Srinagar to Leh by road: the 2-day mountain drive

The Srinagar to Leh highway is about 420 km and takes two days with an overnight in Kargil. It is one of the best ways to reach Ladakh because you gain altitude gradually.

Day 1 - Srinagar to Kargil

Through Sonamarg, over Zoji La (3,528 m), past the Drass war memorial - Drass is one of the coldest inhabited places on earth - to Kargil for the night.

Day 2 - Kargil to Leh

Past the moonland ridges of Lamayuru, its monastery, the Indus-Zanskar confluence at Nimmu, and Magnetic Hill, arriving in Leh by afternoon.

Why do it this way

• Gradual acclimatisation beats flying straight to Leh
• The scenery changes completely - green valley to high desert
• Pairs naturally with a few days in Kashmir first

See the combined Srinagar to Leh 8N/9D itinerary or the Ladakh bike trip.