Skip to main content

"Gurez Valley: A Journey I’ll Never Forget"

 "Where the Road Ends, Gurez Begins. A Bike Ride into the Heart of Gurez Valley."


Some trips you plan for weeks. Others just happen — and they turn out even better. This was one of those trips.

It started with a plan by my friends Rashid and Faisal. They wanted to ride their bikes to Gurez Valley, a place tucked deep in the Bandipora district of Kashmir. The moment I heard about it, my heart skipped a beat. I had always dreamed of seeing Gurez, and here was my chance.

The Journey Begins

The next morning, I left my home in Rafiabad and reached Sopore, where Faisal was waiting with his bike. It was still early, the kind of morning where the air feels fresh and full of promise. From Sopore, we headed towards Bandipora — the starting point for anyone going to Gurez.

Once we reached Bandipora, we stocked up on some snacks and tea-making essentials. Our plan was to eat at Razdan Top, the high mountain pass that connects Bandipora with Gurez.

Climbing to Razdan Top

The road from Bandipora to Razdan is steep, climbing higher and higher with every turn. The scenery kept changing — from green fields to thick pine forests, and then to open slopes where the wind felt colder.


                  Razdan pass view I will remember for life

Just before reaching Razdan Top, we pulled over for a tea break. As we were setting up, two tourists from Kerala stopped at the same spot. They joined us, and over hot cups of tea, we talked about Kashmir’s beauty and the kindness of its people. They were amazed by how peaceful and stunning everything felt here.

On Top of the World

Razdan Top sits at about 14,000 feet. The moment we reached, the cold wind hit us hard, but so did the views. On one side, we could see the Bandipora valley far below, and on the other, the road winding down towards Gurez. The mountains stood tall and silent, as if guarding the valley beyond.

First Glimpse of Gurez

From Razdan, the road dropped steeply. Soon we entered Kanzalwan, a small village with a park where we stopped for pictures. From there, we rode straight to Dawar — the main town of Gurez Valley.


                     Kanzalwan side way park view 

Along the way, the Kishanganga River appeared, flowing beside the road. Its deep blue color didn’t seem real, almost like a painting. We couldn’t resist stopping by its bank. There, we unpacked our food and enjoyed it with the sound of rushing water all around us.


The Kabul Valley Detour

Our next target was Kabul Valley, about 60 km away from Dawar. On the way, we tried visiting Kilshi, a border village, but the BSF soldiers politely refused because of security rules. We carried on until we reached Gujran, where a local told us Kabul Valley was closed. It was a bit of a disappointment, but that’s how travel is sometimes — the unexpected changes the plan.


                      Evening view of valley

So we turned back to Dawar, found a small hotel, and checked in for the night. The room was simple, but warm. After a long day of riding, that was all we needed.

Morning in Gurez

The next day, we started early to visit Gurez View Point. From there, the whole valley stretched out below — green fields, the winding Kishanganga River, and snow-capped peaks in the distance.


                  Morning view from my window

Then we went to see Habba Khatoon Peak, named after the famous Kashmiri poetess.

                
                       Habba khatoon peak

 Right at the base of the peak, a stream gushed straight out from the rocks, crystal clear and ice-cold. It felt like nature itself was welcoming us.

Saying Goodbye

By noon, it was time to head back. We rode the same road in reverse, passing familiar bends and stopping again at Razdan Top for one last look. The valley slowly disappeared in the mirrors, but the peace we felt stayed with us. And at 7 pm I was at home with beautiful memories of GUREZ VALLEY.


                       The view point 

Some trips don’t end when you come back home. Gurez is one of them. The river, the mountains, the small villages — they stay in your heart like a beautiful memory.

Share if you really appreciate my efforts.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From ₹0 to ₹10,000 a Month – My Journey of Earning Online with Zero Skills

From ₹0 to ₹10,000 a Month – My Journey of Earning Online with Zero Skills No bullshit, real knowledge for free but read till end! There was a time when I felt like a total failure. No job. No income. No hope. I still remember the day I stared at my empty wallet, wondering if I would ever be able to support myself. I didn’t come from a rich background. I had no degree from IIT or IIM. Just an ordinary guy with a head full of dreams and a heart full of pain. But deep down, I had one thing: the will to try . The Turning Point One evening, I watched a motivational video that said something simple: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” That hit me. I had an old phone. A basic internet connection. And some free time. That was enough. So, I searched on Google: "How to earn money online in India with no experience" And that one search opened doors I never knew existed. What I Found – Real Ways to Earn Online Here are three things I tried — ste...
Post a Comment
Read more

Three Books Every Successful Leader Reads Once in a Lifetime

  Introduction: The Secret to Exceptional Leadership What separates an average leader from an extraordinary one? Some might say vision, others might say resilience. But if you study the lives of the most successful leaders in history—whether in business, politics, or social movements—you’ll find one common habit: they are relentless readers. Books hold the wisdom of centuries, distilled through the experiences of those who have led before us. The best leaders know that leadership is not just about power or influence—it’s about continuous learning, adaptability, and a deep understanding of people. In this blog, I will take you through three  books that have shaped the minds of the world’s most successful leaders . These are not just any books; they are time-tested guides that offer practical strategies, powerful insights, and life-changing lessons. Let’s begin with the first must-read book for every aspiring leader. 1. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R....
1 comment
Read more

If You’re Suffering Right Now, Read This Before Giving Up”

 If You’re Suffering Right Now, Read This Before Giving Up”        There’s something I want to tell you, and I hope you read this with your heart. If you’re suffering right now — emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually — I want you to pause for a second. Not to fix everything. Not to smile. Not to pretend it’s okay. Just to breathe. Just to remind yourself… You’re still here. And that means something. You Don’t Deserve the Pain, But You Can Still Rise From It Life can feel brutal sometimes. Maybe you’ve lost someone. Maybe you lost your job, your confidence, your dream… Or maybe you wake up every day fighting silent battles that no one sees — and it hurts more because the world still expects you to smile. I’m not going to throw fake positivity at you. Instead, I want to talk to the version of you that cries in silence. The version of you that feels like nothing is working, no matter how hard you try. Let me tell you something I wish someone told me whe...
2 comments
Read more