Experiencing the villages in Gurez feels less like a standard tourist visit and more like stepping into a forgotten era of the Himalayas. The moment you navigate past the main roads and walk among the interlocking wooden log houses of Tulail or Sheikhpora, it hits differently. It feels raw, genuine, and completely devoid of the commercialization that plagues other hill stations.
What makes it interesting is that the people here do not belong to mainstream Kashmiri culture. They are Dards, tracing their lineage back to ancient Indo-Aryan tribes. When you sit with a local family in their wooden home, you can actually see the distinctiveness in their facial features, hear the rhythmic Shina language, and understand how isolated and self-sufficient their lives have to be when the snow buries the valley for six months.
One fun fact people love:
Because they are cut off from the world for half the year, villagers dry wild vegetables, smoke meats, and bury potatoes under the earth during summer so they can survive the harsh, isolated winters.
Where in Gurez is it?
Spread across the valley, but the most authentic experiences are found as you drive deeper past Dawar into the Tulail Valley region.
How to reach:
You need a private taxi (preferably an SUV like a Sumo or Innova) to drive from Dawar to deeper villages like Purana Tulail or Sheikhpora.
Best time to visit:
June to September. During winter, these villages are entirely inaccessible to outsiders.
Best time of day:
Go mid-morning around 10 AM. The villagers are out tending to crops, children are playing, and the atmosphere is lively.
Entry fee:
No entry fee, but if a family hosts you for tea or food, it is customary to politely offer a small payment or bring gifts like fresh fruit from the city.
Commute difficulty:
Moderate. The roads beyond Dawar into Tulail are mostly dirt tracks and extremely bumpy.
Things nobody tells you about this place:
- The language is entirely different.
They speak Shina, not Kashmiri. However, most men and younger folks understand Urdu and basic Hindi. - Combine it with local tea sessions.
This is the real hack. Do not just walk around taking photos of their houses. Talk to the locals and pair the visit with a cup of Noon Chai (pink salty tea) and local Makai (corn) bread inside their warm kitchens. - Always ask before photographing people.
While tourists are welcomed warmly, the culture is conservative. Always take permission before clicking portraits, especially of women. - Facilities are practically zero.
There are no public restrooms or cafes in these deeper villages.