Gurez Valley Trek

Stay: overnight stay at the campsite; meal: Lunch, Dinner Trek Distance: 140 km, Time Taken: approx. 6 hrs. Altitude: Srinagar (5200 ft / 1585 meter.), Dawar (7860 ft / 2396 meters.) Altitude gain: 2660 ft / 811 meters. Trek Grade: By Road Before starting the trek, you will drive from Srinagar to Dawar, Dawar, the trekking start point. While going, you will see pine forests, quaint valleys, meadows, and the tribe of shepherds. You will also pass various panoramas of lakes like Dal Lake, Wular Lake, and Manasbal Lake. The trail will then go through Razdan Pass; after passing the pass, you will finally reach Dawar.

Stay: overnight stay at the campsite; meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner Trek Distance: 5 km, Time Taken: approx. 5 hrs. Altitude: Dawar (7860 ft / 2396 meter.), Gurez Valley (11,540 ft / 3517 meters.), Dison (10,330 ft / 3149 meters.) Altitude gain: Dawar to Gurez Valley (3680 ft / 1121 meter.), Gurez Valley to Dison (1210 ft / 368 meters.) Trek Grade: Gradual – Moderate As we begin the trek today, a nutritious breakfast will be provided. The trek today will gradually increase in height. You will start the trek on the trail surrounded by meadows and then enter the pine forest, which is relatively dense. After crossing the zig-zag climb of the pine forest, you will reach Gurez Valley. The viewpoint from there is just 15 minutes away from where you will catch sight of Habba Khatoon Mountain and various villages on the LOC dividing India and Pakistan. After witnessing the beauty, you will descend and pass through shepherds’ huts, after which lies the camping site, Dison.

Stay: overnight stay at the campsite; meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner Trek Distance: 8 km, Time Taken: approx. 6 hrs. Altitude: Dison (10,330 ft / 3149 mtr.), Khaari (11,299 ft / 3444 mtr.) Altitude gain: 969 ft / 295 meters. Trek Grade: Gradual – Moderate Having a hot cup of tea and watching the sun’s magic turn the green mountains into the glow of gold is the best sight to start the day. Once you have begun your trek from Dison, you will descend toward Dawar. From Dawar, you will then walk till you see shepherds’ huts. After the shepherd’s huts army camp will be visible. You will walk to the army camp. From there, the trek leads to Patalwansar Pass. Finally, you will reach Khaari, surrounded by small boulders.

Stay: overnight stay at the campsite; meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner Trek Distance: 8 km, Time Taken: approx. 6 hrs. Altitude: Khaari (11,299 ft / 3444 meters.), Patalwansar Lake I (12,640 ft / 3853 meters.), Patalwansar Lake II (12,780 ft / 3895 meters.) Altitude gain: Khaari to Patalwansar Lake I (1341 ft / 409 meters.), Patalwansar Lake I to Patalwansar Lake II (140 ft / 42 meters.) Trek Grade: Moderate – Difficult With a warm breakfast in your stomach, you can now start the little arduous trek today. The trail will begin with massive boulders. You have to walk on them to cross. After crossing the boulders, you will reach a point in the mountain from where one trail leads to Patalwansar I and another to Patalwansar II. You will first go towards the Patalwansar I trail from there, and then you will proceed to the viewpoint; after you have reached the perspective and seen the lake, you will then move on the trail towards Patalwansar II, which is at an ascend. After taking in the scenic view of Patalwansar II, you will descend to Patalwansar I, where you will be camping for the night.

Stay: overnight stay at the campsite; meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner Trek Distance: 12 km, Time Taken: approx. 7 hrs. Altitude: Patalwansar Lake I (12,640 ft / 3853 meters.), Dison (10,330 ft / 3149 meters.) Altitude difference: 2310 ft / 704 meters. Trek Grade: Gradual – Moderate Today’s trek will be long, as you will be walking a distance of almost 12 km. The trek will begin from Patalwansar and pass through the boulders surrounding Khaari. From Khaari, you will pass through grassland until you reach the Dison campsite.

Stay: no stay Meal: Breakfast, Lunch Trek Distance: By Trek – 3 hrs and by road 6 hrs, Time Taken: By Trek – approx. 5 km and by road – 141 km Altitude: Dison (10,330 ft / 3149 meters.), Dawar (7860 ft / 2396 meter.), Srinagar (5200 ft / 1585 meters.) Altitude difference: Dison to Dawar (2470 ft / 753 meters.), Dawar to Srinagar (2660 ft / 811 meters.) Trek Grade: Moderate – Difference Today you will be trekking to the last campsite, which will be more complicated than other trails. You will climb down the trail and pass through boulders and pine trees. As you cross the pine trees, you will start seeing Dawar campsite. Upon reaching Dawar, you will be driven to Srinagar. In Srinagar, our trek leader will bid you farewell, and from there, you will be on your own and decide where you want to travel.

Ans: 1 The Gurez Valley Trek or the Patalwan Lakes Trek starts from Dawar town. Dawar is small town is located in the Gurez Tehsil of Bandipora district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is about 140 Kms from Srinagar city and takes about 5-6 hours to reach by road. We will arrange a comfortable car pick up for you from a designated point in Srinagar, which will directly transfer you to the base camp of the trek. At the end of the trek, we will again arrange transport to drop you back to Srinagar.

Ans: 2 The nearest motorable town for the Gurez Valley Trek is Dawar village.

Ans: 3 The Gurez Valley Trek starts from and ends at Dawar, which is the headquarters of the region. It is perfectly safe and secure especially with the presence of a huge Army brigade in the town and multiple army camps and posts all around the valley. The Army is on very good terms with the local population, always providing much-needed assistance with medical and other emergencies, especially in the harsh winter months. As the region opens up now after being off-limits for many years, the hospitable and friendly locals are welcoming more and more trekkers and visitors every year. This not only has boosted the local economy, providing a good source of employment to local homestays, guides, porters and other service provides but has also offered adventure enthusiasts a chance to experience an unexplored wonderland.