Drass, situated at 3230 meters, is a small township lying in the centre of the valley of the same name. It has become famous as the second coldest inhabited place in the world by virtue of the intense cold that descends upon the valley along with repeated snowfalls during winters. Winter temperature are known to sometimes plummet to less than minus 40 degrees.

The Drass valley starts from the base of the Zoji-la pass, the Himalayan gateway to Ladakh. The inhabitants of Drass can well be described as the guardians of Ladakh's gateway. For centuries they are known to have negotiated this formidable pass, even during the most risky period in the late autumn or early spring, when the whole sector remains snow-bound and is subject to frequent snow storms, to transport trader's merchandise across and to help stranded travellers. By virtue of their mastery over the pass they had established a monopoly over the carrying trade during the heydays of the Pan-Asian trade.

 Drass is a convenient base for a 3 day long trek to the Suru valley across the sub-range separating the two valleys. This trek passes through some of the most beautiful upland villages and flower-filled meadows on both sides of the 4500 meter high Umbala pass, which falls en route. Drass also offers numerous shorter treks and hikes to the upland villages.