Plan your Kargil trip
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Quick answer: Kargil is the overnight halt on the Srinagar to Leh highway, about 200 km and 7 hours from Srinagar over Zoji La. On the way you pass Drass and the Kargil War Memorial at the foot of Tololing, about 55 to 60 km before Kargil town. From Kargil, Mulbekh’s rock-cut Maitreya is about 40 km towards Leh and the Suru Valley opens to the south. The road is usually open from late spring to early winter.
| Kargil at a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| From Srinagar | About 200 km, around 7 hours via Sonmarg and Zoji La |
| Kargil War Memorial | At Drass, about 55 to 60 km before Kargil |
| Kargil to Leh | About 220 km, 6 to 7 hours via Mulbekh, Namik La, Fotu La and Lamayuru |
| Nearby | Mulbekh (about 40 km), Suru Valley, Sankoo, Panikhar |
| Season | Usually late April or May to November, depending on Zoji La |
| Taxi from Srinagar | From Rs 2,500 per day (Swift Dzire) |
How do you get from Srinagar to Kargil?
The road runs up the Sindh valley to Sonmarg, climbs the switchbacks of Zoji La into Ladakh, then follows the Drass river to Kargil town. It is about 200 km and close to 7 hours with stops. Zoji La is the bottleneck: it closes after heavy snow and through deep winter, and traffic is sometimes one-way at set hours, so leave Srinagar or Sonmarg early. The Zoji La tunnel is under construction and is not yet a way to skip the pass.
Our Srinagar to Kargil taxi runs with local drivers who cross the pass through the season, and a 12 seat tempo traveller is available for groups.
Kargil War Memorial at Drass
The memorial stands beside the highway at Drass, below Tololing and within sight of Tiger Hill, two of the peaks fought over in 1999. It has a sandstone wall with the names of soldiers who died, a museum gallery and views of the battle ridges. It is an emotional, well-kept stop and takes 45 minutes to an hour. Timings can change, so allow for a midday break. Drass itself is known as one of the coldest inhabited places in India.
Places to see around Kargil
- Mulbekh, about 40 km towards Leh: a tall Maitreya Buddha carved into a rock face beside the road, and a monastery on the crag above.
- Suru Valley, south of Kargil: Sankoo and Panikhar villages, orchards and fields, and views of the Nun Kun massif further up towards Rangdum and Pensi La, the route into Zanskar.
- Kargil town and the Suru river: the old bazaar and a walk along the river in the evening.
- On to Leh: Namik La and Fotu La passes and the moonland around Lamayuru Monastery.
Srinagar to Leh via Kargil: a 2 day plan
| Day | Route | Stops |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Srinagar to Kargil, about 200 km | Sonmarg, Zoji La, Drass War Memorial |
| 2 | Kargil to Leh, about 220 km | Mulbekh, Namik La, Fotu La, Lamayuru, Magnetic Hill |
Breaking the drive in Kargil also helps you acclimatise gradually before Leh. See Srinagar to Leh road trip for the full route and Srinagar to Leh taxi fare for costs.
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Which car for the Kargil road?
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for | From (per day, with driver) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Dzire | 4 | Couples, two to three adults | Rs 2,500 |
| Toyota Etios | 4 | Couples who want a little more boot space | Rs 2,800 |
| Hyundai Creta | 5 | Small families, higher seating | Rs 4,000 |
| Innova Crysta | 7 | Families with luggage | Rs 4,500 |
| Force Traveller | 12 | Groups and two families together | Rs 5,000 |
| Toyota Fortuner | 7 | Premium SUV, winter roads | Rs 9,000 |
Rates are per day with driver; a Srinagar to Leh trip via Kargil is usually 2 days one way plus the return days, confirmed in writing before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Kargil?
May to October is the dependable window. Zoji La often opens in late April or May and closes after heavy snow in November or December. Late July to September can bring rain and landslides, so keep a buffer day. Winter in Drass and Kargil is extremely cold and the highway is usually shut.
Written and checked by the Happy Jacks Tours and Travels planning team in Srinagar, who run these trips, drive these roads and operate our own Pahalgam hotels and cab fleet. Package prices on this page are read live from our published rates. Updated 17 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Kargil from Srinagar?
About 200 km by road, close to 7 hours via Sonmarg, Zoji La and Drass.
Where is the Kargil War Memorial?
At Drass, beside the Srinagar to Leh highway below Tololing, about 55 to 60 km before Kargil town.
Is it worth staying a night in Kargil?
Yes, on a Srinagar to Leh road trip. It splits the drive into two days and helps you acclimatise before Leh.
What are the best places to visit in Kargil?
The Kargil War Memorial at Drass, the rock-cut Maitreya at Mulbekh, Suru Valley villages such as Sankoo and Panikhar, and the passes and Lamayuru Monastery on the way to Leh.
Is the Srinagar to Kargil road open in winter?
Usually not. Zoji La closes after heavy snow and through deep winter. The road is generally open from late April or May to November, depending on snow.
How much is a taxi from Srinagar to Kargil?
Our cabs start at Rs 2,500 per day for a Swift Dzire, Rs 4,500 for an Innova Crysta and Rs 5,000 for a 12 seat Force Traveller, confirmed in writing for your dates.
Related pages
- Srinagar to Kargil taxi
- Srinagar to Leh taxi
- Nubra Valley travel guide
- Sonmarg travel guide
- Kashmir and Ladakh combined itinerary
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