Overview
About Zojila
Zoji La stands at about 3,529 m on National Highway 1 between Srinagar and Leh, roughly 100 km from Srinagar on the Ganderbal and Kargil district boundary. It connects the Kashmir valley with the Dras, Suru and Indus valleys.
The southern approach is steep and heavily forested, and the carriageway is narrow and unsurfaced in places. Heavy snowfall closes the pass each winter and clearance crews cut through deep ice walls to reopen it.
On the ground
What to look for
- Gateway between Kashmir and Ladakh
- Steep unsurfaced climb above Sonamarg
- Site of the 1948 Operation Bison
Best time
When to go
In season now
Best months: Jun–Sep.
Know
Good to know
- Closed by snow every winter; reopening date varies each year
- Narrow, landslide-prone carriageway with sheer drops and heavy truck traffic
- Convoy and one-way restrictions are common; check road status before travel
Getting there
From Srinagar
- Nearest town
- Sonamarg
- Road ends at
- Zoji La top (NH1)
Location