Tulail Valley-Hidden Gem in the Gurez Valley
Tulail valley Photos
Everything About Tulail Valley-"Kashmir’s Untouched Masterpiece"
There are valleys in Kashmir that entice you with their lively markets, hotels, and chatter, but there are also valleys like Tulail that feel empty, raw, and real. Tulail is deep inside Gurez Valley, and one of the most remote and spectacular places to visit in the Himalayas.
With pine forests falling into green pasture, turquoise rivers skimming over stone villages, and snow-filled mountains standing sentry; here, nature isn’t just there, it is alive. If Gurez is the head of northern Kashmir, Tulail is its most precious gem.
For decades, Tulail Valley was cut off from the rest of the world, only visited by locals and a few military conveys. Now, it is beginning to welcome visitors looking for an experience that won’t be the same as what they visit in the western world could offer.
Where is Tulail Valley?
Tulail is situated to the northeast of the Bandipora district and lies in the larger Gurez area which spans along the Line of Control (LOC). It is located at a height of approximately 8,000 – 9,000 feet surrounded by the great Himalayas and Karakoram ranges. The valley stretches for about 30 kilometers, dotted with small villages, and life in the valley flows at the same pace as the river that runs through it. The Kishanganga River flows gently along the valley floor, with pristine clean waters, feeding the fields, and running the lifeblood of the land.
A Valley Locked in Time
For the majority of its modern history, Tulail has been difficult to reach for travelers because of its location on the border and surrounding rough terrain. Even now, getting to Tulail is a journey unto itself: a journey with mountain roads that wind, snowcapped passes, and views that absolutely compel you to forget the journey.
This isolation has proved fairly fortuitous. Tulail has not been altered, as so many other mainstream tourist spots have, by commercialization, and those meadows are still grazed on by shepherds, some woods remain precisely that – woods, and it rivers remain unpolluted.
Why Tulail is Called a “Hidden Gem”
Scarcity to Find: Only a small fraction of travelers have experienced its breathtaking beauty.
Unspoiled Nature: Meadows, pine forests, and alpine lakes, with little to no tourist footprint.
Cultural Wealth: The Shina people are a Dardic speaking people with traditions that go back more than a thousand years.
Adventure Opportunities: It is perfect for trekkers, photographers and adventure travelers off the beaten track.
Best Time to Visit Tulail Valley
Although Tulail has a magical quality all through the year, access is only possible for about six months of the year owing to heavy snowfall.
May – September: Warm days, clear skies, and fully open roads. Meadows and wildflowers are at their finest.
October: Crisp air and brilliant autumn colours in the forests.
November – April: Roads blocked with snow and only locals and military can move in and out.
How to Reach Tulail Valley
Starting from Srinagar:
Distance: ~160 km
Route: Srinagar – Bandipora – Razdan Pass – Dawar (Gurez HQ) – Tulail
Time: ~8-9 hours depending on road and weather conditions.
Getting There:
Taxi – Private taxi from Srinagar (best for comfort and flexibility).
Jeeps – Shared jeeps operate from Bandipora to Gurez and onwards to Tulail.
Tours – Some adventure tours offer different options, including group off-road transport.
Key Stop – Razdan Pass:
At 11,672 feet, this pass is high and offers great views as it enters the Gurez Valley.
Main Attractions in Tulail Valley
1. Beautiful Villages:
Villages like Badugam, Sheikhpora, Purana Tulail and Chakwali have the traditional wooden houses, stone walls, and fields filled with wildflowers.
2. Views of the Kishanganga River:
The icy-blue waters of the Kishanganga river will accompany you on your travel in Tulail and reflect the mountains along the way.
3. Alpine Meadows:
In the summer, the meadows will be layered with buttercups, daisies, and blue poppies. A great spot for nature walks and a picnic.
4. Shina Culture:
The Shina speaking population wears traditional clothing, the customs are similar to Shina-speaking groups from Pakistan, and these customs have been passed down for centuries.
5. Unknown Treks:
This area has many routes entering remote valleys, high-altitude lakes, and trails used by shepherds not touristed by the masses.
Activities in Tulail to Engage with Nature
Activities to Enjoy in Tulail
Trekking: Easy day hikes, and multi day hikes that connect to Drass, and numerous other high valleys.
Camping: Camp next to the Kishnaganga river, or in the alpine meadows, in the cleanest night sky imaginable.
Fishing: Catching some trout in the Kishanganga will be available with permission from local authorities.
Photography: Landscapes, culture, and wildlife photography are all around you.
Cultural Exchange: Share some tea with the locals, try your hand at traditional weaving and listen to some folk songs.
Flora and Fauna
For its size, Tulail’s biodiversity is remarkable.
Flora: Pine, birch, and wild rose bushes, with alpine flowers like primulas and anemones.
Fauna: Brown bears (Himalayan), ibex, musk deer, marmots, and 70 plus species of birds, such as snow pigeons and Himalayan griffons.
Suggested 3-Day Tulail Itinerary
Day 1:
Leave Srinagar early, cross Razdan Pass, arrive in Dawar for lunch
Continue on to Tulail and settle into a homestay
Evening walk along River bank
Day 2:
Trek to nearby meadows and village
Picnic lunch in the alpine pastures
Bonfire and stargazing in the evening
Day 3:
Visit Chakwal, the last Indian village before the LoC
Return to Srinagar by evening
Local Cuisine Experience
Although Tulail does not have restaurants, there are local homestays providing superb meals.
- Kahwa (saffron green tea);
- Fresh trout cooked over a wood fire;
- Rogan Josh and Gushtaba prepared in the traditional manner;
- Home-made bread with homemade cream and honey.
Accommodation in Tulail
Homestays: Comfy and cosy, and rich in cultural interaction.
Camping: Summer being the perfect time for seasoned campers.
Dawar’s Guesthouses: Your stepping stone to adventures in Gurez and Tulail.
Travel Tips for Visiting Tulail Valley
- Take enough cash — there are no ATMs in Tulail.
- You need warm clothes, even on summer nights!
- There is no mobile network beyond Dawar, so make sure to tell family before you go.
- Respect border security; no photography is permitted by certain areas.
- Travel light, or bring medicine and snacks.
Why Tulail Stays Special
Tulail isn’t just lovely — it’s special. It is one of the last frontiers of untouched Himalayan adventure travel in Kashmir. The valley doesn’t only show you nature; it gives you the sense of living amongst it. Each bend in the road holds a view worthy of a fairy tale and every interaction with locals feels like meeting up with an old friend.
Here, you are simply not a tourist. You are part of a rhythm that doesn’t falter.
Conclusion – A Journey Worth Every Mile
Tulail Valley is one of those experiences that stays in your soul long after you’ve departed. It may have taken a long way, and there were some roads in need of repair, but the memories that Tulail gives you are priceless — pristine air so still you can hear the river breathe, bright starlit skies that let you trace parts of the Milky Way and the kind of hospitality that fills your soul with belonging.
In this never-ending age of expedited and commercialized travel, Tulail Valley takes you away from all of that and gives you something priceless — a chance to slow down, breathe and belong.
FAQs – Top 10 Questions About Tulail Valley
1. Where is Tulail Valley located?
It’s in the Gurez region of Bandipora district, northern Kashmir.
2. How far is Tulail from Srinagar?
About 160 km, taking 8–9 hours by road.
3. Best time to visit Tulail Valley?
May to September, when roads are open and meadows are in bloom.
4. Is Tulail safe for tourists?
Yes, but follow all security and border guidelines.
5. Can I visit Tulail in winter?
No, heavy snowfall blocks access for months.
6. Are there hotels in Tulail?
No hotels, but homestays and camping options are available.
7. What is the main language spoken?
Shina, along with Kashmiri and Urdu.
8. What is Tulail known for?
Pristine landscapes, traditional culture, and remoteness.
9. How do I reach Tulail from Gurez?
By road from Dawar, the main town in Gurez.
10. Do I need a permit to visit Tulail?
Indian citizens don’t need permits, but foreigners require special permission.