Drass Valley Ladakh – A Complete Travel Guide for 2023

Mountainous regions exhibit scintillating weather. The surroundings of such a landscape reflect calmness and you can visit such a place to spend time in the lap of nature. This article would focus on one such beautiful destination in India and that is the Drass Valley.

Known as the “Gateway of Ladakh”, the Grass Valley is the coldest place in India. The valley is located in the Kargil district of the newly formed Union Territory of Ladakh. The Grass Valley is situated at an altitude of almost 3280 meters above sea level. If you are a big fan of valleys and want to go exploring, you should plan a trip to Drass Valley for your next vacation. Be it solo, with friends, or with family members, the Drass Valley is one such true beauty whose memories you and your loved ones will cherish forever.

Drass Valley also known as the ‘’Gateway of Ladakh’’ is popular for its trekking trails and beautiful tourist sites. After Siberia, it is the second coldest place in the world with the lowest temperature hits to -60 degrees Celsius in winters. Despite being the remotest and chilly destination, it attracts thousands of tourists every year. Drass Valley is famous for its spectacular beauty and peaceful environment. 

If you want to experience the serenity and a peaceful trip, Drass Valley should be on your travel bucket list. The best time you can visit Drass Valley is from June to September because, in the winter season, there are harsh winters in this region. If you are planning a peaceful trip, then Drass Valley is the place to be.

Places to Visit in Drass   

There are many places to visit in Drass which makes your Drass trip quite thrilling and full of adventure. Here is a list of some of the top most visited places in Drass.

Drass War Memorial- Located at the base of Tololing Hill, the Drass War Memorial, or the Kargil War Memorial is established. This war memorial was built to honor the valor of the army who fought in the Kargil War of 1999. Tiger Hill sits at an altitude of 5307 meters. It is one of the highest peaks in Kargil. It is one of the good places to visit when in Grass Valley. You can visit here during the summer months because it offers travelers a beautiful experience.

Minamarg- It is one of the beautiful meadows situated near the Zojila Pass. It is located 30 kilometers from the Drass Valley. It offers travellers scenic beauty and it is the gateway of the famous pilgrimage place known as Amarnath Yatra. It is popularly known for its Machoi Glacier and scenic hills. Surrounded by rich vegetation and stunning Machoi glaciers, the region is one of the most beautiful sites. It offers a wide variety of flora which makes it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. 

Manman Top- Manman Top is one of the important places in the Drass region. It is located 10 kilometers from the Drass. It offers travelers spectacular views of the Line of Control and the entire Drass Valley. One can also enjoy the great views of the High Himalayas from this top.

Laser La- This is one of the unexplored hill stations located around 10 kilometers from the Drass. The Valley is known for its white milky water which flows through this valley. The rocky mountains offer enchanting views from this region. This is one of the excellent sites for trekking and holiday vacations. 

Mushkoh Valley Valley is located 8 kilometres from the Drass which is bestowed with wild flowers that bloom here during the summertime. A famous trekking trail Tulail Gurez Trek begins from here. The place is one of the best places to see the surroundings of white glaciers. If you are on a Drass trip, you can enjoy the picturesque views of the Mushkoh Valley. 

Ningoor Masjid- 7 kilometers away from Drass, this Masjid is constructed in a scintillating way. The blue and turquoise color of the Masjid is quite soothing for the eyes. It is one of the colorful religious entities in Drass Valley. The architecture of this mosque attracts everyone’s attention. It is one of the most-visited places for every traveler.

Draupadi Kund- The Draupadi Kund has a religious touch to it. This pond is named after an iconic figure from Mahabharat, Draupadi. This pond is almost 20 kilometers away from Drass. It is situated on the Srinagar-Kargil highway and is located at a distance of 80 kilometers 

Drass River- When one talks about the beauty of Drass, how can we miss the ethereal beauty of Drass River? Flowing through Drass town, you can spend time witnessing the beauty of Mother Nature. It is one of the important rivers that lies in the Kargil district of Ladakh and originated from the Zojila Pass.

Stagsboo- Stagsboo is a place made of stone curvature. It is located around 2 kilometers from the Drass. You can also spot Tibetan inscriptions here. The place is rich in heritage and culture. If you are a history lover, then this is the most-visited place.

• Read the blog about places to visit in Leh Ladakh

Where is Drass located?

Drass, a small town in the Kargil district, is situated on the Srinagar-Kargil highway, which is NH-1. Drass is almost 57 kilometers away from Kargil. This place is the second coldest inhabited place in the world. This is second only to Siberia (Russia).

The Drass Valley is known for its historical and political significance. This region became quite known due to the infamous Kargil War of 1999. Hence, you can visit this place keeping this aspect in mind as well. Moreover, the site is even famous as a trekking route so as an adventure enthusiast you can enjoy this site.

Things to do in Drass Valley

There are many activities to do when in Drass. Some of the popular activities are mentioned below.

Trekking

Trekking is one of the best activities to do in Drass. One can steep over to the popular trek from Minamarg to Amarnath. Trekking in Drass Valley will take you through the high altitudes and one can enjoy the stunning views of this valley. The best time to visit Drass Valley for trekking is from June to September.

Village Walks

Village walks through the beautiful Drass 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.

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.

• Read here a complete blog on best time to visit Leh Ladakh

How to Reach Drass

To reach Drass Valley you have multiple options which include flights, trains, and roads.

By Air- To reach Drass, you can land at the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee International Airport in Leh. From here, you can book a taxi to reach Drass. From Leh, the total distance to Drass is around 280 kilometers.

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. You need to cover a distance of almost 380 kilometers to reach Drass.

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

• Read the complete blog on how to reach Drass Valley

Best time to visit Drass Valley

The climate of Drass is quite cold throughout the year but, the temperature becomes moderate during the summer season. The best months to visit Drass Valley is during the months of April to June. The temperature in Drass during these summer months ranges from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius.

In the winter season, the Drass region becomes so cold that some areas become inaccessible. 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 Drass Valley is in the summertime because the temperature at that time remains pleasant and favorable for enjoying holidays.

Drass in winters 

The winter season in Drass Valley starts in October and ends in May. It is considered the second coldest region on earth. Drass Valley is well known for its scenic beauty. The Valley is covered with thick snowfall during the winter season, and summers here are very short. The winter temperature hits -50 degrees, and the valley experiences harsh cold weather. 

Drass in summers

The summers here are very short. From June to September the weather remains pleasant and it is the ideal time to visit Drass Valley. In the summer season, one can enjoy the spectacular views of Himalayan mountain passes and enjoy the blooming flowers.

Where to Stay in Drass Valley

Since Drass is a remote region, you won’t find staying options here. This is because the region is still not commercialized in terms of tourism. So, you can choose to stay in Kargil.

Some of the hotels are- Hotel Border View, Hotel Larsa, Hotel the Kargil, Hotel Brownhills, etc. You can opt for the hotel based on your budget.

Drass to Srinagar Distance

The distance from Srinagar to Drass Valley is 142 kilometers. The road from Srinagar to Drass is in good condition. The drive from Srinagar to Drass will take you around 7-8 hours to reach. 

FAQs

Is Drass a gateway to Ladakh?

Yes, Drass Valley is also known as the Gateway of Ladakh. It is a beautiful place that is popular for its trekking routes and spectacular beauty. It is one of the stunning places to enjoy holidays. There are plenty of places you can visit when you are on a Drass trip.

What is Drass in Leh Ladakh Known For?

Drass Valley is one of the important places for travelers who are going to Ladakh and Kargil. One can enjoy the stunning views of Tiger Hill and Tololing from here. The valley is surrounded by the snow-clad mountain peaks of Leh Ladakh.

What is Drass Valley famous for?

The valley is famous for its high-altitude trekking trails, and popular tourist sites. It is one of the most peaceful and exotic destinations for every traveler. The region is blessed with immense of natural beauty and magnificent mountain ranges from all sides.

Is Drass a good place to visit?

Yes, it is a good place to visit where people steep over during the trek from Minamarg to Amarnath. You can visit here during the summer months as the weather remains pleasant and favorable for sightseeing and in wintertime, it is very cold. 

Is Drass the second coldest place?

Drass is located in the Kargil district of Ladakh. It is the second coldest region on earth which sits at an elevation of 3230 meters. The winter temperature hits -60 degrees and the weather at that time remains very cold. 

What is the distance from Kargil to Drass?

The distance from Kargil to Drass Valley is 58 kilometers. The road conditions from Kargil to Drass Valley are excellent. 

• Read the blog about Zanskay Valley

Conclusion

I hope the information I discussed in Drass Valley will be helpful. Drass Valley is one of the remotest and most unexplored regions Ladakh. Surrounded by the snow mountain peaks the region has many popular sites and trekking routes. If you are planning to visit Drass Valley, book your trip with Cliffhangers India, which will provide you with the best customized Ladakh tour packages. For further details visit Cliffhangers India for you. Cherish this place and create memories of a lifetime.