Gurez valley is located in the high Himalayas, about 86 kilometers (53 mi) from Bandipore and 123 kilometers (76 mi) from Srinagar in northern Kashmir and southern Gilgit-Baltistan. At about 2,400 meters (8,000 ft) above sea level, the valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It has diverse plants and wildlife including the Himalayan brown bear and the snow leopard. The Kishanganga River flows through the valley. The road to Gilgit runs through Gurez.