The Keran Valley is located about 145 km from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It is a beautiful valley with breathtaking views; an opportunity for visitors to see another face of Kashmir
How to reach Keran valley?
Before visiting Keran Valley, you must first travel to Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar is connected to the rest of the country by air and road, and it also has partial train connectivity as of 2024.
1. By Air
Srinagar is simply accessible by air with Sheikh ul Alam Airport (SXR) serving the city. It is a domestic airport and offers regular flights connecting Srinagar to major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Leh.
2. By Road
Srinagar enjoys good road connectivity to major cities in North India. Here’s a glimpse of the road distances:
- Delhi to Srinagar: 876 km (around 16 hours)
- Chandigarh to Srinagar: 646 km (around 12 hours)
- Leh to Srinagar: 424 km (around 10 hours)
- Jammu (the nearest major city in J&K) to Srinagar: 258 km (around 6 hours)
You can choose from government-run buses, private taxis, or self-drive options to reach Srinagar by road. The scenic beauty of the route, especially on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, is a bonus!
After reaching Srinagar this will be the route map to follow to reach Keran Valley:
Srinagar -> Handwara -> Kupwara -> Mandian -> Keran Valley
Srinagar is around 140 kilometres from Keran Valley. The distance between Srinagar and Kupwara is approximately 90 kilometres, and the distance from Kupwara district to Keran Valley is approximately 50 km. You can take a private taxi in Srinagar or a shared taxi to Keran. We also recommend that if you are a biker, rent a bike in Srinagar and enjoy the ride to Keran Valley to its utmost
Security Concern for Keran Valley Tour
Check before Travelling
Before we get into all of the security concerns and checkpoints, we’ll discuss how to get Keran Valley passes and how vital they are to us. Passes are required to access Keran Valley; without them, you will be unable to go from Kupwara to Keran; nevertheless, passes are not required until Kupwara. But there are 7 checkpoints where you will have to provide the copies of passes in order to do Keran valley tour
How to Get passes to Keran Valley
Online Method (Preferred)
To get your Online e-pass for Keran Valley you have to prebook it around 7 days prior to your visit. Here are the Steps to get you online pass for Keran Valley:
Step 7: Within Seven Days you will recieve you E-pass on your email. And Make 10 Hard Copies of the same to show and submit near check points
Step 1: Go To http://epass.kupwara.co.in/apply
Step 2. Select Applying as a Citizen or Government Employee
Step 3: Click next button and you will see a form which will ask information like name, adhaar card and Car registration number
Step 4: Fill the form and upload you Adhaar card pdf and click on “Submit Application” button
Step 5: Now you will get an email with an application tracking number
Step 6: keep checking the status of your appication here and wait for the approval.
Offline Method( Time Consuming)
To get your offline pass for Keran Valley, you first have to reach a police called Kralpora Police Station. Here are the steps required:
- Step 1: Near Kralpora police station you will find photostat vendors providing a form like paper which is basically the offline version of the online form to be filled.
- Step 2: Fill the form and go to the police station with Adhaar Cards of all persons visiting keran and get it stamped by the SHO of the police station.
- Step 3: Make 10 copies of the stamped permission permit as you have to submit them at the checkpoints moves towards Keran Valley
How many checkpoints are on the way to Keran Valley?
There are 7 Checkpoints where the driver of the vehicle has to make entry of all passengers. Aadhaar cards will be checked frequently.
Is it safe to stay at Keran Valley for the night?
Yes, It is safe to visit at Keran Valley. The area is safe and peaceful and is secured by CCTV cameras all the time.
Which ID Card will Checked at security checkpoints?
Any national ID cards like Aadhaar Card, Pan Card, Voter ID will work. ID cards will be checked in 3 security checkpoints.
For foreigners what is the procedure at checkpoints?
For foreigners it is advised to carry passports with you as your main ID Proof and you are good to go.Heading One
Accommodation at Keran Valley
When it comes to accommodation at Keran Valley, the options are very limited. You basically have two options one is to stay at a Guesthouse and other one is to stay in at a tent. You can do bookings of the same with Tripmore by calling on 7006156180 / 7006069562 / 7006446374 or Whatsapp us at 9541454029
Food Availability at Keran Valley
There’s food at every guesthouse. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is available. Traditional Kashmiri dishes including daal (split lentils), chicken, rista, Goshtaba, and kebabs are the main dishes they offer. Along with handmade roti, Lipton tea and Namkeen tea are also options. Overall, there is a good amount of fresh and wonderful cuisine available in Keran Valley. In Keran Valley, there won’t be a food shortage
Are There local Shops at Keran Valley?
Yes, there are local shops at Keran Valley selling food items , clothing and vegetable vendors. Also shops close after 8.30PM so do buy things before that.
Is there ATM at Keran Valley?
No there is no ATM at Keran Valley. Only a Branch of Jammu and Kashmir is there but not an ATM, its better to take cash along with you.
Will there be internet connection?
No, there is no internet connection at the valley. Connection is lost before 10 KM on the way to Keran Valley.
Is there network connectivity in Keran Valley?
No, There is no network connectivity in Keran Valley. Its due to Security concerns.
Can i Speedpost from Keran Valley?
Yes you can ship local items like walnuts, almonds and more from the India post at the LOC which has a Pincode 193224. Locals use it to send Letters to there loved ones. yeah still happens in 2024 🙂
What activities can i do in Keran Valley?
Activities to do in Keran are :
Star GazingHeading Five
Fishing
Camping
Trekking
Can i do Drone photography at Keran Valley?
No, Drone photography is strictly prohibited at Keran Valley. Its a no drone zone.
Will there be any medical facility in Keran Valley?
Yes, medical facility is available 24*7 at Keran Valley. It is Called PHC Keran.
Keran Valley Itinerary
You can plan you Keran valley trip by staying one night at any guesthouse or camp. You can plan it like this:
Day 1 : Srinagar to Keran Valley: On the first day you can leave from Srinagar at 11:00AM and You will reach Keran valley by 4:00PM, after reaching you can enjoy the sunset and checkin to your guesthouse or Camp
Day 2 : Local Sightseeing and Return back to Srinagar: After spending the night you can enjoy the sunrise and go for a walk to cobra point and then you can head back to your guest house and have some breakfast or lunch and you can head back to Srinagar at 3 and reach at 8.30PM
History of Keran Valley
Keran Valley is located at an elevation of 1,524 metres (5000 feet) and is separated from Pakistan-administered Kashmir by the Kishanganga River. The river serves as a barricade because there are no fences or other man-made borders there. The valley has various interesting features, such as a 30-minute time difference at the same spot. You may hear radio stations from both nations and wave to individuals on the other end, who will wave back. This is the polar opposite of what people expect from a border, which includes heavy forces, machine guns, and tanks. And here, it feels like people should be at peace with one another
According to my research, the town of Keran was established by Raja Karn in the 10th century therefore its name. The area has been thought to have been a center of commerce and education with reference to the Sharada Peeth temple and Sharada University (POK) which are dated back between the 6th–12th centuries CE with the belief that it was situated in the valley itself because of these two places being nearby. When India was divided in 1947, an LoC (Line of Control) divided the valley into two parts with each country having its own village called Keran cutting off people from one another and their cultures.
An additional historical event took place when due to heavy shelling and firing villagers were compelled to leave from Indian Kashmir to Pakistan-Administered Kashmir along the LoC at the POK border. Once in 1992 the valley was also flooded which also damaged the valey. Following the ceasefire the position in Keran has changed for good. In 2012 the valley was opened for tourists in Pakistan and in 2021 in India. Currently the spot is peaceful and quiet so any traveler would enjoy a lot their visit there
