Dras: Where winter means -40°C and epic stories

India Nov 18, 2025

Tucked away in Ladakh's Kargil district, Dras is officially the world's second-coldest inhabited place—think winter temps dropping below -40°C, with lows reaching as much as -45°C.
At 3,280 meters high, this valley town spends months blanketed in snow, making it a real-life test of endurance.

Why does Dras matter?

When summer finally arrives (June to early September), Dras transforms—lush valleys open up for trekkers heading to spots like Suru Valley.
It's also a living piece of history from the 1999 Kargil War, with memorials honoring fallen soldiers.
Even the traditional Ladakhi homes here are built tough, showing how people have adapted to some of Earth's wildest weather.