destination in recent years. Areas closer to the actual Line of Control beyond the tourist circuit are controlled by the Army and are not part of any tour itinerary, exactly the same principle as the Kupwara/Poonch exclusion elsewhere in Kashmir.
What's open, and how it's different from the rest of Kashmir
The tourist-facing parts of Gurez - Dawar, the Habba Khatoon viewpoint, the Kishanganga River, and the Tulail sub-valley - are accessible to Indian tourists by road, with no advance permit currently required for domestic visitors as of 2026. What sets Gurez apart operationally is that the road passes through an active border district, so there can be Army checkpoints, occasional convoy timing on the road, and mobile connectivity is limited (BSNL works best; other networks are patchy). This is a genuinely different travel profile from a Gulmarg day trip, and it's exactly the kind of thing worth booking through an operator who knows the current checkpoint and road-timing situation rather than self-driving in blind.
We'd rather tell you this plainly than either oversell Gurez as "just as easy as Gulmarg" or avoid the topic. It is a real, worthwhile, increasingly popular destination - just one that benefits from local knowledge of the current road and checkpoint situation more than any other place on this list.
Foreign nationals and Gurez
Foreign tourists have historically needed prior permission to visit border-adjacent areas like Gurez, and this can change with policy - if you're a foreign national, confirm current requirements with us or the district administration before planning a Gurez leg of your trip. Indian citizens currently do not need special permission for the open tourist circuit described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gurez Valley safe to visit?
The open tourist circuit (Dawar, Habba Khatoon, Tulail) is a genuine, growing destination for domestic tourists, reached via the Bandipora-Gurez road. Areas nearer the actual Line of Control beyond that circuit are Army-controlled and not part of any tour itinerary - the same principle applied to Kupwara/Poonch border areas elsewhere in Kashmir.
Do I need a permit to visit Gurez?
Indian citizens currently do not need a special permit for the open Gurez tourist circuit as of 2026, though this is a border district where policy can change - always confirm current status before travelling. Foreign nationals should check requirements in advance, as border-area rules can differ for non-Indian visitors.
Does mobile network work in Gurez?
Connectivity is limited compared to the rest of Kashmir. BSNL tends to work best in the valley; other networks are patchy. Plan for reduced connectivity rather than assuming normal coverage.
Is Gurez open in winter?
The valley is heavily snow-bound and the access road is difficult in deep winter. Gurez is best visited May through October.
Visit Gurez with a driver who knows the current road situation
We check checkpoint and road-timing status before confirming any Gurez itinerary.
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.