Bangus Valley is a broad meadow valley in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, adjoining Lolab and about 160 kilometres from Srinagar. Grass, wildflowers and pine, ringed by ridges, with almost nothing built. That is the appeal and also the catch: there is no infrastructure, and heavy snow closes it through winter.
Duke Kashmir Travels is a Srinagar travel agency, registered with the J&K Department of Tourism as JKTA00003978 since 2011. North Kashmir days need planning and a long start; Kashmir packages begin near ₹6,350 per person, twin sharing.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- About 160 km from Srinagar, in Kupwara district.
- Adjoins the Lolab valley in the same district.
- Wide meadows with wildflowers in summer, pine and fir on the slopes.
- Very little tourism infrastructure — no hotels in the valley itself.
- Inaccessible in winter because of snow.
- A long day from Srinagar; better with a night in Kupwara.
What is Bangus like?
A wide, almost flat bowl of grassland at altitude, encircled by forested ridges, used by shepherds through the summer.
It is often compared with Gulmarg before development. Because nothing has been built, the whole valley reads as one landscape, which is exactly why photographers and walkers make the effort to get there.
When can you visit?
Roughly May to September. Snow closes the approach for the rest of the year.
Weather is changeable and there is no shelter, so carry layers, food and water. Mobile coverage is patchy at best.
How do you get there?
From Srinagar through Kupwara, about 160 kilometres, with the last stretch on rough road.
A high-clearance vehicle helps. Most guests combine it with the Lolab valley and stay a night in the district rather than trying to return the same evening. See Kashmir tour ideas for north Kashmir routes.
Booking this with us
Duke Kashmir Travels has held Department of Tourism registration JKTA00003978 since March 2011 and has been an IATO allied member since 2016. The full list of registrations sits on our About Us page.
Send your dates and traveller count and we will build the itinerary around it. Call +91 9018 44 0000, email info@dukekashmirtravels.com or use the contact page.
About the founder
Rayies Ahmad Zargar founded Duke Kashmir Travels in Srinagar in 2011 and still runs it. He co-founded the JK Tourism Council and reviews the guides published here, including this one. Profile on LinkedIn.