Razdan Pass Gurez Valley

An uphill journey from Bandipur to Razdan pass 3300m has a breathtaking view points where one can stop for a photo shot.Shrine of Peer Bubo atop Razdan pass is looked after by the army regiment on duty in the Gurez region. The saint had come from Lahore in 1933 and was buried at Razdan pass.

People of Gurez valley are Dards, they speak Sheena language and have their ancestral connection with Gilgit valley now in Pakistan. The feature and attire of the Dards are similar to Kashmiri people of mountain region. Though Gurez is a far flung area but the people of the Dard race have uplifted themselves by the hard work and proper education. Dard women are fair with athletic built, who spend the summer in collecting wood from mountains for the harsh winter; when it is impossible to move in 20 feet out side.

The trekking Routes from Gurez and Tilel lead upto Gangabal and Sonamorg to its east and Drass , Dahanu and Zanskar to its north.

The Kishen Ganga river in Gurez offers easy level of stream for Rofting and tough ones from Tilel. Some of the mountains have absolutely challenging scope for Rock Climbing.Trout fishing is a frequent sport among locals who through in a line to get descent meal for the day. Anglers con be delighted to catch a brown trout in the Kishen Ganga River or the streams coming down from the mountains. Gurez has lovely compsites where the tents can be pitched near the river.

20 km from Gurez ,the awesome villages of Tilel have log wood houses which perfectly add to the magnificent view of mountains full of pine and fir trees. The road from Gurez to Tilel is just 7 years old, which has been extended upto Drass in Kargil region. The rugged and tough life of people of Tilel can make a visitor to contribute for promotion of the destination in one way or the other.

For 7 hours journey Srinagar-Gurez, one has to take the Sumbal-Bandipur road. Bandipur town at a distance of 58 km offers spectacular view of famous Manasbal and Wular Lake. An uphill journey from Bandipur to Razdon pass 3300m has a breathtaking view points where one can stop for a photo shot.Shrine of Peer Bubo atop Razdon pass is looked after by the army regiment on duty in the Gurez region. The saint had come from Lahore in 1933 and was buried at Razdan pass.

The down hill road from Razdan reaches to the small village of Kunzalwan ,where border is just across the hills. The a famous tributary of Jhelum / Kishan Ganga river with a length of 180 miles ,rises in extreme eastern Tilel and flows westwards joined by Raman Sind and Burzil stream . Kishen ganga river starts and re-enters to Pakistan via Gurez valley. A plain road journey of more than an hour makes a way to the most spectacular view of Habba Khatoon peak (a limestone mountain) in Gurez.

SRTC & private bus service are available from Sringar to Bandipore through the day. Whereas early morning bus service upto Gurez is available from Bandipur town. The Jeep type vehicles are available at Taxi stands from Srinagar and Bandipore. The Gurez-bandipur road remains closed during the winter due to heavy snow fall in the hills.

For a 3to6 days tour to Gurez, arrangements can be made at tourists office Srinagar Tented accommodation to be arranged from Srinagar is the only option available for night stays in Gurez can be arranged for stay in Gurez valley Gurez valley The assistance of a registered travel agent of Kashmir is strongly recommended.

(source: jktourism.org)