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Padam
Tours
Padum the
capital of the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, Padum (3505 m) is the
present day administrative headquarters of  the
region. With a population of nearly 1500, Padum can be described as
the most populous settlement of Zanskar, otherwise a very scarcely
inhabited valley. Incidentally, it is only in Padum that there is a
community of Muslims constituting nearly half the township's
population, its origin in the area dating from mid 17th century.
Lately, Padum has become a famous as a major trekking base and a
popular tourist destination. Several places of tourist interest in the
vicinity of the township can be visited in the course of entertaining
walks. The nearest monument is a set of ancient rock carving on a huge
boulder near the river bank, just below the old township. These dates
from the 8th century and provide epigraphic evidence that the region
was under the influence of North Indian Buddhism since ancient times.
The Starrimo Monastery with about 30 resident monks clings to a
tree-covered ridge above the old town. Across the expanse of
cultivation lies the old village of Pibiting, dominated by its
picturesque hilltop monastery, a superb manifestation of stupa
architecture.
How to Reach?
The 240 km long Kargil-Padun road, of which the first 90 km stretch is
paved, remains opened from around mid July to early November. The
J&K SRTC operates a thrice weekly B-class bus service from Kargil.
However groups can charter A-Class or even Super-Deluxe buses to visit
Zanskar, including the interior places of interest like Stongdey,
Zangla and Karsha. Jeeps and Gypsy taxis can also be hired at Kargil.
During June and early July, prior to opening of the road, it is
recommended to walk into Zanskar from panikhar or Parkachik onwards.
In June, the summer is at its height in the region and the climate is
ideal for trekking along the route free from vehicular traffic of any
kind and when the countryside is freshly rejuvenated into life after
months of frigid dormancy.
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Zanskar
Tour
T he
Zanskar sub-division of Kargil district is centered around its
main settlement at Padam Four main routes over passes up
to 500m converge here from Lahoul in the Chenab valley,
Kishtwar, the Suru valley and Leh. Truly one of the most
desolate places in the Himalaya, Zanskar is known for its
spectacular scale, hardy mountain folk and extreme winter when
the Zanskar river freezes to from the "chador" over
which mail runners operate.
A long
and winding river of ice and snow, the Drang-Drung" is
perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the Siachen
formation. It is from the cliff-like snout of this extensive
glacier that the Stod or Doda River, the main tributary of
river Zanskar, rises.
About 20 kms. South of
Rangdum stands the Pazila watershed across which lies
Zanskar, the most isolated of all the trans Himalayan
Valleys. The Panzila Top (4401 m) is the picturesque
tableland adorned with two small alpine lakes and surrounded
by snow covered peaks. As the Zanskar road winds down the
steep slopes of the watershed to the head of the Stod
Valley, one of Zanskar's main tributary valleys, the
majestic "Drang-Drung" glacier looms into full
view. A long and winding river of ice and snow, the
Drang-Drung" is perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh,
outside the Siachen formation. It is from the cliff-like
snout of this extensive glacier that the Stod or Doda River,
the main tributary of river Zanskar, rises.
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Zangla
Tour
Lying
deep in the northern arm of Zanskar at the end of the 35 km.
Long rough road from Padum, Zangla was being ruled by  a
titular king till his death a few years back. The old castle
now in ruins except from a small chappel, occupies a hill,
overlooking the desertic valley below. Nearby is the old
Nunnery worth a visit for the austere life style of the small
monastic community of nuns. An old monastery situated in the
nearby village of Tsa-zar has exquisite frescos that should be
missed. The village lies mid-way between Stongdey and Zangla.
Zangla is the nodal point on the popular Padum-Strongdey-Zangla-Karsha-Padum
round trip, which covers most of the cultural sites of
Zanskar. The old rope suspension bridge spanning the
tumultuous Zanskar near Zangla- a rare feat of folk
engineering - is no more in use, but still visible. The river
is now crossed by a temporary footbridge for approaching the
left bank along which the trail to Karsha follows. Zangla is
also the take-off point for the Padum-Markha valley treks.
The 240 km long Kargil-Padun road, of which the first 90 km
stretch is paved, remains opened from around mid July to early
November. In June, the summer is at its height in the region
and the climate is ideal for trekking along the route free
from vehicular traffic of any kind and when the countryside is
freshly rejuvenated into life after months of frigid dormancy.
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Stongdey
Tour
The
monastery o f
Stongdey lies 18 kms. To the north of Padum, on the road
leading to Zangla. An old foundation associated with the
Tibetan Yogi, Marpa, Stongdey is now the second largest
monastic establishment of Zanskar, inhabited by the resident
community of about 60 Gelukpa monks. The sprawling whitewashed
complex has a number of temples, each a repository of the
region's rich monastic legacy. Stongdey can be reached by foot
in about 4 hours along the recently laid rough road. The climb
up to the monastery is rather strenuous, but it is worth the
trouble for the breathtaking scenery of the valley available
from here.
How to Reach?
The 240 km long Kargil-Padun road, of which the first 90 km
stretch is paved, remains opened from around mid July to early
November. The J&K SRTC operates a thrice weekly B-class
bus service from Kargil. However groups can charter A-Class or
even Super-Deluxe buses to visit Zanskar, including the
interior places of interest like Stongdey, Zangla and Karsha.
Jeeps and Gypsy taxis can also be hired at Kargil. During June
and early July, prior to opening of the road, it is
recommended to walk into Zanskar from panikhar or Parkachik
onwards. In June, the summer is at its height in the region
and the climate is ideal for trekking along the route free
from vehicular traffic of any kind and when the countryside is
freshly rejuvenated into life after months of frigid dormancy
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