Where To Visit:

Drass:
The town of Drass, 60 km west of Kargil on the road to Srinagar, is located at an altitude of 3,300 m in a relatively flat and open space in the centre of a valley. It has extensive willow groves along the river. In winter it is covered with a thick blanket of snow. Drass experiences the lowest temperatures in the Ladakh valley and is said to be the second coldest inhabited place in Asia. The mercury may drop to as low as 40 degrees Celsius below freezing point, and communication with the outside world is often completely cut off. During the spring and summer, however, the valley around the township becomes very picturesque as the gently undulating hillsides turn into lush green pastures splashed with a variety of fragrant wild flowers.

Drass is a convenient base for a 3-day long trek to the Suru valley across the sub-range separating the two valleys. This trek passes through some of the most beautiful upland villages with flower sprinkled meadows on both sides of the 4,500 metres high Umbala pass which falls en route. The trek to the holy cave of Amarnath in neighbouring Kashmir, which starts from Minamarg below Zoji La, takes 3 days and involves crossing a 5,200 metres high pass. Drass also offers numerous shorter treks and hikes to the upland villages.



How to Get There
Buses plying between Srinagar and Kargil/Leh touch Drass. Local buses leave Kargil in the morning and afternoon for Drass

Tourist Information
All tourists to Ladakh, travelling from Srinagar by road are required to register themselves at the Tourist Registration Centre at Drass.

Gulmarg
Gulmarg, or meadow of flowers, is an apt term indeed for this idyllic flower-laden meadow at an altitude of 2,730 metres, in Baramulla district. Situated at a distance of 51 km from Srinagar, it is a saucer-shaped bowl overhanging the main valley of Kashmir. The towering peaks above the meadow are covered with dense forests of tall conifers and gigantic fir and pine trees, all vying with each other to touch the azure skies. An equally popular destination in winter, it is coated with a blanket of thick, soft snow, turning its gentle slopes into some of the finest ski slopes. Surrounded by crests of white, the air seems to sparkle against the ice as skiers flash past in the hush of the snow. The beginner's slope makes learning easy, with perfect snow conditions and a gentle gradient. Trained instructors are available and equipment can be hired. Skating, curling, and ski bobbing are some of the activities offered.

Gulmarg's international lush green golf course is the highest in the world. Equipment is available on hire for the visitor allured by the golf greens here. Gulmarg was once an important trekking base and the Gulmarg-Khilanmarg-Apharwat-Alpather is still a great trek.

Accommodation
Gulmarg's hotels offer accommodation and meals to suit all budgets. A luxurious chalet-type hotel is available. JKTDC has huts on offer at Gulmarg. All these properties require advance booking from Srinagar.

How to Get There
Air : The nearest airport to Gulmarg is in Badgam district.
Rail : The Jammu railway station is the closest in the vicinity.
Road : Gulmarg is a two-hour bus journey from Srinagar. Various modes of transport including chartered conveyance are available from Srinagar bus stand at Batmallo. The journey from Tangmarg can also be undertaken on ponies.