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Bangus Valley in December
Jammu & Kashmir, India
December is deep winter. Bangus Valley is under heavy snow, completely inaccessible, and hosting nothing but Himalayan wildlife โ snow leopard, musk deer, and the occasional golden eagle. The valley will sleep until May. Humans are not part of this equation.
The December story
December Bangus belongs to the snow leopard and the wind. The valley is under deep snow, inaccessible, and silent except for the sounds of winter wildlife. This is the time to research, plan, and prepare for next year. If your first visit moved you (and it will), December is when you decide whether to return for the autumn version or the spring opening. Bangus is one of those places that rearranges your idea of what India can be โ not the crowds, not the temples, not the trains, but a meadow the size of a city that belongs to shepherds, soldiers, and the sky. December is for remembering that, and for booking your return.
Why December scores 0/5
Roads & Access
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 2/5. rescue: Indian Army, SDRF J&K. helpline: DC Kupwara: 01955-252032. ambulance: 108 (limited access). police station: Handwara Police Station (40km). nearest hospital: Sub-District Hospital Handwara (40km)
Network
JIO: No, BSNL: No, AIRTEL: No
Kids
Not ideal for kids โ
Elevation
3,000m โ Moderate altitude
Who should go
- โExperienced trekkers / adventurers
- โNobody โ completely inaccessible
- โPlanners researching next summer's expedition
- โArmchair travellers dreaming of Kashmir's last wilderness โ start planning
Who should think twice
- โFirst-time travelers
- โAnyone with health conditions
- โEveryone โ no access, no facilities, no exceptions
- โThose who need to visit Kashmir in December โ try Gulmarg for skiing instead
- โAnyone without professional mountaineering credentials and purpose
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0/5 | โ |
| February | 0/5 | โ |
| March | 0/5 | โ |
| April | 1/5 | โ |
| May | 3/5 | Late May sometimes opens the first trail access, though snow patches remain across the meadow. |
| June | 5/5 | June is when Bangus Valley becomes genuinely accessible. |
| July | 4/5 | July is Bangus at full bloom. The 30 sq km meadow is carpeted with wildflowers โ buttercup, iris, gentian, primula โ and the Gujjar shepherd camps dot the valley with woodsmoke and livestock. |
| August | 4/5 | August extends the bloom but adds monsoon unpredictability. |
| September | 5/5 | September is Bangus's autumn farewell. The wildflowers fade, the grass turns gold, and the Gujjar shepherds begin their descent with livestock. |
| October | 3/5 | October closes Bangus. The first serious snowfall can come any day. |
| November | 1/5 | โ |
| Decemberviewing | 0/5 | โ |
Practical Details
How to reach
Contact local transport
Elevation
3,000m
Difficulty
hard
Budget tier
budget
Permits required
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Nearby in Jammu & Kashmir scoring high in December
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