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const {Fragment: _Fragment, jsx: _jsx, jsxs: _jsxs} = arguments[0];
const {useMDXComponents: _provideComponents} = arguments[0];
function _createMdxContent(props) {
  const _components = {
    h2: "h2",
    hr: "hr",
    li: "li",
    p: "p",
    ul: "ul",
    ..._provideComponents(),
    ...props.components
  };
  return _jsxs(_Fragment, {
    children: [_jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "This isn’t a casual drive. It’s raw mountains, narrow roads, army convoys, and weather that changes in minutes."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "The stretch from Sonamarg to Ladakh crosses Zoji La. One of the most dramatic mountain passes in India. If you like high-altitude road trips, this is it."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "The Route Overview"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "The drive connects Sonamarg in Kashmir to Drass and then Kargil in Ladakh."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Main route:"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Sonamarg → Zoji La Pass → Drass → Kargil → (optional onward to Leh)"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Total distance from Sonamarg to Kargil is roughly 125 km. It sounds short. It isn’t. Expect 5 to 7 hours depending on traffic and road conditions."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "Zoji La Pass: What to Expect"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Zoji La sits at about 11,500 feet."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "The road is narrow. In some stretches, there’s barely space for two vehicles to cross. No guardrails in sections. Mud, slush, loose rocks."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "If it has rained recently, the surface gets rough. In early season, snow walls line the road. I’m not sure, but for many first-timers, this is the most intense drive they’ve ever done."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Drive slow. Let experienced local drivers overtake. Don’t panic when trucks pass close."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "Best Time to Do This Road Trip"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "The pass is open roughly from May to October. Heavy snow shuts it in winter."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "June to September offers the most stable weather. July and August are greener but can see rain-triggered landslides."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "If you’re visiting in May or October, check road status a day before departure. Closures happen without much notice."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "Starting Point: Sonamarg"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Sonamarg is your last relaxed stop before the climb."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Fuel up here. Eat here. Use the washroom here. Facilities thin out quickly after you leave town."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Spend a night in Sonamarg if you can. Starting early the next morning helps you avoid traffic and convoy delays."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "First Major Stop: Drass"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "After descending Zoji La, you reach Drass."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Known as one of the coldest inhabited places in India, Drass feels stark and open. The landscape changes. Trees thin out. The terrain becomes more rugged."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "You can stop at the Kargil War Memorial on the way. It’s maintained by the Indian Army and gives context to the region’s history."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "Kargil: Rest and Refuel"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Kargil is the main town between Srinagar and Leh."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "You’ll find:"
    }), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
      children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
        children: "Fuel stations"
      }), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
        children: "Basic hotels"
      }), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
        children: "ATMs"
      }), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
        children: "Restaurants"
      }), "\n"]
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "If you’re not used to altitude, consider staying overnight here before heading to Leh. It helps your body adjust gradually."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "Self-Drive or Taxi?"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Both work."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Self-drive gives freedom. But mountain driving demands confidence. Sharp turns, unpredictable surfaces, heavy vehicles."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Local taxi drivers know the terrain. They read the road better than Google Maps. If you’re unsure about your driving skills, hire one."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "Essential Tips Before You Go"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Start early. Morning traffic is lighter."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Carry:"
    }), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
      children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
        children: "Warm layers (even in summer)"
      }), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
        children: "Water and snacks"
      }), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
        children: "Offline maps"
      }), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
        children: "Basic medicines"
      }), "\n"]
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "There are army checkpoints. Keep your ID handy."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Fuel stations are limited between Sonamarg and Kargil. Don’t start with a half tank."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "Altitude Awareness"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "You’ll gain elevation quickly."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Some people feel mild headache or dizziness. Hydrate. Avoid alcohol the night before. Don’t rush straight to high altitude camping unless you’re acclimatized."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "If symptoms get worse, descend. Don’t ignore your body."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "What Makes This Drive Special"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "The shift in scenery."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Kashmir’s green valleys slowly fade into Ladakh’s brown and gold mountains. The air feels drier. The sky looks bigger."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "It doesn’t feel like a gradual change. It feels like crossing into another world."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
      children: "Is It Worth It?"
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "Yes."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "It’s not smooth. It’s not polished. Parts of it are uncomfortable."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "But that’s the point."
    }), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
      children: "When you finally reach Ladakh after crossing Zoji La, you don’t just arrive. You feel like you earned it."
    })]
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