Kargil, the headquarters of the district of the same name, is around 204 km to the east of Srinagar and is the second largest town of Ladakh. Situated at an altitude of about 2,704 meters, Kargil, apart from its importance as a link town to Leh, is an important base for trekking to surrounding areas of the Suru valley, Drass valley and Zanskar region.

Before Indian independence, the place was an important trading post for caravans travelling between Zanskar and Baltistan. Tourists traveling between Zanskar, Leh and Srinagar have to make right halt here, before starting second day of their journey.