Travel My Country · max 12 trekkers per batch · Wilderness First Aid · permits filed · fixed Jun–Sep departures · +91-700 66 88 931

The Bangus Valley trek takes you to one of the least-visited meadow systems in Kashmir — a wide, open valley at 3,000–3,400 metres in Kupwara district, 25 km from the Line of Control, where the Indian Army was the only regular presence until civilian trekking was formally permitted in 2018. The valley splits into Lokut Bangus (the smaller meadow) and Bodh Bangus (the larger sister meadow), separated by a gentle ridge that takes about two hours to cross. The maximum altitude — Chowkibal Pass at 3,400 metres — is accessible to fit beginners and delivers a panoramic view of the Shamsbari range that most people in India will never see.

Our Bangus treks are led by Tanvir, who is from Reshwari village — the entry point for the valley. He grew up walking these meadows and knows the shepherd community that summers here. This matters on a trek like Bangus, where the route passes through active pastoral land and a guide who is known and trusted by the local community provides a different quality of experience to an outsider leading tourists through. The maximum group size is 12 trekkers; most batches run at 6–8.

Where is Bangus Valley

Bangus is in Kupwara district, accessed from Srinagar via Sopore → Handwara → Mawar → Reshwari village. The total drive from Srinagar to the trek start at Reshwari is approximately 130 km and takes 5 hours including the army permit registration stop at Handwara. The valley itself runs roughly north–south, with the Shamsbari range as its western wall and dense conifer forest covering its lower slopes. There are no permanent civilian settlements inside the meadow — only summer shepherd camps (dhodas) occupied from May through September.

Bangus Valley Trek Overview

Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Starting/ending point: Reshwari Village, Kupwara (~130 km from Srinagar)
Maximum altitude: 3,400 m / 11,150 ft (Chowkibal Pass)
Total trekking distance: ~36 km over 3 walking days
Difficulty: Moderate — suitable for fit beginners
Best season: June to early October
Price: ₹16,500 per person (all-inclusive)

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Srinagar to Reshwari + Trek to Lokut Bangus Base (6 km, 4 hours)

We depart Srinagar at 7 AM for the 5-hour drive to Reshwari, stopping at Handwara for army permit registration (approximately 30 minutes — carry your Aadhaar card). Lunch in Reshwari with a local family. The afternoon’s 6 km walk through dense conifer forest brings you to the first campsite at the base of Lokut Bangus meadow at 3,000 metres. The meadow comes into view abruptly as you emerge from the treeline — a classic Kashmir reveal, from close forest to open sky in a single step.

Day 2 — Lokut Bangus to Bodh Bangus (10 km, 6 hours)

The full crossing from the smaller Lokut Bangus to the larger Bodh Bangus covers 10 km of open meadow terrain. This is the most visually rewarding walking day — you are above the treeline for the entire day, with unobstructed views of the Shamsbari range and the open grassland rolling away in every direction. Wild horses graze in the Bangus meadows throughout the summer — semi-feral horses owned by Gujjar shepherd families and released to graze freely. Encountering a herd at close range in the middle of a vast meadow is one of the images guests consistently mention after the trek. In June, Tanvir will occasionally bring locally-foraged morels back to camp.

Day 3 — Bodh Bangus and Chowkibal Pass (12 km, 7 hours)

The hardest day — a 400-metre ascent to Chowkibal Pass at 3,400 metres, followed by a traverse and descent back to camp. The climb is steady rather than steep: switchbacks up a grassy slope with the meadow below getting smaller as you gain height. From the pass itself, the view is extraordinary — back into the Bangus meadow system on the east side and forward into the Shamsbari range on the west, with the Lolab Valley visible in the distance on a clear day. The frontier feeling at the pass, the scale of the landscape, and the knowledge that almost no Indian tourist has stood where you’re standing — this is the day that defines the Bangus experience.

Day 4 — Descent to Reshwari + Drive to Srinagar

The 8 km descent retraces the Day 1 route back through the forest to Reshwari village. Lunch in the village before the 5-hour drive back to Srinagar, arriving by evening. Most guests leave wanting to return.

What’s Included (₹16,500 per person)

All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 4 lunch (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner on trek days)
Tents (twin-share double-layer), sleeping bags, sleeping mats
Kashmiri trek leader + cook + camp helpers
Mules for kitchen and common camp equipment
Forest permit + J&K Army registration at Handwara
Srinagar–Reshwari–Srinagar transfers (shared vehicle)

Not included: Personal trekking insurance (strongly recommended), personal spending, porter for personal bags (mules carry camp equipment only).

What to Bring

Trekking boots with ankle support, broken in before departure
50 L rucksack with rain cover for personal items
Down jacket rated to 0°C (nights at Bangus can drop to 2–5°C even in July)
Fleece mid-layer, thermals, 2–3 quick-dry t-shirts
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Water bottle (1 litre minimum — stream water is clean but carry purification tablets)
Personal first aid kit and any prescription medication

Best Months: June to Early October

June: Fresh green meadows, wildflowers, possibility of morel mushrooms. Some residual snow on Chowkibal Pass approach.
July: Peak flowers, occasional light afternoon rain, warmest nights on the trek.
August: Highest meadow colour, most stable weather window, best photography light.
September: Golden meadow, cooler nights (3–7°C), clear skies, thinner crowds than July–August.
Early October: Risky — early snow can close Chowkibal Pass. We assess conditions 3 days ahead and adjust itinerary if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions — Bangus Valley Trek

Is the Bangus Valley trek safe? It’s near the LoC.

Yes — Bangus has been open to civilian trekkers since 2018 and the route we follow is fully approved by the Indian Army. We file army registration at Handwara 5 days ahead. We do not approach within 5 km of the actual Line of Control — Chowkibal Pass is the furthest point west, and it is within the permitted civilian zone.

Do I need any permit for Bangus?

Yes — a J&K Forest Department permit plus army registration at Handwara. We file both 5 days before departure at no extra cost. You must carry your Aadhaar card in original — photocopies are not accepted at the army checkpoint. Foreigners require additional clearance from the Kupwara DC office, which we arrange with 10 days’ notice.

What’s the highest altitude on the trek?

3,400 metres (11,150 feet) at Chowkibal Pass on Day 3. Most trekkers experience no AMS symptoms at this altitude, particularly if they arrive in Kashmir a day or two before the trek starts. The campsite on Days 1–3 is at 3,000–3,100 metres, which is a manageable acclimatisation step up from Srinagar at 1,600 metres.

Is the trek suitable for beginners?

Yes — Bangus is one of the more accessible moderate treks in Kashmir. The terrain is meadow and open trail rather than boulder-hopping or steep scree. If you can jog 5 km in 35 minutes and do so regularly, you will handle this trek comfortably. The daily walking distances of 6–12 km are achievable at a steady pace with rest breaks. We have successfully taken many first-time trekkers on this route.

Can I do Bangus without a guide?

No — the permits require a J&K Tourism-registered guide and self-guided trekking is not permitted in this zone. Beyond the regulatory requirement, a local guide is genuinely valuable: the route is not well-marked, the meadow is large enough to get disoriented in low visibility, and the army registration process requires a guide’s countersignature.

Reserve Your Slot

WhatsApp +91-700 66 88 931 with your preferred dates. Lead time: 7 days minimum for permits. Group size maximum 12 — batches fill quickly in July and August.

Bangus Valley Trek Package 2026 | 4D/3N Kashmir Meadow Trek @ ₹16,500