Drass valley, known as ‘Gateway to Ladakh’ is a popular travel attraction located at an altitude of 3,280 meters above sea level in the Kargil district of the Union Territory of Ladakh. Drass holds the status of being the second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia and the coldest place in India.
During winter, the temperature drops to as low as -60 degree Celsius in Drass, which has given it the name of ‘The Indian Siberia’. Drass town lies in the valley of Drass at a height of 10,800 feet and at a distance of 140 km from Srinagar and 63 km from Sonamarg.
The Drass Valley is formed by the Drass River. This river is joined in its course by other rivers and small streams following in from snow fields nearby mountains. The beautiful Zojila pass in Ladakh lies at the beginning of Drass valley, its inhabitants fondly described as the ‘Guardians of Ladakh’s Gateway’.
Drass is a charming valley featuring breathtaking natural beauty and tranquil ambiance which guarantees a mesmerizing time in the foothills of the Himalayas.
With the demography consisting of Buddhists and Muslims, the majority of residents of Drass can trace their roots back to Central Asia. The language of Drass is Shina which is an Indo-aryan language.
Top places to visit in Drass Ladakh
From pristine valleys, and picturesque landscapes to spiritual monuments Drass valley has everything to offer for travelers. After the Kargil war, the valley of Drass became a tourist destination and some of the most visited places are listed below
Zojila Pass:
It is one of the most important high altitude pass in the Himalayas located on the National Highway between Srinagar and Leh. This beautiful pass is described as the Gateway to Drass and offers amazing views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
It is situated at an elevation of around 11,575 feet above sea level and is popular for its challenging terrains and harsh weather conditions in winter.
Zojila pass is an important strategic pas as it provides a link between Kashmir valley and Ladakh.
Drass War Memorial:
located at the base of Tololing Hill, the valley has a memorial dedicated to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives while fighting in the Kargil war in 1999.
Popularly called the Drass War Memorial or Kargil war memorial or ‘Vijaypath’, this structure stands tall in a raw, barren, and picturesque landscape and offers a moving experience at an altitude of 5,307 meters.
The memorial features a giant national flag and a sandstone wall with the names of those soldiers who lost their lives during the war.
Minamarg:
about 30 km from Drass, Minamarg is a wonderful meadow resting after Zojila pas surrounded by pristine Machoi glaciers and lush vegetation. It offer eyecatching and stunning views of Machoi glacier and scenic hills to the travellers.
It also serves as the gateway to the renowned pilgrimage site, Amarnath. Minamarg also offers great trekking opportunities for trekking enthusiasts. You can trek to nearby valleys such as Tsoq, Tsoqchen, and other high-altitude passes.
Mushkoh Valley:
located about 8 km from drass at the western extremity of Ladakh, Mushkoh valley is a glacial paradise renowned for its remarkable wild flowers and trekking routes that offer a dreamlike experience.
It serves as a base point for the famous Tulail Gurez Trek which offers stunning views of surrounding glaciers.
Things to do in Drass Valley
From adventure-based activities like trekking to enjoying homestays to exploring famous monuments, there is plenty that Drass valley offers to travelers.
Visit Drass Memorial: while your Kashmir Ladakh Tour to Drass valley, visiting Drass War Memorial is a must place to explore. Also called the ‘Kargil War Memorial’ or ‘Vijaypath’, this memorial is situated in the town of Drass at the foothill of Tololing Hill. It was built by the Indian army to commemorate the success of Operation Vijay or Kargil War in 1999.
The memorial features a massive sandstone inscription that bears the names of soldiers who lost their lives during the Kargil War.
Visit Zojila Pas: Zojila Pas is a beautiful link between Kashmir valley and Ladakh. It is located before Drass valley and offers stunning views of the Drass and the surrounding glaciers. This pas is surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks that are snow-covered for most of the year. As you reach Zojila pas through Srinaagr, you will traverse through picturesque Drass valley featuring lush greenery, meandering streams, and terraced fields creating a unique contrast against the rocky mountains.
Trekking: Trekking in Drass is a quite famous travel activity. Drass valley offers both long and short trek to its tourists. One of the most popular treks from Drass is a three-day long trek to Suru valley across the sub-range separating two valleys. Another thrilling trek offered by Drass valley is a trek to Saliskote. it is a one-day trek which takes you to Saliskote village. While trekking from Drass to Saliskote, trekkers can reach to Laser La region which is 22 kms away from Saliskote.
Then, there is a famed trek to the holy cave Amarnath which is a three day long trek. The trek starts at Minamarg right below Zojila Pas.
Visit Tiger Hill: Also known as ‘Point 5062’, Tiger Hill is one of the highest peaks in the Drass-Kargil region. Tiger Hill earned worldwide attention during the Kargil War when it became the center of this battle.
This place holds immense strategic importance due to its location near the border with Pakistan. The hill has a route leading to the Siachen glacier and connects Srinagar in Kashmir to Leh in Ladakh. Tiger Hill’s grandeur and breathtaking beauty is best viewed from the Drass war Memorial.
Drass Valley Weather
Drass valley experiences very low temperatures due to its Mediterranean continental climate influence.
In summer: Summer begins in June and continues till early temperature, with the average temperature being 23 degrees Celsius. Summer in Drass lasts for a short time when the weather is mild and warm. The nights remain cool in summer with moderate temperatures.
In winter: the winter season lasts from mid-October to mid May. Drass experiences very harsh winters with temperatures dropping below freezing point. The region remains covered with snow for most of the year due to heavy snowfall.
The best time to visit Drass Kargil
The best time to visit Drass valley is the summer season from April to June. At this time of the year, the temperature ranges from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius and the weather is pleasant. Also during this period, the roads are clear and open for tourists.
During winter from October to May, the temperature of the valley drops to minus degrees with heavy snowfall due to which the region becomes inaccessible.
How to reach Drass Valley
Drass is easily accessible by road, rail, and air. The convenient way to reach Drass by air, road, and railway is described below.
By air: Leh Airport or Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is located around 279 km from Drass. You can book a flight from Srinagar International Airport which is 152 kms from Drass. After reaching Leh airport, you can book a taxi for the journey to Drass.
By road: both Kargil and Srinagar are connected to Drass via National Highway NH1.
By rail: Jammu Tawi railway station is the nearest rail road to Drass. From there you need to cover a distance of about 380 km to reach Drass.
Frequently asked questions
How can one reach Drass Valley?
Drass Valley is accessible by road from Kargil, which is well-connected to other major cities in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. The journey offers scenic views of the Suru River Valley and rugged mountain terrain.
What activities can visitors enjoy in Drass Valley?
Visitors to Grass Valley can enjoy activities such as trekking, camping, birdwatching, and exploring the local culture and lifestyle of the Balti and Ladakhi communities.
Is there a regular taxi service from Srinagar to Drass?
Yes, you can find taxis ready to leave for Drass as soon as you step out of the airport.
Why is Drass known as the ‘Gateway to Ladakh’?
Zoji La is a Pass that connects the Kashmir and Ladakh regions of Jammu and Kashmir through Srinagar and Leh. Since Drass is the first inhabited town after crossing Zoji La, it is commonly known as the “Gateway to Ladakh”.