About Drass Tourism
Cradled by the formidable Himalayas and nurtured by the Drass River, Drass is one of the most scenic towns in the Kargil District of Jammu and Kashmir. With a Continental Mediterranean Climate, nature in its most rugged and rustic form and the snow-capped peaks standing sentinel to the valley, Drass is one of those places that can be called тАЬpicture postcard perfectтАЭ.
Also called Hembabs (snow land) by the locals, Drass lies on the national highway NH1 between the famous Zoji La pass and Kargil. This sparsely populated town mainly thrives on agriculture however, after the Kargil war, tourism in Drass has been given a huge boost to the economy of the place. Its proximity to the Kargil war site further adds to the popularity of Drass tourism. Besides tourism, Drass is also popular as a trekking base as people stop here during their trek from Minamarg to Amarnath via the Zojila Pass.
Experience The Best Of Drass
When in Drass, along with enjoying the panoramic views of the valley, people can also visit many nearby places that are of great historical as well as religious importance.
тАв The Dras War Memorial: Also known as the Kargil War Memorial, the Drass War Memorial was built to honour the soldiers who laid down their lives during the war in Kargil. The memorial is made from pink stone and bears a brass plate with the names of the soldiers engraved on it. The memorial also features Captain Manoj Pandey gallery, a brave soldier who was posthumously awarded the highest military award, the Param Vir Chakra, for his gallantry.
тАв Mushkoh Valley: Situated in the lap of Drass is the Mushkoh Valley which is best known as the valley of wild tulips. Drass tourism gets a major boost due to this beautiful valley. This valley is merely at a distance of about eight kilometres to the west of the main market of Drass. Be it a traveller on a short sightseeing trip or those with plans to stay in Drass for a couple of days, no one can really bypass the enduring allure of this valley.
тАв Tololing Hill: This hill is a prominent high ground which had great strategic importance during the Kargil War. Today, tourists come here to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding valley, and pay their respects to the fallen soldiers at the Kargil War Memorial which lies close to it.
тАв Ningoor Mosque: An architectural wonder, the Ningoor mosque with its hues of emerald green, turquoise and Persian blue is another masterpiece that complements the pristine beauty of the valley and finds a permanent place in most Drass tourism packages.
тАв Hunderman: One of the most intriguing and exciting places to visit from Drass is Hundurman, or Hunderman, or the Ghost Village. This village has witnessed the horrors of partition and the Indo-Pak war from very close quarters. The тАШMuseum of MemoriesтАЩ that chronicles the lives of all the families impacted by war is a must-visit if you really want to see the aftermath of war up close.
тАв Mulbekh Monastery: Perched atop a steep trekking trail at a height of about 650 feet, the Mulbek Monastery is another important tourist attraction that features in every Drass tourism package. The Maitreya Buddha or The Buddha of the Future is an imposing structure which etches itself in the memories of the visitors. Moreover, a tour to the monastery would be incomplete without tasting the delectable local cuisine and visiting the palace of Rajah Kalon of Mulbekh.
тАв Draupadi Kund: At a distance of about 7 kms from Drass lies the Draupadi Kund exuding a deep sense of calm and magnificence, just like the Queen Draupadi from whose tears the lake is said to have formed. With the beautiful hues of the sky reflecting in the waters, this quaint water body looks ethereal, especially during the summer months, from June to September and must feature in every travel enthusiastтАЩs itinerary for Ladakh.
How To Reach Drass
тАв By Flight: The nearest airport to Drass is the Shaikh ul-Alam Airport in Srinagar, which is well-connected to the major Indian cities. Tourists can hire a cab or taxi from the airport for a reasonable price to reach Drass which is at a distance of about 103 kms.
тАв By Train: It may not be very convenient to reach Drass by train as the railhead nearest to it is Jammu Tawi, which itself is 442 kms away from Jammu. So tourists have to first take a bus to Jammu Tawi and then a train from there.
тАв By Road: The most convenient way to reach Drass is by road as neither does the place have a railway station nor an airport. Several state buses as well as cabs ply on the NH1 and can be easily hired to reach Drass.
Drass reviews
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Women's Special Ladakh
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Women's Special Ladakh
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Best of Ladakh - Pune
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Best of Ladakh - Pune
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Best of Ladakh - Pune
"Tour was absolutely fantastic, and we had a wonderful time. The tour managers were incredibly helpful and took excellent care of us thr... Read more
Best of Ladakh - Pune
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Some good reads to help you travel better!
Drass, with its unique landscape and weather conditions, offers a unique experience and is a testament to the allure of the rustic beauty of nature. However, this panoramic and mesmerising little village has also seen the horrors of war. In 1999, the Kargil war broke out when the Pakistani troops started shelling Drass and its nearby villages. Indian troops were able to drive the infiltrators out, and the war ended with IndiaтАЩs victory.
However, the war and the bloodshed that this peaceful little valley had to witness have indeed left an indelible mark. This quaint little town has fought back, and today, hikers and trekkers throng to Drass to enjoy the rustic charms of nature.
People who love the mountains opt for Drass tourism packages so they can enjoy a peaceful stay and experience the best of the place. Besides the hikers, those seeking spiritual enlightenment and an opportunity to be in close proximity to nature also prefer to visit this place. A Drass tourism package also includes visits to places like the Drass War Memorial, Draupadi Kund, Hunderman and more. Many travellers visiting Drass also prefer to spend a few days in the beautiful cottages here to enjoy the weather of Drass which remains quite chilly even till the tailend of the summer season.
Best Time to Visit Drass
Visiting Drass during the winters would certainly be the most unique experience as it is the coldest place on Earth during the winter months. However, the conditions can become too harsh for outsiders to survive here during the winter months.
The summer months, from May to September, are definitely the best time to visit this picturesque valley. The weather at this time of the year is mild and pleasant, with Drass becoming accessible with the Zoji La pass open.
During spring and fall, heavy rains often make the place inaccessible. Tourists are advised not to make travel plans at this time even if the packages cost way less during this off-season.
Book the Best Drass Tourism Packages by Veena World
Veena World offers excellently curated Drass tourism packages at a cost-effective price. The team at Veena World takes care of all the travel-related logistics on your behalf, which includes everything from air tickets and hotel rooms to local travel and sightseeing. The Veena World Guest Relations Team is available 24/7 throughout and is always happy to help.
