Gurez is frankly one of the most natural sides of Kashmir you will ever come across, and be able to explore so completely and exhaustively. Gurez is located very close to POK and therefore is almost completely under army supervision. At the same time, the everyday life of the inhabitants of Gurez is still traditional to a great extent, and large expanses of land remain untouched by human civilization. This is why most of the main things to do in Gurez involve nature in its most beautiful forms – surrounding vistas of snow-capped mountains, strong breezes, light penetrable woods, a golden sparkling river and wooden cabins in completely natural surroundings.
Famous Activities in Gurez Valley with Your Loved Ones For A Memorable Journey Into The Lap Of the Himalayas
1. Camping along the Kishanganga river
A river is often the star of the Valley. Kishanganga river is a beautiful sparkling body of water that runs full speed and noisily through the Dawar and Tulail districts. The Kishanganga river is actually a tributary of Jhelum. Camping along the Kishan Ganga river is one of the most happening group activities to do in Gurez. There are actual camping spots where you can get assistance to set up your camp and also some campsites which have recently come into existence. You can spend the period of the camping engaged in photography or trout fishing.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: one-night minimum.
2. Pay respects at Peer Baba Shrine
Razdan Pass not only acts as a majestic entrance into the valley of Gurez, but it also brings you face-to-face with some of the most beautiful views that you might have a chance to experience in your life. One such place is the peaceful and reverent Peer Baba Shrine, located at a phenomenal height and sanctified by the daily prayers of none other than the Indian army. Paying respects at this tiny but legendary shine is one of the most spiritual things to do in Gurez that you can possibly engage in.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 1 hour
3. A trip focused on photography
Did you spend a significant amount of time in your youthful days dreaming of a vacation that will bring your photographer’s heart to the most coveted and beautiful of all lands? If you enjoy mountain photography and natural landscapes, you will have the time of your life engaged in sightseeing in Gurez. From Ray species of birds to crystal clear water filled with trout, rare glimpses of the snow leopard and sparkling skies with fluffy white clouds – there is a lot to add to your unseen, rugged mountain peaks that surround the valley of Gurez.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: minimum 2 to 3 hours on your trip
4. A hike Through the Woods
As we said before, Gurez is a valley where very few inhabitants still live. Most of the valley is covered in green grass and wild meadows. Surrounding this valley are dense forests as well as light, penetrable woods. A hike through the grooves of pine trees and deodar forests might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for tourists who enjoy such sightings. You can combine many other adventurous things to do in Gurez with walks and hikes – such as bird watching, sketching, photography, cones collection etc. However, one should never venture out into the forests without a local guide as these forests can be dangerous and harmful for strangers to this region.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings however the forests must be avoided at night.
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
5. Gurez festival
Just because the number of people living in Gurez does not mean there isn’t enough to explore regarding the culture of this place. In fact, it is actually quite the opposite. The Gurez festival is an excellent opportunity to experience this, and it is a time when the entire community of the valley comes together to enjoy. The Gurez festival is held for 3 days and during this period, adventure sports and related activities to do in Gurez like mountain biking and river rafting are organized for both locals as well as tourists. Don’t forget to contact local travel agents before setting aside this festival as a part of your itinerary, as this festival is not always held every year, sometimes a big gap of 2 to 3 years can be observed between the two festivals.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: day-long event. Depends on sunrise and sunset.
Time taken to visit: the whole day for a period of three days.
6. Visiting the zero point at Chakwali
Can you go beyond Chakwali in Gurez? The reason Chakwali is called the zero point for Indian tourists is that beyond this little village in the Tulail district of Gurez, Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir begins. Tourists always consider reaching the end of Indian Kashmir as an essential addition to the things to do in Gurez to experience the sense of patriotism, wonder and melancholy that surrounds this heavenly little village Chakwali. Indeed, even international tourists go as far as they can to take a peek at this legendary religion.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 3 to 4 hours
7. Spending a day at Kishanganga river lake
The region around Gurez in Kashmir houses many extraordinary freshwater lakes of the Himalayas. One such lake is the lake made out of the Kishanganga river. It is a man-made shape that has been created out of the river flowing out of the Dam on Kishanganga. You can spend a day in this region fishing and picnicking with your friends and family. This dam and the surrounding lake are also famous for providing the best sunset and sunrise views in all of Gurez.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. The two major districts in Gurez frequently visited by tourists are the Dawar district and the Tulail district.
A. Accommodation in Gurez is not expensive but it is lesser in number. There are very few tourist lodges in Dawar, and virtually no hotels in Tulail.
A. Even though it is a quiet and natural location, Gurez has many adventure sports to offer. These include trekking, mountain biking, stargazing, Polo during the festivals, white river rafting and angling. Bird watching is also a safe and exciting activity you can try!
Conclusion
Jammu and Kashmir is a heavenly location that houses many such unknown and unseen valleys and hill stations that are bound to truly last in the mines of visitors forever. Kashmir travel packages are created keeping in mind the unique blend of heritage and nature that is characteristic of this state. If this article has made you feel happy and fascinated, make sure to reach out to our experienced travel agents to know more about exciting Gurez travel packages today.
