Shopian / Poonch (Mughal Road) · Kashmir
Peer Ki Gali
A 3,490 m pass on the Mughal Road between Shopian and Poonch, with meadows and a Sufi shrine.
Peer Ki Gali is an easy road trip in Shopian / Poonch (Mughal Road), Kashmir, reaching 3,490 m. The best time to go is May to October. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Srinagar and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Peer Ki Gali
The one thing not to miss
The pass and its shrine
The top of the Mughal Road, with a small shrine travellers stop at.
- 2Aliabad SaraiA ruined Mughal inn below the pass.
- 3Hirpora sanctuaryForest and high slopes on the Shopian side, home to the markhor.
- 4DubjanA meadow beside the road.
A sample plan: 2 days
Day 1
Srinagar to Shopian and up the Mughal Road to Peer Ki Gali
Stops at Hirpora and Aliabad Sarai on the way. Come back to Shopian for the night; the road closes in winter.
Day 2
Aharbal waterfall, then back to Srinagar
A short detour from Shopian.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
The historic Mughal Road is one of the most scenic drives in J&K and almost unknown to tourists.
Why not
The road is closed by snow for much of the year and facilities en route are minimal.
Before you go
- Permits
- None, but the route crosses security-sensitive districts — carry ID.
- Guide
- Not needed; local driver recommended.
- Safety
- Check current J&K travel advisories and road status before setting out.
- Phone & internet
- Postpaid only; long dead zones.
Altitude
Peer Ki Gali reaches 3,490 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common.
- Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcohol on the first night.
- If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Kashmir →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Kashmir: SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar; SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.
All emergency contacts for Kashmir →What to pack for Peer Ki Gali
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
8 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 3,490 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
4 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone, but the route crosses security-sensitive districts — carry ID.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works therePostpaid only; long dead zones.
- A postpaid SIMPrepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Ladakh or Kashmir. Only postpaid connections, or a prepaid SIM bought locally, will have signal.
For what you're going for
4 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
- Portable tyre inflator Punctures happen far from the next repair shop.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Kashmir Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Kashmir
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Srinagar.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. The Mughal Road is closed by snow from about December to April or May.
By road
From
Srinagar
- Distance
- about 95 km
- Drive time
- about 3 hours
- Srinagar
- Pulwama
- Shopian
- Hirpora
- Peer Ki Gali
From
Jammu
- Distance
- about 235 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Jammu
- Rajouri
- Thanamandi
- Bafliaz
- Peer Ki Gali
Buses and shared taxis. Shared sumos run the Mughal Road between Shopian and Poonch or Rajouri when it is open.
Pickups & drivers
From Srinagar. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Peer Ki Gali yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Peer Ki Gali: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Peer Ki Gali?
The best months for Peer Ki Gali are May to October. April and November are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Peer Ki Gali?
Peer Ki Gali is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 3,200 m and reaching 3,490 m.
How many days do you need for Peer Ki Gali?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Srinagar. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Peer Ki Gali cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹7,500 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Srinagar.
How do you reach Peer Ki Gali?
By road: from Srinagar it is about 95 km, about 3 hours (Srinagar → Pulwama → Shopian → Hirpora → Peer Ki Gali); from Jammu it is about 235 km, 8–9 hours (Jammu → Rajouri → Thanamandi → Bafliaz → Peer Ki Gali). Shared sumos run the Mughal Road between Shopian and Poonch or Rajouri when it is open. The nearest gateway is Srinagar.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Peer Ki Gali?
Permits: None, but the route crosses security-sensitive districts — carry ID. Guide: Not needed; local driver recommended.
Is Peer Ki Gali suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is good. It is quiet in season. Check current J&K travel advisories and road status before setting out.
What should you pack for Peer Ki Gali?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Peer Ki Gali?
Postpaid only; long dead zones.
Will I get altitude sickness at Peer Ki Gali?
Peer Ki Gali reaches 3,490 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common. Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol on the first night. If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Peer Ki Gali?
Peer Ki Gali suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: The road is closed by snow for much of the year and facilities en route are minimal.
Close to Peer Ki Gali
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Doodhpathriabout 24 km
- Yusmargabout 25 km
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- Doodhpathri2,900 mcompare
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- Gurez Valley3,300 mcompare