Leave Srinagar by 5:30–6:00 AM sharp if you’re doing this as a true day trip — the drive to Dawar in Gurez Valley is long, usually 7–10 hours one way, and the road can slow down quickly after Bandipora and again near Razdan Pass. Carry original photo ID, keep a little cash, and expect military checkpoints along the way; they’re routine, but they do add time. The route is all about changing landscapes: valley floor, pine edges, then that dramatic climb over the pass before the road drops into one of Kashmir’s most remote and beautiful corners. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take tablets before leaving, and stop briefly for tea in Bandipora rather than making too many random pauses.
Once you roll into Dawar, make Habba Khatoon Peak Viewpoint your first proper stop. It’s a quick 30–45 minute stretch, but it’s the kind of view that makes the whole long drive feel worth it: the sharp pyramid of Habba Khatoon Peak rising cleanly over the valley and the Kishanganga River cutting through below. This is best for unhurried photos, not a rushed selfie stop, so take a few minutes to breathe, walk around, and just look at the scale of the place. There’s usually no formal entry fee here; just keep an eye on where you park and don’t block local traffic.
After that, head into Dawar Market for a soft landing into everyday Gurez life. It’s a small market, not a polished tourist strip, which is exactly the charm — tea stalls, basic groceries, local chatter, and a glimpse of how the valley functions away from the postcard spots. For lunch, look for a simple Kashmiri dhaba or local café around Dawar and order what’s actually available that day: rajma-rice, nadru, and if you’re lucky, trout. Expect around ₹300–700 per person depending on whether fish is on the menu. Service is relaxed in the mountain way, so don’t plan this as a quick meal; give it 1–1.5 hours and use the time to wander the market lanes, buy a hot cup of noon chai, and chat a bit with locals.
Keep the afternoon easy with a riverside walk near Khandiyal along the Kishanganga River — this is the offbeat, no-rush part of the day, with broad valley views, cold water sound, and enough open space to just sit for a while. It’s an ideal 1-hour stop before turning around, especially if the weather is clear and the light is still soft. If you’re doing this as a day trip, start the return no later than 1:30–2:00 PM; any later and you’ll risk driving through Razdan Pass after dark, which is not worth it in mountain conditions. The drive back to Srinagar is the same route via NH 701, and if time allows, do a very short tea pause near Bandipora on the way home — then head straight through so you reach the city before the road gets tiring.