Kargil Tourism & Places To Visit

History of Kargil

Before independence, Kargil was a part of the Baltistan district of Ladakh, where a huge number of Tibetan Buddhists resided. During the first Kashmir war in the 14^th century as a result of the Shia revolution, was split away from Baltistan and it became part of Kashmir. At the end of the Indo-Pak war in 1971, both countries signed a treaty called the Shimla Agreement which enforced the rule not to engage in armed conflict.

gained international attention when in 1999 Pakistani troops infiltrated the region. After many diplomatic solutions and wars, Pakistani forces left the region. Another reason for Kargil’s historical significance is the silk route, which is an important center for trade.

Top Tourist Places To Visit in Kargil

Surrounded by mighty snow-clad Himalayas, Kargil Tourism is a beautiful tourist destination of Ladakh offering an opportunity to explore many other attractions. Here are some of the places that you can visit during your Ladakh trip.

Mulbekh Monastery

 Featuring a 30-foot (9-meter) tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, Mulbekh Monastery is a famous tourist attraction of Kargil situated at an altitude of 11,495 feet above sea level. The monastery is situated 36 km away and it consists of two gompas- one is Serdung Gompa of the Drukpa sect and the other is Rgaldan se Gompa of the Gelugpa sect. The history of the monastery states that it was built around 800 years ago by the disciples of a Tibetan scholar, Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo.

Kargil War Memorial

It is a place worth visiting during your ladakh tour. The Kargil War memorial was built by the Indian Army in honor of those soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Indo-Pak War in 1999.
The monument is also known by the name ‘Vijaypath’ and it is built in pink sandstone with an inscription dedicated to martyred soldiers. The war memorial has a gallery called ‘Manoj Pandey Gallery’ which highlights the photographs of the wartime and also the weapons and artillery discovered. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated annually on 26 July to honor the sacrifices of deceased soldiers.

Suru Valley

Suru Valley is a breathtaking beautiful valley located along the Suru River and blessed with lush green valleys, crystal clear streams, and mighty hills. The valley has scenic villages and is a picturesque place perfect for sightseeing, photoshoots, and amazing nature views. Being a popular tourist attraction, Suru Valley offers several sightseeing and picnic spot opportunities such as Parkachik, Panikhar, Damsna, and Rangum. You can visit Suru Valley from July to October and enjoy here trekking, picnics, nature walks, etc.

Shargole Monastery

Take a spiritual tour of the Shargole monastery, which is a hidden gem located in the village of Shargole. It dates back to about 1,000 years ago and displays showpieces, Thangkas (Buddhist paintings), and Buddhist statues. This monastery has a statue of Avalokiteshvara, a Bodhisattva an enlightenment being and it belongs to the Gelug or yellow hat sect of Buddhism.

Kargil Market

On your Ladakh tour, never miss out on a chance to visit its vibrant market. main market is situated in Kargil city and is a lively place where visitors can shop for Pashmina Shawls, traditional handicrafts, woolen textiles, spices, and apricots. There are small lanes in the market where you will find food stalls and gift shops.

Top things to do in Kargil

Apart from being a scenic place and offering beautiful nature scenes, Kargil also allows tourists to enjoy numerous adventure activities. For those who want to explore the adventure Kargil Tourism, it is a perfect opportunity to visit here and indulge in various travel activities. Below are some of the adventure activities which you can enjoy on your trip.

Explore Local markets in Kargil

 Shopping is a must activity to do on any trip. the market is the most busy market which is a sought-after place for shopaholic travelers. This market has a huge number of big and small shops which sell various kinds of local souvenirs. Travelers here can purchase traditional crafts and artifacts, showpieces, Pashmina Shawls, woolens, local foods, dryfruits, and gift items. Take home with you some masterpieces of Kargil which represent the culture and traditions of the region.

Visiting monasteries and Imambaras

 The monasteries of Ladakh are an important feature of the region’s cultural and religious significance. The monasteries are famous for their architecture, location, and history. Some of these monasteries are located on high hills and some on steep barren lands.

The monasteries that you can explore include Hemis Monastery, Karsha Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, and Alchi Monastery. As  has a huge population of Shia Muslims, you can also visit Imambaras which are significant religious places for Shia Muslims, and witness the traditions there.

Relish Local foods

Every trip remains incomplete without tasting the local delicacies of the place. On your trip , taste the local cuisine which is a blend of Kashmiri, Tibetan, and Central Asian flavors. Some of the local foods that are worth trying are Thukpa, momos, and tigmo. Travelers can also taste butter tea, a famous tea of Ladakh which is perfect for cold weather.

Trekking to Suru and Zanskar Valley

Embark on adventurous treks to Suru and Zanskar Valley and get enchanting views of snow-clad mountains, green pastures, apricot orchards, and sparkling Suru River. Suru Valley lets you enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayas and interact with the locals of the place. On reaching Suru Valley, travelers can also enjoy river rafting on the Suru River and jeep safari to the famous Zanskar Valley.