Drass Valley is located on the road to Kargil, and it is the second coldest inhabited place in the world. It is situated at an altitude of 10,800 feet (3,300 m) and is commonly called “The Gateway to Ladakh.” The town is located in the heart of the valley, known as the Dras Valley. Repeated snowfall in the winter plummets its temperature to less than – 40 degrees. The Zojila Pass, the Himalayan gateway to Ladakh, is from where the Drass Valley commences. Therefore, on your trip to Ladakh, you should go for a tour to Drass, an important trade route for Pan-Asian trade in the yester years.
Trekking tours to Suru Valley generally opt for Drass as the convenient base. It is a three-day trek that passes through beautiful upland villages and blooming meadows on either side of the Umbala Pass.
On your tour to Drass, you can also avail yourself of the trekking trip to Amarnath. The trekking starts from Minamarg below Zozi la and takes you across the high pass. It is a 3-day long trek. Shorter treks and hikes are also undertaken from Drass to the upland villages.
Drass’s inhabitants have negotiated the formidable pass for ages, even when the whole sector remains snow-covered. As trade routes developed, Drass became more accessible, and tourists keen to catch a glimpse of the beauty of the Drass Valley while venturing on tour to Drass. Tourists must register at the Tourist Registration Centre at Drass when traveling from Srinagar to Ladakh.
You can visit this Drass Valley (Ladakh) during your tour of Ladakh to witness exceptional beauty. We provide fully customizable Ladakh tour packages that allow you to design your holiday in your style.
Places to Visit in Drass Valley
Drass is one of the most appealing destinations that is blessed with wildlife and spirituality. This scenic hotspot has numerous tourist attractions that keep you connected with tranquility, panoramic views, and pleasant climate conditions. Moreover, the place has some historical sites and pilgrimage spots that uplift the tour travel experience. And if you cover a few kilometers diameter from Drass Valley, you can also explore some more beautiful tourist places.
- Drass War Memorial
- Tiger Hill
- Manman Top
- Draupadi Kund
- Brigade War Gallery
- Mushkoh Valley
- Minamarg
- Masjid-E-Jafria
- Bhimbet Stone
Things to do in Drass Valley
This region of Ladakh has a charming natural beauty that will grab your attention. And enjoying this natural beauty while indulging in adventurous activities is something that gives you a blend of natural beauty and thrill. Drass is also a base point of some famous treks, so trekking is the ultimate activity you should add to your to-do list for Drass.
- Trekking
- Photography
- Picnic
- Nature Walking
- Take the Village Tour
- Camping
Best Time to Visit Drass Valley
This beautiful region of Ladakh has witnessed the coldest weather in the history of mankind. In 1995, the temperature in Drass reached -60 °C, and it is also the second coolest place on this planet. Hence, Drass in Winter is not for everyone, and you will have to get complete information about the weather before planning here. However, the summer season is comfortable in Drass and is considered one of the best times to visit Drass. Summer starts in June and lasts till September; the average temperature revolves around 23 °C. There is no doubt that summer is one of the ideal times to plan your vacation here.
How to Reach Drass Valley
This region of Ladakh is well-connected with other cities and nearby towns through air, rail, or road. The nearest airport is Shaikh-Ul-Alam, that is located in Srinagar. And the nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi, which is situated in the Jammu region. If you plan to visit here by road, Drass has good road conditions and is connected with Srinagar. There are various buses that ply between Srinagar and Kargil via National Highway No.1
Accommodations in Drass Valley
It is also essential to know what kind of facilities are available in Drass because it is the title of Second Coldest inhabited place in the world.You will find here various guest houses and hotels that offer you perfect staying options. These accommodations in Drass are well-equipped with basic amenities and offer spacious and clean rooms. You do not have to worry about it. However, booking your hotels and guest house in advance is recommended to avoid any last-minute disappointment.
Where to Eat in Drass Valley
This region has not so many options to have food with different tastes and cuisine. But, you will get few places to enjoy the lips lacking food items. Multi-cuisine restaurants in this region offer a diverse range of foods and snacks. Pasgo, Hotel Shangrila, PC Placement, Natul Hotel and Restaurant, and White Mountain Hotel Restaurant. You can check out any restaurant in this region to give your taste buds a treat that will blow your mind.
How to get Around in Drass Valley
Drass has a well-road network despite its remote location and high altitude. You can explore this region by bus as it is the most popular transport in this region. Moreover, you can move around in the jeep to go from one destination to another destination. However, the jeep is expensive and allows you to enjoy sightseeing in the fastest mode. On top of that, you can hire a jeep to stroll around this town.
Traveling Tips for Drass Valley
- You must pay high attention if your body shows any sign of discomfort.
- It is advised to walk at a slower pace in Drass and not speed up.
- Keep yourself hydrated and keep a sufficient amount of water with yourself.
- You need to get acclimatized to the cold weather and high altitude of Drass.
You can plan your tour through our well-curated Drass tour packages. We provide customization that allows you to design your trip as per your traveling preferences.