So, you are planning to visit Bangus Valley? Be ready for the exquisite beauty these virgin meadows offer you in their natural, syncretic and simple way. Bangus valley – constituted by the two meadows called “Boud Bangus” (Big Bangus) and “Lokut Bangus” (Small Bangus) – is one of the offbeat places located in the border district of Kupwara, almost 3 hour visit from Srinagar. It is known for basic natural beauty without any human intervention whatsoever, along with trekking, photography and wildlife.
By Air: Srinagar is connected with air travel with all the major cities of the country. You can book your tickets and reach Srinagar via Air.
By Road: Srinagar is also accessible by road. The distance from Dehli to Srinagar is 876 Kilometers and 256 kilometers from the nearest city of Jammu. From Srinagar, you can take two roads that lead to Bangus Valley.
Srinagar > Kupwara > Chowkibal > Bangus Valley
Srinagar > Handwara > Bangus Valley.
Bangus Bike Rental: Enjoying the roadside beauty of Bangus valley can be more beautiful on a bike. The bike makes the travel more beautiful and makes the Tripmore memorable.
Bangus valley is situated near the border. It is located at a distance of almost 130 kilometers from Lal Chowk, Srinagar. The time taken via Kupwara is almost 4 to 5 Hours.
Kupwara to Bangus: During the peak season, Sumo Stand Kupwara has a special Cab Service via Chowkibal. This will take almost 2 hours from Kupwara to Bangus.
From Handwara, take another shared cab that will take you to Bangus via Reshwari and Qalamabad. It will take you almost 2 hours to reach Bangus Valley.
Bangus valley is an offbeat place that offers you some mesmerizing beautiful landscapes, mountain peaks, meadows and water streams. Following is the list of activities of activities you can enjoy in Bangus Valley
Trekking/Hiking: Bangus valley is a heaven for trekking and hiking. It is safe, beautiful and not so difficult terrain makes it a likeable place for trekking. You can hike to following places from Bangus:
Camping at Bangus Valley: Staying in Bangus overnight is one of the most divine experiences that must be enjoyed. In the middle of the Bangus valley – a vast meadow with forests on the sides – a camp can be of insurmountable happiness along with a bonfire. Camping will also allow you to enjoy stargazing, giving you the experience of Northern Lights.
Sunrise/Sunset View Points in Bangus Valley: Bangus Valley gives one of the most unique Sunrise and Sunset Points. Bangus is almost at an altitude of 10000 feet above sea level, the sunrise and sunset are of divine beauty. There are specific points where you can sit, relax and enjoy the crimson red Sunrise or Sunset.
Fishing in Bangus Valley: the Bangus valley has multiple streams of water flowing through it or adjacent to it. This is one of most pure form of water coming directly from the glaciers upwards. Fishing can also be enjoyed with Trout and Mahseer finding their home in those streams.
Wildlife Watching in Bangus Valley: Wildlife Watching is also possible at the Bangus Valley’s higher reaches. This area of the valley usually hosts Snow Leopard, Kashmiri Bear and Kashmiri Reindeer. A guided tour can certainly help in finding those animals.
Horse Riding in Bangus Valley: Horse riding can be one of the most sports here in Bangus Valley. The locals’ train the horses not be wild and rough and take the tourist from one side of the meadow to another.
Bangus Tourist Mela: Bangus Mela is one of the unique festivals that happen in Bangus Valley every year. It is celebrated around the month of August to bring the local culture together and give a lifelong memory to all the tourists. This includes stalls ranging from local food to health camps and other artifacts unique to the valley of Bangus and adjacent areas.
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There are no permanent buildings in Bangus valley. The nearest place where you can stay is Reshwari Guest House, almost 15 kilometers from Bangus or Kupwara rest house which is almost 35 kilometers from Bangus Valley
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The best mode of transport to reach Bangus valley is to book cab in Srinagar. As a tourist, you are tempted to stop at different places where the local cab would not. So to make your journey memorable and enjoying, rent a cab here.
Apart from Major Bada Bangus and Lokut Bangus in the Bangus valley, you can also enjoy the following places:
Hoshar Ground: Hoshar Ground is a meadow covered with serene grass almost 5 kilometers from Reshwari. This is a non-hilly place with vast sheep herds adding to the nature.
Reshwari Stream: Reshwari Stream is a fast stream flowing adjacent to the road leading to Bangus. This stream is known for its sound and pure water. You can also go swimming in this stream.
Kashtaward: Kashtaward is a small helmet almost 3 kilometers from Reshwari. It is known for its beauty along with small huts (called Dhoks) and flowing water.
Bangus valley is also a road to Peer Ki Gali. Read more about Peer ki Gali here
The best season to visit Bangus Valley is summer. In summer the temperature becomes stable around 20 to 30 degrees creating an ease for the visitors. The hills clear and the meadows become more receptive and warm. The Bangus Tourist Mela also takes place in the summer season, with horse riding and hiking being possible.
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The best month to visit Bangus Valley is August and September. In August the snow on the lower meadow clears up and the tourism starts. It begins with small picnics to the lower meadows of Nilwan and Chota Bangus with gradual visits to Bada Bangus and treks to upper Trans-Himalayan Mountains.
In September, the beauty of Bangus Valley is at its peak. In this month, the unique flowers on Lashar hills blossoms and wildlife can also be seen. In this month, the weather is usually stable and the roads become accessible to Bangus Valley. Activities like trekking, Camping, Stargazing are done in the month of September
No, the mobile networks do not work in Bangus valley. There is a weak signal at certain points but as such there is no proper sustained signal in the Bangus Valley. Mobile Internet also doesn’t work in the Bangus Valley.
Bangus valley is an offbeat place without any mobile connectivity or Medical Services. You should take extra caution while visiting Bangus Valley. Following is a list of items you should carry with you on your visit to Bangus Valley:
Extra Batteries: Bangus Valley doesn’t have any electricity. So, for your cameras or phones, carry extra batteries
there is no bank or ATM Services in Bangus Valley. The nearest ATM is located almost 25 kilometers in Qalamabad Area
There is no Hospital in Bangus Valley. The nearest Hospital is in Qalamabad and the nearest Health Centre is in Lawoosa, almost 20 kilometers from Bangus Valley.
Visiting Bangus Valley, you just need to make an entry at the Tourist Check Post, in Mawer area or Chowkibal area if you’re travelling from Kupwara. Travelling to this Valley is safe, enjoyable and protected.
No, the pass is not required to visit the Bangus Valley during the peak summer. However, during winters, you need to register yourself at Tourist Check Posts of Mawer (if you go from Handwara) or Chowkibal (if you go from Kupwara) at the time of visit
We visited Bangus in the beginning of August. August is the beginning of the beautiful summer to be enjoyed at Bangus Valley. We left at 6.00 am in the morning from Handwara. Around 6.30 we reached Qalamabad where we packed some water, Snacks and Cash. Leaving from there we parked our car at the entry of Bada Bangus. From there we packed our gear and started our trek of the Lashar Mountain. After hours of consistent climbing our feet gave up and we stopped for a rest. We enjoyed the view from the Lashar Mountain and enjoyed the company of some beautiful and unique flowers. After that we trekked again for some 50 minutes and reached the Peak of Lashar Mountain. There we sat down for some time to process the completely natural beauty of Bangus as seen from Lashar Peak. After some time we came down from the place and entered the boud Bangus to enjoy our lunch. An outdoors lunch in a vast meadow next to a flowing stream was beautiful beyond expression.
Towards the end of the day we enjoyed some beautiful nun chai with maki ki roti at a local chai tapri. After that we spread out camping tents and made a bonfire to cook our dinner. After dinner, the temperature dripped and we sat around to enjoy some star gazing. Star gazing during the night is a view both for the eyes as well as the camera.
Next day we had trekking plans but they got washed out with the advent of midnight rain and forced us to stay indoors. Around 11 in the day the sun came out and we went to visit the Lokut Bangus, enjoying some horse riding and natural trampoline, we concluded our trip at around 5 in the evening.
Bangus Valley is a high altitude valley so its weather is always cold. During summers the weather goes up to 31 degrees and comes down to even 15 degrees during the night. During winters, the Valley is covered with snow and is mostly inaccessible. The highest during winters is 0 degrees and can come down as -15 during snow. Bangus Valley isn’t advised for winters as there is no road connectivity due to the falling of snow.
You will need permission from local authorities to fly a drone in Bangus Valley. Bangus Valley is close the LAC so there are precautions that need to be addressed.
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Yes, staying at Bangus Valley for night is not only safe but recommended. At night the beauty of the Bangus is at its peak, and only way to enjoy its sunrise/sunset.
The Bangus Valley is located at a height of 10000 feet above sea level. It is an offbeat location to enjoy during summers
Bangus Valley is located in the frontier district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, meadows and forests
No, you don’t permission to visit Bangus Valley. Off season, you will need to register at an army check post but you don’t need a prior permission
Summer is the best season to visit Bangus Valley. The virgin meadows and forests are accessible and enjoyable during summerThe upper peaks of Bangus have snow throughout the year but the meadows and valley do not have snow during summers
The upper peaks of Bangus have snow throughout the year but the meadows and valley do not have snow during summers
The nearest fuel station to Bangus Valley is Chotipora, Handwara approximately 35 kilometers from Bangus Valley
The nearest fuel station to Bangus Valley is Chotipora, Handwara approximately 35 kilometers from Bangus Valley
Bangus Valley is not far from LOC. The upper reaches of Bangus Valley are restricted because they are quite touching the LOC.
To Book Taxi service for Bangus Valley all you have to do is contact Tripmore on 7051909192. Tripmore is the most trusted taxi and tour package service in Jammu and Kashmir
Yes, Junk food and Snacks are available at Bangus valley. However, food and eateries are not available.
Bangus Valley is located at a distance of almost 128 kilometers from Srinagar
Bangus Valley is at a distance of 40 kilometers from Kupwara
Bangus Valley is at a distance of 35 kilometers from Handwara.
Bangus Valley is famous for its untouched meadows, water streams, Wildlife and Natural trampoline
Yes, Bangus Valley is the most pristine offbeat places in Kashmir Valley. It is known for its vast meadows, fresh fauna, and wildlife, trekking and camping
Bangus Valley can be reached by Handwara and Kupwara. A Cab service is available from Srinagar to take you to Kupwara and/or Handwara
