Best Time To Visit Drass

Best Time to Visit Drass, Ladakh, India

Drass, located in the Kargil district of Ladakh in India, is often touted as 'The Gateway to Ladakh' and has gained fame for being one of the coldest inhabited places in the world. The best time to visit Drass is during the summer months, typically from late May to early September. This period offers relatively warm and pleasant weather, with temperatures ranging between 15°C to 25°C. Summers in Drass allow tourists to enjoy the natural beauty without the hindrance of extreme cold and heavy snowfall that this region experiences in the winter. This is also an ideal time for trekking and exploring the beautiful meadows, valleys, and the famous war memorial. The summer season is highlighted by the annual event of Kargil Vijay Diwas on the 26th of July, to commemorate India’s victory in the Kargil War.

Visitors should avoid planning a trip to Drass in winter unless they are prepared for extreme cold, as temperatures can plummet to as low as -45°C. The winter months, from November to early March, can see the entire region covered in a thick blanket of snow, leading to road closures and restricted movement, which can make travel to and from the area challenging and sometimes dangerous. However, for the intrepid traveler seeking a unique experience, the winter landscape of Drass offers an icy wonderland with the frozen Drass river and the snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas. The start and end of the summer season, being shoulder months, can offer fewer tourists and a more serene experience, while still providing manageable temperatures and accessible roads.