Zojilla pass and Zero point @Sonamarg-not for the faint hearted!!
Zoji La (Ladakhi: ཟོ་ཇི་ ལཱ་) is a high mountain pass in Jammu and Kashmir, India, located on the Indian National Highway 1D between Srinagar and Leh in the western section of the Himalayan mountain range. Though often referred to as Zojila Pass in the foreign press, the correct English translation is Zoji Pass or simply Zojila, since the suffix ‘La’ itself means pass in several Himalayan languages.
While driving towards Zojila, travelers are expected to be centered between Kashmir basin on one side and Dras on the other. Besides the lush green Dras valley, Zojila also overlooks snowcapped summits and dense jungles. Having a history of being seized by the militants of Pakistan, followed by a rescue war by the Indian army, this gateway holds much significance.
Above facts source- Wikipedia.
Words are just not enough to describe this magnificent view…so I leave you all with the breathtaking pictures that I managed to click from our moving vehicle.
On the second last day, we decided to visit Zero point which is appx 30 kms on Sonamarg-Leh road. On the way, we had to pass Zojilla pass which is considered the most dangerous route in the world. The drive of 90 minutes one way was a lifetime experience with stunning scenic beauty. The roads were dangerous with blind curves, calming streams, white snow all around.
It was just so wonderful to see walls of ice on both the sides. This mass of ice looked absolutely magnificent. Once we reached zero point the view even got better. The entire range of mountains was covered with snow. We just let go ourselves and enjoyed playing in the snow and sipped on hot coffee. There are activities like sledging and ATV bikes and small huts serving tea, coffee and hot maggi.
This place just left us speechless and spellbound. Definitely worth a visit but not for the faint hearted. Be careful and safe while you are at this place and carry some food packets and water with you in case you tend to get stuck in any traffic jams.