Best time to Visit Gurez Valley – Month, Season, Snow, Road

by Vargis.Khan

Best time to Visit Gurez Valley

Gurez Valley is one of the least explored regions of Kashmir. It is also one of the most beautiful ones and presents a different color in each season. The months of May, June, and September can be called the best time to visit Gurez Valley but will this suit you as well? Read on to find out.

Gurez Valley was recently opened for tourists. People have started visiting here but the number is still not that high. Most of the tourists visiting Kashmir still keep their itineraries limited to places like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Only a handful will plan to venture in the direction of Gurez.

But if you are someone who likes to visit offbeat destinations and places that almost never get crowded, Gurez valley is perfect for you. It is slowly getting developed as a tourist destination and I am sure that in the coming years, will become a much sought-after destination.

If you want to know details like how to reach Gurez, where to stay, and what to see, please take a look at How to Plan a Trip to Gurez Valley. For information on when will be a good time to go to Gurez, please continue reading further.

For getting the best hotel rates, and taxi charges, and to organize your trip to Kashmir, you can speak with Kunal @ 9910 402 252. Give him my reference and you will surely get a discounted rate.

About Gurez Valley

Gurez is a valley located in the Bandipora district of Kashmir. The small town of Dawar is pretty much the heart of the valley where you will find all the basic amenities like hotels, banks, schools, and a market.

The valley is divided into two districts. The area between Razdan Pass and Dawar is known as Dawar District. Beyond that, the region between Dawar and Chakwali is known as the Tilel district.

The majority of the tourists will travel from Srinagar to Dawar, stay there overnight, and return to Srinagar the next day. But if you could add another day, you can extend your stay in Gurez and go sightseeing in Tilel as well.

You should keep in mind though that Gurez remains closed during winter after it starts to snow at Razdan Pass. During this time, there is absolutely no way to enter the valley by road. For a winter trip, you will have to board a helicopter from either Srinagar or Bandipora.

When is the Best time to Visit Gurez Valley?

The months of April and September are the best time to visit Gurez Valley. This is when the weather here is most pleasant and enjoyable. To see snow, you can plan a trip in January and February but will have to reach Gurez by Air.

You can visit in May and June as well but in these months, the weather here turns surprisingly hot. The sun will be so harsh that you will not be able to enjoy sightseeing during the day.

Monsoon hits the region in July and it continues to rain until the first week of September. You can plan a road trip in these months but will have to check the weather and ensure that there is no heavy snowfall predicted.

The road to Gurez Valey remains open in October as well but it is not considered a safe time because Razdan Pass becomes prone to snowfall at this time which may result in a temporary road closure.

For a family trip, you should plan for April and September. If you were into photography, I will recommend September, the post-monsoon season.

Also Read: What to See in Gurez Valley

Gurez Valley in Winter

If you want to visit Gurez Valley in Winter, the only way to approach is by Helicopter from Srinagar or Bandipora. Tickets can be booked at either TRC Srinagar or DC office in Bandipora.

As tourism in Gurez continues to increase, hotels also now remain operational in the winter months. You can play around in the snow and even enjoy winter sports like Skiing.

The fare per person for a helicopter ride to Gurez is Rs. 3,000 per person from Srinagar and Rs. 2,000 per person from Bandipore.

gurez valley in winter

Weather of Gurez

Due to its high altitude, the weather of Gurez remains cold throughout the year. Even in the months of summer, you will still need a blanket to sleep in for the night and a light jacket or woolens for the day.

From January to March, the entire area remains buried deep under snow. Spring arrives in April and the snow starts to melt post which the road gets opened sometime in May.

Until September, the weather remains pleasant and then starts to get cold again in October. Come November, it can snow here anytime blocking the road at Razdan Pass.

Keeping the above facts in mind, you cannot actually visit here by road before at least April and after November. Your trip thus would have to be from May till October.

Below is how the weather trends throughout the year to help decide the best time to visit Gurez Valley for you.

Gurez Valley in January

The average temperature during this time is around 0 degrees Celsius. Nights will be extremely cold with temperatures ranging between 0 to -10 Degrees Celsius.

The day temperature will be around 5 Degrees Celsius on average. Heavy snowfall is expected and roads remain closed. Reaching by Helicopter is the only way to get to Gurez at this time.

Gurez Valley in February

Weather conditions will be the same as in January. Snow on the ground however will even be greater in February. Roads will remain blocked and the average temperature will fluctuate between -10 to 5 Degrees Celsius. This is a  good time to enjoy Skiing and other winter sports.

Also Read: Hotel Review – Kaka Palace, Gurez

Gurez Valley in March

Snow will start to melt. The average temperature will rise to about 5 Degrees. Nights will still remain close to 0 degrees Celsius.

By end of March, the noon temperature will be around 10 Degrees Celsius. Chances of snowfall will still remain and the road will still be closed at Razdan Pass.

razdan pass

Gurez Valley in April

Spring arrives and the weather starts to turn pleasant. Snow will continue to melt and restrict itself to the top of the peaks. From lower areas, it will mostly be all gone.

The average temperature will rise to 10-15 – 20 Degrees during the day and around 0 to 5 Degrees Celsius at night. The weather in April is very pleasant overall. It will still be a bit cold but the kind that makes you feel good and comfortable.

Razdan Pass is declared open in April and the valley will become accessible by road as well.

Gurez Valley in May

This is when things here start to heat up. You will actually be surprised at how hot it gets here during the day. The sun will be very harsh, like the way it is in places like Ladakh and Spiti.

The average temperature will be about 20 Degrees Celsius during the day. The nights however will still be cold at around 5 to 10 degrees.

best time to visit gurez

Gurez Valley in June

The weather in June will be very much the same as in May but even hotter. Towards the end of June, the temperature may even rise to 30 degrees during noon and dip down to 15 degrees at night. I will highly recommend bringing sunscreen lotion at this time.

Gurez Valley in July

Monsoon arrives in the region in July. The weather will continue to remain hot during the day and pleasant at night. The temperature will average out at around 25 degrees Celsius but nights will still be cold.

Whatever little rain Gurez gets makes traveling here even more difficult. The roads in the valley are all dirt which would turn into slush if it rained. On the positive side though, the monsoon will also bring lush green valleys all around.

Gurez Valley in August

The average temperature will still be around 30 Degrees with a high chance of rainfall as well. The first time I was in Gurez was in the month of August. We spent 2 nights there and it rained heavily on both nights.

Gurez Valley in September

The weather will start to turn a bit cold in September but more of a pleasant cold rather than a harsh one. Towards the beginning of the month, the temperature will average at around 15 Degrees Celsius but will drop down to 10 by end of the month.

Roads will remain open still. Monsoon will be gone but green will still remain in plenty which makes it a perfect time for photography.

best time to visit gurez valley

Gurez Valley in October

Autumn arrives in October and also marks the beginning of the winter season. All the lush green left behind by the monsoon season will turn Orange and the valley will start to look like gold.

The average temperature will drop to about 10 degrees Celsius during the day. Nights will be at an average of around 0 degrees Celsius.

Gurez Valley in November

Vistas will turn a bit dry and dull in November. The weather will be extremely cold with an average temperature of around 5 Degrees Celsius.

There will be chances of snowfall in the upper areas and the nights will start to turn extremely cold. By end of November, the temperature will drop below 0 Degrees Celsius at night. Razdan Pass will get snowed out and the valley will no longer be accessible by road.

Gurez Valley in December

By December, it will start to snow in lower areas as well. The average temperature will drop down to around 0 Degrees Celsius with nights freezing at -5 degrees. Even some of the locals in these months move to other parts of Kashmir, like Srinagar, looking for work and to escape the harsh cold weather of Gurez.

Best Time to Visit Gurez Valley – Conclusion

Keeping all of the above in mind, the best time to Gurez valley will be anywhere between the months of April and September. The roads during this time remain open and the weather will be very pleasant.

If however, you want to see a Gurez buried under several feet of snow, then you can try reaching here by Helicopter either in the month of January or February.

I hope the information above on the best time to visit Gurez Valley was of help.  If you have any questions, you can contact me on Instagram and I will be happy to answer. You can also consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a question there.

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38 comments

SK May 18, 2023 - 11:01 am

Hi,
Thanks for such a vivid and informative post on Gurez Valley. I read your other posts on the same topic. Awesome coverage!

I believe you traveled to Gurez on your bike. I plan to drive there from Srinagar in late May or early June. (actually, Chandigarh-Srinagar-Gurez). How would be the road condition? Will it be difficult to drive to Dawar? I drove to Manali several times but have no idea about driving in Kashmir!

Your suggestions would be appreciated.

Reply
Sushil chhabra February 20, 2023 - 12:43 pm

Mr. Khan we are a senior citizen couple from delhi we traveled a lot we drive own car in 2023 sept we wanted to travel gurez but at sonmarg stay hotel owner discouraged us and instead we directed to leh .
Is itgood to drive in March 1st week any snow obstacles during that time. ?
Please suggest

Reply
Vargis.Khan February 21, 2023 - 12:19 pm

Hello Mr. Chhabra – It will be better to plan in April first week or toward the end of March

Reply
Jayeeta Bhattacharya March 8, 2023 - 3:53 am

Did you visit Gurez and stay a night there? How much was the taxi fare? If reasonable can you provide us with phone number and name of driver? Name also of resort or hotel where you stayed?

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Kashmira Majumder October 10, 2022 - 6:15 pm

Want to visit gurez in 1st week of November..I travel solo..is it advisable going that time…also is it safe to travel solo there

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Mayur September 6, 2022 - 6:57 pm

Dear sir,
We will visit 27 October to 29 October gurez vally, it’s is safe or not, 1 couple and 2 child.
We booked hotel. This time is okay please give me reply

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 7, 2022 - 3:48 am

It is a bit late to be traveling by the road Mayur and it wont even be that scenic in October. Razdan Pass may get snowed out and if it happened while you were in Gurez, you will get stranded there.

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Dr. Imbichi Mohammad September 5, 2022 - 7:32 am

Two weeks before I visited Kashmir including srinagar, pahalgam, dhood pathri etc. Your informations and recomandations was very useful. we enjoyed a lot. Thank you very much. we were not able to visit gureiz. Can I visit gureiz in october middle. is it safe and fully open the roads and comfortable. Can you please advise

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Vargis.Khan September 5, 2022 - 3:11 pm

You can visit in early October if you want to go by road. After that, it may snow at Razdan Pass anytime

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Niranjan May 21, 2023 - 5:35 pm

1st week of October gurez Valley visit possible?
From Srinagar taxt fare?
How many days this tour?
Hotel stay some name of hotel fooding and lodging?

Reply
Saikat Mitra May 29, 2022 - 7:17 pm

Dear,
Vargis Khan, we are planning to go Gurez on 30th September to 1st October.
Is it a good time?
I am a big fan of your blog

Reply
Subhankar Paul May 26, 2022 - 7:21 am

I am planning a family trip ( 3 adults) in Gurez for 3/4 Nights. No treking. Please suggest some places to stay apart from Dawar

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Tabassum October 4, 2023 - 8:51 am

Hi is it right time to visit Gurez now is it too cold is it in comparison to pahalgam and is lakes full in gurez

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Raj Trivedi May 25, 2022 - 4:37 pm

Planning to come to Gurez in February, Any chances of snowfall?

Reply
Sarbjeet Dhiman May 8, 2022 - 6:31 am

Hi,
We’re planning to visit Gurez valley in Mid of July , how are the rains that time ,. Will it b difficult to travel around.

Reply
Vargis.Khan May 10, 2022 - 7:43 am

It really depends on the weather but you should expect some rain at that time.

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Vidya March 9, 2022 - 4:33 pm

Hi
We are a group of 5 ladies travelling to kashmir in april 2022….planning gurez on the 28 th and 29 th of April…will gurez be scenically beautiful at this time?
Also you have mentioned cost of taxi from srinagar to gurez is 5000….the driver we are in touch with says 9000

Reply
Vargis.Khan April 8, 2022 - 6:54 am

Hi Vidya – Yes, Gurez valley will be very scenic in April. The cost I mentioned was actually from a couple of years ago, I have updated that information now.

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Gaurav Mehta October 8, 2021 - 9:11 pm

Hello! I am thinking of leaving for Gurez from Srinagar in mid-October. How many days do you think I should spend in Gurez? Are shared taxis available from Srinagar?

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Rahul Chaudhary September 14, 2021 - 11:38 am

Bhai when are you visitng gurez in september? i am solo rider riding from delhi. lets meetup in bandipora. plz connect with me on 9716577755.

Reply
Amit Chakraborty June 10, 2021 - 3:40 pm

Sir, I want to visit kashmir along with gurez valley. However my service will not permit such visit from March to mid May.I am in a dialema as when to make the visit to cover normal tourist attractions as well as gurez.

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Vargis.Khan June 12, 2021 - 11:40 pm

June is a good time to go Amit Bhai

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Sobin Chandran September 5, 2021 - 5:51 am

Thank you so much for an awesome post. Sir is it fine to go to gurez in a two wheeler, october first week

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Nemai Hazra February 8, 2021 - 10:01 pm

Hi i am nemai hazra from kolkata , interested to visit gurez valley in september. But there is no option to stay there in budget accomodation and budget packege. Because we are only two person. Please guide us.

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Mudasir August 29, 2021 - 11:45 am

there are now several hotels and houses on rent… further the inhibited areas are spread so you won’t go through any problem…

I am also planning to visit this beautiful valley 2nd time in September

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Zeeshan Khan July 8, 2019 - 3:40 am

Hi,

Do you have any leads for the helicopter service operators? I highly doubt that it would still be available at 3000 per person Srinagar-Gurez. As I searched over internet I am getting very high rates and the availability is only for full helicopter basis. Any contacts would be very helpful.

Reply
Vargis.Khan July 8, 2019 - 5:48 am

Sorry Zeeshan. I do not have any contacts for Helicopter services. It is mostly in service in winter season when the locals use it for commute. After the road is open, locals have no need for it and only interested tourists will seek for it which will not be many. Majority of the people would look forward to traveling by road. And that is the reason why they are asking you to book the entire chopper.

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ZEESHAN KHan July 8, 2019 - 5:50 am

Thanks, that makes sense. Anyways I will be riding my motorcycle but just thought of exploring this option too. 😉

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Vargis.Khan July 8, 2019 - 6:04 am

You are welcome. The rate I mentioned is applicable for winter season because at that time, you cannot reach Gurez by road and they cannot charge way too much money from the local villagers. Once the road is open, everyone opts to make the journey by road, including the tourists so the chopper service is almost shut down at this time.

Secondly, tourists in Gurez are almost next to none. It is remote Kashmir and no one goes that way really. The army guys were shocked to see me riding around my bike there and even mocked me to think of the place as tourist worthy. A place where they were posted against their wish with their lives hanging in the balance.

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Sonali Agarwal August 24, 2021 - 3:08 pm

Hi, will it be safe to go to Gurez as a solo female traveller? I really want to go there

Jouhara ahamed June 8, 2019 - 4:48 pm

Hi, my name is jouhara from kerala. Will it be safe to travel to ghrezin the first week of December with a 4 year old kid?

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Vargis.Khan June 8, 2019 - 8:09 pm

Gurez valley remains closed in December. You can only get there by a Helicopter in winters.

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Rafiq June 8, 2021 - 4:24 pm

Yes why not

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Mudasir August 29, 2021 - 11:49 am

thanks dear for this valuable information.
though I am from Bandipora but have visited the said place only once. Planning to visit in ensuing month of sep. as your blog said that temperature doesn’t vary too much in sep.

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Rahul Chaudhary September 14, 2021 - 11:38 am

Bhai when are you visitng gurez in september? i am solo rider riding from delhi. lets meetup in bandipora. plz connect with me on 9716577755.

Reply
Sama May 12, 2019 - 5:00 am

Hi, the information is most helpful. We are three women who want to travel to Gurez , end may …Is it safe ?

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Vargis.Khan July 8, 2019 - 5:45 am

Sorry I missed responding to your comment earlier. How was your trip?

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Rafiq June 8, 2021 - 4:27 pm

Yes cent per cent safe

Reply

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