The road from Srinagar to Leh is one of the great Himalayan drives: forested Sonamarg, the Zojila pass, the war memorial at Drass, Kargil, moonscapes and monasteries along the Indus. It's also the gentlest way to reach Ladakh's altitude.
- Srinagar to Leh is about 420 km; take two days with a night in Kargil.
- The road usually opens in late spring and closes with heavy snow.
- Climbing gradually from Srinagar helps with altitude.
- Nubra and Pangong need Inner Line Permits; Leh itself does not for Indians.
The route
- Srinagar to Sonamarg: about 80 km along the Sindh River.
- Over Zojila to Drass: a rough, high pass that's often the slowest section.
- Drass to Kargil: past the Kargil War Memorial.
- Kargil to Leh: via Mulbekh, Fotu La, Lamayuru and the Indus valley.
Total distance is roughly 420 km. Do it in two days, with a night in Kargil, or three with a night in Sonamarg first.
Season
Zojila typically opens in late spring and stays open until heavy snow in late autumn, but dates change every year. Check before you book with the district administration or Leh district's official site.
Altitude
Leh sits around 3,500 m. Arriving by road gives your body two or three days to adjust: Sonamarg, then Kargil, then Leh. Even so, take the first afternoon in Leh easy, drink water, avoid alcohol and tell us about any heart or breathing conditions before you travel.
Permits and practicalities
- Nubra Valley, Pangong and several border areas need an Inner Line Permit; we arrange it with your ID.
- Fuel stations are spaced out; your driver plans fills.
- Only some postpaid mobile networks work in Ladakh.
Packages on this route
Our Srinagar Ladakh tour package takes nine days with Nubra and Pangong. For the full circuit ending in Manali, see the Srinagar Leh Manali tour. More on the Leh Ladakh packages page.
Last updated:
About the author: Written and checked by the Travel Wiki planning team, who arrange Kashmir and Ladakh trips every week from Srinagar and Bijbihara.
