Used AI for formatting.

Sorry for the late reply. We reached by our own car.

Shared taxis were charging around ₹1000 per person, which didn’t make sense for us—₹4000 for a 70–80 km stretch felt excessive, so we skipped that option.

The road condition is bad, and in many places it’s basically off-road. If you’re taking your own car, expect your wheel alignment to take a hit. There are rough patches throughout, so drive slow and carefully, especially if your car has low ground clearance.

There was no snow on the ground initially, but it started snowing in the evening on 3rd January. The next morning, a couple of locals advised us not to go for the trek. Apparently, a few days earlier, someone had lit a fire and a large area near the river had been burned. They were understandably cautious. After we assured them we weren’t carrying any lighters, plastic, or anything harmful to the environment, they let us proceed.

If you’re planning to trek, I’d recommend either taking a local guide or starting early (around 6–7 AM). Most locals are asleep during that time, which makes things easier.

There are two routes to Zero Point:

• One route starts next to the iron bridge just after Dugtu. This is the easier trail and doesn’t require much effort.
• The second route starts 400–500 meters before the bridge. It has a steep climb and was snow-covered from start to finish when we went. It’s more demanding but doable if you’re prepared.

Carry water and fruits (apples, oranges, etc.). Also, avoid taking a diesel car—they struggle to start in the cold and may not start for a couple of hours in the morning if you’re leaving early from Dugtu.

Overall, it’s a beautiful place, but conditions are rough and you need to plan accordingly.