The current Zojila Pass status today is OPEN. Passenger vehicles and tourists can now cross Zojila Pass and travel between Srinagar and Kargil. Traffic, however, is only allowed from one side on alternate days between 9:30 am to 1:00 PM. This will remain to be the routine for the next few weeks.
For example, if traffic was allowed from the Srinagar side on Monday, the traffic from the Kargil side will be allowed on Tuesday. Then from the Srinagar side on Wednesday, from the Kargil side on Thursday, and so forth. This route will be followed until the snow at Zoji La Pass has melted and the road is wide enough for two-way traffic. Zojila Pass remains closed on Fridays for maintenance work.
Below is a video showing how the condition at Zojila Pass currently is.  Passenger vehicles and tourists are still not allowed on the route. To get the most recent updates, you can contact me on Instagram to chat with me or subscribe to my YouTube channel and ask a question there to get the latest status on the road.
To organize your trip to Ladakh, book a taxi, rent a bike, or get the best hotel rates, you can contact Kunal @ 9910402252. From luxurious hotels to budget stays, he can help get you the best rates possible. Take a look at the video below to see the road condition at Zojila Pass and for more information.
Quick Navigation
Zojila Pass Current Status = CLOSED
From Srinagar to Sonamarg is a smooth drive. After Sonamarg, the ascent for Zojila starts and the first 10 kilometers are on a good road. As you start climbing up and get closer to the top, the road starts to deteriorate. It will be badly broken with several water streams on the way and a lot of heavy traffic.
Until Zero Point, which is about 2 kilometers from the top, the road will remain to be bad. After Zero Point, it is in excellent condition all the way to Dras and Kargil.
What makes the drive across Zojila a little difficult is not actually the bad road but the heavy traffic. The road is in fact quite wide. It is bad but wide enough. It is the traffic and the long line of trucks that make the drive tougher.
How to Plan a Trip to Zojila Pass
There are a couple of things that you should keep in mind while planning to visit Zojila. The first is the Friday rule and the second is Zojila Timings.
Zojila on Friday
Zojila remains closed on Friday for road construction and maintenance work. But this rule is mostly applied to bigger vehicles like trucks and buses.
If you were traveling on a bike or in a car, you would be allowed to go even on a Friday. You will be stopped by the cops and they will refuse to let you go. But you will have to talk to them a bit, request and after a few refusals, you will be allowed to proceed.
The benefit of crossing Zojila on Friday is that the traffic is next to none. You will not find any trucks and the drive becomes much easier, taking you less time to complete.
I always plan my trip in a way that I cross Zojila on Friday. It is just that you will have to be a little persuasive and talk to the cops. They usually let the bikes and the cars go. Trucks and Buses are not allowed until the latter part of the day, after 2 pm.
Zojila Timings
In the early days, after the pass has been declared open, traffic from Sonamarg is allowed after 7 am, and traffic from Dras is allowed after 10 am. So if you were driving from the Sonamarg side, try to start at 7 am.
This way, you will cross the pass before the traffic from the other side is released. If you were coming from Dras, reach the check-post by 11 am. By that time, the traffic from Sonamarg would stop.
Srinagar to Sonamarg Road Status = OPEN
The road between Srinagar to Sonamarg is currently OPEN and the hotels in the valley are also open to tourists. For more details, take a look at the Best time to visit Sonamarg.
When will Zojila Pass Open?
The opening of Zojila Pass entirely depends on the weather and how fast BRO can clear the snow. But historically, it is the month of April when the pass is freed of snow and declared open for civilian traffic. There have been instances when the pass was opened in March as well but chances of that happening are extremely rare.
To be on the safer side, do not plan a trip to Zoji La Pass before April 15th. If the weather does not favor it, the opening of the pass can sometimes even get delayed to May 1st week.
When will Srinagar to Sonamarg Road open?
The road between Srinagar and Sonamarg remains closed during the peak winter season. In the months from December to March, the road is only open till Gagangir. The stretch between Gagangir to Sonamarg remains completely snowed out.
Historically, Sonamarg is declared open for tourists sometimes towards late March to early April. First, the Sonamarg road is freed of snow and then Zojila Pass is declared open. To be on the safer side, do not plan a trip to Sonamarg any earlier than late March.
Zoji La
The name Zoji La literally means the “mountain pass of blizzards” and quite rightly so. It is the most difficult stretch on the entire Srinagar Leh highway and it is because of Zoji La that the Leh route remains closed during the winter season.
The pass sits at an altitude of 3,528 meters (11,575 ft) and is a popular tourist attraction. You can find snow at the top of the pass even during the months of summer due to which a lot of people visiting Sonamarg also take a trip to Zoji La Pass.
In all my years of traveling, I have been on numerous passes. But one pass that still makes me a little nervous while crossing is Zojila. I think it is because other than being a high-altitude pass, it is also a very crowded road that sees heavy traffic.
When the pass is open, the road remains busy with tourist vehicles, trucks, buses, and ongoing construction work. I think this also is the reason that among all the high passes that I know of, Zojila sees the highest number of accidents and fatalities.
Best time to visit Zoji La
The best time to visit Zoji La will be anytime between May to October. However, even in these months, you should avoid visiting between late June to August because of the monsoon season and Amarnath Yatra time.
Zojila Pass Permit
There is no permit required to visit Zojila Pass. When can you travel entirely depends on Zojila Pass Road status and the weather.
When does Zojila Pass Open?
Below is a month-by-month breakdown listing months when the pass is open or closed.
- Zojila Pass in January = CLOSED; cannot be reached by road.
- Zojila Pass in February = CLOSED; cannot be reached by road.
- Zojila Pass in March = CLOSED; cannot be reached by road.
- Zojila Pass in April = Closed in the first half of the month but open in the latter half.
- Zojila Pass in May = Open but terrible road conditions. It will also be crowded because of people traveling to Leh Ladakh.
- Zojila Pass in June = Open but the region starts to experience pre-monsoon showers by the end of the month. It will also start to get crowded due to the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.
- Zojila Pass in July = Open but a bad time to visit because of the monsoon. Extremely bad road conditions at the top of the pass.
- Zojila Pass in August = Open but a bad time to visit because of the monsoon. Extremely bad road conditions at the top of the pass.
- Zojila Pass in September = Open; and a good time to visit
- Zojila Pass in October = Open but the pass starts to receive snow towards the end of the month.
- Zojila Pass in November = Open but a bad time to visit. It can snow anytime causing the roads to get blocked.
- Zojila Pass in December = CLOSED
Sonamarg to Zojila Pass Distance
The distance between Sonamarg and Zojila Pass is 23 kilometers.
Sonamarg to Zero Point Distance
Zero-point is actually located a few kilometers from Zojila top, towards Kargil. Coming from Srinagar, the total distance to the zero point will be about 105 kilometers. From Sonamarg, the distance is about 27 kilometers.
Sonmarg to Zojila Pass Taxi Fare
A private taxi from Sonamarg to Zojila Pass will cost you Rs. 5000 for a route trip. There are no shared cabs available though.
Zojila Pass Road Status – Conclusion
I hope the information above on Zojila Pass Road Status was of help. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below. You can also contact me on Instagram to chat with me live or subscribe to my YouTube channel and ask a question there.
105 comments
Hi, I know its not at all advisable to travel from srinagar to kargil through zojila in the 3rd week of november. But i am looking to take a chance here. I want to know if the roads get blocked due to snow how much time does it take to clear up and traffic to resume.
Hi Vargis, I’m ananthu, is it ok to travel from sonamarg to leh on november 1 – and back to sonamarg on novmeber 10th and is there any issue if i take a rented bike from kashmir to leh (only till leh and planning to rent leh registered bike from leh)?
Thank you in advance.!!
Hi Ananthu – It is not a good time to be traveling to Leh by road. Depending on the weather and if Zojila is open on your date of travel, you should be able to do it.
Reaching Leh on Srinagar rented bike is also Ok
Hi Vargis
Is Zojila pass remain open for both side traffic in September. Or there is some one way traffic rules during September. Can you pls confirm.
It is open both ways in September Bhai, even October as well
Sirji,
I am travelling to Leh from Srinagar on 9th July on bike. shall i also prepare for rain like raincoat and stuff.
Sorry typo i am travelling from Srinagar to Leh …
Yes Bhai, please carry rain gear
Hello Vargis ji – I need to speak to you for the trip I am planning to Laddakh. Can you share your contact details please? My contact is 9891525918
i wants to trawel on 15 june to srinagar to leh please guide me.
What would u like to know?
very good
Thank you
Good Afternoon Vargis , this is Ajay. Me and my family alongwith another family is planning for a Leh trip from 02 Jun to 12 Jun. We would be crossing over Zojila Pass on 05 Jun Morning towards Kargil. Request to pls let me know the road condition and recommended precautions to be taken. Similarly we would be crossing back for Srinagar on 11 Jun. It would be a great help if i could get your mob no pls.
We will be landing at Srinagar Airport at 11:40 a.m. Will it be possible to reach Kargil the same day?
No
Hi Varghis Bhai – your blogs are so useful! I am planning to cross the Razdan pass into Gurez valley in the middle of may (17-20 May), and it is recommended that i need to have snow chains on my jeep’s tyres as well as deicers for my windshield. Do you know anyone in Srinagar who can rent / sell snow chains?
Thank you Gagan Bhai. You can try talking to Faisal @ 9596410670 and see if he can help
Hi
We are visiting Kashmir in mid May but the gondola ride is cancelled due to g20 summit. Is there anything to do in Gulmarg or any other place where we can find snow .. we have kids with us who desperately want to visit snow
The only other place you can see snow in Mid May is Zojila Pass near Sonamarg.
Will it be safe to go to zero point from sonamarg on 29th April??pls guide
Take a look at the video I posted. There was an avalanche there so it is hard to say anything. Right now the pass is closed.
Is Zoijal pass open on 27th April?
Most probably no
Hello Brother!
I am planning to go from Delhi to Lehi via Shrinagar and we are planning to go from 28 April So can you please suggest Is there any challenges with these dates ??
Bhai there was an avalanche at Zojila Pass yesterday. It is closed as of now but should reopen in the next few days. It is risky to travel on this route right now. See the video I posted above.
Hi ,
Amazing advice for touristor & for road …. ……Bhai may end mein Srinagar to ladakh ja skte ritz car se …….
Thanks Amit Bhai. Yes, aap May end mein ja sakte ho aaram se
Hi I am travelling from Delhi to leh ladakh on 18th of April
Bike road trip..the road is opened or closed
Hi Vargis bhai, I have gone through your many blogs since I started my planning for tour. They are really very informative and gives solutions to most of queries. Thanks a lot on behalf of all the beneficiaries. I am planning my tour from Srinagar to Kargil in between one night stay at sonmarg. How can I know if road from sonmarg to kargil is open on that particular day? Further on the way can i visit zero point by my own vehicle?
I am planning by end of May
you really superb in describing any tourist place, god bless you to help the tourists.Now I want to whether we can visit zero-point and zoji La on 3rd April 23 ? I thajiwas glacier worth to visit ?
Thank you, Mr. Banerjee. 3rd April is a little early. There are chances that Sonamarg may be declared open for tourists in March itself this year but to be on a safer side, I will advise postponing your trip by a couple of weeks.
bro zojila april kb tk open hoga ? love from ladakh vlogs @irfan-shalistani
Irfan Bhai April Mid ke aas paas ka estimate hai filhal
I m planning to visit leh via Srinagar to Leh road on 1 April 2023, can i travel by my own car and what about road condition at that time.
It will not be open by 1st April Gaurav Bhai. You should postpone your plan by a few weeks
Hi Vargis Bhai, I m planning to visit leh via Srinagar to Leh road on 1 April 2023, can i travel by my own car and what about road condition at that time.
It will not be open by 1st April Gaurav Bhai. You should postpone your plan by a few weeks
Hi Mr. Vargis… Planning to travel to Leh via Srinagar – Leh highway in May last week… will the one-way on alternate days rule be applicable then as well?
It will be Bhai. The rest will depend on the weather condition this year. We will know more in April.
Hi Vargis,
Very good information! Should we better avoid and go to Leh by Flight from Srinagar. THANK YOU!
Hello Mr. Mehta – When are you traveling?
Hi vargis bhai, i am planing for visiting turthuk and umlingla pass starting from amrithsar- jammu to end at kulumanali is it possible to start from may 5 th 2023 pls reply waiting for ur advice. After that only i need to book train ticket from kerala to amrith sar (may 3)
Bhai it will be better to plan toward May end or early June to be on the safer side. But if you cannot then yes, it is doable in early May as well.
Hi Vargis- If I start towards Kargil from Srinagar by 8am it would be possible for me to reach Kargil by covering glacier at Sonmarg on the same day. I would spent a night in Kargil for moving towards Leh. Please advice.
Hi Sanjoy – It is doable but start by 6 am and not 8. A lot of it depends on the traffic at Zojila Pass so start as early as possible. When are you traveling by the way?
thanks a ton mr.vargis khan..this article is of great help..is it possible to drass kargil war memorial, zojila pass from srinagar via sonamarg in a day… though our itenary includes thajiwas glacier in sonamarg, i m tempted to cancel thajiwas and visit zero point and drass kargil war memorial… what do u suggest… leaving from srinagar in morning and have to reach back srinagar at night..thank you in advance
Thank you Mr. Kamath. It is not possible. If you start early from Srinagar, you will reach the war memorial by 3-4 pm at the earliest. There is no way you can make it a return journey
Hi Vargis Bhai, I m planning to visit leh via Srinagar to Leh road on 18 August 2022, can i travel by my own car and what about road condition at that time.
Hi! We will arrive in Srinagar on 31st May at 11:00 a.m. and are scheduled to leave for Kargil from the airport. Would it be a problem to cross Zojilla on that day? Is there any odd – even day system along with timings? Is it only one time in a day cars are allowed to move from Sonmarg side to Kargil side? Thanks
Dear Vargis.
I plan to travel from leh to srinagar on 26/05/2022. Please advise about crossing times through zojila.
Hi Vargis ….. found your blog extremely helpful…please suggest… Taking aged parents along in October first week…which one will be more suitable? ….. fly to Srinagar and take the 7 hr drive to Lamayuru without considering the traffic snarls at Zoji la or fly to Leh and drive from airport straight to Lamayuru(about 6 hrs)?? Kindly help me with this decision …
Hi ,
I am traveling Jun 19 Pangong to Hanle via Chusul by 4×2 car ,would you able to share any update for this route regarding current status or any 2nd plan ,as i am traveling with my spouse and 10 yrs kid .
Which route? Zojila or Chushul route? Both are open by the way
I am planning my road trip from Srinagar to Leh on 26-27 may. What is the current status of road. Is it open or closed. As you mentioned that srinagar to sonmarg road is closed.
It is open
Hi Vargis! Can i reach Kargil crossing Zojila pass if i start from Srinagar at 2pm in July?
Hi Sudip – You can but there is a high chance that you may get stopped by the cops before zojila. I will also not advise the same and will recommend that you stay in Srinagar and travel the next day.
Hi if we travelling from Srinagar whats the best time to leave so that we cross zojila on ontime with less traffic .
As of now the traffic from the Sonamarg side is only allowed after 10 am. So you will have to plan your day accordingly.
Hi
We have planned to go in the last week of may to leh from Srinagar via road. Can you pls tell from where should we hire private vehicle with driver in Srinagar ? And staying options in Kargil and Pangong lake.
For renting cab, you can talk to Faisal @ 9596410670.
Hotel Kargil Heights in Kargil is good.
For Pangong, reach there, find a campsite that you like and negotiate an on the spot deal
Hi
We will planning for leh Ladakh by road in june
We will land sringar At 12 afternoon and want to go direct kargil night stay
So is it possible to cross zojila after 2 pm noon.?
Cannot say anything right now. Will depend on the timings of Zojila in June. It will be better to not plan Kargil the same day. Stay in Sonamarg instead.
Sir thank you so much for all the valuable info. Is zero point good or will the drive to zojila pass from sonmarg be good.
Zero Point is hardly 1 kilometer from Zojila Pass Bhai. You should go there
Kya zojila pass Friday m close hota hai. Jame kal dras se shrinagar ki side jana h
Can we use our private vehicle to travel from sonmarg to zojila pass or is it mandatory to take a union taxi
You can use your private vehicle
Thank you so much. Can i see snow on the roads leading to zojila pass
Yes you will find some snow there at the pass
Hello Sir
Can we take Baleno private vehicle, Is it easy to go?
Yes you can
Hi Vargis,
How can I plan my trip on an even day that too 8th April 2022 Friday from Sonamarg to Kargil ? Can you please guide me?
Can we use our private vehicle to travel from sonmarg to zojila pass or is it mandatory to take a union taxi
You can use your private vehicle
Hi Vargis,
How can I plan my trip on an even day that too 8th April 2022 Friday from Sonamarg to Kargil? Can you please guide me?
Is zoila pass open now i.e. on 26th/27th march
Yes it is open now
Braking news Road is open now…
Vargis bhai road open ho gaya 110 % sach hai
We will reach Srinagar Airport on 28th May @ 11:40 am and will proceed towards Dras on the same day? Shall we able to cross Zoji La on 28th May? Is the one way traffic rule still exist in the Srinagar-Leh Highway?
You cant, will have to go next day
we are planning for 20th of March from sonmarg to leh at that time zojila pass road is open?
Is the road from srinagar to sonamarg open NOW
Reaching Sonamarg on 15.03.22. How to go to Thajiwas glacier ?
we are planning for 21st of april from sonmarg to leh at that time zojila pass road is open?
Usually it is open but depends on how the weather will be in April this year
can we enjoy snow at zero point in May
Yes you will find snow there in May as well
Hi Vargis, so if I leave Sonmarg for Kargil any day of the week at 7am sharp, will I surely not encounter any traffic on Zojila? Is this true for all days of the week? Thanks…
Hi Amit – Yes, this is correct.
Thanks so much for useful information Vargis. Is it possible to take own vehicle with hired driver across zojila? Also in that case, are drivers on hire available at Sonmarg?
Hi Suharsh – It will be hard to find a driver on your own. Talk to the owner of your hotel and he can arrange one for you.
Hello Vargis,
I have my travel plan from 25th Dec 2021 to 1st Jan 2022 to Kashmir. I have my booking in Sonamarg from 28th Dec to 31st Dec. As per the weather prediction, there could be snowfall. I am wondering if the roads will be closed during that duration. What do you suggest? Shall I cancel my Sonamarg visit and instead plan to stay in Srinagar itself?
Yes, please cancel your Sonamarg visit. The road usually closes by that time and even if it is open, it will be a risk. You may get stuck in Sonamarg if it started to snow.
Is zojila expected to be open till 20th October?
Can we visit sonmarg during 2 week of November?
hii, plz tell me today zojila pass is open for tourist
Hi.. Thanks for all information
Will May 1st week be good time to travel Srinagar to leh? Any idea of covid restrictions?
As per local people, the leh Sonmarg road is closed for tourists. When is it likely to open.
It is open already
Hi. Just wanted to know how is the condition of the road where it isn’t metalled properly near zoji la.
I’m gonna be driving in a Corolla which is 15 years old.
Hi, I believe there is a timing for up and down traffic from Sonamarg to Kargil and vice versa to avoid crowding at Zojilla pass. Is it right