Located at a distance of about 11 km from Dras, Manman Top is considered as a primary tourist destination for those who plan to visit Leh Ladakh. The place is best for offering an eagle-eye view of the Dras town, the entire valley as well as the surrounding mountains.
A place for both nature lovers and thrill lovers, the spot offers you with the best hiking experience as well as the breathtaking views of green surroundings, clear skies, and hidden gems.
With our Leh Ladakh tour packages, you will definitely get the opportunity to experience the beauty of this place.
In our travel blog we have provided a glimpse to the destination, and information about the best time to visit, how to reach, things to do as well as nearby places to visit.
All About Manman Top in Ladakh
Manman Top is a beautiful mountain pass, situated at an altitude of 19,200 feet above sea level. It is located in the Zanskar range of the Himalayas.
Travelers who are planning to visit Manman Top viewpoint, are rewarded with some of the best views. From the top of the pass, you can witness the beautiful Himalayas stretching out in all directions, with the peaks of Stok Kangri, Nun Kun, and Kang Yatse.
The drive to the spot is very challenging and requires skilled drivers because of the steep inclines and hairpin bends.
Further, roads are quite narrow which makes it difficult for two vehicles to pass each other. The pass is only operational in summers, as heavy snowfall blocks the roads in winter.
The place also holds cultural significance, as it is near to ancient Buddhist monasteries, including Hemis and Thiksey monasteries. These monasteries are homes of monks and serves as important centres of Buddhist learning and meditation.
You must be wondering about how to reach Manman Top? So the place is easily accessible by road, however there is no public transport available on this route, so you will either have to travel by your own vehicle or hire a private taxi.
The road to Manman Top bifurcates from the Srinagar Leh Highway shortly after Dras. If you are travelling from Srinagar, you will have to drive across the entire Dras town and get to the other side.
The road from Drass Valley to Manman Top is very steep and you gain a tremendous amount of altitude within a short distance, due to which your average speed will slow down. You can reach Manman Top from Dras in 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Best Time to Visit Manman Top
The best time to visit Man man Top peak Kargil is between April to September, when the weather is pleasant and all the routes are accessible, which create ideal conditions for sightseeing, trekking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding areas.
The pass is only open in summer, as in winters, heavy snow blocks the road, therefore summer season is the optimal time to visit the place, making it easier to access the area.
While Manman Top is a strategic point and accessible all year round, the winter months can be extremely cold and harsh.
Also Checkout: Best Leh Ladakh Trip | 10N/ 11D
5 Things To Do at Manman Top Drass
1. Sightseeing
Soak yourself in the panoramic views of Zoji La, snow capped mountains, scenic valleys that stretch endlessly under the clear blue Ladakhi skies.
2. Bike Riding
Manman Top viewpoint is best for bike riding, as you can ride along rugged mountain trails, navigating bends and curves with jaw dropping backdrops.
3. Photography
Do not forget to capture the raw beauty of Manman Top, from dramatic landscapes to golden hour glows and star studded night skies.
4. Hiking
Do hike along wildflower-filled meadows and rocky outcrops, the spot is perfect for nature lovers as well as thrill seekers. Manman Top is considered as one of the best spots for hiking expeditions in Ladakh, it is a short yet rewarding experience.
5. Trekking
Another exciting activity to indulge in around Manman Top especially for adventure lovers is trekking as the spot has some of the best high altitude trekking routes that can take you to the lesser known trails and hidden valleys.
10 Places to Visit Near Manman Top
A captivating destination located in the Dras, known for its picturesque landscapes and stunning environment, the valley is a haven for nature lovers, trekkers as well as for ones who are looking for a peaceful escape.
The area is characterised by pristine rivers, charming villages, and diverse flora and fauna, making it a perfect spot for exploration and photography.
The valley is also home to several small villages, where tourists can experience the local culture and hospitality of the Ladakhi people.
Further, for history enthusiasts, the nearby areas hold stories of ancient trade routes and cultural exchanges.
Situated in the breathtaking landscape of Ladakh, the hill stands as a prominent tourist attraction, popular for its stunning panoramic views and calm environment.
Tiger Hill is the highest mountain and is renowned for its spectacular sunrises. From this spot, you can get the view of iconic Kachenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world.
Whether you are an experienced or a full time traveller, Tiger Hill is an essential stop on your journey to Ladakh, as it offers a perfect blend of stunning vistas, rich cultural experiences, and the opportunity for adventure seekers to create lasting memories.
- Location: FMJ4+HMG, 194102
- Best Time to Visit: October to December and March to April
- Activities To Indulge In: Trekking, Sightseeing, Photography, Bike Riding
Kargil War Memorial also known as the Dras War Memorial, is built by the Indian Army, to pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives during the Kargil War in 1999 between India-Pakistan.
The central feature of the memorial is a pink sandstone wall bearing a brass plate engraved with the names of the soldiers who died during Operation Vijay.
The war memorial is open everyday except Sunday. The timings for visiting the place are from 10AM to 12PM and 2 PM to 5 PM.
The spot is not just a monument, but a living testimony of the bravery and patriotism of the Indian armed forces.
Zero Point Zojila is a mesmerising tourist spot located on the Srinagar-Leh Highway, popular for its thrilling expeditions and breathtaking views.
As you approach this point, you are greeted by the sight of majestic snow-capped peaks and vibrant valleys creating a picture perfect moment.
As you explore this area, keep your camera ready to capture the mesmerising moments. Reaching here is like an achievement, especially the feeling of being on top of the world.
- Location: Forest Block 192230
- Best Time to Visit: April to Late October
- Activities To Indulge In: Trekking, Sightseeing, Photography, Bike Riding
5. Hundurman LOC Viewpoint
Situated only 10 kms from Kargil, one should definitely visit here. The drive is thoroughly enjoyable uphill especially in the evenings.
From here, you can have a view across the first village of PoK. For a better view of the army posts and of PoK across the LoC, you can use a telescope.
From the LoC viewpoint, you can drive a little up and visit the Hunderman Village, which was part of PoK before the 1971 war.
The Hunderman Village is the last village from where the roads end and treks begin for defence for their bunkers.
- Location: J47M+G45, Hundurmaan, Ladakh
- Best Time to Visit: June to September
- Activities To Indulge In: Sightseeing, Historical Exploration, Village Walks
A beautiful destination, with greenery all around, dense plantation, majestic Nun-Kun peaks, cultural heritage which blends Buddhist and Islamic influences. This valley features glaciers and snow-capped peaks, adding to the scenic appeal.
When visiting Suru Valley, do visit Suru River as well, which is a tributary of the Indus River. It is a significant river in the Ladakh region, flowing largely through the Kargil District.
The valley also holds spiritual significance, as it is known for its spiritual atmosphere and connection to Tibetan Buddhism.
- Location: 33J3+4GW, 194301
- Best Time to Visit: May to September
- Activities To Indulge In: River Rafting, Sightseeing, Photography, Cultural Tours
A highest pass at a height of 4166.9 meters in Gurez, connects two valleys namely Muskoh Valley and Tulail Valley in Gurez is another popular spot that you can surely visit when visiting Manman Top.
The pass is 62.6 km long, running east to west from Drass to Gujrind, gained prominence during the 1999 Kargil War, as the area witnessed intense military action.
Due to its strategic location near LoC, the pass remained closed for civilians for many years, however was recently opened.
- Location: 8J6QF8CV+HV, Ladakh 193502
- Best Time to Visit: May to September
- Activities To Indulge In: Off-Roading, Scenic Drives, Historical Exploration
Bhimbut stone is a legendary stone laid in a small village of Drass region. It is believed to be the solidified body of Bhima, one of the great Pandava princes from Mahabharata. It is also called Bheem ka Pathar.
The locals have revered the rock till date, and the place is now becoming a pilgrimage spot. It is believed that this stone is related to Mahaparasthan or the last journey of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata.
- Location: CRF7+FFR, 194102
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Activities To Indulge In: Sightseeing, Photography, Spiritual Visit
Another popular location is the Gurez Valley located in the Drass region of Ladakh. Also known as Gurais, the valley is situated at a height of 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by snow capped mountains.
The valley is known for its fauna including Himalayan brown bear and snow leopard. The Kishanganj River flows through the valley and
Dawar is the central township in the area with populations around 30,000 people scattered in 15 villages.
Another popular site associated with the Goddess Draupadi of Mahabharata is a nearby tourist attraction. This Draupadi kund is believed to be the spot where Draupadi took her last bath before ascending to heaven.
Another popular belief is that at her time of exile, Draupadi cried here because of the suffering she had to go through because of which a small magical lake/ pond/ kund was formed.
The kund is a popular tourist spot and is known to be magical with medicinal properties. It is believed that drinking water from this kund can heal kidney stones, bone weakness, impotency, and even skin problems.
