As a Tibetan Buddhist-majority area in a Hindu-majority country, the North Indian territory of Ladakh is an anomaly. Things get even more complicated in Muslim-majority Kargil, Ladakh’s second-largest town after Leh. Here, you’re more likely to be woken by the Islamic call to prayer than the sonorous chants of Buddhist monks. Near a geopolitically tense border region fought over by India and Pakistan, Kargil is heavily militarized. But it’s generally peaceful and a handy base when looking for things to do in western Ladakh.
The main tourism season in Ladakh is between June and September, when most of the territory has thawed from the harsh winters, and the roads are passable. Because Kargil is lower in altitude than Leh—8,779 feet (2,676 meters) in contrast to Leh’s 11,482 feet (3,500 meters)—getting to Kargil by road via Srinagar is usually possible April–October. Kargil Airport is primarily a military airfield, so access is only by road.
Kargil is quite small, so it’s easy to walk around. Ladakh isn’t as well-serviced by public transport as other Indian regions, so it’s harder to get around by bus, and there’s no train. You’ll need to hire a private vehicle and driver or join a tour to explore the Kargil district beyond the town. Some intrepid travelers explore Ladakh by motorbike, but it’s essential to have ample riding experience. Buses connect Kargil to Leh and Srinagar.
Despite the remoteness of Kargil and the general challenge of getting there, the roads are mostly in great condition—once they’ve thawed from the thick blankets of snow that fall in winter. Because there’s a big Indian Army presence across Ladakh, the roads are wide, well-paved, and usually pretty comfortable for long car journeys. This is good news because getting around Kargil’s mountainous terrain can take time.