Kargil

Kargil was occupied by the Pakistani troops in the summers of 1999 and the Indian Military forces left no stone unturned in order to recapture this paradise. The Kargil war continued from 8th may to 5th July 1999, during the course of which several Indian army men sacrificed their lives to protect the country. The bravery of such sort is incomparable. In spite of the enmity that grew then, the valley survived unscathed.

La dvags rgyal rabs used to denote the present-day territory of Kargil as 'dKal skyil' which is a Tibetan connotation of its original name. Earlier, it was known as Purig, as wars went and multiple dynasties ruled the territory, it’s identity changed in many ways. There are multiple contradictions related to the origin of the word which is why it is still under debate. Kargil is said to be derived from 'Kar' which means castle and 'rKil' which means the centre as in a place that lies among various kingdoms. Another competing theory says it has been derived from 'gar' which means anywhere and 'Khil' a central location where people can reside.

Kargil was initially a part of the Baltistan district of Ladakh where it used to provide shelter to Tibetan Buddhists. With the rise of Shia movement in the 14th century, the first Kashmir war resulted in the division of the district and 1947 it became a part of Kashmir. At the end of Indo-Pak war in the 1970s, both the nations signed a treaty called the Shimla agreement which reinforced the cease-fire line as Line of Control (LoC) and pledged to respect the boundary. Pakistan forces in 1999 infiltrated the 160 kilometres long stretch of the ridge which overlooked the road from Srinagar to Leh. After a brief period of diplomacy and war, Pakistan forces withdrew, but the trail of conspiracies didn’t. Another major outlook that made Kargil of great historical significance was its silk route. It was a major gateway for traders and played a crucial role in its early economy.

1. Rangdum Monastery: Located in the Suhu Valley, the monastery is surrounded by mountains, hills and glaciers that add to the charm of the place. Built in the 18th century, the Rangdum Monastery houses around 40 monks and domesticated donkeys and shelters some beautiful artefacts and paintings of the Tibetian culture.

2. Mulbekh Monastery: A prominent tourist attraction in Kargil, the Mulbekh Monastery is known for its two Gompas, each of which belongs to the Srukpa and Gelugpa sects. The monastery is situated at an elevation of 3,304 metres and portrays the skilled craftsmanship of ancient times. There is a 9 meters tall statue of Maitreya Buddha which is also called Chamba by the localities. Built somewhere in the 8th century AD, some say that this statue also resembles Lord Shiva. The place houses some valuable relics and inscriptions that are of historical importance.

3. Kargil War Memorial: It's hard not to feel patriotic and nationalistic when you're at the Kargil War Memorial and is a must-visit attraction for everyone, Indian or otherwise. One can see a picture description of what happened during the Kargil War and the many lives that were laid down to save the nation. The memorial is made of a sandstone wall with the names of the soldiers inscribed on it.

4. Suru Valley: If you want to be in the lap of nature, then Suru Valley is the place for you! Surrounded by hills, rivers as well as valleys, you can see the contrast in the scenery here as it is filled with lush greenery on one side and rocky mountainous terrain on the other side. The Nun Peak and the Kun Peak add to the beauty of the place.

The main bazaar is filled with plenty of eateries offering Punjabi, Tibetan and Kashmiri cuisines. Pasgo and Shangrila restaurants are considered the best. Though there are chances that you might find the food to be relatively expensive in the vicinity
View Top Restaurants in Kargil

Kargil is a millitary area, also used as a stopover for people going to Ladakh from Srinagar or while returning. While your stay in Kargil, you should visit the Kargil War Memorial to witness the heroics of Indian army in the 1999 war against Pakistan. Mulbekh Monastery is another peaceful place where you can go and relax amidst nature. You can walk around the main bazaar and indulge in shopping and eating and visit nearby monasteries.

A beautiful mix of serenity and patriotism. Home to some of the most beautiful abodes of Buddhism.

Extremely cold in winters. A volatile region owing to proximity with LOC.

Ideal for tourists of every kind. People visiting Ladakh or Srinagar can make a stopover here.

Summer is the best season for a visit to Kargil. The months when Kargil is open for a trip are from March - October. The freezing cold winters, along with the dangerous monsoons, are not the best seasons if you want to have a taste of the district that is Kargil.
Read More

The main bazaar is filled with plenty of eateries offering Punjabi, Tibetan and Kashmiri cuisines. Pasgo and Shangrila restaurants are considered the best. Though there are chances that you might find the food to be relatively expensive in the vicinity
Read More

Kargil is connected to the rest of India only by roads. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity, although you can take a flight for Leh / Srinagar, and then jump into a taxi for the same. The nearest railway station is in Jammu, which is around 485 km. from the district.
Read More

The packages for Kargil start at INR 25000 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

The top things to do in Kargil are Mulbekh Monastery, Drass war memorial, Kargil main street, Suru Basin, Trekking, Lamayuru Monastry. You can see all the places to visit in Kargil here

The top places near to Kargil are Amarnath which is 69 km from Kargil, Srinagar which is located 133 km from Kargil, Manali which is located 275 km from Kargil, Ladakh which is located 182 km from Kargil, Mcleodganj which is located 255 km from Kargil