Drang is another recently discovered tourist station in the beautiful Vale of Kashmir. It is located about 38 km north of Srinagar on Gulmarg road, just 3 km away from Tangmarg. The place is quite similar to Pahalgam with a fast water stream, known as Ferozpur-Nalla, flowing down. It is however a small place and is suitable for a day picnic or a short visit during your trip to Gulmarg.
There are very few glaciers in the world where one can reach by road, and Drang Drung Glacier is that one such spectacular sight in India. The 22 kilometers long Drang-Drung-Glacier, situated just after crossing the Pensi La into the Zanskar valley, is Ladakh's largest glacier accessible to tourists. For all the adventure enthusiasts, the glacier is just amazing to visit but requires three days strenuous trek from Padum. The three days trekking voyage from the Leh Zanskar valley is beautiful and one can expect to see the natural marvels like stunning glaciers, spectacular mountain ranges, and fruit orchards. If not trekking then do carry the binoculars to see its stunning view from the Pensi La Pass, located between Padum and Rangdum.
Drang Drung Glacier is accessible only via the NH 1D, a national highway which connects Srinagar and Leh. If traveling from Kargil, the glacier lies on the right side of Kargil-Zanskar Road, which cuts and runs through several gorge valley of Suru River. Once at the Pensi La mountain, trek for a day to reach the Drang-Drung Glacier.
Drang Drung Glacier is the base of many trekking expeditions. So trekking is probably the only way through which one can capture the essence and beauty of the glacier.
Tourists can plan a visit to the Drang Drung glacier only between July and September. For the rest of the year the roads that lead to the glacier - Zojila and Pensi La pass remain closed for tourists because of the heavy snowfall.
