Situated south of Ladakh district and surrounded by high mountains, Zanskar remains inaccessible for most of the part of the year; reason being its tricky geographical locations. Zanzkar has kept alive the ancient form of Tibetan Buddhism which flourishes in the monasteries neatly tucked away in the Zanskar valley.
Zanskar River flows from Padum to Zangla cutting a series of gorges through the Zanskar Range. It joins the Indus after a voyage across 300 km of mountains and ridges. The valley of Zanskar is renowned for its gompas and nice friendly people. Zanskar is created as two subsidiaries namely Stod and Linak merge at the foot of Padum; Padum being the important habitation of that area. Karsha near Padum is the largest Gompa of that region. There are quiet a few other monasteries which are worth a visit once you visit Zanskar. The best time to visit Zanskar would be between the months of June to September. A few of its Adventure trek routes have been discussed in detail below.
Major trekking routes in Zanskar region
Padum
Padum is well-known as a key trekking point and a well-liked traveler hot spot. Padum (3505 m) was once the capital of the olden empire of Zanskar. It is the current day governmental head office of the province. Otherwise a barely populated vale, Padum can be portrayed as the most densely inhabited setup of Zanskar. By the way, it is only in Padum that there is a population of Muslims comprising practically half the township’s populace, its beginning in the vicinity dating from mid 17th century. Recently, Padum has turned out to be a famed trekking base and a popular tourist destination. On the way quite a few places of visitor interest in the neighborhood of the township can be visited in the course of pleasurable hikes.
Kargil to Padum
When all suspension bridges are open the path is available from early June to late October. On the last day’s hike from Phe to Padum you traverse the river and bypass the Sani gompa, one of the most imperative in Zanskar.
Padum to Lamayuru
There is another course from Padum that commences from the other side of the Zanskar River. It takes you to Linghsot Gompa before following the first route.
Padum to Kishtwar
On this trek you have to make use of porters and not horses. The last few days are hard work with many climbs and drops but the way from Kishtwar by now stretching to Galar is steadily being extended.
Stongdey
The Stongdey monastery is 18 km from Padum, on the way to Zangla. An ancient establishment linked with the Tibetan yogi, Marpa, Stongdey is at present the second largest monastic organization of Zanskar, occupied by the resident community of about 60 Gelukpa monks. The great white-washed complex has a quantity of temples, each a warehouse of the region’s rich monastic legacy. Stongdey can be arrived at in about 4 hours by road on foot. The ascent up to the monastery is rather exhausting but it is worth the trouble for the magnificent landscape of the gorge seen from here.
Zangla
Lying in the northern side of Zanskar at the end of the 35 km long road from Padum an old castle is in ruins except for a small chapel which occupies a hill that overlooks the deserted valley below. Just close to that is the old nunnery which is worth paying a visit for the austere life style of the small monastic community of nuns. An old monastery located in the close by village of Tsa-zar has lovely murals.
Zangla is also a starting point for the Padum-Markha valley treks. Mid-way Zangla and Stongdey, the villages lie mid-way. Zangla is a connecting point on the well-known Padum-Strongdey-Zangla-Karsha-Padum route, where you get to see most of Zanskar’s rich heritage. The river has a provisional foot-bridge built across for going to the left bank along which the trail to Karsha follows.
Darcha – Lamayuru Trek
Imagine rigorous hardships, 14 to 20 km of strenuous and superb sights every day for 3 weeks. This trek starts at the Western Himalayas footpath connecting Darcha in Lahoul with Padum in Zanskar and Lamayuru in Ladakh. On the way you will check out various monasteries starting with Phuktal monastery which is built under a huge cave, Sani gompa, Mani gompa, Burdan gompa, Karsha gompa, Lingshed gompa and Lamayuru gompa. At 5100 meters the path crosses several passes Shingo la 5100 metres, Perfi la, Hunuma la 4800 metres, Sengge la 5060 metres, Sirsir la and Prinkiti la. The route passes by the rivers of Tsarap, Chandra, Bhaga, Doda, Indus and Zanskar.
Zanskar is home to some of the finest treks on this planet. The remote location of this place provides spine chilling adventure to the visitors here. Visit to the monasteries here is a humbling experience. The simple people of Zanskar look like they belong to a forgotten land. When you trek through deep gorges or cycle down the passes and when you cannot stop gazing at God’s creations you know you have achieved what most come here seeking for – peace and bliss.
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