Nestled in the western part of Ladakh, close to the Line of Control (LoC), Drass (or Dras) is a small yet historically and geographically significant town located about 60 km west of Kargil and nearly 140 km from Srinagar. Popularly known as the “Gateway to Ladakh” and the second coldest inhabited place in the world, Drass is a destination where natural beauty, heroic history, and raw Himalayan landscapes come together to offer travelers an unforgettable experience. Dras lies in Kargil district of Union Territory of Ladakh. For those travelling from Srinagar to Leh via the iconic Srinagar–Leh Highway (NH1), Drass is the first major settlement of Ladakh and a perfect stopover to acclimatize, explore, and reflect. Why Visit Drass? Drass is not just another mountain town—it is a place that stands as a symbol of resilience, sacrifice, and patriotism. The region gained national and international attention during the 1999 Kargil War, and today, it proudly preserves the memory of the brave soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation. Beyond its military history, Drass boasts lush green valleys, snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, clear streams, and traditional Ladakhi villages, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers, photographers, history enthusiasts, and offbeat travelers. Location and Altitude Distance from Kargil: ~60 km Distance from Srinagar: ~140 km Distance from Leh: ~280 km Altitude: Approx. 3,300 metres (10,800 feet) above sea level Due to its high altitude and unique geographical setting, Drass experiences extreme winters, with temperatures often dropping below –30°C, earning it the reputation of being one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. Best Time to Visit Drass The best time to visit Drass is from May to September, when the Srinagar–Leh highway remains open and the weather is relatively pleasant. Summer (May–September): Ideal for sightseeing, trekking, and travel Winter
Nestled in the western part of Ladakh, close to the Line of Control (LoC), Drass (or Dras) is a small yet historically and geographically significant town located about 60 km west of Kargil and nearly 140 km from Srinagar. Popularly known as the “Gateway to Ladakh” and the second coldest inhabited place in the world,
Kargil is one of the two districts of and a major town of the Union Territory of Ladakh in India, located on Leh-Srinagar highway, 220 km from Leh and 210 km from Srinagar. Kargil is the second largest town of Ladakh after Leh. Ladakh has two districts -- one is Leh and another is Kargil. The main town of Kargil is about 695 km from Manali and 1,050 km from Delhi (via Srinagar) and it is about 1,265 km from Delhi via Manali. The average elevation of Kargil is about 8,700 ft from sea level. The town is settled by the bank of the Suru river, a tributary of Indus. In the north of the Kargil town is Indo-Pak LOC. Kargil experiences extreme winter cold with temperature sometimes dipping below minus 40 degrees Celsius. Drass is 58km west of Kargil. Kargil is an important halt point between the Srinagar-Leh highway. A large number of tourists visit Kargil to see how and where the India Pakistan war of 1999 was fought. The Kargil War Memorial is situated in Dras. Kargil town is the junction of Kargil-Srinagar, Kargil-Leh, Kargil-Zanskar and Kargil-Batalik roads. Kargil is the major midway halt for tourists travelling on Srinagar-Leh route. Kargil was constituted of several small kingdoms including Suru Valley, Chktan, Phokhar and Sot. All these small kingdoms, according to historians, used to fight over small issues. The exiled prince Gasho Thatha Khan is said to be the first ruler who united all the kingdoms in 9th century. Another ruler of Kargil, which was then known as Purig, extended the kingdom and included Zanskar, Pashkum and Sodh to the present-day Kargil. Boti Khan, Abdal Khan, Tsering Malik, Amrood Choo, Thi Sultan and Kunchok Sherab also remained rulers of Kargil. The famous king of Skardu in Baltistan, Ali Sher
Kargil is one of the two districts of and a major town of the Union Territory of Ladakh in India, located on Leh-Srinagar highway, 220 km from Leh and 210 km from Srinagar. Kargil is the second largest town of Ladakh after Leh. Ladakh has two districts — one is Leh and another is Kargil.
