Zanskar Valley
One of the least explored places in the country, Zanskar Valley is a hidden gem located near Leh, Ladakh which offers sublime scenic views of the snow-laced Himalayan range with sparkling blue river flowing at their foothill. It even provides an exotic experience of trekking, ‘Chadar Trek’, on a thick sheet of Ice on a river during the winter season.
- Located at an average height of 6000 meters above the sea level, Zanskar valley is surrounded by the unmatched beauty of the serene mountains.
- In winters the Zanskar river freezes to form a blanket of thick ice, allowing the thrill seekers to go on a trek on this frozen river, popularly known as the ‘Chadar’ trek.
- One can enjoy white water rafting at the Zanskar river along with camping at night surrounded by the beautiful mountains.
- The treacherous terrain of Zanskar is perfect for adventure lovers to embark on challenging treks such as the Lugnak Trail Trek, Padum-Darcha Trek and Zanskar-Sham Valley Trek among others.
How To Reach
By Air:
Reach the Kushok Bakula airport which is the closest airport to Leh. Opt for a hired vehicle to get to Zanskar Valley afterwards.
By Train:
Reach the Jammu Tawi railway station and then, take a taxi or hired vehicle to take you to Leh and later to Zanskar Valley.
By Road:
In order to reach Zanskar Valley, one must travel first to Kargil, which can be accessed via Srinagar or Leh. The distance between Leh and Zanskar Valley is 462 km, which can be covered under 11 hours if one travels via NH 1 and NH 301. Once you reach Leh, you can opt for a hired vehicle to take you via the road route to Zanskar, via Kargil. The best way to get to Leh is through Srinagar, which offers well connected roads and a safe route for tourists to reach their travel destination.
Top Attractions in Zanskar
Chadar Trek
The Chadar Trek is a one-of-a-kind and difficult trek in India. Depending on the weather, the multi day Chadar walk across the ice Zanskar River in Ladakh takes place from late January to late February or perhaps in March. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime sensation to walk on the thick glass of an icy river with great mountains on either side.
Suru Valley
Suru Valley is one of the popular places to visit in Zanskar due to its breathtaking beauty, which you may explore on foot while also enjoying photography. Picnic sites such as Parkachik, Damsna, and Thulus are also available for a day out.
Shafat Glacier
It’s a 14-kilometer-long glacier in Suru Valley that gives rise to the Nun and Kun peaks and serves as a foundation for climbing these two peaks.
Parkachik Glacier
Parkachik Glacier happens to be one of the best places to visit in Zanskar that lets you witness a spectacular mass of ice sliding slowly down the slopes of Nun and Kun peaks, located a short distance from Parkachik. A suspended footbridge across the Suru river leads up to the glacier.
Drang Drung Glacier
This 23-kilometer-long glacier is the largest tourist-accessible glacier in Ladakh. Drang Drung may also be seen from Pensi La, where it appears as a flowing river of ice encircled by the scenic Himalayan mountains; the view is truly beautiful to see. The source of the Doda and Stod rivers is one of India’s greatest glaciers.
Pensi La
This mountain pass is known as the Zanskar Gateway. When compared to other passes in Ladakh, Penzi La is a very short pass to cross, you’ll be at the top of the pass before you realise you’re ascending.
