Kargil is along the historic path connecting Srinagar and Leh and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and rocky pathways. I have always known Kargil as a historic site, and for its cold weather and long roads. However, I did not want my trip to Kargil to be just one more ordinary stop during my journey to Leh.
How I planned my road trip through Kargil
The first important decision I made was to avoid rushing through the stretch from Srinagar to Kargil. Due to the nature of mountain roads, the journey’s length cannot be estimated properly. Thus, I organised my time to make sure that I finished my trip on time.
I checked Kargil’s road and weather conditions
During my trip preparations, I was concerned about the road’s state. I started following the road conditions two weeks before the other travellers. I also kept a buffer day in my itinerary. That gave me some flexibility in case snowfall, landslides, or road closures affected the journey. That extra day meant I did not have to force the drive to stay on schedule.
I planned Kargil as an overnight stop
Instead of merely stopping in Kargil for gas and something to eat, I decided to spend the night there, as I could explore the town and its surrounding areas without tiring out from the journey.
I also looked at hotels in Kargil before leaving. Instead of luxury, I focused on comfort and a location preferably close to the market, eateries and essential services.
I left room for unplanned stops in Kargil
I deliberately avoided making the itinerary too rigid. Mountain journeys often offer small, unplanned, but memorable moments.
A roadside view, a quiet tea stall, changing clouds, or a short photo stop can easily become part of the memory. Leaving some free time allowed me to enjoy those moments instead of constantly watching the clock.
The places I stopped at during my Kargil road trip
Once the planning was done, the actual journey turned out to be very different from simply following a route on a map. Each stop had its own character, and the landscape kept changing as I moved closer to Kargil and then towards Leh.
Drass: My first Kargil stop
Drass was one of my first meaningful stops before reaching Kargil. The town is known for its extremely cold winters, but what I noticed first was the pleasant mountain air.
I stopped at a small roadside stall for tea and spent some time looking at the surrounding mountains. Clouds were moving across the slopes, constantly changing the view.
It was a simple stop, but it changed the pace of my journey. Until then, I had been thinking mostly about reaching Kargil. Drass reminded me to authentically enjoy the road.
Kargil War Memorial
The Kargil War Memorial was the first stop on my trip. The memorial is located close to Drass and commemorates the soldiers who fought in the Kargil War of 1999.
I spent more time at the memorial than I had expected. The pictures and facts provided by the memorial made my visit feel special instead of just sightseeing. This is a place where I slowed down naturally, engaging in contemplation.
Kargil town
Upon arriving at Kargil, I spent my evening exploring it instead of going to my hotel. The town was not as lively as I had expected. The shops located in the market were aimed at local needs, and the Suru River flowed by the town, creating a lovely backdrop.
A night in Kargil
I stayed overnight in Kargil before continuing towards Leh. After a full day on winding mountain roads, returning to a simple and comfortable room made a noticeable difference.
The stay also gave me the chance to start the next day without feeling rushed. For anyone making the Srinagar-Leh journey by road, I would recommend treating Kargil as a proper overnight halt rather than trying to cover everything in one stretch.
Mulbekh on the road ahead in Kargil
The next day, I resumed my journey toward Leh. One stop that stood out in this part of the journey was Mulbekh, famous for its giant rock sculpture of Lord Buddha.
The landscape began changing radically. The surrounding terrain became less green, and it felt very dry, as if I had entered Ladakh.
Final thoughts
The most helpful advice I learned is that Kargil requires a lot of time instead of just a stop. Planning the route, taking into consideration the road conditions, weather and actual driving hours made the trip more comfortable.
I would advise adding a flexible day to your itinerary. What seems unnecessary during the trip planning from home may be vital if the mountain weather changes your plans. Most importantly, when you plan your itinerary, do not underestimate the importance of spontaneous stops.
