Travel Guide Kargil

214 km from Leh and 205 km from Srinagar. Altitude: 2,704 m. Wedged between Kashmir and the Indus Valley, at the confluence of the Suru and Wakha rivers, Kargil is Ladakh's second-largest town with 12,000 inhabitants. The vast majority of the population is Muslim (alcohol is prohibited), while a minority is Buddhist. Kargil was an important stopover on the Silk Road. Later, the town fell victim to the conflicts between Kashmir and Pakistan. The town's gates remained closed to tourists until 1974, leaving indelible marks as tourists are still rare today. Yet Kargil remains a must-see on any trip to the region. However, you won't linger there for more than one night. Travellers fresh from Ladakh sometimes find it hard to acclimatize to the town and its atmosphere.