Zanskar Valley is a hidden gem And an adventure destination in Ladakh. After the UT, we will go to the New District of Ladakah. At 12,000 feet above sea level, views of the surrounding permafrost mountains are the highlights of the Penzi La pass., famous for its high snow-capped mountains and surrounding landscape, featuring geographical attributes
It’s a Historical Region for the Buddhist kingdoms of the western Himalayas. It is situated in the interior of Ladakh, with Padum as its administrative center. Zanskar Valley was once part of the Guge kingdom in Tibet, but now it is an integral part of India.
The Zanskar Valley Tourism also offers beautiful ancient monasteries, which can be covered, with the most famous being the Phuktal monastery. Zanskar is located 105 km from Leh and is one of Kashmir’s most unexplored tourist destinations.
The region has picturesque beauty and winter adventures Like Chader Chadar Trek. And high altitude passes, making it one of the perfect tourist holiday attractions. If you want to do some adventures, you can visit and explore. We are rafting, paragliding, and trekking.
Some tourist attractions near Zanskar are Zongkhul, Stongdey, and Zongla monasteries. Most of the people in the Valley are Tibetan Buddhists who speak their native language along with Hindi, Urdu, and Ladaki.
The best time to visit Zanskar Valley is from June to September, as the valley becomes inaccessible in winter due to heavy snowfall.
Zanskar Valley Tourism :How to plan a trip to
If you plan to visit Zanskar Valley, you must prepare everything in advance as the valley is located at a very high altitude, and reaching it cannot be easy.
First of all, you should plan how you want to reach Ladakh. If you are traveling by flight, you should book your flight to Srinagar and then travel by road to reach Zanskar, as the valley is accessible only via road.
Being a high-altitude area, you need to plan the number of days you want to spend there. 7-8 days are sufficient to explore Zanskar valley Tourism ,ewhereurists can explore monasteries and other attractions.
You can also plan your trip from Kargil and Leh. You can reach Kargil by road from Srinagar and then travel via Padum to visit Zanskar. From Leh, you can visit Chilling and then reach Padum, which leads to Zanskar Valley.
Zanskar Valley experiences a very harsh winter, so visiting the valley in the summer from June to September is advisable.
Zanskar Valley Frozen River Trek
Frozen River Trek or Chadar Trek is one of the winter adventures that tourists can enjoy on the frozen Zanskar River. It is a unique experience amidst the mighty mountains and enchanting landscapes.
Chadar trek is a 60 km long route trek that can be completed in 5 days with the help of trekking experts and local travel agencies. This trek can be enjoyed in January and February when the temperature is sub-zero, and the climate is extremely harsh. The trek is suitable only for those tourists who are healthy and well-acclimatized.
Places to visit near Zanskar Valley
Apart from exploring the scenic beauty of Zanskar Valley Tourism, you can also visit some nearby attractions
Penzi La Pass
Located at an altitude of 4400 m, Penzi La is a high mountain pass connecting Suru Valley. It is situated 150 km to the south of Kargil. The pass offers enchanting views of Drang Drung Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers in Ladakh. The glacier is 23 km in length and lies at an elevation of 4,750 meters above sea level.
Gombo Ranjan
Located in the heart of Zanskar Valley, Gombo Ranjan or Gumbak Rangan or Gonbo Ronjan is a majestic mountain peak that is blessed with scenic natural beauty and also has spiritual significance. Situated in Lungnak valley of Zanskar, it can be visited only via road. The mountain is famously called “God’s mountain” as it holds religious importance for the Buddhist people of Zanskar.
Sankoo
You can also visit Sankoo which is a picturesque village located 42 km to the southwest of Kargil in Padum. The village is surrounded by vibrant rocky mountains and it is a bowl-shaped valley. Sankoo is a popular picnic spot where tourists can enjoy lush green plantations. The village is famously called ‘Ladakh’s Gulmarg’, due to its fame in Ladakh.
Phuktal Monastery
It is one of the most beautiful nearby attractions in Zanskar Valley. Also known as ‘Cave Monastery’, Phuktal Monastery is situated in Lungnak Valley of Zanskar.
The monastery is built around a natural cave which resembles a honeycomb. Currently, the monastery belongs to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was founded in the 15th century by Jangsem Sherap Zangpo.
It is the only monastery in Zanskar that can be reached on foot, a unique experience for trekkers. The monastery has four prayer rooms with a kitchen and a library. It houses around 70 monks and also has a guesthouse where you can stay for a night.
Suru Valley
Suru Valley is located 139 km from Padum to the south of Kargil. It is a picturesque and fertile valley on the banks of the Suru River, which is a tributary of the Indus River. This place offers amazing trekking opportunities and is a haven for trekkers and mountain climbers.
The valley is home to about 25,000 people who are predominantly Shia Muslims. Suru Valley has many small villages which are perfect for sightseeing and photography. Some of the picnic spots in Suru are Damsna, Umba, and Sangra Parkachik.
Things to carry at Zanskar Valley
Below is the list of things that you must carry on your trip.
- You should carry warm clothes with you in both seasons.
- Carry good-quality trekking shoes, sleeping bags, and backpacks.
- Carry a first aid kit and medicines.
- If you wish to camp here, carry a sturdy camping tent, sleeping bag, and cooking equipment.
- For sun protection, pack sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Dry snacks and high-energy foods, energy bars.
- A torch
- Packed water and maps for the route.
Hotel stays in Zanskar Valley
The majority of the good hotels are located in Padum town of Zanskar valley. After that, you will only find guesthouses and homestays that offer you basic amenities and warm hospitality.
Famous ones include Hotel Ibex and Hotel Rigyal. Besides, you will also find numerous stay options in Leh and Kargil ranging from luxurious to budget-friendly ones such as Zojila Residency in Kargil and Grand Dragon in Leh, which provide all the basic facilities. Staying in a homestay will be the best choice to enjoy authentic Ladaki hospitality and culture.
The best time to visit Zanskar Valley
Zanskar Valley remains accessible from June to September when the Singe La Pass is open to traffic. For the rest of the year, the road is closed due to heavy snowfall.
Summer: Summer is the best time to visit Zanskar Valley. From June to September, the weather is pleasant and roads are also accessible. Summer allows you to fully enjoy your trip to Zanskar by exploring its beauty along with nearby attractions and enjoying adventure activities.
Winter: the Valley is inaccessible during the winter season. Those who want to visit in winter can only reach here via the Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar River. The trek is a 5-day long activity that can be done only by those who are medically fit.
How to reach Zanskar valley
The only way to reach Zanskar Valley is by road in the summer season. Earlier, there was only Kargil Road to reach Zanskar, but now, multiple roads have been built via Leh and Manali. Here, we will discuss essential routes to reach .
From Srinagar and Kargil: It is one of the best routes to reach Zanskar Valley. Kargil is about 235 km from Srinagar, and you can get it by road through Leh. After reaching Kargil, you can hire a taxi or private car to reach Padum, then you will reach Zanskar.
From Himachal: It is an under-construction road from Darcha in Himachal to Shinglo La and then to Padum. Another route starts from Leh to Nimmo, takes you to Chilling, and finally, to Padum.
From Darcha: It is a 40 km route from Darcha to Shinglo La, taking you through Phugtal monastery, which then reaches.
From Leh: It is the easiest route to reach Zanskar Valley and is open yearly. It begins from Leh to Chilling, reaching Padum, which leads you to Zanskar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the highest peak in Zanskar valley?
Nun Kun is the highest peak in Zanskar, located at an elevation of 7,135 meters (23,409 feet) above sea level.
2. Which river meets in Zanskar?
Zanskar river meets with Indus river at Nimmu.
3. Are there any ATMs?
The nearest ATM is located in Kargil. There are no functional ATMs after Kargil, so carrying sufficient youcash with you on your trip to Zanskar is recommended.
4. How many days are enough for a Zanskar trip?
7-10 days are sufficient to explore Zanskar and its attractions.
5. What is the distance between Leh and Zanskar Valley?
Zanskar is situated 460 km from Leh.