Gurez closes for winter: police ask tourists to leave, snow blankets Razdan Pass

What the advisory says

In a travel advisory, Bandipora Police asked tourists and visitors staying in Gurez Valley to leave by 10 November, citing the forecast of heavy snowfall and the risk that worsening weather could cut off road connectivity and leave travellers stranded. People planning to visit were told to postpone their trips.

The advisory covers more than holidaymakers: students with examinations, patients needing regular medical consultations, guests with weddings to attend and anyone with urgent or time-bound work was asked to plan ahead. Visitors were advised to travel in daylight, avoid unnecessary movement and stay in touch with the local police and administration. The Police Control Room Bandipora number for emergencies is 9596767430.

Snow has already started

On 11 November, fresh snowfall was reported on Razdan Pass, the 11,672-foot crossing that connects Gurez to Bandipora and the rest of the Kashmir Valley, and across the higher reaches of Tulail. Temperatures dropped sharply and roads turned slippery, making the crossing progressively harder. This is the usual annual pattern: once Razdan Pass is snowbound, Gurez stays cut off by road until the pass reopens in late spring.

What this means for your travel plans

1. Do not plan a Gurez trip this winter. With the police advisory in force and snow on Razdan Pass, the valley is effectively closed to tourists until the road reopens, typically around April-May. Homestays and camps also wind down for the season.

2. If you are still in the area, leave in daylight and stay in touch. Follow the police advisory: travel during the day, avoid unnecessary movement, and keep the Police Control Room Bandipora number (9596767430) saved.

3. Book Gurez for next season, early. Gurez's short season makes it one of Kashmir's fastest-selling summer trips. If the valley is on your list for 2027, plan for May to September and book stays well ahead.

A note from The Trip Keeper

Gurez rewards those who respect its calendar. The same snow that closes the valley is what keeps its meadows and the Kishanganga so pristine for the short summer. Plan it for next season, and when you go, keep a buffer day on either side of the Razdan crossing. The mountains set the schedule there, not us.

Last verified: 12 November 2026. Sources: Kashmir News Service (10 November 2026) and ETV Bharat (11 November 2026). Follow J&K Police and district administration advisories for current road status.