Srinagar to Leh Road Trip Guide

Srinagar Leh highway is 425 KM long. travelers often choose this route to reach Leh. Srinagar Leh road trip is very thrilling and adventurous roads in the world. The road passes through the beautiful towns of Sonamarg, Drass and Kargil. The roads are zigzag and very risky to drive on and travelling at night is definitely not recommended. The sky touching mountains and little towns on the way are amazing the overall scenic view is stunning. The high altitude mountain passes on the way, receives snow every year but has several benefits as well.

Srinagar Leh Ladakh Trip is overall exciting and adventurous as a regular practice the road which opens in the month of May is closed in October as snowfall starts. The road up to Kargil is narrow. Generally, drivers, travelers and trip lovers from all over the world loves to undertaking this road trip of their lifetime. Apart from being popular for its enchanting views, the road from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil holds strategic importance for India.

Srinagar Leh Road is highest motor able road in World to the journey toward Nubra Valley. Next halt will be at Siachen tourist base Camp at North pullu. The beautiful and picturesque scenes will challenge you physically and mentally. The scenic beauty and reach the sand dunes to capture beautiful evening. Hunder village is most popular place for the camel rides in the high altitude cold desert land. The camel rides,safari are done on Bactrian Double-humped Camels which are reminder the bygone era of Silk Route trade. Reach hotel by evening .Dinner and overnight stay in Nubra Valley with bonfire. Overnight stay in HUNDER.

Srinagar To Leh Road Map

Places on Srinagar – Leh Highway.

Sonamarg

Sonmarg, also called the ‘meadow of gold’ has, as its backdrop, beautiful snowy mountains against a cerulean blue sky. The Sindh meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer fishing, snow trout fishes can be caught in the main river of sonmarg. In late April month when Srinagar – Sonmarg road is open for transport, the visitors can have access to enjoy the snow which is furnished all over like a white carpet. The small Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier a major tourist attraction during the summer months. In its vicinity lies the great Himalayan glaciers of Kashmir Valley namely Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier with some peaks of above 5,000 m: Sirbal Peak, Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak and Machoi Peak. Sonmarg is located in a valley at the bank of Nallah Sindh, around 87 km north-east from Srinagar city. It is a major and popular tourist destination, nestled within the imposing high Himalayan peaks. It lies at an altitude of 2800 m above sea level. The drive to Sonmarg passes Nallah Sindh, a major tributary of the River Jehlum in the Kashmir valley. It is upwards of 60 miles long valley and deep rock-grit gorge to open grassy meadow land and village-dotted slopes.

Zoji La

Zoji La is a high mountain pass in the Himalayan range in the Indian union territory of Ladakh. Located in the Kargil district of Ladakh, the pass connects the Kashmir Valley to its west with the Dras and Suru valleys to its northeast and the Indus valley further east. It takes nearly an hour to reach Sonamarg town from Zojila as this place lies at a height of around 11,649 ft above from the sea level. Located on the Indian National Highway (NH1) between Srinagar and Leh, is Zoji La pass, in the western section of the Himalayan mountain ranges.

Drass

Drass is halting place for travellers going to Leh. There is a Tourist complex and Tourist office with Accommodation blocks for travellers. There are a number of Hotels and small tea stalls are in Drass. One can have enjoy the superb views of War time hill features like “Tiger Hill” and Tololing from the spot. It is often called “The Gateway to Ladakh”. The government’s official spelling of the town is Drass. It is the second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia in Russia and coldest place in India with lowest rocord temperature -60°C on January 09, 1990.

Kargil

Kargil, is located in western Ladakh union territory, northwestern India, formerly part of northwestern Jammu and Kashmir state. The area, centered on the town of Kargil, lies in the Zaskar Range of the Himalayas and adjoins the line of control between (LOC) between India & Pakistan. The portions of the Kashmir region administered by India and Pakistan. Kargil town, located roughly equidistant between Srinagar (southwest) and Leh (southeast), is considered the gateway to Ladakh.

Mulbekh

Mulbekh is Around 45 kilometre east of Kargil town heading towards Leh, is the famous Chamba Statue in Mulbekh village, a striking enormous figure carved into the rock face on the right hand side of the road. It pictures a standing Maitreya Buddha come overlooking the old trade route and modern highway. Few people believe that it dates to the Kushan period in the early centuries. Modern scholars date it as being from around the eighth century. Unfortunately, the down part of the statue is partly obscured by a little temple built in 1975.

Namika La

Namika La pass, situated at the Zanskar range that connects Srinagar- Leh highway. Its high mountain pass in the Himalayas at at 34°22′N 76°35′E. This pass located at the height of 12,170 feet above the sea level is also known as the pillar of the sky passes.Tourists here can see the rock carvings of Maitreya Buddha as well as a Gompa. It is one of the most and important passes in Ladakh area and the last one too, before one enters the Kargil town. You will find several number of signboards giving important information to travelers. Although a barren land, and once you cross this pass you can admire the breathtaking view of the lush green surroundings and snow-covered mountain peaks.

Fotu La

Fotu La Passs is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.108m (13,478ft) from the sea level, located in the Himalayas Zaskar Range.The pass is located on the Srinagar-Leh highway. Fotu La Pass Ladakh is incredible with the snow-clad views of the mountains.

Lamayuru

Lamayuru is popular for its ‘lunar’ landscape and monastery. Interestingly, this quaint little village is promoted as ‘moonscape’ for tourists; reason being its incredible yet odd geographical formations.It is a small village between Kargil and Leh in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Lamayuru is home to one of the oldest and famous monasteries in Ladakh region, dating back to the 10th century. Local legend has it that the village was once a lake that dried up. The village has around the 100 houses scattered around the Lamayuru village Monastery.

Khaltsi

Khaltsi village is located in Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir in India. It is located 76 KM towards west from District head quarters Leh. Much of its importance is because it is the place where the road from Kashmir valley debouches into the Indus Valley. Close by are the remains of an old fortified houses.

Sasapol

Saspol is a Town in Leh District of Jammu & Kashmir. Saspol is the famous for its caves like Alchi and Likir monasteries. Tourists visit to those caves.Saspol Caves are situated in the hills behind Saspol, Ladakh, India, which is about 76 km from the city centre of Leh.

Nimmu

Nimmoo is located in Leh District of Jammu & Kashmir, 35 km from Leh. Nimu is a stop for all the river rafting lovers and is the main starting point for the annually held all India river rafting expedition, which is done in the Indus River.