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Dras

2.0 / 5 73 votes

Jammu and Kashmir | India

State rank: 20 out of 21 Places To Visit In Jammu and Kashmir

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Weather:

Ideal duration: 1 day

Best time: Jun-Sep (Read More)

Nearest Airport: Srinagar (Check Flights)

"Gateway to Ladakh"

Dras Tourism

Dras, a town of the Kargil district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is at a distance of about 60 km from the Kargil district and is often called the 'Gateway to Ladakh'. It is located at a height of 3230m and is the second coldest place (the first being Siberia) inhabited in the world, with temperatures dropping to as low as -45 degree celsius

The three famous pinnacles tiger hills, the three pimples and Tololing can be viewed from Dras. The town is also a trekking base where people stop over during their trek from Minamarg to Amarnath via Zojila Pass. This paradise, about 60 Km from Kargil was occupied by the Pakistani troops during the Kargil war in 1999. The war continued for about two months during which course several Army men died. But the Indian army recaptured Dras and to commemorate their sacrifice, Dras war memorial was built which is today, the main attraction of this village.

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Places to Visit In Dras

Dras war memorial

Minamarg

Matayen

Ningoor Masjid

Mushko Valley Trek

Trek to Saliskote

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Hotels in Dras

Coldest inhabited place of India

Situated at an altitude of 3,280 m, Dras is the coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia. Located on the national highway 1D, connecting Srinagar to Ladakh, the small town of Dras is also known as "The Gateway To Ladakh". The place became famous after the Kargil War in 1999. This intensely beautiful and coldest Himalayan pass is like none other.
For a travel enthusiast, a road trip to Kargil through Dras must be on his bucket list. Also, Dras is the first village of Zoji La Pass, and hence, it is a host to numerous treks viz. trek to Saliskote, Suru Valley, and Mushko Valley Trek.

A Natural Paradise

Hues of the mountain
The breathtaking beauty of Dras comes to life as the dusk falls over the barren, brown mountains. The shadows thus formed create different shapes and textures, as they move across the uneven landscape.

Dras river flowing through the fields
The lush green cover and the beautiful Dras river (formed as a ‘meltwater river from glaciers) flowing are a sight to behold during summers, when the river finds a way to flow gracefully through a dense group of sea buckthorn, among the a patchwork of fields in multiple shades of green.

Hamlets nested in valleys
Numerous small villages are nestled among the towering mountains, surrounded by terrace farms, cut out along the hillside. Carefully nurtured soil is preserved between the vertical rocks and boulders. These terrace farms are home to poplar, willow, orchard of apples, apricots, barley and buckwheat.

Dards and Baltis

For hundreds of years, people of both Dardic and Baltic communities have settled on this frosty land and conquered the extreme cold conditions. The majority of the population is Muslim. However, there is a small section which follows Buddhism. The people here have built colourful shops and houses made of wood and bricks, which line both sides of the road with spectacular snow-capped mountain peaks as the backdrop. The inhabitants have successfully nullified the engulfing snow in winter (during the period of mid-October to early May) to carry on with the primary occupation of trading and transportation. They also help the tourists to navigate the area. The nature of the locals is amicable and warm, and they love sharing stories and folklore with the tourists.

Restaurants and Local Food in Dras

People in this region savor some palatable Tibetan dishes like momos and Thukpa, Punjabi dishes like Kulcha and Chole and some Kashmiri cuisines.

One Day Itinerary

Dras is mainly a trekking base, but if someone wants to visit this place, it is recommended not to miss Dras war memorial. Dras is usually visited as a part of visits to places like Kargil and other major treks. It is recommended to stop over at Dras for some time to see the memorial. If you have a whole day to spend at the place, use the time to enjoy the beauty of the place and maybe even explore the photographer within you.

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Holidify's Opinion

What's Great?

Great destination to experience the stunning landscape throughout the year.

What's not so Great?

Terrorism prone area but well guarded by the Indian Military. Heavy snowfall during winters causes roadblocks.

For Whom

Dras is ideal for the avid travellers and the trekkers who are in search of a pure and undisturbed beauty of the Himalayas.

Dras Map

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How to Reach Dras

Dras lies on NH 1D, on the way to Srinagar, hence can be reached by hiring a taxi from any of the nearby places. It does have an airport and railway station, thus travelling by road is the only opt... (Read More)

Latest questions by travellers on Dras

Is there a regular taxi service from Srinagar to Dras?

Answer: There not some company or radio taxi service but there are many local taxi drivers in srinagar who can take you to kargil.

2 weeks ago by Pallavi Siddhanta

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