Unveiling Drass Valley: Top Attractions and Activities in Ladakh’s Coldest Destination

Drass town lies in the centre of Drass valley at a height of 10,800 feet, at a distance of 140 km from Srinagar and 63 km from Sonmarg. Kargil town is 56 km further from the town on NH1 from Srinagar towards Leh. While embarking your trip to the best scenic places to visit in Leh Ladakh, do book your Hotels in Drass Valley beforehand to avoid any last minute hassle. You will find the beautiful Zojila Pass in Ladakh lies at the beginning of Drass Valley where you can take the mesmerising pictures of Ladakh.

What is the Drass valley temperature?

Despite being a remote and chilly destination, it attracts plenty of travellers every year. Drass valley is not only famous for its spectacular beauty, serene peaks, but also for the significance it holds politically and historically, including the infamous Kargil war of 1999. This town has something for every kind of traveller. If you want to experience serenity and spirituality, then Drass is a must in your travel bucket list.

In summer: Summer begins in June and continues till early temperature, with the average temperature being 23 degrees Celsius. Summer in Drass valley 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 valley experiences very cold winters with temperatures dropping below freezing point. The region remains covered with snow for most of the year due to heavy snowfall.

How To Reach Drass Valley ?

• By Air– To reach Drass valley, you can land at the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee International Airport in Leh. From here, you can book a taxi to reach Drass. 

• By Train– The nearest station to Drass is the Jammu Tawi Railway Station. This is because there is no railway station in Ladakh. So, you can reach the Jammu Tawi Railway Station and then continue your further journey by road. 

• By Road– Situated on National Highway-1, you can reach Drass either through Srinagar or through Manali.To reach Drass Valley you have multiple options which include flights, trains, and roads.

• By Train– The nearest station to Drass is the Jammu Tawi Railway Station. This is because there is no railway station in Ladakh. So, you can reach the Jammu Tawi Railway Station and then continue your further journey by road. 

• By Road– Situated on National Highway-1, you can reach Drass either through Srinagar or through Manali.

What is the Best Time to Visit in Drass Valley ?

In the winter season, the Drass valley region is not easily accessible because of the cold temperature. From November to February, the temperature drops into the teens. Winter is not the ideal time to visit Drass Valley. Therefore, the best time to visit in Drass Valley is during the summer time because the temperature at that time remains pleasant and favourable for enjoying holidays.

Suggested Read: Leh Weather Guide

Top 8 Places to Visit in Drass Valley

• Zojila Pass

It is one of the most important high altitude passes 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 one of the best Drass Valley tourist places.

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 pass as it provides a link between Kashmir valley and Ladakh.

• Drass War Memorial

It is 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. It is one of the best Drass Valley tourist places. Drass valley in kargil is the main attraction of this.

It is popularly called the Drass War Memorial or Kargil war memorial or ‘Vijaypath’, this structure stands tall in a raw and picturesque landscape and offers a moving experience at an altitude of 5,307 metres. If you look for “Drass valley in kargil”, then this is the place you must visit and should consider the Kargil travel guide while planning your trip. 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

It is about 30 km from Drass, Minamarg is a wonderful meadow resting after Zojila pas surrounded by pristine Machoi glaciers and lush vegetation.  It offers beautiful and stunning views of Machoi glacier and scenic hills to the travellers.

It also serves as the gateway to the renowned pilgrimage site, Amarnath. The palace 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

It is located about 8 km from Drass valley 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.

• Drass River

 This river flows through the town, set against snow-laden summits and amid the colourful wildflowers in full bloom and lush greenery of the valley.

• Draupadi Kund

Mythology dictates “Draupadi Kund” as a sacred pond for Hindus, which belongs to Draupadi, a character from Mahabharata. The Kund is a great attraction for domestic tourists and pilgrims owing to ancient lore. It is located 18 km from Drass and 75 km from Kargil, on the Kargil – Srinagar National Highway. 

• Bhimbet

There lies Bhimbet Stone, a holy stone for Hindu pilgrims. In ancient legend, Bhimbet stone, a rock sculpture, is believed to be the solidified body of Bhim who is a very well known character from the epic ‘Mahabharata.’

• Mushku Valley

Located at the western extremity of the Ladakh Region, 8 km from Drass valley with Drass River flowing through it, is a popular valley with a plethora of wildflowers in summers.

Things to do in Drass Valley

• Trekking

 Trekking in Drass is amongst the famous activities to do in Drass Valley. Drass valley offers both long and short treks to its tourists. One of the most popular treks in ladakh from Drass is a three-day long trek to Suru valley across the sub-range separating two valleys. In this Drass Valley travel guide, we have got this activity for you.

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 Laser La region.

• Village Walks

Village walks through the beautiful Drass valley are one of the unique experiences one can have when in Grass Valley. One can enjoy the magnificent views of the entire valley through village walks. It is one of the best activites to do in Drass Valley.

• Horse Riding

This is another popular activity that you can enjoy in Drass. The best time to enjoy horse riding in Drass Valley is in the summer months. In this Drass Valley travel guide, we have got this activity for you.

• Visit Tiger Hill 

Tiger Hill is one of the highest peaks in the Drass-Kargil region. It is also known as ‘Point 5062’,. The place earned worldwide attention during the Kargil War when it became the centre of this battle. In this Drass Valley travel guide, we have got this activity for you.

This place holds amazing 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.

Hotels in Drass valley

Location – Hospital Rd, Chanchick, Main Market, Kargil, Ladakh 194013.

Rating- 4.5

Location – Near Brigade Bagh, Bemathang, Baroo, Kargil, Ladakh 194105

Rating- 4.4

Location – Changchik Kargil Jammu and Kashmir, 194103

Rating- 3.7

Location – Main market kharu, leh manali highway, ladakh, 194102

Rating- 4.0

Location – Bhimbat near Opposite Kargil war memorial Dras Jammu and Kashmir, 194102

Rating- 4.4

Location – Chutuk Hydel Project Rd, Chhutuk, Ladakh 194103

Rating- 4.6

Location – NH301, Near District Sessions Court, Baroo, Kargil, Ladakh 194103

Rating- 4.0

Location – Near Hotel Pc City Center, Chanchick, Kargil, Ladakh 194103

Rating- 3.8