Gurez – A Hidden Gem

Travelling to places is something which we all like.  When life becomes monotonous, the zeal of living  goes missing. And to bring back the vigour, travelling is very much needed. In this segment, we will explore some offbeat and unexplored places in the World.

Gurez is a valley located in the high Himalayas; at a distance of about 123 kilometres from Srinagar, a 6 hours drive. At an average altitude of 8,000 feet, the valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. There you can see rich meadows, covered with lindens, walnut and willow tress and snow capped mountains.

After the Partition of India in 1947, Pakistan and India fought over the possession of Kashmir, that still remains one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. When in 1949, Kashmir was provisionally divided between the two countries, Gurez fell, on the Indian side of the border. Today, the de facto boundary is called the Line of Control. One of the most militarized frontiers on earth, it runs just a few miles north of Gurez, nearly parallel to it.

Gurez is surrounded by snow clad mountains from all sides. The road is very scenic with river and mountains following you. Gurez remains close for 6 months of the year due to heavy rainfall. A razor wire fence along the banks of the Kishenganga River is meant to stop infiltrators from Pakistan.  Currently no permit is required to drive to Gurez though, Indian Army will stop you at various points to check your papers as the place is managed by the Indian Army.

Gurez  has very limited accommodation – few rooms in Kaka Palace and few more in Gurez Retreat. Electricity is provided only for a few hours in the evening but that can’t just stop you from loving the place.

Gurez is indeed a hidden gem.